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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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D 
D 
D 
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Cover  title  missing/ 

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n 


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MX 

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32X 

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d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
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empreinte. 

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dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
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symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

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Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

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5 

6 

THE  WORKS 


0» 


HUBERT  HOWE  BANCROFT. 


THE    WOKKS 


0* 


HUBERT  HOWE  BANCROFT. 


VOLUME  XXXII. 


m 


HISTORY  OF  BRITISH  COLUMBIA. 


1792-1887, 


SAN    FRANCISCO: 
THE   HISTORY  COMPANY,  PUBLISHERS. 

1887. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  tlio  Year  1887,  by 

HUBERT  H.  BANCROFT, 
In  tlie  Office  of  tlie  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Wasliington. 


All  Rhjhla  Reserved. 


PREFACE. 


More  than  a  century  elapsed  after  a  charter  was 
granted  by  Charles  II.  to  Prince  Rupert  and  a  com- 
pany  of  seventeen  others,  incorporated  as  the  Governor 
and  Coinpany  of  Adventurers  of  England  trading  into 
Hudson's  Bay,  before  the  first  trading  posts  were  built 
among  the  almost  unpeopled  solitudes  of  British  Co- 
lumbia, or,  as  the  Mainland  was  then  termed.  New 
Caledonia.  And  yet  it  was  but  an  accident  that  the 
construction  of  these  little  picket-fenced  enclosures 
did  not  lead  to  the  acquisition  by  Great  Britain  of  an 
empire  no  less  valuable  than  is  now  the  dominion  of 
Canada. 

In  1579,  Sir  Francis  Drake  ancliored  in  the  bay 
that  still  bears  his  name  on  the  coast  of  California,  and, 
m  behalf  of  his  sovereign,  took  possession  of  the  coun- 
try, which  he  called  New  Albion,  this  name  being 
afterward  applied  to  all  the  territory  northward  from 
Drake's  Bay  almost  to  the  Columbia  River.  Long 
before  the  first  American  settlers,  bringing  with  them 
their  flocks  and  herds,  had  crossed  the  snow-clad 
mountains  which  form  the  eastern  boundary  of  Ore- 
gon, forts  and  trading  posts  had  been  established  in  the 
valleys  of  the  Umpqua  and  the  Willamette.  Toward 
the  north  the  English  claimed,  by  right  of  discovery, 


(V) 


tI 


PREFACE. 


the  country  in  the  neighborhood  of  Nootka  Sound. 
Fmally,  in  1840,  a  proposition  was  considered  by  the 
manager  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  to  purchase 
the  Ross  colony,  estabhshed  by  the  Russians  on  tlie 
coast  of  New  Albion.  That  the  bargain  was  iiot 
concluded  was  probably  due  to  the  fear  of  troul)losonic! 
complications  with  the  United  States.  Thus  to  the 
right  of  discovery  and  prior  occupation  in  the  far  north- 
west would  have  been  added  the  right  of  purchase, 
and  if,  at  the  time  of  the  gold  excitement,  a  few  years 
later,  the  English  had  gained  a  foothold  in  the  coun- 
try, it  is  probable  tliat  they  would  have  laid  claim  to  a 
part  of  the  territory  ceded  by  Mexico  to  the  United 
States  m  1848. 

Originally  a  mere  portion  of  the  vast  game  pre- 
serve of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  little  has  been 
handed  down  to  us  of  the  early  records  of  British  Co- 
lumbia, although  that  little  forms  perhaps  the  most  in- 
teresting portion  of  its  history.  Among  the  sources 
whence  I  have  derived  the  information  that  I  novr 
lay  before  the  reader,  are  valuable  manuscripts  handed 
to  me  by  some  of  the  principal  actors  in  the  events 
which  they  describe ;  as,  Roderick  Finlayson,  James 
Deans,  and  Alexander  Caulfield  Anderson.  For  other 
portions  of  my  narrative,  I  Iiave  also  depended  largely 
on  manuscripts,  all  of  which  have  received  due  men- 
tion in  this  volume. 

In  1856  gold  was  discovered  In  the  bed  of  the  Fra- 
ser  River,  and  in  1857  the  San  Juan  Island  difficultv 
was  approaching  a  crisis.  It  was  probably  due  in  part 
to  both  of  these  causes,  and  also  to  the  fear  that  New 
Caledonia,  already  largely  occupied  by  Americans, 
might  be  absorbed  into  the  territory  of  the  United 
States,  that,  in  1858,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  parlia- 


PREFACE. 


vu 


mcnt  of  Great  Britain  to  provide  for  the  government 
of  British  Columbia,  by  which  name  was  known  there- 
after the  domain  of  England  <mi  the  western  mainland 
of  North  America.  And  now  the  reign  of  the  great 
monopoly  had  come  to  an  end.  In  the  following  year 
Vancouver  Island  was  constituted  a  separate  colony, 
and  so  remained  until  18G6,  when,  on  account  of  the 
enormous  expense  of  maintaining  the  mrdiinery  of 
government  among  a  handful  of  people,  the  two  de- 
pendencies were  merged  into  one. 

Between  1802  and  1871  gold  was  shipped  by  the 
l)anks  of  British  Columbia  toth.^  value  of  more  than 
$1G, (550,000,  while  the  amount  of  treasure  carried  away 
by  miners  from  the  several  districts  cannot  be  esti- 
mated at  less  than  $0,000,000.  But  though  rumor 
of  golden  sands  and  gold-bearing  river-beds  seldom 
fails  to  attract  hordes  of  fortune-hunters  from  all  quar- 
ters of  the  globe,  such  an  element  forn  s  by  no  means 
a  desirable  addition  to  the  pofiulation  of  a  young,  am- 
bitious, and  thriving  colony.  As  in  California,  in  Aus- 
tralia, and  in  New  Zealand,  the  wealth  thus  acquired 
was  seldom  turned  to  good  account;  and  little  of  it 
remained  to  enrich  the  country  whence  it  was  gath- 
ered, those  who  collected  it  becoming  not  infrequently 
a  burden  on  the  more  staid  and  industrious  portion 
of  the  community.  To  British  Columbia  Hocked  a 
heterogeneous  gathering  of  adventurers  from  the  east- 
ern and  western  states,  from  S[)ain,  from  Mexico,  from 
California,  from  China,  and  from  Australia.  Thus  the 
necessity  for  some  stable  form  of  government  to  con- 
trol this  lawless  and  turbulent  population  made  all  the 
more  welcome  to  the  settlers  who  had  established  there 
a  permanent  home  the  organization  of  the  two  colonies 
as  a  province  of  the  dominion  of  Canada. 


viii  PREFACE. 

As  to  geograpliical  position,  British  Columbia  has 
tlic  same  advantages  over  the  Pacific  states  and  terri- 
tories as  the  eastern  provinces  enjoy  over  the  states 
bordering  on  tlie  Atlantic.  As  St  John's  in  New- 
foundland is  nearer  by  some  hundreds  of  miles  to  the 
great  commercial  ports  of  northern  Europe  than  is  the 
city  of  New  York,  so  Victoria  is  nearer  to  the  great 
seaports  of  western  Asia  than  is  the  city  of  San  Fran- 
cisco. 

Not  least  amonc:  the  factors  that  contribute  to  the 
wealth  of  British  Columbia  is  the  construction  of  the 
Canadian  Pacific  railroad,  completed  in  November 
1885,  at  the  expense  and  risk  of  the  Dominion  gov- 
ernment. On  tlie  line  of  its  route,  and  at  points  nearer 
to  the  Pacific  tlian  to  the  Atlantic  seaboard,  are 
immense  tracts  of  fertile  land,  certain  erelong  to  be 
occupied  as  farms  and  cattle-ranges,  while  mineral 
deposits  of  untold  value  await  only  tlie  capital  needed 
for  tlieir  devolopment.  Until  the  completion  of  this 
road,  the  commerce  of  the  province  was  comparatively 
insiiifnificant :  but  that  a  K)rtion  of  the  rich  traffic  l)e- 
twecn  Europe  and  Asia  will  eventuall}^  pass  through 
this  territory,  is  almost  beyond  a  peradventure. 

Compared  witli  the  riper  development  of  California, 
Oregon,  and  other  Pacific  states  and  territories, 
British  Columbia  is  yet  only  in  her  infancy;  but  that 
a  brilliant  future  awaits  this  province  may  safely  be 
predicted.  As  capital  and  labor  are  attracted  to  the 
country,  and  botli  can  be  obtained  at  reasonable  rates, 
the  Mainland  will  be  more  fully  explored,  and  its 
valleys  and  plains  made  fit  for  settlement.  Although 
the  afrricultural  area  is  somewliat  restricted,  it  is  never- 
tlieless  sufficient  to  maintain  a  very  considerable  popu- 
lation; and  that  population  will  increase,  slowly  per- 


il'! 


I'REFACK.  Ix 

haps  and  unsteadily  at  first,  like  tlio  ebb  and  flow  of 
an  advancing  tide,  there  can  be  httle  doubt.  Mines, 
of  Avliich  not  even  the  outcroppings  have  yet  been 
touched,  will  be  made  to  unfold  their  hidden  treasures, 
connnercial  resources  still  latent  will  be  developed, 
and  the  farmer  will  gather  from  the  unwilling  soil 
abundant  harvests. 

Already  fleets  are  being  despatched  from  harbors 
which  a  few  years  ago  were  unoccupied.  Already  the 
province  ships  to  South  America,  to  Clilna,  and  to 
Australia  her  timber  and  spars;  to  Citilfornia,  her 
coal;  to  Englisli  ports,  her  fish,  her  silver  and  lead; 
and  to  all  the  world,  her  gold;  recciA'ii  g  in  I'ftnrn  i.av 
produce  and  provisions  from  the  United  Siat(.s,  man- 
uuioLiired  goods  from  Faigland,  and  luxuries  from 
Europe  and  Asia. 

But  in  reviewing  the  condition  and  prospects  of 
British  Columbia,  we  must  look  beyond  her  limits,  and 
consider  her  as  linked  witli  her  sister  colonies,  with 
Vancouver  Island  as  one  with  herself,  and  with  the 
dominion  of  Canada,  of  wliich  she  is  the  voimuest 
member.  The  com[)lction  of  the  overland  railroad  has 
riveted  yet  more  closely  the  ])onds  which  unite  all 
British  subjects,  wherever  their  lot  is  cast,  and  tlie  an- 
ticipations held  forth  in  the  speech  from  the  tlirone, 
when  first  the  Mainland  was  declared  a  colony,  liave 
already  been  measurably  fulfilled.  "I  ho]!)e,"  said  her 
Majesty,  "that  this  new  colony  on  the  J\vcitic  may  be 
but  one  steji  in  the  career  of  steady  progress,  by  which 
my  domini(ms  in  North  America  may  be  ultimately 
peopled,  in  an  unbroken  chain  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific,  by  a  loyal  and  industrious  population." 


00]SrTE:NTS  OF  THIS  VOLUME. 


CHAPTER  I. 

SUMMARY  OF  E^iRLIEST  VOYAGES. 

The  Spaniards  on  the  Coast  of  British  Columbia— Perez,  Heceta,  and  Ar-^*"' 
teaga— Expedition  of  James  Cook— Hanna— Maurclle— La  IVrouse 
— Portlock  and  Dixon— Guise— Lowric— Barclay— Meares-Gray- 
Kendrick— Martinez— Haro—Colnctt— iJouglas—Elisa— Quimper— 
Galiano  and  Valdds— Bodega  y  Cuadra— Vancouver i 


CHAPTER  II. 

GENERAL  VIEW   OP  TUJ!    NORTHWESX  COAST. 

Eastern  Parallels— Configuration  of  Nortli-western  America— British  Co- 
lumbia Coast— Pugct  Sound— Vancouver  Island- Queen  Charlotte 
Islands  —  Climatic  Sections  of  the  Mainland  —  New  Caledonia- 
Heights  of  Land— 'J'ho  Columbia  and  Fraser  Plateau  Basin— Skeena 
and  Stikeen— Oregon,  Washington,  and  Idaho -Nortlnvest  Coast 
Climates— The  Temperature  of  Various  Localities— Fauna  and  Flora 
—The  Aborigines— Attitudes  of  the  Fur-traders  and  Settlers  toward 
the  Natives— Peaceful  Regime  under  the  Great  Monopoly- Tlio  Chi- 
noolj  Jargon 


CHAPTER  III. 

OCCUPATION   OF  THE   DOMAIN'. 
1841. 

Aboriginal  British  Columbia-Forts  nnd  Fur-traders-Systems  of  Com- 
munication-Inherent Power  of  Civilization   over  Savagism-Fur- 

trading  Districts-Stations— Missionary  and  AgrieulturalScttlcmentii 
—Interior  I'orts— Coast  Stations— Tlio  ISi'itish  and  tlie  Russian  Fur 
Companies- -Tlie  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  Circulating  Lil.iary- 
Joint  Occupancy  of  the  Northwest  Coast  by  England  and  the  United 
States- Tlie  Treaty  Dividing  the  Dumain-Tho  Northwest  Coast  Im- 
mediately Prior  to  tlic  Beginning  of  British  Columbia  History  Pioper 

(XI) 


xu 


CONTENTS. 


FAOK 


— ^Visit  of  Douglas  to  the  Several  Posts — Sitka  and  Etholin — Quarrel 
between  Douglas  and  McNeill — Survey  of  the  Stikeen  and  Tako  Re- 
gion— References  for  This  and  the  Preceding  Chapter 52 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CAMOSUN  AND  ESQCIMALT. 

1842. 

(Necessities  of  a  Northern  Metropolitan  Post — Encroachments  of  Settlers 
on  the  Columbia — The  Dividing  Line — Growing  Importance  of  Agri- 
culture— The  Question  of  Locality — A  Northern  Rendezvous  for 
Whalers — The  Southern  End  of  Vancouver  Island — Its  Advantageous 
Position — Douglas  Surveys  the  Harbors — Camosun  and  Esquimalt 
Compared — Report  of  Douglas 78 


CHAPTER  V. 

FOUNDING  OF  FOET  CAMOStJN. 

1843. 

Expedition  from  Fort  Vancouver — Source  of  Agricultural  Supplies — ^Tho 
Cowlitz  Country — Embark  on  the  Beaver — Visit  to  the  ClalJams 
— Anchor  iu  Camosun  Harbor — Beauties  of  the  Surroundings — Abo- 
riginal Occupants — Selection  of  a  Site — Two  Points  Attract  Atten- 
tion— Location  Settled — The  Jesuit,  Bolduc — His  Conference  with 
the  Natives — The  Fort-builders  Begin  Operations — Portentous  Signs 
— Bokluc  Celebrates  Mass — He  Visits  Whidbey  Island — Douglas 
Departs  for  Tako — Abandonment  of  Tliat  Post,  and  also  of  Fort  Mc- 
Loughlin — Return  of  Douglas  to  Camosun  with  Reenforcoments — 
The  Stockade  Erected — Arrival  of  the  Cadboro — Ross  Placed  in  Com- 
mand— Departure  of  Douglas  Avith  the  Beaver  and  the  Cudboro .... 


02 


CHAPTER  VI. 


AFFAIRS  AT  CAMOSDN 


1844. 

Death  of  Commander  Ross — Roderick  Finlayson — Sketch  of  his  Career^ 
At  Forts  Tako  and  Simpson — Bibliographical  Note  on  his  Manu- 
script— His  Character — First  Cargo  of  Live-stock — The  Savages 
Make  Game  of  the  Cattle — Redress  Demanded  and  Refused — War 
Declared — Tsoughilam  and  Tsilaltiiacli  with  their  Allies  Attack  the 
Fort — Strategy  of  Finlayson— Bloodless  Victory — The  Pipe  of  Peace 
is  Smoked — Descriptions  of  the  Fortress — Warre  and  Vaxasour — 
Bcrtliold  Scemaun — Finlaysou's  Letter — James  Deans — His  Charac- 
ter and  Manuscript — Interesting  and  Minute  Description  of  tlio  Fort 
— Under  Orders  of  Douglas  Fort  Camosun  was  Built  without  a  Nail. 


102 


CONTENTS. 


xiii 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

CAMOSDN,  ALBERT,  VICTOEIA. 

1845. 


fAOK 


Extermination  of  Savage  Nomenclature — Camosun  Becomes  First  A1-' 
bert,  and  then  Victoria — Food  Supply— Douglas'  Motto,  'Great 
Ends  from  Small  Means  '—Wooden  Ploughs  and  Rope  Harness— 
A  More  Liberal  Economy  Sometimes  Profitable— Outward-bound 
Ships  from  England  now  Come  Directly  Hither— Whaling  Fleets— 
The  Mission  of  the  /tmcnca- Captain  Gordon  as  a  Sportsman— Hos- 
pitality at  Fort  Victoria— •  Fifty-four  Forty  or  Fight  '—More  Ves- 
sels of  War  at  Victoria — Also  Surveyors  and  Appraisers  of  Territories 
—The  Northwest  Coast  not  Worth  Fightuig  for— Adventures  of  Paul 
Kane— Fort  Victoria  in  Early  Days II7 

CHAPTER  Vni. 

THE  SHUSIIWAP  CONi^PIKACT. 
1846. 

Kamloop— The  Old  Fort  and  the  New— The  Romance  of  Fur-trading— 
The  Lordly  Aboriginal  and  his  Homo— John  Tod,  King  of  Kamloop 
—His  Physique  and  Character— Lolo,  a  Ruler  among  the  Shushwaps 
—Who  and  What  He  was— His  Kingdom  for  a  Horse— Annual  Sal- 
mon Expedition  to  the  Fraser— Information  of  the  Conspiracy— Lolo 
Retires  from  before  his  Friends— Tod  to  tlio  Rescue— One  Man 
against  Three  Hundred— Small-pox  as  a  Weapon— A  Signal  Victory 
—Chief  Nicola  Measures  Wits  with  Mr  Tod— And  is  Found  Want- 
^S 134 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Anderson's  explorations. 
1840-1847. 
Nccessityof  a  New  Route  between  the  British  Columbia  Seaboard  and  New 
Caledonia— Must  be  WhoUy  within  British  Territory— Anderson  Pro- 
poses Explorations— Authority  an<l  Means  Granted— Biograpicil  and 
Bibliographioal  Note  of  Anderson  and  his  Manuscript  History— Sets 
out  from  Alexandria— Proceeds  to  Kamloop— Thence  Explores  by 
Way  of  Anderson  and  Harrison  Lakes  to  Langlcy— Returns  by  Way 
of  the  Co(iuihalla,  Similkamoun,  and  Lake  Nicola— Second  Expedi- 
tion along  Thompson  and  Eraser  Rivers— Back  by  Kcquelooso  and 
the  New  Similkameeu  Trail— Report  and  Suggestions \57 

CHAPTER  X. 

•  YALE  AND   HOPE    ESTABLISHED. 

1848-184;). 
Establishment  on  the  Fraser  at  the  Lauding  of  the  Sachincos-Jaraes 
Murray  Yale— Causes  Whicii  Led  to  the  Building  of  Fort  Yale— 


XIV 


CONTENTS. 


PAOB 

Orders  Given  Interior  Traders  to  Break  their  Way  through  to  Laiig- 
ley — Three  Brigades  Join  for  That  Purpouc — The  Route  Chosen  not 
Satisfactory — Anderson's  Proposal — Building  of  Fort  Hope — A  New 
E«ute  Attempted — It  Proves  Worse  than  the  First — Joseph  W.  Mc- 
Kay on  the  North  Coast — Sharp  Practice  between  English  and  Rus- 
sian Traders — The  Constance  iu  Northern  Waters — Effect  in  British 
Columbia  of  the  California  Gold  Discovery — Bags  of  Gold-dust  at 
Fort  Victoria — The  Excitement  in  the  Interior 171 

CHAPTEE  XI. 

ESTABLISniNO  F0ET3  KUPEUT  AND  NANAIMO. 

1849-lSo2. 
A  New  Factor,  Coal — The  Existence  of  This  Mineral  Known  from  the 
Earliest  Times — Pacific  Coal-fields — Discovery  at  Beaver  Harlior — 
The  Quackolls  and  the  Fort  McLoughlin  Blacksmith — Tolniio  Ap- 
pears— The  Notable  John  Dunn — Warro  and  Vavasour  Report  the 
Discoverj' — Which  Attracts  tlio  Attention  of  Government — Fort 
Rupert  Built — Muir  and  his  Scotch  Miners  Arrive — Another  Arrival 
— Examinations  and  Tests — Failure  at  Fort  Rupert — Discovery  of 
Coal  at  Nanaimo  Harbor — Another  Blacksmith  Story — McKay  to 
the  Proof — Muir  Moves  from  Fort  Rupert — I'ort  Nanaimo  Built — 
Visit  of  Douglas — Minor  Discoveries 185 

CHAPTEE  XII. 

CKQWJT  GRANT  OF  VANCODTER  ISLAND  TO  THE   UDDSON'S  BAY  COMPANY. 

1849. 

Spirit  of  Monopoly — The  Adventurers  of  England  More  Jealous  of  Brit- 
ish Subjects  than  of  Foreigners — Colonization  to  bo  Rctardod  by 
Favorin.Lj  rather  than  by  Opposing  It— Tlic  Grant  Solicited  as  Early 
as  1837 — W'oea  of  the  Monopoly — Failure  to  Obtain  the  Oiraut  at 
This  Time — Fur-hunting  and  Settlement  Antagonistic — Tho  Liquor 
Traffic —The  Company  Apply  fur  the  Grant — Startling  Pio[)usal — 
Inllucnco  of  United  States  Acquisitions  on  British  Pacific  Tenitory 
— Piety  a  Plea  fur  Power — The  Fur-trado  and  Colonization  Again — 
The  Draft  Perfected — Tlie  Mainland — Preamble  and  Grant — Comli- 
tious  of  Grant — Differences  of  Opinion  respecting  the  Wisdom  of 
the  Measure 'JO  J 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  COLONY  OP  VANCOUVER  ISLAND   UNDEU   HUDSON'S  BAY   COMIMNY  UEGIME. 

1849-1S:>9. 
Prospectus  and  Advertisement  for  Colonists — Qualifications  of  tlie  Com- 
pany for  Colonizing — Objections  Raised — Tiiey  were  Fur-traders — 
And  yet  Tlicy  had  Ships  and  Money — The  Puget  Sound  Company 


CONTENTS. 


XV 


71 


would  have  a  Share — No  Easy  Matter  to  Please  All — Land  One 
Pound  an  Acre — The  Scheme  a  Foreordained  Failure — Price  of  Land 
too  High — The  Gold-fields  of  Californin.  One  Cause  of  the  Failure — 
Vancouver  Island  in  Parliament— The  Earl  of  Lincoln,  Lord  F^lgin, 
and  Mr  Gladstone  on  the  Situation — New  Attitude  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  in  Relation  to  the  Natives 223 

CHAPTER  XrV. 

TWO  ORIGINAL  CHARACTERS. 

The  Do'jtor  and  the  Divine — Robert  J.  Staines — A  Man  of  Frills— His 
Ir.terview  witli  the  King  of  tlie  Hawaiian  Islands— The  Man  Mis- 
taken for  the  Master — His  Arrival  at  Victoria — Mud — Parson  and 
School-teacher — Mrs  Staines  a  Most  Estimable  Lady — Quarrel  with 
the  Company — Joins  the  Settler's  Faction — He  Cultivates  Swine— 
The  Settlers  Steal  his  Pigs— Hot  Litigations— His  Sad  End— The 
Doctor-Colonist — John  Sebastian  Helmckcn  —  His  Physique  and 
Cliaracter — Enters  Politics — Accepts  Ollicc  under  the  Governor — 
Discovers  his  Mistake — And  Becomes  a  Supporter  of  the  ^lonopolists  238 


185 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SETTLEMENT    OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 

1S49-1857. 
What  are  Settlers? — Not  Fur-traders — Nor  Coal-miners — Nor  yet  tho 
Nootka  Diplomatists — The  Mainland  not  Included  in  the  Coloniza- 
tion Scheme — The  Mormons  Cast  an  Eye  upon  the  Island — Woman. 
Hed  and  White — Tho  Monopolists  Seize  McKenzie,  Skinner,  McAu- 
ley,  and  Parsons — Bona  Fide  Settlers  Obliged  to  Take  What  They  can 
Get — W.  Colquhoun  Grant— His  Settlement  at  Solco  Harbor — Lease 
to  Tliomas  ilunroe — Grant  Sells  Soke  to  the  Muirs — James  Cooper, 
Sailor,  Trader,  and  Agriculturist — Builds  One  of  tho  Many  First 
Vessels— He  Takes  up  Land  at  Mctchosin — Thomas  Blenkhorn — 
Tho  Ilarjiooner,  Xormnn  Morrison,  and  the  Tori/  Bring  Settlers — 
The  Town  of  Victoria  Laid  out — Wails  from  Fort  Victoria — James 
Dcnna  Arrives— Baillie  and  Langford — Progress  of  Settlement 217 


20'J 


ME. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

GOVERNMENT   KSTADLISIIED. 

1850-1852. 
James  Douglas  Nominated  by  Sir  John  Pelly  for  Governor— Earl  Grey 
Rcfu><en  to  Appoint  Him — Richard  Blanshard  Chosen— His  Arrival 
at  Victoria — Reads  his  Commission — Visits  Fort  Rupert— Relative 
Attitudes  of  the  Governor  and  tlio  Fur  Company — Ruler  of  the 
Queen's  Wilderness— Settlers  and  Subji^cts — No  Material  for  a  Coun- 
cil— Nomination  of  Council  Postponed — John  Sebastian  llelmcken 


XVI 


CONTENTS. 


FAOI 

Appointed  Magistrate  at  Fort  Rupert — The  Murdered  Deserters — 
Character  of  Blanshard — His  Unpleasant  Position — Heavy  Expenses 
and  III  Health — What  the  Settlers  Think  of  It — Blanshard  Appoints 
a  Council,  Resigns,  Shakes  the  Dust  from  his  Feet,  and  Departs 
from  the  Island — James  Douglas  Appointed  Governor 263 

CHAPTER   XVII. 

JAMES   DOUGLAS. 

Birth  and  Education — Enters  the  Service  of  the  Northwest  Company — 
Friendship  of  McLoughlin — Opportunity — What  He  should  Know — 
His  Life  in  New  Caledonia — Overcome  by  Love — ^Mcets  and  Marries 
Nclia  Connolly — Establishes  Fort  Connolly — His  Attention  to  Busi- 
ness and  liis  Strict  Obedience — Becomes  Chief  Trader — Then  Chief 
Factor — Visits  California — Accountant  and  General  Superintendent 
of  Forts — Active  in  the  Establishment  of  Fort  Victoria — His  Cold- 
ness toward  Emigrants — Quarrels  with  McLoughlin — Removes  to 
Victoria — Is  Made  Governor — And  Knighted — Visits  Europe — Phy- 
siijue  and  Character — Douglas  and  McLoughlin  Compared 285 

CHAPTER  XVin. 

THE   ISLAND    UNDER    DOUGLAS. 
18J1-1S59. 

Reconciliation  of  Antagonistic  Elements — The  Terms  of  Settlement  Un- 
just and  Impolitic — The  Inauguration  of  Government  Premature — 
No  (n)vuniinucnt  but  the  Best  Government — Continuance  of  the 
Domination  of  tlie  Monopoly — The  Puget  Sound  Company — Provis- 
ions of  tlio  Crown  Grant  in  Regard  to  Government — Expiration  of 
the  Fii'st  Five-year  Term  and  Renewal — The  Offices  of  Governor 
and  Magistrate  at  First  United — Illegality  of  Delegating  Imperial 
Autliority  to  a  Colonial  Governor  in  Council — Organization  of  a 
House  of  Assembly — Farcical  Perfonnauccs  of  the  First  Legislators — 
The  Wild  Beasts  and  Savages  Survive  the  Result — Touching  Dis- 
play of  l'\iinily  AlTectiou  in  the  Manipulation  of  Government  Allairs 
— Douglas  Compelled  to  llelinquish  Some  Portion  of  his  Honors  and 
Emoluments 310 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  JUDICIAKY. 

1853-1859. 
The  Questions  of  Vancouver  Island  Government  and  Justice  in  Home 
Political  Circles— There  is  No  Money  in  It — And  tliercfore  They  may 
Safely  bo  Left  to  Themselves — IMaushard,  tlie  First  Governor,  Like- 
wise the  FirstJudge — Douglas  as  a  Man-t:iiner  and  Mcasurerof  Retri- 
bution— T.'o    Thetis  and   the    T r'uicomalce   Expeditions — Bloodless 


CONTENTS. 


xvil 


PAOS 


Victory  over  the  Cowicbins— The  Brigheat  Virtue  of  James  Douglas- 
David  Cameron  ]Made  Chief  Justice— His  Antecedents,  Duties,  and 
End— His  Successors,  Needham  and  Begbie — Revenue — Land  and 
Liquor—The  Mighty  Power  of  Rum 329 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 

1858. 
Gold!  Hail  All-powerful  and  Most  Worshipful!— Its  Presence  not  Se- 
crctly  Known  to  the  Fur-traders — Discovery  on  Vancouver  Island 
—On  Queen  Cliarlotto  Islands— On  Skeena  River— In  the  Cascade 
Mountains  of  A\'ashington — At  Colvillo — At  Kamloop— On  Thomp- 
son River- On  Frascr  River— The  Tidings  Spread- The  Matter 
Laid  before  Government— Eflfect  on  California— Rush  to  the  Mines — 
Routes  and  Methods  of  Transportation— Whatcom  versus  Victoria — 
Trail-making— Overland  Expeditions — Licenses  and  Imposts — Effect 
on  the  Fur-traders j 341 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

DEATH  OF  THE  MONOPOLY — THE   COLONY   OF  BKITISH   COLUMBIA  ESTABLISHED. 

1857-1858. 
Shall  the  Charter  be  Renewed?— Discussion  of  the  Question  in  Parlia- 
ment—Referred  to  a  Select  Committee— Who  Think  the  Charter 
should  not  be  Renewed— Gold  aa  a  Revolutionist — Douglas  Stands 
by  for  England— Lato  Fur  Factors— Dugald  McTavish— William 
Charles — The  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  License  of  Exclusive  Trade 
with  the  Natives  of  the  Mainland  Revoked— Repurchase  of  the 
Island  of  Vancouver  by  the  Imperial  Government — Change  of  Com- 
pany Organization— Canada  Purchases  Rupert  Land  and  tlic  Nortli- 
west  Territory- Liberal  and  Humane  Policy  of  the  Company  in 
Regard  to  Gold-seekers  and  Speculators 37G 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

GOVERNMENT  OF  THE   MAINLAND. 
1S5S-1S03. 

Authority  at  Victoria  Disregarded  by  the  First  Comers— Douglas  Looks 
into  Affai's- What  the  Natives  Think  of  It— Douglas  as  Law  and 
Magistrate  Maker— Indian  Wars— Overtures  of  the  Imperial  Govern- 
ment to  Douglas— Roveiuic— Loan— Public  Lauds- ^Miners'  License 
— Tlie  British  Ci-y  Economy— Putting  Things  in  Order— The  Unau- 
thorized Acts  of  Douglas  Legalized— Arrival  of  British  Vessels  of 
War— Men  of  Autliority  Appear— Tlie  United  States  Represented 
—Inauguration  of  tlio  Goverucr  at  Langley— The  Moody-McGowau 
Affi-ay— New  Westminster  Founded— Officers  of  tho  New  Govern- 

inent — Smuggling 

Hist.  Dun.  Col.    6 


3Si 


XVUl 


CONTEXTS. 


m 


CHAPTEE  XXIII. 


ADMINISTRATION   OF  J0STICE. 


I80G-I88O. 


PAOB 


Justice  without  Form — Inauguration  of  the  Judiciary  System — Jurisdic- 
tion of  Canadian  Courts  Withdrawn — Pearkca  Drafts  a  Plan  for  the 
Mainland — Lytton  Refers  the  Matter  to  Begbie — The  Gold-fields 
Act — Appointment  of  Matthew  Baillio  Bcghie — On  Uniting  the 
Courts  Disestablished  and  Reorganized — Need  ham  Declines  to  Re- 
tire— Two  Courts  Both  Supreme — Character  of  Begbie — Ho  Assists 
Douglas  in  Organizing  Gos'ernment — Justice  at  Cariboo — Jurors 
Rebuked — Stipendiary  Magistrates — Justice  at  Kootenai  and  Met- 
lalikatlah — Convict  Labor— Nobles  along  the  Border — Vigilance 
Committee 419 


■4 


M 


CHAPTEE  XXIV. 

FIl.iSEB  IIIVEB  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 

1S58-1878. 
New  Developments  in  the  History  of  Mining — Character  of  the  Mines — 
Mining  Towns — Sluicing  at  Hope  and  Yale — Routes  to  the  Diggings 
—  Steam  on  the  Fraser — Boats  Ascend  to  Hope  and  Yale — Extension 
of  Mining  Area — Rush  to  Lytton — Roads — Prospectors  Push  North- 
waril — Bars  Named — Field — Region  Round  Lilloet — Fountain,  Ca- 
noe, Quesnel,  and  Thompson  Mines — Quartz  on  Cherry  Creek — The 
Jilines  of  the  Fraser  Valley — Character  of  the  Dry-diggings — Terrace 
Composition — Gold  Distribution  and  Yield 438 


CHAPTEE  XXV. 

GOLD   IN  THE   CARIBOO   COUNTRY. 

Cariboo  Region — Its  Deposits — New  Mining  Era — Golden  Dreams — 
Early  Developments — Roads  and  Mountain  Trails — The  Great  Pros- 
pectors— Tlie  Influx — Quesnel  River  Mines — Horsefly  and  Qucsnel 
Lake — Keithley  and  its  Town — Harvey  and  Cunningham  Creeks — 
^Vntlcr  Creek  Riches— Grouse  Creek 47i 


CHAPTEE  XXVI. 

MIXING  IN  CARIBOO. 

18G3-18S2, 

Rise  of  William  Creek — Rich  Discoveries — Large  Yield — Decline — Deep 
Mining — Marysville  Lead — Drainage  Operations — Richfield — Mos- 
quito and  Mustang  Creeks — Outskirt  Placers — Lightning  Creek — 
Van  Winkle— Decline  and  Revival — Lowhee — Canon  Creek  and  its 
Quartz — Character  of  Cariboo  Veins — Summary  of  Yield — Cariboo 
Life— The  Low  and  the  Intellectual 495 


A 


CONTENTS. 


zU 


PAOB 


419 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

UPPER  COLUMBIA   JIIXE3. 

18C4-1882. 


PAGE 


Columbia  River  Deposits -Fine-goM  Theory -Ancient  River-beds- 
Early  Diggings— Kootenai  Excitement- Wild  Horse  Creek— Sas- 
katchewan Expedition-Perry  Creek-IIydrauIics-Subordinate  Dis- 
tricts, Forty-nine  Creek,  Mooyio  River-Big  Bend-Routes  and  In- 
flux—Prencli,  McCulloch,  and  Games  Creeks-Later  Exploration- 
Extent  of  the  Auriferous  Region— Terrace  Gravels— Rock  Creek- 
Okanagan  and  Similkanicen  Districts  r..^ 

iJ-.L> 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

GOLD  DISCOVEUIES  IX    THE  FAR  NORTH. 

1SC1-I882. 
OminecaCouutry-Peaco  River  Prospected-Government  Expedition- 
Prospecting  Cl.ase-Vitale  Creek-Omineca  Overrated-Germansen 
Cieek— Sluicing— Mansou  and  Lost  Creeks- Finlay  River— The 
Skeena  and  Coast  Placers-Prospects  of  Settlements-Cause  of  Do- 
clme-The  Stikeen  Explored-Thibert's  Discovery-Cassiar  Placera 

— Dease  Lake  Tributaries ..„ 

0-13 


43S 


3l 


47i 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


COAL. 


Coal-bearing  Formations  East  and  West-California,  Oregon,  and  Wash- 
ington Fields  Compared-British  Columbia  Coal-bearing  Formations 
-Bituminous,  Lignite,  and  Anthracite-Brown's  Localities-Rich- 
ardson s  Irough-Beaver  Harbor-Quatsino  Harbor-Nanaimo-The 
Aanaimo  Coal  Company-Tho  Vancouver  Company-The  Wellinff- 
ton  Company-Progress  of  Development  at  Nanaimo-Dunsmuir's 
Adventuies-Thc  Nanaimo  Stone  Quarry -The  Harewood  Miue- 
Uorkingsof  the  Vancouver  Colliery-Queea  Charlotte  I^lan.ls  An- 
thracite-Attempted Develop.nent  of  th.   Mines-Brown  and  Rich- 
ardson s  Vxsits-Claudet  and  Isherwood's  Analyses-Comox    and 
Bayno  Sound-Developments-Discovcries  on  the  Mainland-Minis- 
ters Reports-Statutory  Regulations-Summary . .  ^g^ 


5P 

13- 
00 


495 


CHAPTER 

UNION  AND  CONFEDEUATION. 

1SC3-1S7I. 
A  Legislative  Council  Organized  for  British  Columbia-Inaugural  Ad- 

pZel  ?'7Z  ''''T'-'  '^^'^"^  I^-Pon— Separate  r' ler  Ap- 
point d  for  the  Two  Colonies-A  Cordial  Leavctakin.-Review  of 
Douglas  Administration-Regime  of  Frederick  S-.^uo^r- Excessive 


xr 


CONTEXTS. 


PAoa 
Taxation— Union  of  the  Colonics — The  British  North  America  Act — 

Antliony  Musgravo  Governor — British  Columbia  a  Province  of  the 

Dominion — A  Legislative  Assembly  Substituted  for  the  Council — 

Condition  of  the  Province- -Indian  Policy  of  the  United  States  and 

of  Great  Britain 582 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

THE  SAN   J  CAN    ISLAND   DIFFICtTLTY. 

1854-1872. 

The  Archipelago  do  Haro — San  Juan  Island  Occupied  by  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company — Customs  Dues  Demanded  lor  the  United  States — 
Commissioners  Appointed — Their  Arguments — Indian  Troubles — 
The  Affair  of  the  Hog — A  Military  Post  Established  by  General 
Harney — Ari'ival  of  British  Men-of-war — And  cf  the  U.  S.  Steamer 
MasHachusctts — Protest  of  Douglas — Harney's  Bcply — Landing  of 
U.  S.  Troops— Casey's  Trip  to  Esquimalt — Its  Result — A  Compro- 
mise Offered  by  Lord  Lyons — Attitude  of  President  Buchanan — Gen- 
eral Scott  Ordered  to  the  Pacific  Coast  — Negotiations — Harney 
Recalled — Arbitration  and  Decision C05 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 

1S71-1S74. 
The  Tide  of  Westward-bound  Migration — Reasons  for  and  against  the 
Railway  Project — The  Bill  Carried  in  the  Commons — Resolution 
Passed  by  the  Canadian  Parliament — Policy  of  the  British  and  Cana- 
dian Governments — Preliminary  Surveys — The  Hugh  Allan  Con- 
tract— A  Modest  Demand — The  Contract  Annulled — Change  of 
Administration — James  D.  Edgar's  Negotiations — Their  Failure  and 
its  Cause — Mackenzie's  Railway  Scheme — Objections  to  his  Project. 


G40 


CHAPTER  XXXin. 

THE  CANADIAN   PACIFIC  K.VILWAT. 

1874-1885. 

The  Carnarvon  Terms — Their  Acceptance — Defeat  of  the  Esqaimalt  and 
Nanaimo  Railway  Bill — Tlie  Provincial  Legislature's  Petition  to  her 
Majesty — Rejoinder  of  the  Dominion  Government — Visit  of  the  Earl 
of  Dufferin — His  Speech  at  Victoria — Threats  of  Secession — A  Sec- 
ond Petition  to  the  Queen — Proposed  Annexation  to  tiie  United 
States — One  More  Petition — Contract  with  the  Syndicate — Engineer- 
ing Difficulties — Poi-t  Moody — Reasons  for  its  Selection  as  the  Ter- 
minus— Completion  of  tJie  Line — A  Costly  Undertaking — The  Road 
Built  as  a  National  Highway CGI 


CONTENTS. 


XXI 


PAQB 


id 

.  582 


IS 

ral 
icr 
of 
ro- 
eu- 
icy 


005 


CHAPTER  XXXrV 

POLITICS  AND  GOVEKNMENT. 

1S70-188G. 

PA(jB 

The  Victoria  and  Esquimalt  Railway — Protest  of  the  Mainland  Popula- 
lation — The  Carnarvon  Club — Secession  or  the  Carnarvon  Terms — 
Defeat  of  the  Elliott  Ministry — A  Lively  Debate — The  Legislature 
Votes  for  Separation — Discontent  in  the  Capital — Cornwall  Ap- 
pointed Chief  Magistrate — Government  of  British  Columbia — The 
Suffrage — Proceedings  of  the  Legislature — The  Judiciary G96 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

SETTLEMENTS,    MISSIONS,   AND   EDCCATION. 

18G1-1886. 
Victoria — The  Ubiquitous  Chinaman — Esquimalt — Nanaimo — The  Victo- 
ria Coal,  Mining,  and  Land  Company — New  Westminster — Langley — 

Lytton — Savona'a  Ferry — Kamloop — Clinton — Barkerville — Yale 

Indian  Missions  and  Missionaries — Metlakathla—  Forts — Indifference 
of  the  Provincial  Government — Civilization  of  the  Native  Tribes — 
Churches — Charitable  Societies — Public  Scliools — Journalism Li- 
braries   J07 


the 
tion 
ma- 

^011- 
3    of 

and 
ect.   G40 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

INDUSTRIES,    COMMERCE,   AND    FINANCE. 
1880-1S86. 

Agricultural  Areas — Public  Lands— Stock-raising — Fruits — Fisheries 

Salmon-canning — Manufactures — Gold-mining  —  Coal-mining — The 
Alaska  Boundary — Exports  and  Imports— Comparison  with  Other 

Provinces — Banking — Insurance — Shipping — Inland  Navigation 

Revenue  and  Expenditure — Public  Debt— Comparison  of  Customs 
Returns— Elements  of  Prosperity— Biographical— Bibliograhical ....  7-10 


Index 77- 


band 
o  h.er 
!  Earl 
.  Sec- 
uited 
inecr- 
iTer- 
Road 


GGl 


AUTIIOrJTIES    QUOTED 


I\   TITK 


HISTORY    or   lililTISll    COLUMBIA. 


A1)-sa-ra-ka,  Homo  of  the  Crows,     rhiladelpliia,  ISG8. 

Allen  (Alexanilur),  Cariboo  and  the  Mines  of  British  Columbia.     MS. 

Anderson  (Alexander  Caultield),  Dominion  at  the  West.  Victoria,  187-;  Hand- 
book and  Map  to  the  (rold  ^■'  a'""-  San  Francisco,  ISuS;  Notes  on  the 
Indian  Tribes  of  British  North  America.  In  Historical  Mag.,  March 
1803,  I'.i;  I\otes  on  North  Western  America.     Montreal,  187(i. 

Anderson  (Alexander  CaulKeld),  North-West  Coast  History.     M8. 

Anderson  (.Fames),  Letter  to  Sir  George  Simpson.  In  Lond.  Geog.  Soc,  Jour., 
xxvi.  18. 

Annals  of  British  Legislation.     London,  185G  et  seq,  4:to. 

Applegate  (Jesse),  Views  of  Oregon  History.     MS. 

Armstrong  (A.  N.),  Oregon.     Cliicago,  1857. 

Arrowsmith  (.rohn),  Map  of  the  Provinces  of  British  Columbia  and  Vancouver 
Island.     London,  18.")9. 

Astoria,  Or.,  A.storian,  Marine  Gazette. 

Atlantic  Monthly.     Boston,  1858  et  se(j. 

Ballantyne  (Robert  M.),  Hudson's  Bay.     Edinburgh,  1848 

Ballou  (William  T.),  Adventures.     MS. 

Bancroft  (Hubert  Howe),  History  of  Alaska. 

Bancroft  (Hubert  Howe),  History  of  California. 

Bancroft  (Hubert  Howe),  History  of  Nevada. 

Bancroft  (Hubert  Howe),  History  of  Northwest  Coast. 

Bancroft  (Hubert  Howe),  History  of  Oregon. 

Bancroft  (Hubert  Howe),  History  of  Washington,  Idaho,  and  Montana. 

Bancroft  (Hubert  Howe),  Native  Races  of  the  I'acitic  States.  New  York, 
1875.  5  vols. 

Bancroft  (Hubert  Howe),  Popular  Tribunals. 

Bancroft  Library  MSS.  Scrap-books  containing  classified  notes  used  in  writ- 
ing Bancroft's  works. 

Bancroft  Library  Newsi)aper  Scraps,  classified  imder  the  following  headings: 
British  Columbia,  Fisheries,  Shipping  and  Navigation,  Trade  and  Com- 
merce. 

Bancroft's  Hand-Book  of  Mining.     San  Francisco,  18G1. 

Barkersville,  Cariboo  Sentinel. 

Barrett-Lennard  (C.  E.„  Travels  in  British  Columbia.     London,  1862. 

Bayley  (C.  A. ),  Vancouver  Island  Early  Life.     MS. 

Begbie  (Matthew  B.),  Jouniey  into  the  Interior  of  British  Columbia,  In 
Lond.  Geog.  Soc.,  Jour.,  xxxi.  2.37. 

Blanshard  (Ricliard),  Vancouver  Island.  Despatches,  20  Dec.  1849  to  30  Aug. 
1851.     New  Westminster,  n.  d. 

Bolduc  (J.  B.  Z.),  Letter  to  Mr  Cayenne,  15  Feb.  1844.  In  De  Smet's  Or, 
Misaions,  51. 

(xxlii) 


XXlV 


AUTHORITIES  QUOTED. 


■# 


Springfield,  186G;  Oiir  New  West. 

Victoria, 


Bowles  (Samuel),  Acror^a  the  Continent. 
Hartford,  etc.,  ISlJl). 

British  Columbia  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Society.    Reports. 
IS7S  ct  seq. 

British  Columhia,  Guide  to  the  Province  of.     Victoria,  1877. 

British  Columbia,  Memorial  in  Connection  with  the  Oiiiiiioca  Road  Petition, 
n.  pi  ,  n.  d. 

British  Columbia  Milling  tand  Mining  Company,  Prospectus.     Victoria,  1878. 

British  Cohunbia  Mining  Stock  Board.     Constitution.     Victoria,  1878. 

British  Columbia  Public  Documents  cited  in  my  notes  by  their  titles  and 
dates,  the  title  consisting  of  'British  C(>lund)ia,'  followed  by  one  of  the 
following  lieadiugs:  Acts;  Collection  of  Acts,  Ordinances,  and  Proclama- 
tion; Consolidated  Statutes;  Correspondence  on  the  Custom  Stations 
between  Mctoria  and  Kootenay;  Expenditure;  Indian  Land  Question; 
Journals  of  Legislative  Assembly;  .Itmrnalsof  Legislative  Council;  Lamls 
and  ^\'o^ks;  List  of  Voters;  Minister  of  Mines'  Reports;  Ontinances; 
Overland  Coach  Road;  Papers  Relating  to  Aflairs — Furtiier  I'apers;  i'ublic 
Scliodls;  Registrar  of  Births,  Deaths,  and  Marriages;  Sessional  I'apers; 
Statutes. 

British  Columbia  Railway  Question,  Opinions  oi  the  English  Press.  Victoria, 
1877. 

British  Columbia  Sketches.     i\lS. 

British  Nor  '-  America.     London,  n.  d. 

British  Xoii  .  American  I'rovinees,  Correspondence  respecting  the  Proposed 
Union — Further  I'apers.     Loudon,  ]8()7,  folio. 

British  Xortli-AVest  Aii>ericaii  Enn,i;rants  Settlement  Association,  n.  pi.,  n.  d. 

Brown  (R.  C.  liumlin),  British  C(dund)ia — An  Essay.  New  Westminster, 
ISGIt;  British  Columbia,  The  Indians  and  Settlers  at  Lilloet.  London, 
1870. 

Brown  (Robert),  Geographical  Distribution  on  Coal  Fields  of  N.  Pacific  Coast. 
Edinburuh,  ]8(')'.!;  On  the  Formation  of  Fjords,  Canons,  Benclus,  etc.  In 
Lond.  (leog.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxxix.  I'-'o;  S'ancouver  Island  Exploration. 
\"ict(iria,  ]8t'>-4. 

Browne  (J.  Ross),  Lower  California.  See  Taylor;  Report  upon  the  Mineral 
Resources  of  the  States  and  Territories  West  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
AVashirgton,  ]8(i7;  Washini;ton,  JSliS;  San  Francisco,  1808. 

Bnlliucli  ('l'hi)nias),  Oregon  and  Fl  l)orado.     Boston,  lS(i(). 

Burnett  (I'ltcr  11.),  Recollections  and  Opinions  ot  an  Old  Piouccx'.  New 
York,  1880. 

Burnett  (I'eter  }l.),  Recollections  of  the  Past.     MS.   2  vols. 

Butler  (W.  F.),  The  'WUd  North  Land.     Philadeliiliia,  1874. 

Caldwell  (Robert),  The  Gold  Era  of  Victoria.     London,  IS.lo. 

California  Academy  of  Silences,  Proceedings  fif  the.     S.  F.,  ISoS  ct  scq. 

I'anatla,  llan..l>ook  of  Information  for  Intending  Emigrants.     Ottawa,  1877. 

Canada  I'ublic  Documents  cited  in  my  notes  by  their  titli's  and  dates,  the 
title  consisting  of  '  Canada '  followed  l)y  one  of  tiie  following  lieaiUngs: 
Addresses  of  (Jovernor;  Agrieidtnre;  Canal  Eidargemeiit;  Census:  Coal 
Trade;  Customs;  Debates  of  the  House  of  ('ominous;  Estimates;  Extra- 
dition of  Prisoners;  (leologieal  Survey,  Sehvyn  (.\.  R.  C.),  Director; 
Reports  of  Progress,  etc.;  ln\migration  and  Colonization;  Inland  Reve- 
nues; Ins\iranee;  Interior;  Lake  Superior  and  Red  River  Settlement; 
Ligiits;  Marine  and  Fislieries;  ^lessage  Relative  to  the  Terms  of 
Union;  Meteoi'ologieal  Magnetic;  Militia;  Navigable  Streams;  Northwest 
Mounted  I'oliee;  I'ostmaster  General;  Public  Accounts;  Public  Works; 
Secretary  of  State;  Statistics;  Trade  and  Navigation. 

Canadian  l\.cific  Railway,  Saiulford  Fleming,  Engineer  .n  Chief.  Correspon- 
dence relating  to.  n.  pi.,  n.  <1.;  Maps  and  Charts;  Papers  ccmnected  with 
the  awariling  of  Section  Fifteen.  Ottawa,  1877;  Reports  1872  ct  seq. 
Ottawa,  1872  ct  seq. 


AUTHORITIES  QUOTED. 


XXV 


Canadian  Parliamentary  Companion,  1S74.     Montreal,  1874. 

Carilioo,  The  Newly  Discovered  Gold  Fields  of  British  Columbia.     London, 

1802. 
Caril)oo  Quartz  Mining  Compiiny,  Memoranda.     Victoria,  1878. 
Cartography  of  the  Pacific  Coast.     MS.  folio.    3  vols. 
Chicago  Academy  of  Sciences,  Transactions.     Chicago,  1809  et  seq. 
Chinook  Jargon,  Dictionary  of.     01ynii)ia,   1873;  Portland,  1878;  Victoria, 

n.d. ;  Vocabulary.     San  Francisco,  18(J0. 
Chittenden  (Newtou  H.),  Travels  in  JJritish  Columbia  and  Alaska.     Victoria, 

188-2. 
Churcliill  (J.  D,),  and  J.  Cooper,  British  Columbia  and  Vancouver  Island. 

Loudon,  1800. 
Claudet  (F.  (!.),  Gold.     New  Westminster,  1871. 
Columbia  Mission,  Occasional  Paper.     London,  1801;  Pastond  Address,  n.pl., 

1804;  Reports  1804  ct  scq.     London,  1804  ct  scq. 
Coniptou  (P.  :■«'.),  Forts  ancl  Fort  Life.     M??. 
Cooic  (James),  Troisiome  Voyage  i\,  I'Oceau  Pacifiquo   en   1770-80.     Paris, 

178,").     4tr>.  4  vols. 
Cook  (James),  Voyage  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,   1770-80.     London,  1784.    4to. 

H  vols,  plates'  in  folio;  London,  1784.    4to.  4  vols;  Phila.  1818.    2  vols. 
Cooper  (.!:i;;ies),  Maritime  Matters.     MS. 

Cooper  I  .iihl  and  Silver  Mining  Company,  Memorandum.     Victoria,  1878. 
Cornwallis  (Kinalian),  The  New  Kl  Dorado.     London,  ISoS. 
Coiirtercy  (H.  C.),  Rritisli  Colnnd)ia  Mines.     MS. 
Cox  (Ross),  Adventures  on  the  Columbia  River.     London,  1831.  2  vols;  Nov 

V.n-k,  1832. 
Cridge  (K.),  Characteristics  of  .lames  Douglas.     MS. 
Crosiiy  {II.  R. ),  The  San  Juan  Ditticulty.     lu  Overland,  ii.  201. 


I 


Dallas  (A.  (r.),  San  Juan,  ^Uaska,  and  the  North-VVcst  BouudiUv.  JLiondon, 
1873. 

Dalles  (Or.),  Mountaineer. 

Dawson  ((Jeorge  M.),  (tencral  Note  on  the  !Mines  and  Minerals,  n.pl.,  1877; 
Note  on  Some  of  the  Most  Recent  Changes  in  Level  ol'  Coast,  n.pl.,  1877; 
Notes  on  the  (Jlaciation  of  IJiitish  Columbia.  In  Canadian  Naturalist, 
vtd.  ix.,  no.  1;  Re'port  of  Fxiihirations  in  Kritisli  Columbia.  In  Canada 
(ii'ologieal  Survey,  187.")-f>,  2.33;  Supertieial  <leology  of  IJritisii  Colum- 
bia, n.pl.,  1878;  Travelling  Notes  on  the  Surface  Geology  of  the  Pacific 
Coast,     n.pl.,  1878. 

Deans  (.lames;,,  N'ancouvcr  Island.     MS. 

De  Cosuios  (Aiiuir),  Britisl",  Cobunbia  (  bivernments.     MS. 

De  Cosmos  (Amor),  Sjiei.ch  on  Dc  Horsey "s  Report,  Feb.  18,  1878,  Ottawa, 
1878;  Spei'ch  on  KMiuinialt  Graving  Dock  and  Caiuidiau  Pacific  R.  R., 
Feb.  21,  1878.      Ottuw;\,  bS78. 

De  <i root  (Henry ^  British  (A)lumbia;  its  Condition  and  Prospects,  etc.  San 
Francisco,  i8.i!). 

De  Smet  (P.  J.),  Letters  and  Sketclie.i.  Pliiladelphia,  1843;  Missions  .lo 
rOregon.  (iand,  n.d.;  Oregon  Missions.  New  York,  1847;  Voyages  au.f 
Montagues  Rocheuses.  LiUe,  18.")1);  Western  Missions  and  Missionaries. 
New   York,  1803. 

Directories,  British  CoUunbia  and  Victoria,  Howard  and  Barnett;  Victoria, 
.Mallaudaiii  >. 

Dodge  (Richard  Irving),  The  Plains  of  the  Great  West.     New  Y'ork,  1877. 

Douglas  (Sir  James),  Addresses  ami  Memorials  upon  the  Occasion  of  the 
Retirenu'iit  of.      Victoria,  bS()4. 

Douglas  (Sir  .lames).  Diary  of  Gold  Discovery  on  Frascr  River.  In  Douglas' 
Private  Papers.      MS. 

Douglas  (Sir  James),  Journal,  1840-1.     MS. 

Douglas  (Sir  James),  OlUcial  Correspondence,  In  Cornwallis'  New  El  Dorado, 
317. 


XXVI 


AUTHORITIES  QUOTED. 


Douglas  (Sir  James),  Private  Papers.     Ist  and  2il  series.     MS.  2  vols. 

Douglas  (Sir  James),  Voyages  to  the  North  West  Coast.     In  Id.  Journal. 

Douglas  (William),  A  Summary  Historical  and  Political  of  the  British  Set- 
tlements in  North  America.  London,  1755;  Voyage  of  the  Iphhjenia. 
In  !Meares'  Voy.     Edit.  Lond.,  1790. 

Downio  ( W. ),  Explorations  in  Jarvis  Inlet  and  Desolation  Sound.  In  Lond. 
Geog.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxxi.  249. 

Dunn  (John),  History  of  the  Oregon  Territory.  London,  1844;  The  Oregon 
Territory  and  the  British  N.  American  Fur  Trade.     Philadelphia,  1845. 

Edinburgh  Review.     Edinburgh,  1802  et  seq. 

Elisa  (Francisco),  Voyage  1791,  Extracts  from.     In  Papers  relating  to  Treaty 

of  Wash.,  V.  176;  also  in  Reply  of  the  United  States,  97. 
Evans  (Elwood),  Re-annexation  of  British  Columbia  to  the  United  States. 

Olympia,  1870. 
Evans  (P^lwood),  Eraser  River  Excitement.     MS.  and  Scraps. 
Evans  (Elwood),  History  of  Oregon.     MS. 
Evans  (Taliesin),  British  Columbia.     In  Overland,  iv.  258. 

Ferry  (J.  M.),  and  G.  J.  Wright,  Map  and  Guide  to  Cariboo  Gold  Mines. 

San  Francisco,  18G2. 
Fery  (Jules),  Gold  Searches.     MS. 
Findlay  (Alexander  G.),  Directory  for  the  Navigation  of  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

London,  1851. 
Finlayson  (Roderick),  Vancouver  Island  and  Northwest  Coast.     MS. 
Fitzgerald  (James  Edward),  Charter  and  Proceedings  of  Hudson  Bay  Co., 

with  Reference  to  Vancouver's  Island.     London,  1849. 
Flemmg  (Sandford),  Memorial  of  the  People  of  Red  River  to  the  British  and 

Canadian  Governments.     Ottawa,  18(53.     See  Canadian  I'acific  Railway. 
Forbes   (Cliarles),  Vancouver  Island;  its  Resources  and  Capabilities.     A'ic- 

toria,  18(32. 
Foster  (J.  W.),  The  Mississippi  Valley.     Chicago,  1809. 
Franchere  (Gal)riel),  Narrative  of  a  Voyage  to  the  Northwest  Coast  of  Amer- 
ica, 1811-14.     Redfield,  1854. 
Eraser  (Simon),  First  Journal  from  April  12  to  July  18,  ISOO.     MS 
Eraser  (Simon),  Letters,  1806-7.     MS 

Eraser  (Simon),  Second  Journal  from  May  30  to  June  10,  1808.     MS. 
Fremont  (John  C),  Narrative  of  Exploring  Expedition  to  Rockv  Mountains. 

New  York,  1849. 

Gibbs  (George),  Indian  Affairs,  Report  on,  March  4,  1854.  In  Pac.  R.  R. 
Repts.,  1.  402. 

Good  (John  B. ),  British  Columbia.     MS. 

Good  (John  B.),  St  Paul's  Mission,     n.pl.,  n.d. 

Goodyear  (W.  A.),  Coal  Mines  of  the  Western  Coast  of  the  U.  S.  San  Fran- 
cisco, 1877. 

frrant  (George  M.),  Ocean  to  Ocean.     Canada,  1873;  Toronto,  x877. 

Grant  (W.  C ),  Description  of  Vancouver  Island.  In  Lond.  Geog.  Soc.,  Jour., 
xxvii.  2(iS;  Remarks  on  Vancouver  Isli.;ul.  In  Lond.  Geog.  Soc,  Jour., 
xxxi.  208. 

Gray(W.  H.),  A  History  of  Oregon,  1792-1849.     Portland,  1870. 

(Treenhow  (Robert),  History  of  (.)regon  anil  California.  Boston,  1844;  Lon- 
don, 1844;  Boston,  1845;  New  York,  1845;  Boston,  1847. 

Grover  (Liifayette),  Oregon,  Notable  Things.     MS. 

Hakluyt  Society.     Hudson's  Bay,  Geography  of.     London,  1850. 

Hancock  (Samuel),  Thirteen  Years'  Residence  on  the  Northwest  Coast.    MS. 

Hansard  (T.  C. ),  Parliamentary  Debates  from  1803.     Lontlon,  1812-77.     [S. 

E.  Law  liibrary.l 
Harmon  (Daniel  Williams),  Voyages  and  Travels  in  the  Interior  of  North 

America.     Andover,  1820. 


AUTHORITIES  QUOTED. 


xxvu 


Harnett  (Legh),  Two  Lectures  on  British  Columbia.     Victoria,  1868. 

Harper's  New  Montlily  Magjvzine.     New  York,  185<3  et  8ef|. 

Harvey  (Arthur),  A  Statistical  Account  of  British  Columbia.     Ottawa,  1867. 

Harvey  (Mrs  Daniel),  Life  of  John  McLoughliu.     MS. 

Hayes  (Benjamin),  Scrap  Books,  1S50-74.     129  vols.     Mining.     13  vols. 

Hazlitt  (William  Carew),  British  Columbia  and  Vancouver's  Island.  London, 
1858;  (ireat  Gold  Fields  of  Cariboo.     London,  1862. 

Hector,  Mining  in  the  Upper  Columbia  River  Basin. 

Hines  (Henry  Youle),  Assmiboine  and  Saskatchewan  Exploring  Expedition. 
Toronto,  1859,  folio;  Canadian  Red  River  Expedition,  etc.  London, 
1800,  2  vols. ;  I'apcrs  relative  to  the  Exploration  of  the  Country,  Reports 
of  Progress.     London,  1859,  folio.     2  vols. 

Hines  (Gustavus),  Oregon  and  its  Institutions.  New  York;  Oregon:  Its  His- 
tory, Condition,  etc.  Euflfalo,  1851;  Voyage  round  the  World.  Buffalo, 
1850. 

Historical  Magazine  and  Notes  and  Queries.     Boston,  etc.,  1857-09.     15  vols. 

Hittell  (Jolin  S.),  The  Commerce  and  Industries  of  the  Pacific  Coast.  Sun 
Francisco,  1882.     4to. 

Honolulu,  Folynesian,  1857  et  seq. ;  Sandwich  Island  News,  1840  et  a&i. 

Hooper  (W.  H.),  Ten  ^lonths  among  the  Tents  of  the  Tuski.     London,  1853. 

Horetzky  (C'liarles),  Canada  on  the  Pacific.     Montreal,  1874. 

Howard  and  Burnett.     See  Directories.     British  Columbia  and  Victoria. 

Howison  (N.  M.).  Report  on  Coast,  Harbors,  etc.,  of  Oregon  1840.  [30th 
Cong.,  IstSfss.,  H.  Miss.  Doc.  29.]     Washington,  1848. 

Hudson's  Bay  Company,  Extent  and  Value  of  Possessory  Rights.  [Montreal, 
134',)J;  Plans  Referred  to  in  tlie  Report  from  the  Select  Comnuttee. 
London,  1857;  Report  from  Special  Committee.  London,  1857;  Return 
to  an  Adibess,  10  Mareli,  1857.     n  pi.,  n.d. 

Hudson's  Bay  Company's  Charter  and  License  to  Trade.  Papers  relative  to. 
London,  1859. 

Hudson  Bay  and  Puget  Sound  Agricultural  Companies,  Britisli  and  Ameri- 
can Joint  Commission.  Montreal,  etc.,  1SC8.  4  vols. ;  Evidence  for  tlie 
United  States.  Washington,  1807;  Me:iiorials  presented  to  the  Commis- 
sioners Ajjril  17,  1805.  Wasliington,  1805;  Supplement  and  Appendix 
to  Arguments  in  Belialf  of  the  U.  S.     n.  pi.,  n.  d. 

Hunt's  Merchant's  Magazine.     New  York,  1839  et  seq. 


Imray  (James  F.),  Sailing  Directions  for  the  West  Coast  of  N.  America.  Lon- 
don, 1808 

Isbister  (.Vlex.  K.),  A  Proposal  for  a  New  Penal  Settlement,     ^jondon,  1850. 

Isherwood  (B.  F.),  Report  of  Experiments  on  Coals  of  tlie  Pacific  Coast. 
[42d  Cong.,  2d  Sess.,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  200.]     \Vashingtoii,  1872. 

Jarves  (James  J.),  History  of  the  Hawaiian  or  Sandwich  Islands.  Boston, 
1843;  London,  1843;  Honolulu,  1872;  Bostcui,  1844. 

Johnson  (U.  B.),  Very  Far  West  Imleed.     Loudun,  1872. 

Joly  (II.  «i. ),  Report  on  Forestry  and  Forests  of  Canada.  In  Canadian  Agri- 
cultural Report,  1877,  1. 

Kane  (Paul),  Wanderings  of  an  Artist  among  the  Indians  of  N.  America, 

London,  1859. 
Kingston  (W.  H.  C),  Snow-shoes  aiul  Canoes.     London,  etc.,  1877. 
Kirehliofl'  (Tlieodor),  Reisebdder  und  Skizzen.     N.  Y.,  1875-6.     2  vols. 
Knight's  Scrap  Books,  A  Cullection  of  40  vf)lumes. 

Langevin  (H.  L.),  Report  on  British  Columbia.     Ottawa,  1872. 
Langlcy  (Henry  C.),  Trade  of  the  Pacific.     San  Francisco,  1870. 
Lee  (Daniel),  and  J.  H.  Frost.     Ten  Years  in  Oregon.     New  York,  1844. 
Levi  (Leone),  Annals  of  British  Legislation.     London,  185(i-08.     18  vols. 
Lewis  (Philip  H.),  Coal  Discoveries  in  Washmgton  Territory.     MS. 


xxviii  AUTHORITIES  QUOTED. 

Lewis  (Herbert  George),  Reiniuiscencea  in  British  Columbia  Sketches.     MS. 

Lewis  (Meriwether),  ami  William  Clarke,  Expedition  to  the  Sourcts  of  the 
Missouri  and  I'acitio  Ocean,  1804-G.  Philadelphia,  1814.  2  vols.;  New 
York,  1842.  2  vols.;  Travels  to  the  Source  of  the  ^lissouri  Ri^'er  and 
across  the  American  Continent.  London,  1814.  4to;  London,  1815; 
numerous  other  editions. 

Lockiugton  (W.  N. ),  Notes  on  Pacific  Coast  Fish  and  Fisheries,     n.pl.    1879. 

Log  of  the  Sir  James  Dowjlas.     In  Canada,  Marine  and  Fisheries.     1876-7. 

Loudon,  Chroniclu,  Morning  Post,  Punch,  Spectator,  Times. 

Loudon  Geographical  Society,  Journal.     Loudon,  1831-70.     40  vols. 

Lord  (John  Keaat),  The  Naturaiist  in  Vancouver's  Island,  etc.  London,  1866. 
2  vols 


1>  ! 


McClellan  (R.  Guy),  The  Golden  State.     San  Francisco,  1872. 

McDouald  (Archibald),  Canoe  Voyage  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  Pacific.  Ottawa^ 

1872. 
;Mcl)()nald  (D.  G.  Forbes),  British  Columbia  and  Vancouver  Islaud.    London, 

18015;  Lecture  on  Briti.sh  Colujuliia.     LonddU,  18(53. 
!MoDonald  (W.  John),  Narrative.     In  liriti.sh  Columbia  Sketclies.     MS. 
McDonald  (J.  L.),  Hidden  Treasures.     ( iloiicestcr,  1S71. 
Mcfarlaue  (.James),  The  Coal  Re^'inus  of  America.     New  York,  1873. 
Maclie  (Matthew),  Vaiicouver  Lslaud  and  J'ritish  Cohuubia.     London,  1805. 
Alacgregor  (John),  Comiuercial  Statistics.      London,  ISoO.   5  vols. 
Mclvay  (James  William),  IvecoUections  of  IIuilsou's  Bay  Company.     MS. 
Mackenzie   (Alexander),   Voyage  from  Montreal  to  the  Frozen  and  Pacific 

(.)ceans,  1 7t>'.t-<.t3.     Lou  Ion,  1^01.  4to;  New  York,  1S14. 
Mackenzie   (iv).    Historical,    Topognipl;ieal,    and   Descriptive  View  of    cue 

\j.  S.  etc.     NewcastIe-upou-Ty!U',  UilS). 
McKiulay  (.t\jrclubald).  Narrative  of  a  Chief  Factor  of  Hudson  Bay  Company. 

AIS. 
McLean  (.Jolm),  Notes  of  a  Twenty-live  Years'  Sei-vice  in  the  Huilson  Bay 

Territory.     London,  lo40 
!McLeoil,  Peace  River.     See  McDonald  (AreliibaM),  Canoe  \'oyagc. 
McLougldiu  (John),  Private  Papers,  ISLM-oi!.      ^bS. 
Macouu  (Joliii),   ( li'oluuieal  and   Tii|)(iurapliical   Notes.      In   Canada,   (leol. 

Survey,  1875-0,  87;  Report  on  Botanical  Features  of  the  Country.     la 

LI,  110. 
Mallandaiue.     See  Directory,  Mctoria. 
Maltc-Brun  (V.  A.),  Precis  de  la  Geographic  Universelle.     Bruxelles,  18.10. 

0  vols. 
Martin  (11.  Montgomery),  Hist  ry  of  the  Britisli  Colonies.     London,  18.'5.").  5 

vols;  The  Hudson  s  Bay  xerritories  and  Vancouver's  Island.     London, 

isia 

Marysvillo  (Cal.),  Appeal,  Telegrapli. 

Mat!ii:is  (Franklin),  Eraser  and  Thompson  River  GoM  Mines.  In  Olympia 
Piou.  and  Dem.,  May  14,  1858. 

Matthew  (.r.  H.),  Tiie  North-West  Ikmndary.     In  Overland,  vi.  297. 

Matthieii  (F.  X.),  Refugee,  Trapper,  and  Settler.     MS. 

Mayue  (R.  C.),  Four  Years  in  Britisli  Colnud)ia.  London,  18(52;  Report  of 
a  Journey  in  Britisli  Columbia.     In  Loud.  ( Jeog.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxxi.  213. 

Meares  (Joliu),  Voyages  made  in  1788-1)  from  Cliina  to  tlie  N.  \V.  Coast  of 
Ameiica.     London,  17'Ji);  Itl.,  17'.ll.   2  vols.;  other  editions. 

Milton  (Viscount),  History  of  the  San  Juan  Water  Boundary  ti>uestion.  Lon- 
don, 18(J!>. 

Milton  (N'iscount),  and  W.  B.  Cheadlo.  The  North  West  Passage  by  Laud. 
Loudon,  1805. 

Mining  Magazine.     New  York,  1853  et  seq. 

Minto  (John),  Early  l)aysof  Oregon.     MS. 

Missionary  Life  in  tlio  Nineteentii  Century,  Pictures  of.     London,  1858. 

Moberly  (Waiter),  Journey  to  Gold  Mines.    In  VictoriaGazette,  I'eb.  17, 1859. 


1 


^ 


AUTHORITIES  QUOTED. 


XXIX 


la 


Mofifat  (Hamilton),  Journal  of  a  Tour  across  Vancouver  Island  to  Nootka 

Sound.      In  Pi;ml)ertoir.s  V.  I.,  14:}. 
Morgan  (I  ewis  H. ),  Tlio  Aniuriean  lJuaver  and  his  Works.    Philadelphia,  1S7S. 
Muir  (Michel),  Recollections.     In  British  Columbia  .Sketches.     MS. 

Nanaimo,  Free  Press,  flazette,  and  Tribune. 

Nevada  (Cal. ),  (ruzotte.  Journal. 

Newberry  (J.  S.),  Origin  of  Prairies.     In  American  Scientific  Assoc,  Trans., 

I  .SOU. 
New  Tacoma,  North  Paeitic  Coast  Times. 
New  AVestmiuster,  ]}ritish  Columbia  Examiner,  British  Columbian,  Dominion 

Paeilic  Herald,  (Government  Gazette,  Mainland  (Guardian,  New  Reimldic 

.Idui'iial. 
New  York,  Herald,  Journal  of  Coiinueree,  ^Methodist,  Sun,  Times,  Ti'il)une. 
N lies' Rejiister.     IJaltimore,  etc.,  ]JSIl-4l>.   7()  vols. 
Nind  (Philip  Henry).  Report  of  Diggings  on  Antler  Creek.     In  British  Colum- 

liia  Further  I'upers,  iv. 
North  Anu'rieau  Review.     Boston,  1S19  ct  svq. 
North  Pacitie  Review.      San  Francisco,  lf5(»2-;{.   2  vols. 
Northwest  Boundary,  Discussion  of,  etc.     Wasliington,  1J:'()8. 

Ogdeu  (Peter  Skeen),  and  James  I)ouglas,  Letter  respecting  Coal  in  Vancouver 
•^  Island.     In  Martins,  H.  B.,  37. 

'>S  Oljinpiu,   Echo,  ( 'ohindiian,   I'ioneer  and  Democrat,  Puget  iSouud  Courier, 

f  Transcript,  Washington  Standard. 

Olynipia  Club  Conversazione.     MS. 
Oreiron  City,  Enterprise,  Oregon  Argus,  Spectator. 
Ottawa  Times. 

Overland  Monthly.     San  Francisco,  18US-7.").   1.")  vols. 

Overland  Route,  Rrpoi-t  from  a  Select  Committee.  St  Paul,  1858;  Sketch  of 
the  Proi)osed  Line.     London,  1858;  Ottawa,  1871. 

Taeific  Railroad  Reports.     Wasliington,  ]8,">,")-t)().   4to.    1.'}  vols. 

J'alliser  (.lolui),  I'api  is  relative  to  the  Ivxploi-ation  of  British  Nortli  Ann'rioa. 
London,  18.")'.).  4to;  Further  Papers.  London,  LStiO.  4t<i;  Index  a^id  Maps. 
London,  ]8(i').  4to. 

Palmer  (U.  Speneert,  Reiiort  on  the  Harrison  and  Lilloet  Itoute.  In  London 
(ieog.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxxi.  224;  Report  of  a  .lo\irney  of  Survey  from  \'ie- 
toria  to  Fort  Alexander.  New  Westminster,  18(i:!;  Report  on  Portions 
of  the  Williams  I^ake  and  Cariboo  Districts.     New  \\'estminst  r,  bS(i;$, 

Papers  relating  to  the  Treatv  of  ^Vasllington,  vol.  v.,  Berlin  Arbitration. 
Washington,  1872. 

Parker  (Sanniel),  .Journal  of  an  Exphiring  Tour  lievoud  the  Roek\'  Mountains. 
Ithaca,  ]8;;8;  Id..  lS-10;  Auburn,  1842;  Id.,  l"84(). 

Peace  River  Mines,  History  of.      In  N'ietoria  'Weekly  Colonist,  Feb.  2;'.,  l.S7tl. 

I'einberton  (.1.  Despard),  Facts  and  I'igures  relating  t"  \'aneouver  Island. 
London,  18li(). 

Perkins  (.lames  ID,  Annals  of  the  AVest.     .>t  Louis,  LS-'iO. 

I'etermann  (A.),  Mitlheilungen  aus  .lus.us  geograpliiseher.     Ciotha,  1872. 

l'ioi\eer  (I'lie).      San  Francisco,  l8.")4-j.   4  vols. 

P'Mile  (Francis),  (^)neen  Charlotte  Islands.     I^ondon,  1872. 

Poitlaiid  News]iapers,  Advertiser.  lUdletin.  Coinmereial,  Commercial  Re- 
porter, Deutehe  Zeitung,  Herald,  New  Northwest,  Oregon  Herald,  Ore- 
giiiiian,  Paeilic  Christian  Advocate,  Standard,  West  Shore. 

Post  (Aaron),  Statement.     In  \'ictoria  (lazeLte,  July  4,  1858. 

(vhi'.rterly  Review.     London,  180',)  et  scip 

Rattray  (Alexander),  Vancouver  Island  and  British  Cohunbia.      Lond.,  1842, 
Rawliiigs  (Timmas),  TlieConiederationof  tint  British  N.  American  Provinces. 
Loudon,  lN(i5. 


{ 


III 


XXX 


AUTHORITIES  QUOTED. 


Red  River  Settlement,  Correspomlence  Relative  to  the  Recent  Disturbances 
in.     London.  1870.   folio. 

Reniy  (Jules),  and  Julius  IJrenchley,  a  Journey  to  Great-Salt-Lake  City. 
London,  18t»l.  2  vols. 

Reply  of  the  United  States  to  the  Case  <- :  the  Government  of  Her  Britannic 
Majesty,     n.  pi.,  ii.d.  4to. 

Richards  (George  H.),  Tlie  Vancouver  Islanil  Pilot.     London,  18(54. 

Richardson  (.Tames),  Rei)ort  on  tlie  Coal  Fields  of  the  East  Coast  of  Vancou- 
ver Island.     In  Canada,  Geol.  Survey,  1871-2,  73. 

Richardson  (Sir  Jolui),  Arctic  Searching  E.xpeditiou.     London,  185L    2  vols. 

Ritz  (Philip),  CJreat  Northern  Interior.     MS. 

Rohurts  ((reorge  B. ),  Recollections  of  Hudson's  Bay  Co.     MS. 

Rosehiirj:,  Pantagraph,  Plaindealcr. 

Ross  (Alexander),  Adventures  of  the  First  Settlers  on  the  Oregon.  Loudon, 
1840;  The  Fur  Hunters  of  the  Far  West.     London,  185.").  2  vols. 

Rowe  (G.),  The  Colonial  Empire  of  Great  Britain,  pt.  i.     Loudon,  n.d. 

Sacramento  (Cal.),  Bee,  Record,  Record  Union. 

Salem  (Or.),  American  Unionist,  Capital  Chronicle,  Mercury,  Oregon  States- 
man, Willamette  Farmer. 
San  Bcriuinliuo  (Cal.),  (Uiardian. 
San  Francisco  Newspapers,  Alta  California,  Call,  Chronicle,  Coast  Review, 

Evening  Bulletin,   llcraM,   Mining  and  Scieutilic   Press,  News  Letter, 

Post,  .Scieutilic  Press,  Times. 
Sawney's  Letters:  or  Curil)oo  Rliynies.     1804-8. 

Seattle  (Wasli.),  Intelligencer,  Paeilic  Tribune,  Puget  Sound  Dispatch. 
Suemann  (Berthold),  Narrative  of  the  Voyage  of  H.  M.  S.  Herald,  1845-51. 

London,  1S,">:}.  2  vols. 
Selwyn  (.\.  R.  C.).     See  Canada  Geological  Survey. 
Sc  '■aril   (W.   H.),  Speeches  on  Alaska,  Vancouver,  and  Oregon,  Aug.  18(59. 

Washington,  ISdl). 
Simmonils  (1'.  L.),  Sir  John  Franklin  and  the  Arctic  Regions.     Buffalo,  1S.")2. 
Simpson  (Alexander),  The  Oregon  Territory.     Lon<lon,  184(5. 
Simpson   (Sir  (Jeorge),  Narrative  of  a  Journey  round  the  World.     Loudon, 

1847.  2  vols. 
Snj'der,  Letter  from  Yale,  Aug.  17tli.     In  Victoria  Gazette,  Aug.  24,  1858. 
Sproat  ((UUiert  Malcolm),  Britisli  Columbia.      l,oudon,  lS7!i;  London,  1S75; 

Canada  and  the  Empire.     London,  IS7.'l;  Scenes  and  Stiulies  of  Savage 

Life.     London,  18(i8. 
Steilacoom  (Wash.),  Puget  Sound  Express. 
Stuart  (( iranville),  .Montana  ;us  it  is.     New  York,  18(55. 
Stuart  (JoluO,  Autogra))h  Notes.     Torres,  1842. 
Sutro  (A.^,  Review  of  Eraser  River,  etc.     In  San  Francisco  Bulletin,  Aug.  27, 

1858. 
Swan  (t)ames  ti.),  The  Haidah  Indians  of  Queen  Charlotte  Island.     Wash., 

1874. 
Swan  (James  M.),  Colonizations.      MS. 

Taehe  (Macgregor),  Sketch  of  the  Northwest  of  America.     Montreal,  1870. 

Tarbell  (Frank),  Victoria,  Life  and  Travels.     MS. 

Taylor  (Alexander  S. ),  Historical  Sunnnary  of  Lower  California.     In  Browne's 

.Min.  Res. 
Taylor  (.lames  W. ),  Northwest  British  America.     St  Paul,  ISCiO. 
Tennaut   (Thos.),  Nautical   Almanac,  Tide   Register,  etc.      San   Francisco, 

1877. 
Thornton  (.T.  Qniun),  Oregon  and  California  in  1848.     New  Y(U-k,  1848,  2  vols. 
Tliornton  (.1.  Quinn).  Oregon  History.     MS. 
Tod  (John),  New  Caleih.n'ia.     MS. 

Tolmie  (William  Eraser),  Canadian  Pacilii^  Railway  Routes.     Victoria,  1877. 
Tolmic  (William  F.),  Puget  Sound  and  Northwest  Coast.     MS. 


AUTHORITIES  QUOTED. 


xxxi 


Townseml  (John  K.),  Narrative  of  a  Journey  across  the  Rocky  Mountains 

Philadelpliia,  1839. 
Truman  (Bonjaniin  C),  Occiduntal  Sketches.     San  Francisco,  1881. 
Tnitcli  (Josui)li),  Coinplimeutary  Dinner  to,  April  10,  1871.     Montreal   1871- 

Map  of  British  Columbia,  1871.  ' 

Turner  (\Vm  M.),  Gold  Hunting  on  Queen  Charlotte's  Island.     In  Overland 

xiv.  107.  ' 


<^  iiitiuiiia,  \^iiiuiiiiiia  X  ress. 

Uiiilreville  (Edward),  Tiio  Present  State  of  Hudson's  Bay.     Lon.lon,  1790 

Liutod  States  Exploring  Expedition.  [Wilkes. J     Philadelphia,  1844-58.    4to. 


Umatilla,  Columhia  Press. 

Uii 

Ui 

17  vols.;   folio.   8  vols. 

United  States  Government  M>ocumcnts;  Bureau  of  Statistics;  Connnerce, 
Foreign  and  Domestic;  Commerce  and  Navigation;  Commercial  Rela- 
tions; Indian  xVfl'airs. 

Vancouver  (Wash.),  Independent  Register. 

A  ;iue()uver  Island,  Copies  or  Extracts  of  any  Despatclies  on  Subject  of  Estab- 
lishment of  a  Representative  Assendjly.     London,    18o7.   folio;  Explo- 
ration, 18(14.   n.  pi.,  11.  (l;  Returns  to  three  Addresses.     London,  1849 
foho;  Supreme  Court  of  Civl  Justice,  Order  in  Court  constituting.      Viu'- 
toria,  1S().");  Tile  Necessity  01  Reform.     Victoria,  1S.J9. 

A  letor  (Frances  Fuller),  All  over  Oregon  and  Washington.  San  Francisco 
I81I.';  River  of  the  West.      Hartford,  1870.  ' 

Victoria,  British  Colonist,  Cariboo  Sentinel,  Chronicle,  Express,  Gazette 
1  ress,  Standanl.  .  ' 

VowcU  (A.  W.),  British  Columbia  Mines.     MS. 

Waddington  (Alfred),  The  Eraser  Mines  Vindicated.  Victoria,  1808-  Over- 
land Route  through  British  North  America.  London,  1808;  Sketch  of 
th-i  1  rf)pose(l  Line  of  Overland  Railroad.     Ottawa,  1871. 

\\  abb.  (Daniel),  Criti(pies.      MS. 

■\\'alla  AVulla,  Statesman. 

u''"'',''.Hf''"P"''.'""'  -^^-  '^'•i^''^sseur,  Report,  in  Martin's  Hu<lson's  Bay. 

Weed  (Charles  E.),  Queen  Charlotte  Island  Expedition.     MS. 

Westminster  Review.     London,  18l'4  ct  seip 

AVhite  (Elijah),  Ten  Years  in  Oregon.     Ithaca,  ISoO. 

^\  hymper  (Fredcriek),  Travel  and  Adventure  in  Alaska.     Now  York,  ]8()9 

^\  likes  (Chares),  Narrative  of  tlie  U.  S.  ICxploring  J'lvpcdition.     Pluladel- 

AV,^     '/'■-  -^"^f-   fV'-,?''"^-  ^'''il'^l'-'ll'l'ia,  184.-..   ovnls.;    London,  1845. 

Wilson  (hh/alietli),  Recollections.     In  Oregim  Sketches.      MS. 

W  ilsou  (W  illiam),  Dominion  of  Canada,  etc.     Victoria    1874 

A\iiithrop  (Theodore),  The  Canoe  and  the  Sa.ldle.     Boston,  180.3. 

.>    '  i\"  l\-^'  J-';"-';^'ll'""'l"i««  fciin  McCaw's  Rapids      In  Puget  Sound 
lleraM,  May  14,  1H.)8.  ° 

Wdik  (John),  Journal,  ]8l'4.      "'' 
AN'ri^iht,  Cariboo.      In  Overlan 


.MS. 
ill.  .")L'4 


\ale,  British  Columbia  Examiner. 


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HISTOBY 


OF 


BRITISH    COLUMBIA. 


CHAPTER    I. 


SUMMARY  OP  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 


The  Sfaniabds  oy  the  Coast  or  Bbitish  Columbia — Perez,  Heceta,  and 
Arteaoa— Expedition  of  James  Cook — Hanna — Maubelle — La  P4- 
EonsE — Portlock  AKj>  Dixon — Guise— Lowrie—Basclay—Meaees — 
Gray — Kendrick — Martinez — Haro — Colnett — Dodolas — Eusa — 
QcriMFEE— Galiano  and  VAhoia — Bodeoa  y  Cuadea — Vancodvee. 

The  history  of  British  Columbia  comprises  six  dis- 
tinct eras.  First,  the  discoveries,  claims,  disputations, 
and  diplomacies  relative  to  the  ownership  and  division 
of  the  domain,  commonly  referred  to  as  Nootka  Aifairs. 
The  second  epoch  begins  with  the  coming  of  the  fur- 
traders  by  land,  by  way  of  Peace  River,  first  the 
people  of  the  Northwest  Company,  hard  followed  by 
servants  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company;  and  continues 
until  1849,  when  colonization  and  colonial  government 
begin  on  Vancouver  Island.  The  third  term,  during 
v/hich  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  are  still  everywhere 
dominant,  ruling  Vancouver  Island  in  the  queen's 
name,  and  the  Mainland  in  their  own  name,  lasts  until 
1858,  when  the  gold  discovery  overturns  the  existing 
order  of  things,  and  raises  the  Mainland  into  a  colony. 
The  fourth  historic  period,  during  which  there  are  two 
colonies  and  two  governors,  concludes  with  the  union 

Uibt.  Bbit.  Coii.    1  (1) 


r 


u 


I.' 


2  SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 

of  the  Island  and  Mainland  under  one  colonial  gover- 
ment  in  1866.  The  affairs  of  the  consolidated  colony 
constitute  the  fifth  era,  terminating  in  confederation 
with  Canada  in  1871.  What  follows  may  be  called, 
at  this  present  writing,  the  sixth  and  last  period. 

For  more  than  three  hundred  years  after  the  begin- 
ning of  European  occupation  on  the  North  American 
Pacific  seaboard,  its  largest  island  remained  practi- 
cally untouched. 

It  is  true  that  since  Cortds  built  vessels  at  Zacatula 
for  South  Sea  explorations,  Fuca  and  Maldonado  had 
made  their  hypothetical  observations  of  the  Anian 
opening,  had  told  the  much  expectant  world  the  won- 
drous tale  of  the  long  looked  for  ocean  highway, 
found  at  last,  which  should  let  pass  vessels  through 
the  continent,  straight  from  Europe  to  India,  which 
passage,  indeed,  this  monster  isle  would  seem  some- 
what inconveniently  to  obstruct;  it  is  true,  that  some 
two  hundred  years  after  these  reputed  first  discov- 
eries of  the  Spaniards,  navigators  had  surveyed  the 
Island's  shores,  that  British,  Russian,  and  American 
trading-vessels  had  anchored  in  its  bays  and  iidets, 
and  tliat  on  its  seaward  side  many  strange  scenes, 
many  thrilling  tragedies  had  been  performed — it  was 
there  that  occurred  the  first  pitched  quarrel  between 
Spain  and  England  for  the  territories  adjacent;  and 
there  the  Boston  and  the  Tonquin  were  captured,  and 
their  crews  massacred — yet  all  who  hitherto  had  come 
had  gone  their  way,  leaving  to  the  aboriginal  tenants 
their  sea-skirted  domain  in  all  its  primeval  quietude. 

More  than  any  happening  thus  far  on  the  North- 
west Coast,  more  than  the  later  bluster  at  Fort 
Astoria,  or  the  bristling  at  Stikeen,  the  seizing  and 
sending  to  San  Bias  of  two  EiiLrlish  vessels  by  ^lar- 
tinez,  in  1789,  and  the  planting  of  a  Spanish  battery 
at  Nootka  caused  commotion  amonix  the  bellieoua 
nations  of  Europe,  as  has  been  fully  shown  in  my 
History  of  the  Northwest  Coast. 


SPAIN,  ENGLAND.  FRANCE,  AND  RUSSIA.  3 

Perez,  Heceta,  and  Cuadra  had  explored  and  taken 
possession  of  the  Nootka  country  for  Spain  in  1774-9, 
at  which  time  there  were  no  signs  of  European  oc- 
cupation in  this  vicinity.  James  Cook,  who  touched 
at  Ncotka  in  1778,  and  La  Pcrouse,  who  visited  the 
coast  in  1786,  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  world 
the  unappropriated  wealth  of  furs  which  floated  in 
these  .waters,  and   the   arrival   of  the   Russians  on 


Cook's  Map,  1788. 

American  shores.  For  several  years  this  source  of 
wealth  remained  untou'^hod,  though  much  ill  feeling 
was  caused  among  rival  claimants.  In  1788  Spain 
was  induced  to  send  I.lartinez  and  Ilaro  northward, 
and  later  occurred  the  disputes  at  Nootka,  all  of 
which  have  been  fully  related  in  previous  volumes  of 
my  works. ^ 

England  had  offered  twenty  thousand  pounds  to  the 
British  subject  who  should  discover  and  sail  through 

^iWHidca  the  Ifhtonj  o/  the  XorfhwrH  Coast,  sco  early  voliunos  of  /fixtory 
qf  OreyoH,  Ilwlory  of  Cai{/'orHia,  aim  Uiatory  of  the  2forlh  Mexican  Stales. 


:.r 


illi 


4  SUMMARY  OF  EARUEST  VOYAGES. 

any  passage  uniting  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific,  north  of 
the  fifty-second  parallel.  Under  instructions  carefully 
to  examine  the  coast  north  of  latitude  65°  only,  James 
Cook  strikes  the  shore  of  Drake's  New  Albion  just 
above  latitude  44°,  coasts  northward  giving  names  to 
capes  Perpetua,  Gregory,^  Foulweather,  and  Flattery ; 
closes  his  eyes  to  the  River  Columbia  and  to  Fuca 
Strait,  pronouncing  them  non-existent;^  and  enters 
an  inlet  which  he  names  King  George  Sound,  but 
which  the  natives  call  Nootka.*  Skins  of  the  bear,  fox, 
wolf,  deer,  polecat,  marten,  raccoon,  and  sea-otter  are 
brought  by  the  guileless  savage,  who  is  eager  for  brass 
and  iron,  caring  nothing  for  glass  beads,  tliereby  show- 
ing his  knowledge  of  metals,  and  liis  appreciation  of 
their  value.  Continuing  his  search  for  a  strait  north- 
westward, the  illustrious  navigator  departs  from  the 
coast,  wilfully  oblivious  of  the  existence  of  the  great 
islands  and  entrances  adjacent.^ 

Following  Cook,  Captain  Hanna  crosses  from  China 
in  1785,  antl  again  in  the  following  year  he  appears  in 

'  Arago. 

^Wliichsccma  a  little  singular;  for  though  his  searcli  proper  for  inter- 
nceaiiio  ooinniunicatiou  ilid  not  begin  at  this  point,  yet  being  on  the  coast  for 
the  express  purpose  of  finding  round  or  tlirougli  it  a  passage  by  water,  we 
should  luirdfy  e.\i)uct  to  hnd  tlie  famous  discoverer  passing  Ly  the  mouth  of 
the  Columbia  wliile  writing  of  the  discoveries  of  Martin  de  Aguilar  in  1003: 
'It  is  wortli  observing  that  in  the  very  latitude  where  we  now  were  geogra- 
phers have  been  pleased  to  place  a.  large  entrance  or  strait,  the  discovery  of 
wliieh  tliey  take  upon  them  to  ascribe  to  tlie  same  navigator;  whereas  nothing 
more  is  mentioned  in  the  account  of  his  voyage  than  his  having  seen,  in  this 
situation,  a  largo  river,  which  he  would  have  entered,  but  was  prevented 
by  tlio  currents.'  Still  more  strange  is  it  when  off  Cape  Flatter}',  with  a 
strait  under  his  very  eyes,  he  should  press  northward,  saying:  'It  is  in  this 
very  latitude  where  wo  now  were  that  geograpliers  have  placed  tlu;  preteu<led 
strait  of  Juau  de  Fuca.  But  we  saw  nothing  lik  i  it;  nor  is  tliero  tlie  least 
probal)ility  that  ever  any  such  thing  existed.'  C'ook-'/<  I'oj/.,  ii,  'JCd-.S.  Con- 
Bideriug  Ids  mission,  Captain  Cook's  survey  of  the  coast  in  tliese  latitudes  was 
certainly  superlicial.  hy  chance  he  was  correct  in  his  conclusions,  tiiough  it 
Would  have  been  in  a  little  bettor  taste  to  have  avoided  tliesu]>ereilious8traia 
in  whicli  he  pronounces  the  discoveries  of  the  Spaniards  forgeries. 

MJutweeii  what  he  calls  I'oint  IJreakers,  whieli  lie  places  in  latitude  4!)° 
1.")',  and  wliat  ho  calls  Woody  I'oint,  whicli  lie  places  in  latitude  TiO',  'tho 
shore  forms  a  largo  bay,  wliicii  I  called  Hope  liay;  hoping,  from  tlie  appear- 
ance of  the  land  to  find  in  it  a  good  liarbour.'  ('(iok-\i  I  oy.,  ii.  t.'ti4. 

•'' '  We  were  now  passing  the  place  where  geographers  have  placed  the  pre- 
tended strait  of  Admiral  do  Konto.  For  my  own  part,  I  give  no  credit  to  such 
vague  and  improbable  stories,  that  carry  their  own  eoiifn'ition  along  with 
them.'  Cook's  To//.,  ii.  .S4;i.  It  is  l)ut  fair  to  add,  that  wliou  in  this  latitude  a 
gale  obliged  him  to  keep  well  out  to  sea. 


'^1^ 

k 


PORTLOCK  AND  DIXOX. 


^ 

k 


the  Sea-Otter,  and  conducts  a  profitable  trade  with 
the  natives  of  Nootka."  And  now  is  formed  the  King 
George's  Sound  Company,  which  is  to  monopohze  the 
Northwest  Coast  far-trade;  and  there  come  to  the 
coast  in  1787,  by  way  of  the  Hawaiian  Islands  and 
Alaska,  Captain  Portlock  with  the  ship  King  George, 
and  in  the  Queen  Clmrlotte  George  Dixon,  the  latter 
visiting  and  giving  names  to  Cloak  Bay,  Hippa 
Island,  Dixon  Strait,  and  Queen  Charlotte  Islands, 
at  which  last  named  place  alone  he  secures  eighteen 
hundred  and  twenty-one  fine  otter-skins.  Then  ar- 
riving off  Nootka,  he  sails  away  without  entering/ 
This  same  year  we  find  another  quite  successful 
English  trader  at  Nootka  Sound  in  the  ship  Imperial 
Eagle,  Captain  Barclay,^  who  coasts  to  Barclay  Sound, 
giving  his  name  to  the  place,  sends  thence  a  boat's 
crew  into  what  was  later  named  Fuca  Strait,  after 
which,  dropping  below  Flattery,  some  of  his  men 
are  murdered  near  where  a  portion  of  Bodega  y 
Cuadra's  crew  in  1775  suffered  a  like  fate. 


The  following  summer,  Mcares  arrives  in  the  Felice, 
and  after  erecting  a  house  at  Friendly  Cove,"  in 
Nootka  Sound,  and  leaving  there  a  party  to  build  a 
vessel,  he  proceeds  southward,  visits  the  village  of 


•Captain  Guise,  in  the  Experiment,  was  also  there  in  the  summer  of  17S6, 
as  wol?  as  Captain  Lowrio  of  the  ship  Captain  Cook;  from  which  latter  vessel 
t))c  im'L'con,  an  Irishman  named  Joliu  MiiKey,  being  ill  was  placed  on  shore, 
Vx'lioi  <;  Ii  J  remained  for  more  than  one  year,  lie  was  stripped  of  his  clothing  by 
the  11"  '^ivc'i,  and  made  to  conform  to  tlicir  customs,  lie  learned  somewhat  of 
t'lcii'  J.in;^uapo,  '  made  frequent  incursions  into  tlic  interior  parts  of  the  country 
•jliD'H  King  ticorge'a  Sound,  and  dicl  not  think  any  part  of  it  was  the  conti- 
ii'.Tir  ui  ixinurica,  but  a  chain  of  detached  islands.'  The  man  and  his  opinions, 
ho^'  iver,  u^ro  dcri  cd  by  the  navigators.  The  following  year,  1787,  the 
j",i.  -  !('a/c,i,  Captain  Colnett,  tlic  /'W^ccfs  y.'oi/a/,  Captain  Duncan,  and 
the  Imprricd  Eajk,  Captain  Barchiy,  were  at  Nootka. 

'  In  his  preface  Dixon  scourges  ^lauroUo  for  failing  to  do  wiiat  Cook  failed 
to  do;  ho  is  elated,  himself,  for  having  made  tlio  discovery  of  t^ueen  Cliurlotto 
Islands,  for  which,  indeed,  ho  is  entitled  to  all  praise.  It  was,  however,  only 
Burniiso  with  him,  as  ho  never  circumnavigated  tlie  island.  Its  complete  sep- 
aration from  the  mainland  was  ascertained  by  Duncan  the  following  year, 
who  called  the  isles  adjacent,  as  was  then  the  fashion,  from  his  ship.  Princess 
lloyal  Archipelago.     Sec  vol.  i.  p.  180  for  Dixon's  map. 

*  Written  also  Bcrkely. 

•Sco  Greenhow's  Or.  and  Cat.,  151. 


6  SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 

Wicananish  in  Clayoquot  Sound,  which  he  names 
Port  Cox,^*^  passes  on  to  the  entrance  of  Fuca  Strait — 
so  named  by  him — and  down  tljo  coast  to  Destruc- 
tion Island,"  Shoalwatcr  and  Deception  bays,  and 
capes  Disappointment  and  Lookout,^"  off  which  latter 
point  he  turns  and  retraces  his  course  to  Barclay 
Sound,  which  he  enters,  and  anchors  in  a  bay  to 
which  he  yives  the  name  of  Port  Effinofham.^^  There 
the  natives  bring  to  him  a  plentiful  supply  of  salmon, 
shell-fish,  wild  onions,  and  the  fruits  of  the  forest. 
Under  the  first  officer,  Pobert  Duftin,  the  long-boat 
with  twelve  men  is  sent  to  explore  the  strait,  and 
enters  several  <  oves  and  harbors  alone:  the  southern 
shore  of  Yanc>  .  Tsland  to  trade.  After  sailinof 
some  thirty  leagu.  ir  enough  to  perceive  that  the 
water  to  tl'e  east-i..<rth-east  increased  rather  than 
diminished,'*  tlie  party  is  furiously  attacked  by  na- 
tives in  two  canoes,  and  driven  back  wounded  to  the 
sliip;  after  which  Meares  returns  with  bis  ship  to 
Xootka,  where,  not  long  after,  the  Iphigen'a,  Captain 
Douglas,  and  the  sloop  Waslii))(jton,  Captain  CIray, 
arrive.  The  new  vessel  is  christened  the  Northwest 
America,^'''  and  launched. 


'*  '  111  honor  of  our  friend  John  Henry  Cox,  Esquire. ' 

"  Where  was  situated  the  'village  of  (,lueeniiitho,' and  some  seven  miles 
distant  'the  town  of  (4)ueeiiuitett, '  wliosu  iiilialiitaiits  were  ii  .-eating  ijeoplo. 
Tlie  country  round  Cape  Flattery  he  calls  Tatootclie,  and  the  island  Tatoot- 
cliu  Island.  Having  carefully  searcheil  for  the  Rio  de  San  Roque  of  the 
Spaniards,  he  might  now  safely  assert  that  no  such  stream  exists. 

'^To  which  he  gives  their  names,  as  well  as  to  Cape  Shoalwatcr,  south  of 
the  entrance,  and  to  >tount  Olympus.  This  coast  he  calls  New  Albion,  fol- 
lowing Drake  and  Cork. 

'^  'The  port  is  suliicicntly  capacious  to  contain  an  hundred  sail  of  ships, 
and  so  fortiuiati'y  ;ihcltered  as  to  secure  them  from  any  storm.  The  anchor- 
agi-  is  also  good,  heing  a  soft  mud,  and  the  watering  place  perfectly  conve- 
nient.'  Mi'itrci    I'oi/.,  172. 

"  '  Sudi  an  extraordinary  circumstance  filled  ua  with  strange  conjectures 
as  to  the  extremity  of  this  strait,  which  we  concluded,  at  all  events,  could 
not  1)0  any  great  distance  from  Hudson's  Bay.'  Mfuirn'  Voij.,  179. 

'•'  '  Being  tiie  (irst  hottom  ever  built  and  launched  in  this  part  of  the  globe.' 
Meares,  Voij.,  '2'20,  gives  a  full-page  illustration  of  the  launching  of  this  i'i-.T.ft 
amidst  the  Hying  of  tlags,  the  boom  of  cannon,  and  the  shouts  of  the  savages. 
In  the  backurouiiil  is  the  two-story  house  erected  for  the  use  of  his  men  while 
engaged  in  building  the  vessel,  and  in  the  distance,  round  a  high  rock'  prom- 
ontory, is  seen  the  Indian  village,  with  the  sloop  Waalun'jtoii  anchored  ia 
front  of  it. 


MEARES  AND  GRAY. 


Meares'  Map. 


J 


(ill 


i  Hi 


8.  SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 

While  yet  are  lying  at  Nootka  tlic  Iphigeriia,  Felice, 
and  Northwest  America,  which  in  due  time  take  their 
departure,  a  vessel  from  Boston  enters  the  harbor, 
the  Columbia,  Captain  Kendrick.  This  vessel  and 
the  Washington  winter  at  Nootka,  1788-9.^^  On  his 
way  up  the  coast.  Gray  had  been  attacked  by  the 
natives  at  Tillamook  Bav. 


^■ 


ii  ^ 


MeanM'hilo,  violent  measures  were  adopted  by  the 
Spaniards,  and  directed  against  the  British  traders 
at  Nootka,  the  distempers  of  which  reached  ^ladrid 
and  London,  and  culminated  in  the  Nootka  conven- 
tion, 1790.  The  fortification  erected  at  Nootka  bv 
Martinez  in  1789  was  temporarily  abandoned  before 
the  end  of  tlie  vear,  but  not  before  tho  arrival  of  Gon- 
zalo  de  Haro  and  the  seizure  of  the  Argonaut,  Colnett 
commanding,  the  Tphigenia,  which  had  returned  to 
Nootka  in  charge  of  William  Douglas,  the  North- 
li'cst  America,  and  the  Princess  Royal,  for  attempting 
to  found  estal)lishments  within  Spanish  dominions. 
Martinez  sent  two  of  his  prizes  to  Mexico,  while 
Haro  in  the  ^^ian  Carlos  prosecuted  discoveries.  The 
following  spring,  Nootka  was  reoccupied  by  the  Span- 
iards under  Elisa,  who  established  there  a  Spanish 
settlement,  for  wliich  supplies  "»vere  brought  from  San 
Bias  by  the  Califoi.aan  transports. 

This  same  year,  1790,  Manuel  Quimper,  command- 
ing the  Princesa  Real,  one  of  the  three  vessels  under 
Elisa,  sailed  from  Nootka  the  31st  of  May  to  continue 
the  exploration  possibh'  begun  by  Haro  in  Fuca  Strait 
the  year  previous.     Touching  at  several  points  on  the 

'"  On  Meart's"  map  the  entire  seaboard  from  Fuca  Strait  to  Alaska  is  laid 
down  as  an  irsland,  or  a  group  of  i.  laml.s,  called  the  Northern  Archipelago 
and  Princess  Royal  Islands,  west  of  which  are  the  'Queen  Charlotte's  Isles, 
BO  named  by  Captain  JJi.\on  in  1787,  first  discovered  l)y  captains  Lowrie  and 
(Juise  in  176(5; '  and  on  the  eastern  side,  'sketch  ot  the  track  of  the  American 
sloop  Washinijtoii.  in  autumn  1789,' while  beyond  to  the  eastward  is  still  '  tho 
Bca,  and  yet  fartlier  '  land  seen. '  On  his  way  up  the  coast.  Gray  had  attempted 
to  enti!r  the  Columbia,  but  failed;  and  the  following  summer,  while  yet  in 
command  of  the  WuMmjIon,  ho  had  explored  the  eastern  shore  of  Queen 
Charlotte  Island,  which  ho  called  Washington  loland.  Then,  taking  com- 
mand of  the  rV)/»<;H/;if(,  Gray  returned  to  Boston;  and  in  a  second  voyage  tO' 
the  Northwest  Coast  entered  and  named  tho  Columbia  River. 


4 

i 


iSS 


MANUEL  QUIMPER.  9 

south-west  side  of  the  Island  before  visited  by  trading- 
vessels,  on  the  11th  of  June  he  entered  and  named 
Port  San  Juan,  where  he  remained  four  days.  Thence 
continuing,  he  passed  two  points,  which  he  called  San 
Eusebio  and  San  Antonio,  and  entered  Soke  Inlet, 
which  he  named  Revilla  Gigedo  in  honor  of  the  vice- 
roy of  Mexico.  Landing,  he  made  short  excursions 
in  various  directions,  and,  following  his  instructions, 
on  the  23d  of  June  he  took  formal  possession  of  the 
country  for  the  King  of  Spain.  Contrary  winds  kept 
him  in  this  port  until  the  28th,  when,  setting  sail,  he 


Quimper's  Map. 

continued  east -south -east,  and  passed  the  present 
Beecher  Bay,  and  the  same  day  entered  between  three 
or  four  inlets  a  beautiful  harbor  which  ho  named  Elisa.^^ 


"Afterward  Pcdder  Bay.  'El  mismo  dia,  so  Icvaron  y  navegando  ]x»r 
rumbos  pr6xiino3  al  lessuestc,  costcaiun  doa  grandcs  cnscnadas  y  cntraron  por 
entre  trca  6  quatro  islillas  y  otra  grando  inmcdiata  &  la  tierra  liasta  Imllarso 
dcntro  dc  una  Iwlla  bahia  que  llamaron  do  Klisa,  en  dondu  anclaron  y  fucron 
Ids  pilotosal  reconocimiento  do  nquclloa  parajes  pr(iximos.'  Qulmjicr,  Seijuwlo 
Reconocimiento  dc  la  Entrada  di"  Fuca,  in  Viage.t  ol  Norte,  ^iS.,  No.  11.  The 
text  of  the  original  is  hero  quite  confusing,  and  but  for  the  appendix,  which 
somewhat  modifies  and  explains  it,  one  might  suppose  the  voyagers  to  have 
now  reached  Esquimalt  Bay.  JJut  by  noticing  the  direction  sailed,  the  time 
occupied,  and  by  a  careful  comparsion  of  the  relative  latitudes  given — Elisa 
being  placed  one  minute  fart'aer  south  than  Revilla  Gigedo,  while  the  next 


10 


SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 


On  the  30th,  the  vessel  proceeded  round  to  Royal 
Bay,  which  Quimper  called  Solano ;  and  the  same  day 
he  moved  the  ship  up  into  Esquimalt  Harbor,  which 
he  named  Valdes.  While  there  tlie  vessel  lay  at  an- 
chor, Quimper  sent  out  in  small  boats  his  pilots,  who, 
five  leagues  to  the  eastward,  discovered  besides  several 
islands  a  broad  passage  extending  toward  the  west- 
north-west,  and  losing  itself  in  the  distance  This 
passage  or  strait  was  called  Haro,  in  honor  of  his 
sailing-master. 

It  was  observed  that  a  short  distance  to  the  east- 
ward of  Valdes  Bay,  or  Esquimalt,  was  another  bay, 
which  they  pronounced  "a  port  of  good  shelter,  water, 
and  wild  seeds  for  which  the  Indians  came  in  canoes 
from  tlie  other  side  of  the  strait."  This  was  Victoria 
Harbor,  to  which  Quimper  gave  the  name  of  Cor- 
doba. ^^  While  tliere  the  natives  brought  fruit  and 
roots,  not  having  skins  to  trade.  Indeetl,  says  Quim- 
per, they  did  not  need  to  kill  animals  for  food,  their 
rich  soil  providing  tliem  abundance;  and  as  for  cloth- 
ing, the  tribes  contiguous,  even  as  far  away  as  the 
mouth  of  Fuca  Strait,  wore  glad  to  bring  furs,  and 
give  them  in  exchange  for  these  natural  products,  of 
which  they  regularly  laid  in  a  winter's  supply.  This 
quiet  life,  moreover,  seemed  to  make  these  savages 
less  ferocious  than  their  beast-killino;  neiij^hbors.^" 

On  tlie  4th  of  July,  Quimper  crossed  with  his  ves- 
sel to  New  Dungeness  Point,  which  he  named  Santa 
Cruz,  and  behind  which  he  anchored,  calling  the  place 
Quimper   Bay."'^     Soon    the    natives   appeared    with 

anchorage,  which  wo  sliall  fiiitl  to  he  the  entrance  to  Esquimalt  Bay,  ia  several 
minutes  nortli  of  Elisa,  or  Soke  Harbor — the  positions  of  tlie  several  stations 
become  quite  clear. 

*"  Cordoba  Bay  as  laid  down  on  modem  maps  is  misplacea;  that  is,  if  in- 
tended as  the  Cordoba  Bay  of  Quimper.  First,  it  does  not  correspond  to  the 
M-ell -sheltered  port  described  by  Quimper;  nor  does  it  appear  that  either 
Quimper  or  his  pilots  ever  entered  Haro  Strait  so  far. 

"See  Natirc  Races,  i.  174-207.  '  En  cuya  demora  hallaron  un  puerto  que 
llaniarou  do  Conlolja  de  apreclables  abrigos,  agnas,  y  semillas  sifvestres  de 
que  salian  provistas  algunas  canoas  de  los  puertos  que  se  hallan  fuera  del 
seno.'  Quimper,  Seijumlo  Rerotiocimknto  de  la  Entrnda  de  Ftica. 

'^  '  El  mismo  dia  por  la  tarde  anclaron  al  abrigo  de  una  punta  que  Uamaron 
de  Santa  Cruz,  doudo  encoutrarou  un  abrigado  puerto  de  poca  agua  propio 


i 

i 


M 

I 


TAKING  POSSESSION. 


11 


Lis  ves- 
Sauta 
place 
with 


mussels,  fish,  deer  meat,  mats,  skins,  tanned  leather, 
and  featlieic;d  blankets  to  trade.  The  pilots,  starting 
out  in  small  boats,  and  exploring  eastward,  came  to 
an  admirable  harbor,"^  which  they  called  Bodega  y 
Cuadra,  with  an  island  in  front  of  it.  The  nature  of 
Admiralty  Inlet,  which  he  called  Ensenada  de  Caa- 
mano,  was  mistaken,  and  from  this  point,  along  the 
land  running  northward,  they  saw  two  openings,  which 
tluy  named  Fidalgo  and  Deilon.^-  Then  they  re- 
turned to  the  vessel.  On  the  18th,  Quimper  set  sail 
for  Xootka,  but  by  reason  of  adverse  winds  was 
obliged  to  enter  Valdes  Bay,  where  he  remained  three 
days,  when  he  again  weighed  anchor,  and  coasting 
the  southern  side  of  Fuca  Strait  tcnvard  its  entrance, 
on  the  24th  came  to  Xeali  Bay,  which  he  entered, 
naming  it  Puerto  de  Nunez  Gaona."^ 

Solenmly  again  on  the  1st  of  August,  amidst  dis- 
charges of  musketry  and  artillery,  he  took  possession 
of  the  country,  wishing  witliout  fail  to  secure  it  all; 
and  after  repairing  his  vessel  and  sounding  the  bay, 
on  the  2d  he  sailed  away  for  Nootka,  but  being  pre- 
vented entrance  by  a  gale,  he  proceeded  to  Monterey. 

Tlie  explorations  of  Quimper  served  only  to  whet 
the  interest  of  the  Spanish  authorities,  and  to  con- 
firm the  belief  in  an  interoceanic  strait  in  this  quai'ter. 
The  verv  next  vear,  accordin<;lv,  Elisa  received  orders 
to  complete  this  survey,  and  at  once  prepared  the  San 
Carlos,  of  sixteen  guns,  and  the  schooner  Horcasitas, 
of  seven.  He  left  Nootka  in  May  with  tlie  intention 
of  seeking  the  sixtieth  parallel,  and  thence  to  follow 
the  coast  southward  to  Fuca  Strait,  but  the  winds 
continued  contrary,  and  he  was  obliged  to  sail  direct 
for  the  Strait.  Leaving  the  schooner  on  INIay  27th,  to 
examine  Carrasco  Inlet,-*  he  proceeded  with  the  San 


para  las  enibarcacionea  pequefias,  y  alii  tomaron  pose 
Quimper.'  Stijumlo  Ileconocimiento  de  hi  Entrada  de  huca. 

^'  Port  Discovery. 

'^■^  The  former  was  evidently  the  present  Rosario  Strait. 

'■^  The  native  name  was  Quinicamet. 

^*  Barclay  Sound. 


losesiou  llam^ndolo  de 


h 


!?!■' 


12 


SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 


SURVEY  OP  HARO  STR^VIT. 


18 


a.de  Sn.Luls 


BU 


>ta.de  Arza 

'XBiica  de 
^  JUoniiio 


\Lu(iguada 


K^4« 


Boca  ilf ; 


"^-»-^.. 


Carlos  to  Cordoba  Harbor.  On  May  Slst,  the  armed 
launch  was  despatched  under  Verdia,  tlie  second  piloto, 
to  explore  Haro  Strait,  but  returned  the  same  day 
with  the  report  that  a  fleet  of  canoes  had  surrounded 
the  launch,  and  made  such  hostile  demonstrations  that 
the  crew  had  been  obliged  to  resoi-t  to  fire-arms. 
Observing  more  Indians  on  shore  preparing  to  reiin- 
force  the  enemy,  Verdia  deemed  it  prudent  to  return, 
after  having  sunk  a  big  canoe  and  killed  several  natives. 

In  view  of  this  cmitretemps,  Elisa  resolved  to 
wait  for  the  return  of  the  schooner  before  sending 
out  another  expedition.  She  arrived  twelve  days 
later,  with  an  account  of  the  archipelago  and  branches 
of  the  Carrasco  Inlet.  The  examination  of  the  in- 
terior channels  had  been  effected  for  three  leagues 
only,  owing  to  the  stormy  weather  and  the  hostility 
of  the  Indians,  who  had  on  three  occasions  to  be  in- 
timidated with  grape-shot,  fired  at  a  high  range  so  as 
not  to  injure  them. 

Elisa  now  instructed  Piloto  Josd  Maria  Narvaez  to 
take  the  scliooner  and  launch,  with  thirty  sailors  and 
eight  Catalonian  volunteers,  and  make  a  four  days' 
nunute  exannnation  of  the  Haro  Strait.  He  set  sail 
on  June  14t]i,  and  entered  the  strait  along  the  western 
shore,  with  tlie  intention  of  afterward  letting  the  ves- 
sels exj-lore  one  of  the  sides  (?acli;  but  on  reaching  a 
group  of  island  i  above  the  present  Coi'doba  Bay,  this 
idea  was  found  impracticable.  An  anchorage  was 
sought  for  the  night  close  to  the  east  shore  of  Van- 
couver Island,  evidently  near  the  present  Coal  Island; 
and  tlie  lU'xt  morning  Narvaez  steered  eastward,  to- 
ward the  large  opening  which  had  been  noticed  the 
day  bc'lore.     After    passing    several    islands,   he  was 

11*1  » 

ol)li;;v(l  to  enter  for  a  fuw^  hours  into  the  small  harbor 
of  San  Antonio.'-^'     The  same  morning,  he  entered  to 

^■^  'Roconoof  nil  1)nci>  piicrto  aim<ine  pe(inei"io  pues  lo  mas  larco  dc  I'l  tione 
una  y  media  ^uill:l,^,  y  lo  mas  uiiclio  una,  puro  resguarilada  do  todo  viuiilo.  .  .y 
so  halla  sitiiailo  e..  lo  mas  sur  de  la  isla  de  Saya-i.'  Eii.iii'.s  Voi/ni/p,  17!>1,  in 
f'lij'cr.'i  nli/iii:ito  flie  Timty  of  WaMmjloii,  V.  l"7G.  This  is  clearly  Bodwell 
Harbor  on  render  Island. 


14 


SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 


examine  the  present  Plumper  Sound,  and  then  rounded 
East  point  on  Saturna  Island,""  to  behold  spreading  out 
beft)re  him,  as  far  as  his  eyes  could  see,  a  very  wide  canal. 
This  being  the  most  important  discovery  made  so  far, 
he  resolved  to  name  it  in  honor  of  the  patron  saint  of 
the  expedition,  El  Gran  Canal  de  N""  8"  del  liosario, 
la  marinera,.  the  Gulph  of  Georgia  of  Vancouver. ^^ 

Narvaez  explored  this  canal  very  nearly  to  the 
mouth  of  Johnstone  Strait,  noting  a  number  of 
places  on  his  map,  and  among  tlicm  the  entrance  to 
Nanaimo  harbor,  which  lie  names  Wenthuysen,  Tejada 
Island,  and  the  moutli?  of  Fraser  River. '^'^ 

The  exploration  in  Fuca  Strpit  and  adjoining  waters 
terminated  on  Augusi  '^Ui,  when  Elisa  withdrew  to 
seek  remedies  for  his  scurvy-stricken  crew  and  the 
failing  larder,  lie  himself  had  been  confined  by 
sickness  during  the  greater  part  of  the  time.^' 

(jraliano  and  Valdds  m  the  ships  Sutll  and  Mexi- 
can a  leave  Mexico  soon  after  to  prosecute  discoveries 
round  Vancouver  Island,  which  expedition  we  shall 
encounter  later. 


ri 


!    I 


By  the  terms  of  settlement  which  followed  the  dis- 
turbances at  Nootka,  Spain  was  tc  restore  all  property 
seized,  and  England  was  neither  to  navigate  nor  to  fish 
within  ten  leagues  of  any  spot  occupied  by  Spaniards; 
elsewhere  the  naviofation  of  the  Northwest  Coast 
should  be  free  to  both  powers.  And  in  the  execu- 
tion of  these  terms,  commissioners  appointed  on  either 
side  were  to  meet  at  Nootka  for  the  settlement  of 
British  claims. 


George  Vancouver, 


30 


being  about   to  sail  for   the 


'""'Marked  in  Pt"  do  Sta  Saturnina  on  Elisa's  map. 

'•"  '  Kii  cl  iiiuilio  do  el  se  distingiiia  como  a  iierdor  de  vista  un  pequeflo  cerro, 
d.  moda  do  I'aii  do  Aziicar,  nieuilo  advorteiicia  que  loa  estromos  d  puiitas  do 
tierra  que  forinan  e-sto  canal  cs  sorrania  iiiuy  elevada,  cubierta  do  nieve. '  Jb. 

^^  These  are  marked  as  openings  between  8onie  islands,  but  behind  them, 
on  the  continent,  is  laid  down  a  ^^(ler  inlet,  Boca  de  Florida  Blanca,  which 
the  Spanish  explorers  of  the  following  year  identified  with  Burrard  Inlet. 

'^  Sntd  1/  Mexiriina,  Vinge,  2. 

^"At  this  time  lieutenant,  afterward  post-captain  in  the  British  navy. 
He  had  served  as  midshipman  with  Captain  Cook  during  his  second  and  third 


m 

SfJ? 


BODEOA  Y   CUADRA  AND  VANCOUVpai. 


Ift 


unded 
ng  out 
canal, 
so  far, 
aint  of 
osario, 

to  the 
ber  of 
mce  to 
Tojada 

waters 
ircw  to 
nd  the 
nod   by 

\  Mexi- 
3e)vencs 
fo  shall 


the  dis- 
iroperty 
to  fish 
iniards ; 
Cwast 
cxccu- 
n  either 
iient  of 

for   the 


[uefio  cerro, 
puutas  de 

nieve.'  11). 
hind  them, 

iica,  which 
•d  Inlet. 

■itihh  navy. 
A  and  third 


4 


Pacific  on  an  exploring  tour,  is  commissioned  to  act 
for  En,i:;land,  and  Don  Juan  Francisco  de  la  Bodega 
y  Cuadra,  for  Spain.  Vancouver  appears  upon  tlie 
coast,  near  Cape  Mendocino,  in  the  sloop  of  war  Dis- 
covery, with  the  armed  tender  Chatham,  Lieutenant 
Broughton,  master,  in  April  1792,  which  was  the 
month  following  the  departure  of  Bodega  y  Cuadra 
from  San  Bias  with  the  Santa  Gertnidis,  Actiia,  and 
Princcsa.  Coasting  northward,  and  scattering  names 
freely  on  the  way,  Vancouver  calls  Trinidad  Head 
Rocky  Point;  next,  Point  St  George,  ''and  the 
very  dangerous  cluster  of  rocks  extending  from 
thence,  the  Dragon  Hocks,"  also  St  George  Ba}',  fol- 
lowed by  Cape  Orford,  in  honor  of  his  "much  re- 
spected friend,  the  noble  earl,"  and  Point  Grcnville,'* 
"after  the  liight  Honorable  Lord  Grenville."  The 
points  JSIeares  named  he  recognizes,  and  among  them 
Cape  Disappointment  and  Deception  Bay,  though 
like  the  others  he  passes  unobserved  the  ent/ance  to 
the  Columbia  River,  which  otlierwise  v.ould  certainly 
have  had  another  name,  and  perhaps  another  history. 
As  Vancouver  nears  Fuca  Strait  he  meets  the  ship 
Columbia,  Captain  Gray,  who  is  astonished  at  the 
stories  told  of  him  in  England,  that  he  "  had  made  a 
very  singular  voyage  behind  Nootka,"  in  the  sloop 
Washington.  True,  he  had  seen  Dixon  entrance,  and 
had  passed  into  Fuca  Strait  some  fifty  miles,  where 
he  had  been  told  by  the  natives  of  an  extensive  open- 
ing to  the  northward,  but  he  had  returned  where  he 
had  entered.  In  latitude  40°  10',  he  had  discovered 
the  mouth  of  a  river,  "where  the  outlet  or  refiux  was 
so  strong  as  to  prevent  his  entering  it  for  nine  days."^^ 
He  had  })assed  the  winter  at  Clayoquot  Harbor,  where 
he  bad  erected  a  fortification,  naming  it  Fort  Defiance, 
and  had  built  a  vessel,  calling  it  the  Adventure,  which 

voyages.     After  serving  in  the  West  Indies  and  elsewhere,  he  died  in  IJngland 
"*  \'i^\'  ^^^''''''  V'"  '"if'^ttive  of  liis  voyages  was  passing  throu{;li  tho  press. 

iMeares,   Voy.,  101),  gave  the  same  name  to  a  headland  just  above  Capo 
Lookout. 

^^Soo  Vancouver's  Voy.,  i.  215. 


16 


SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 


1';  ( 


he  had  sent  to  Queen  Charlotte  Islands.     After  which 
parley,  each  sails  his  way. 

Passing  between  Tatooch  Island  and  a  rock  to 
which  is  given  the  name  of  Duncan,  the  Resolution 
and  Discovery  enter  Fuca  Strait,  and  on  the  30th 
of  April  anchor  near  a  "low  sandy  point  of  land, 
which  from  its  great  resemblance  to  Dungeness  in 
the  British  Channel,"  Vancouver  calls  New  Dunge- 
ness. The  lofty  mountain  toward  the  north-east,  "dis- 
covered in  the  afternoon  by  the  third  lieutenant,"  is 
in  compliment  to  him  called  Mount  Baker.  Survey- 
ing thence  in  small  boats.  Protection  Island,  Port 
Discovery,  into  which  the  ships  are  moved,  and  Port 
Townsend  are  seen  and  named,  the  last  "in  honor 
of  the  noble  marquis  of  that  name."  An  inferior  point 
receives  the  name  of  an  inferior  person,  Hudson. 
Some  difficulty  is  experienced  in  obtaining  fresh 
water,  but  the  country  is  pronounced  charming,  with 
every  move  new  beauties  appearing.  The  7th  of  May, 
Vancouver  embarks  in  the  Discoveries  yawl,  with  his 
launch  and  the  Chatham's  cutter,  with,  a  five  days' 
supply  of  stores.  Dining  at  Port  Townsend,  the  cliff 
adjacent  seemingly  cou>posed  of  indurated  clay  is  called 
Marrowstone  Point,  wliile  the  round  snowy  peak  that 
glistens  in  the  south-west  is  called  Mount  Rainier 
"after  my  friend  Kear-Admiral  liainier."  Oak  Cove 
and  Hazel  Point  are  so  named  on  account  of  the  trees 
there ;  Poulweather  Blulf,  because  the  weather  changes 
when  i)assing  it.  Hood  Canal  is  entered,  and  named 
"after  the  Kight  Honorable  Lord  Hood;"  U[)on  the 
land  and  its  peo[»le  comments  are  passed,  and  the  com- 
mander returns  to  the  sliijis. 

Leaving  luAv  tlie  Chatliani  with  instructions  to 
Ihoughton  to  make  observations  m  that  vicinity,  and 
then  to  follow,  on  the  18th  Vancouver  enters  w  ith  the 
Discovery  th o  inlet  he  calls  Admiralty,  and  the  nexi; 
day  orders  a  ]uuty  in  the  launch  and  cutter,  under 
Peter  Puget,  lieutenant,  and  Joseph  Whidbey,  master, 
to  [>reccde  him,  discover,  and  reoort,  while  with  more 


GEORGE  VANCOUVER. 


17 


)ii  the 


W 


Vam-'oi'veu's  U.\i',  No.  I. 
UiiT.  Unn.  Col.    'i 


18 


SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 


IH 


f! 


comfortable  leisure  he  sounds  the  channel,  makes 
short  excursions,  examines  strange  sights,  and  bathes 
in  new  beauties.  While  thus  engaged,  on  the  23d 
Port  Orchard  is  seen,  and  the  next  day  named  "after 
the  gentleman  who  discovered  it." 

Broughton  now  appears  with  the  Cliatham  and 
informs  Vancouver  that  to  the  north  of  Port  Dis- 
covery is  an  archipelago,  beyond  which  is  a  large  arm 
of  the  sea.  Impatient  of  delay,  on  the  2Gth  Van- 
couver sets  out  in  the  yawl,  leaving  orders  with 
Broughton,  should  Puget  and  Whidbey  return, 
to  have  the  arm  running  easterly  cxamiaod.  The 
result  is  the  discovery  and  naming  of  Vashon  Island, 
"after  my  friend  Captain  Vashon  of  the  navy,"  and 
"to  commemorate  Mr  Pugct's  exertions,"  Pugct 
Sound  being  applied  only  to  the  southern  extremity 
of  Admiralty  Inlet.  Next  the  explorers  enter  that 
arm  of  the  inlet  extending  toward  the  north-east, 
and  on  the  king's  birthday,  the  4th  of  June,  tako 
formal  possession  of  the  coast  country,  and  so  call  the 
place  Possession  Sound.  The  open  water  beyond 
the  islands  is  called  the  Gulf  of  Georgia,  and  the 
continent  adjacent  and  extending  southward  to  the 
forty-fifth  parallel,  New  Georgia,  "in  honor  of  his 
present  Majesty."  The  westerri  arm  of  this  branch 
of  Admiralty  Inlet  is  called  Port  Gardner,  "after 
Vice- Admiral  Sir  Alan  Gardner,"  the  smaller  eastern 
one,  Port  Susan. ^^  Penn  Cove  is  so  named  "in  honor 
of  a  particular  friend. ' 

Passing  northward  out  of  Admiralty  lidct,  Point 
Partridge,  directly  ojiposite  Penn  Cove,  and  Point 
Wilson,  "after  my  much  esteemed  friend  Captain 
George  AVilson  of  the  navy,"  and  Decej)tion  Passage 
are  named.  Sending  fi'cquent  parties  in  boats  and 
on  shore  in  vai'ious  directions,  the  expedition  continues 
through  Ptosario  Strait,  which,  however,  is  not  here 

"Vancouver's  conception  of  tliecliariicteriui(I  extent  of  these  Blicefs  of  water 
was  quite  erroneous,  iiuil  nioilern  maps  almost  exelianjje  tlitir  roliUi\  e  iiunies 
and  positi'Jiis.  In  pi'oof  of  uliioli  \vc  have  later  in  this  narrative,  Deception 
passugo  leading  into  I'ort  Uardner. 


X\\V  UiUWS 
L)cCLl)t.lOll 


\'\si-<\vvv.v.'<  M.M'.  No.  '2. 


iN 


20 


SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 


SO  named,  touching  en  route  at  a  bay  which  they  call 
Strawberry  Bay,  on  the  shore  of  an  island  which, 
"producing  an  abundance  of  upright  cypress,"  they 
name  Cypress  Island,  and  passes  on  by  BcUingham 
and  Birch  bays,  and  points  William,  Francis,  Roi)crts, 
Grey,  Atkinson,  Gower,  Upwood,  and  Scotch  Fir  to 
Burrard  and  .Tervis  canals  and  Howe  Sound,  where 
arc  Passage  and  Anvil  islands.  The  usual  sound 
reasons  are  generally  given  in  the  naming,  such  as 
"in  compliment  to  my  friend  Captain  George  Grey 
of  the  navy;"  Roberts  "after  my  esteemed  friend 
and  predecessor  in  the  Discovery;'  "after  Sir  Harry 
Burrard  of  the  navy;"  "in  honor  of  Admiral  Earl 
Howe;"  "in  honor  of  Admiral  Sir  John  Jcrvis;" 
and  so  on.  Indeed,  it  were  well  for  one  coveting  easy 
immortality  to  be  a  friend  of  Captain  Vancouver's 
about  this  time,  the  aboriginal  owners  and  occupants 
being,  like  earlier  Spanish  navigators,  wholly  ignored 
in  this  naming.^* 


^i! 


i      li 


At  anchor,  near  Point  Grey,  on  the  2 2d  of  June, 
Vancouver  being  then  out  on  a  boat  excursion  discov- 
ers two  Spanish  vessels  of  war,  the  brig  Sutil,  and 
the  schooner  Mexicana,  Galiano  commanding  the  for- 
mer and  Valdt's  the  latter,  both  captains  in  t!je  Span- 
ish navy,  sent  by  the  viceroy  of  !^Iexico  to  continue 
Spanish  discovery  through  Fuca  Strait.  Tli(\v  had 
sailed  from  Acapulco  in  March,  and  i'rom  Nootka 
early  in  June,  had  entered  Fuca  Strait  and  ancliored 
in  the  Puerto  de  Nunez  Gaona,  now  Neah  IBay. 
There  they  found  the  Pn'nccstt,  under  Salvador  Fi- 
dalgo,  who  had  orders  to  plant  in  tliat  vicinity  a  Span- 
ish establishment  similar  to  that  at  Nootka.  Thence 
they  crossed  to  Cordoba,""  or  Victoria,  which  they  pro- 

"'Sarali,  Mary,  niul  Susan  must  luivo  been  early  inamoratas,  or  cUo  lola- 
tives  1)1'  till!  ctminiandt'r  and  liin  fricmls. 

^•'It  hoiny  not  ahsolntcly  certain  that  this  port  is  \iotoria,  the  Cunloba 
of  Qiiiinpor,  I  will  ni\a  tho  author's  own  (li'scriptinn  of  thu  jilace  '  ICl  Cncrto 
<le  t'ortlolMJ,  C's  liennoso  y  jiroiMiiviona  luirn  alii'igo  li  los  na\cguiitt'S!  jicro  eii 
t''l  I'suaseii  cl  nyua,  scgun  vinios,  y  nos  iulornx')  Tetacus;  el  turri.'no  cs  nuiy  ilo- 
Bigual,  do  poca  ultura,  y  como  maniiicstau  laa  ccrcauias  do  poco  esposor  la 


% 


SUTIL  Y  MEXICANA. 


21 


y  call 
vhich, 
'  thoy 

)1)crts, 
Fir  to 
where 
sound 
icli  as 
Grey 
friend 
Harry 
tl  Earl 
crvis; 
i<^  easy 
Oliver's 
jupants 
iiTiiored 


'  June, 
(liscov- 
til,  and 
the  lor- 
0  Spun- 
ontinue 
i(>y  had 
Nootka 
vichored 
h    Bay. 
idor  Fi- 
ji 8pan- 
Thenec 
hey  pro- 

or  clso  rcla- 

,hc  Ccriloba 
.  'Kl  I'mrto 
08;  iicro  eu 
)  OS  iiuiy  tlo- 
)  c!»|H"S'ir  la 


nounced  a  beautiful  harbor,  but  lacking  water.  From 
Nunez  (iaona  they  had  brought,  to  Cordoba,  Tetacus, 
a  chief  of  that  country,  whoso  village  they  visited; 
but  tlie  natives  were  suspicious  owing  to  the  cannon- 
ading inflicted  during  the  previous  }■  ear  by  the  schooner 
ISntuniina  in  defence  of  the  launch  of  tlie  San  Carlos, 
whicli  liad  accompanied  her. 

On  the  lOtli  of  June,  the}'  left  Cordoba,  crossed  the 
diannel,  and  ancliored  on  tlie  east  side  of  San  Juan 
Island,'"  su<.'h  being  the  name  it  bears  on  their  map. 
Thence  passing  through  the  strait  south  of  what  they 
calk'tl  (juiimes  Island,  now  Lawrence  Island,  to  the 
mainland,  they  proceeded  northward  to  Point  William, 
which  they  called  Point  Solano,  and  anchored  in  the 
northern  part  of  Bellingham  Bay,  which  they  named 
Seno  de  (^laston.^"  There  tluy  grounded,  and  so  re- 
mained a  few  lK)urs,  when  continuing  their  cours(^' 
through  (\inal  Pacheco,  east  of  Pacheco  Island,  now 
called  jMeLoughlin  Island,  they  hugged  the  shore  of 
the  mainland  past  Birch  Bay,  which  they  called  En- 
senada  del  (Jarzon,  and  entered  Boundary  Bay,  naming 
Peninsula  de  Cepc  la  and  Punta  de  San  Bafael."''^ 

While'  seeking  to  })ass  Point  Roberts,  not  having 
yet  met  Vancouver,  thev  encountered  Brouirhton  in 
the  Cliafham,  and  after  exchanging  courtesies,  ( Jaliano 
and  Valdes  continued  clost;  to  the  shore,  until,  as  they 
approacluul  the  mouth  of  Fraser  Kiver,  they  noticed 
the  water  assume  a  ditt'eniit  coloi",  but  before  they 
could  discover  the  river,  they  were  carried  by  the 
current  out  into  the  strait,  and  were  forced  to  seek 
anchorage  for  the  night  on  the  otlier  side,  which  they 
found  at  a  place  called  by  them  Anclage,  on  Galiaiu* 

eapa  tU  lutim  que  hay  sobre  la  pioilra.  Sin  embargo  cs  fortil,  esta  cubicrta 
til-  iirlmlL's  y  i)liiiitii«,  y  cstiis  proiliu'cionos  son  ([uasi  las  misiiuiM  ijue  las  (lu 
Nutka,  abuiiilaiido  mas  los  nisalus  silvostrus.'   Sii.'il  »/  Mcrinnid,   Vimji;  A'l  W. 

^"Tliiir  narrative  says  San  Jiian  Islan.l,  but  it  was  probably  Lopez  Jslaml 
where  they  came  to  anchor,  as  in  their  map  tho  two  islands  arc  joineil. 

"'  All  this,  of  course,  was  l)efore  Vancouver  had  been  there. 

'"  The  former  applied  to  Point  lloberts,  an<l  the  latter  to  tho  northern  point 
of  Drayton  Harbor.  The  present  Boundary  Bay  is  laiil  down  on  their  map  as 
Ensenada  del  Kng.iflo,  so  called  on  account  of  their  failure  to  find  there  a  pas- 
sage into  tho  gulf  of  lieorgia,  uiarked  on  their  map  as  Canal  del  l<4)sario. 


^^1 


22 


SUMMABY  OP  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 


\i] 


Island.  Continuing,  on  the  1 5th  they  entered  what  they 
called  Portier  Inlet,  discovered  the  islands  adjacent, 
and,  returning  the  same  way,  coasted  the  eastern  side 
of  Valdes  Island,^'  seeking  Point  Gaviola,  failing  to 
find  which  they  rounded  Gabriola  Island,  and  entered 
through  Wenthuysen  Channel  a  port  called  Cala  del 
Descanso,  now  Nanaimo.  Landing,  they  obtained 
water  and  provisions  from  the  natives,  after  which, 
on  the  19th  they  embarked  for  the  opposite  side  of  the 
strait,  which  they  reached  the  following  day,  anchoring 
off  Point  Grey,  which  they  call  Punta  de  Ldngara. 

Very  affable  and  polite  are  these  strangers  thus 
meeting  in  the  strange  waters  behind  Nootka,  who 
are  so  ready  on  occasion  to  cut  each  other's  throats. 
The  English  invite  the  Spaniards  to  join  expeditions. 
Each  with  liberal  courtesy  shows  the  other  what  he 
has  found.  Galiano  is  surprised  that  Vancouver  did 
not  discover  Fraser  River;  for  the  Spanish  explorers 
who  had  the  previous  year  passed  along  this  coast, 
had  observed  between  points  Roberts  and  Grey  an 
opening  which  was  either  an  inlet  or  a  river,  and 
which  they  located  on  their  map,  calling  it  Canal  de 
Floridablanca,*'  and  the  present  Spanish  captains  as 
they  but  now  approached  their  present  anchorage  had 
noticed  that  the  water  thereabout  was  almost  fresh, 
and  that  in  it  were  logs  and  d6hris  floating,  sure  evi- 
dence of  a  stream  near  by.  Vancouver,  in  common 
wi+h  other  explorers,  had  passed  the  Columbia  with- 
out observing  it,  under  circumstances  reflecting  no 
great  credit  upon  his  expedition,  and  now  he  is  greatly 
chagrined  no  less  in  being  unable  to  discover  largo 
rivers,  after  their  existence  has  been  told  him,  than 
that  the  Spaniards  should  have  been  before  him  at 

He  wonders  Ik 


parts 


they 


gf* 


"Some  modern  maps  give  two  islands  the  name  Valdes,  this  being  the 
more  southern. 

*"  '  Named  by  one  of  their  oiBcera  Rio  Blancho,  in  compliment  to  tlio  then 
prime-minister  of  Spain.'   Vanrouvi>r')i  Voy.,  i.  314. 

"  '  I  cannot  avoid  acknowledging,'  he  writes,  Voy.,  i.  312,  'that  on  thia 
occasion  I  experienced  no  small  degree  of  mortification.'    '  En  el  ailo  anterior 


MOVEMENTS  OF  THE  SPANIARDS. 


23 


Galuno's  Map. 


24 


SUMMARY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES, 


i:.; 


SO  far  and  accomplish  so  mucli  In  a  craft  so  ill  suited 
to  voyages  of  discovery/' 

As  regards  the  discoveries  of  the  Spaniards  before 
him  in  these  parts,  Galiano  shows  him  a  map  on  which 
is  laid  down,  besides  nmch  other  new  information, 
Tejada  Island  and  Rosario  Strait/^  Vancouver  is 
also  informed  that  Cuadra  awaits  him  at  Nootka. 
Then  the  Spaniards  dine  the  English,  and  the  English 
dine  the  Spaniards,  amidst  profound  punctilios;  after 
which  they  continue  their  explorations  for  a  time 
together,  the  Sjinniards  making  now  and  then  an  ex- 
cursion in  one  direction  and  the  English  in  another. 

On  the  2:5d  of  June,  entering  Burrard  Inlet,  called 
by  thein,  on  their  map.  Canal  de  Sasamat,  the  Indian 
name  of  the  place,  and  in  their  text,  Floridablanca, 
indicative  of  the  supposition  that  the  stream  they 
found  flowing  into  it  was  the  true  canal  or  river  of 
their  predecessors,  mistermed  Blanche  by  Vancouver, 
and  later  Eraser  River,  the  Spaniards  pass  by  Howe 
and  Jervis  inlets,  already  examined  by  the  English, 
and  the  combined  fleet  sails  on  through    Malaspina 

liabiaii  visto  miestros  olTicialcs  tlol  dopfirtameiito  do  Sau  Bias  a  alguna  dis- 
taiicia  csta  i)arto  ile  costa,  y  no  duvisando  lo  laas  l)axo  de  ella  habiuii  crcido 
que  las  tierras  iuiiiediatas  a  Punta  de  Laiigara  y  la  IV-uinsula  de  Cepoda  fuesen 
do3  i:slas  situadas  cu  la  1)oca  <li;l  Canal  do  Floridablanca;  asi  las  colocarou  en 
an  carta. '  Siilil y  Jli.ricaiid,  Vid;/'',  04. 

^^' They  wore  each  about  4.'5  ton:!  l)urden,  inouuted  two  brass  guns,  and 
were  navi^^atod  by  24  men,  bearing  one  lieutenant,  without  a,  .single  inferior 
officer.  Tlicir  apartments  just  allowed  room  for  sleeping-places  on  eaeli  side, 
with  a  table  in  the  intermediate  .spaee,  at  which  four  persons,  with  some  dilii- 
culty,  could  sit,  and  were  in  all  otiier  respects  tlu'  most  ill-ealeidated  and 
unfit  vessels  that  could  possibly  be  imagined  for  such  an  expedition.'  !'««- 
couvcr's  Vol/.,  i.  313. 

*^  Vancouver  evidently  misread  this  chart,  as  he  calls  the  ialand  Favida, 
and  placLS  on  his  own  map  the  'Canal  de  Neiestra  Senora  del  Rosario,'  or 
if  we  would  choose  between  the  bad  Spani.di  of  the  map  and  that  of  the  text, 
the  'Canal  del  Neustra  Signora  del  Rosario,'  between  Tejada  I.dand  and  the 
mainland.  Now  it  was  the  Llulf  of  Oeorgia  itself  to  which  the  Spaniards  gave 
the  name  Canal  del  Rosario,  and  not  to  the  narrow  passage  between  Tejada 
Island  and  the  mainland,  which  latter  they  called  Malaspina  Strait,  the  name 
it  now  bears.  It  were  possible,  as  it  is  indeed  the  fact,  that  the  Canal  del 
Rosario  of  the  Spaniards  h;is  been  crowded  down  by  the  Oulf  of  Georgia  of 
the  English  into  the  narrow  channel  at  its  soutliern  end  between  the  San 
Juan  Islands  and  the  mainland;  but  we  should  hanlly  expect  to  see  our  lady 
of  Rosario  making  at  one  leap  su-'h  dintanco  as  from  Tejada  to  Fidalgo 
Islands.  Compare  Carto'jniphy  P.  C,  JIS.,  iii.  l'J4.  The  present  Rosario 
Strait  is  called  on  early  t'.paniah  maps  (,\inal  de  Fidalgo.  It  was  in  1849  that 
the  British  admiralty  made  this  change. 


1. 


-n- 


JAMKS  JOHNSTONE. 


25 


Strait,  and  anchors  in  the  archipelago  at  an  island 
called  by  the  Spaniards  Quenia/*  the  English  naming 
Point  Marshall  and  Savary  Island  on  their  way. 

It  is  here  agreed  by  the  combined  fleet  to  send  out 
three  boat  expeditions,  the  Spanish  under  Valdes 
to  proceed  northward  into  the  opening  called  by  him 
Canal  de  la  Tabla,*^  misnamed  by  modern  map-makers 
Toba,  the  English  under  James  Johnstone,  an  officer 
on  board  the  Chatham,  to  enter  the  long  narrow 
passage  to  which  was  subsequently  given  his  name, 
while  Puget  was  to  survey  what,  by  reason  of  the 
bleak  earth  and  lowering  opaque  sky,  Vancouver  was 
constrained  to  call  Desolation  Sound,  (xaliano  also 
goes  out,  and  finds  what  he  calls  Canal  del  Arco,  now 
Homfray  Channel,  which  extends  from  Punta  Sarmi- 
ento**'  to  Canal  do  la  Tabla.  East  of  Punta  Sarmi- 
ento  Galiano  finds  an  inlet  ending  in  two  brandies, 
to  which  he  gives  names,  to  the  southern  Malas})ina, 
and  to  the  eastern  Bustamante.  Many  of  the  inlets 
hereabout  are  entered  and  named  by  both  the  S])anish 
and  English ;  thus  the  Punta  do  Magallanes  of  Ga- 
liano is  the  Point  Mudgc  of  Vancouver,  the  Brazo 
de  Quintano  of  Galiano  is  the  Bute  Inlet  of  Van- 
couver, the  Brazo  de  Salamanca  of  (xaliano  is  the 
Loughborough  Canal  of  A'ancouvcr,  and  so  on.  The 
world  lias  indeed  })rogressed  when  we  behold  in  tliis 
far-away  wilderness  the  representatives  of  two  greaf. 
European  powers  laboring  side  by  sidi;  for  the  exten- 
sion of  knowledge,  vying  with  one  another  in  their 
noble  eftbrts  of  discovery.  Such  a  siglit  had  never 
before  been  seen  in  these  parts. 

The  ;5d  of  July,  Johnstone  is  sent  a  second  time  into 
the  narrow  ])as'sage  which  he  had  found,  and  in  com- 
pany Avith  Swaine  passes  through  it  to  within  full 
view  oi'  the  ocean.*^ 

**  Probal)ly  Cortes  Islaml. 

*'•'  On  account  of  a  wooden  table  carved  in  alroriginal  hieroglyphics  found 
there. 

**  Called  by  Vancouver  Toint  Sarah. 

"  '  In  the  atlas  of  La  Perousc,  178G,  No.  29,  Scott  Islands,  at  the  northern 
end  of  Vancouver  Island,  are  called  lies  do  Sartinc;  Dixon  calls  thorn  Beres> 


r 


1»6 


SUMMARY  OF  EARUEST  VOYAGES. 


The  Spaniards  in  their  crazy  craft  being  unable  to 
keep  place  with  tlie  finer  vessels  of  the  English,  Gali- 
ano  j)olitely  requests  Vancouver  to  proceed  and  leave 
him  behind,  which  he  does.  Vancouver  then  follows 
Johnstone's  track  to  the  ocean,  naming  Point  Chatham, 
Port  Neville,  Call  and  Knight  canals,  Broughton 
Archipelago,  Deep  Sea  Bluff,  Fife  Passage,  points 
Duff  and  Gordon,  Mount  Stephens,  Wells  Passage, 
Boyles,  and  other  jwints.  In  Queen  Charlotte  Sound, 
so  named  by  Wedgborough,  captain  of  the  Experiment, 
in  178(5,  the  Discovery  runs  on  a  rock,  but  finally  es- 
capes without  damage.  The  names  Smith  Iidct  and 
Fitzlmgh  Sound,  given  by  James  Hanna  in  1786, 
and  Calvert  Islands,  by  Duncan,  are  recognized  and 
adopted  by  Vancouver,  After  entering  Fitzhugh 
Sound,  wliere  the  vessels  get  aground,  the  expedition 
procetids  to  Not)tka,  where  it  arrives  the  28th  of  Au- 
gust, being  waited  upon  by  a  Spanish  officer  with  a 
pilot,  wiio  conducts  it  into  Friendly  Cove. 

After  parting  from  Vancouver  at  Valdv5s  Island, 
Galiano  and  Valdes  passed  northward  into  Johnstone 
Strait,  through  Canal  de  Cordero,  naming  the  Ensen- 
ada  de  Ali-Ponzoni,  the  present  Frederick  Arm; 
Canal  de  Olavide,  the  channel  running  between 
Valdes  and  Thurlow  Island;  the  Bahias  del  Can6nigo 
y  de  Flores;  Canal  de  Retamal,  the  Call  Canal  of 
Vancouver;  Brazo  de  Vernaci,  the  Knight  Inlet 
of  Vancouver;  (^anal  de  Balda,  at  present  Thompson 
Sound;  Brazo  de  Baldinat,  corresponding  to  Bond 
Sound.  Wi'stward  from  the  last-named  place  is  Canal 
de  J'inedo,  now  Tribune  Creek.  The  Johnstone 
Strait  of  A^ancouver,  (xaliano  and  Valdes  call  Canal 
de  Dcscubierta.  The  present  Broughton  Straits  is 
named  by  them  Canal  de  Atrevida.     Reaching  the 

ford  lales;  Map,  Sutil  y  Mexicamt,  Viaije,  Isles  de  Lanz.  Cartajraphi/  P.  C, 
MS.,  iii.  230.  Ihis  was  certainly  among  the  lirjt  points  seen  in  this  vicinity; 
HO  th.'t  Johnstone  tliere  found  himself  near  what  waa  now  one  of  the  world'a 
highways.  Ihe  islands  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  northern  end  of  Vancouver 
I.iland  are  on  the  atLoses  of  both  Vancouver  and  the  Hutil  y  Mexicaini,  aa 
the  islands  of  Galiano  and  Valdes.' 


7t 


GALIANO  AND  VALDES. 


He  to 
,  Gali- 

leave 
oUows 
ithain, 
ighton 
points 
issage, 
:^ouiid, 
riment, 
illy  es- 
ict  and 

1786, 
•d  and 
tzhugh 
edition 
of  Au- 
with  a 


Island, 
nstone 
]lnsen- 

Arm; 
ctween 
Ln6nigo 
anal  of 
Inlet 
)inpson 

Bond 

Canal 
instone 

Canal 
raits  is 
ng  the 

ph;/  P.  C, 
s  vicinity; 
he  world'a 
k'"anco»ivcr 


128 -  -       "      •■-  ■  -- 


^^/f    4 


Vancouver's  Map,  No.  3. 


n 


» 


SUMMAliY  OF  EARLIEST  VOYAGES. 


harbor  where  Foit  Rupert  stood  later,  they  call  the 
place  Puerto  tic  Guiimes.  Then  rounding  tliii  north- 
ern end  of  Vancouver  Island  they  sail  for  Nixjtka, 

(Iracc,  mercy,  and  peace  continue  the  order  of  the 
day.     Vancouver  offers  to  salute  the  Spanish  flag  if 
Bodega  y  Cuii.dra  will  return  the  compliment  with  an 
equal  number  of  guns,  which  offer  is  gracefully  ac- 
cepted, and  so  from  either  side  thirteen  guns  bellow 
forth    honors.      At  anchor  here  beside  the   Spanish 
brig  Activa  arc  Vancouver's  store-ship  Dfvclalus,  and 
the  Thi'ce  Brothers,  a  small  merchant  brig  Irom  I^on- 
don,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Alder  of  the  navy. 
Beside  the  chiefs  of  Spain  and  England  his  aboriginal 
majesty  Maquinna  is  conspicuous;  but  when,  arrayed 
in  robes  of  Adamic  simplicity,  he  attempts  to  board 
Vancouver's  vessel  and  is  repulsed,  the  quality  of  his 
savagism   being   unknown,  lie  is  very  angry  at  tlio 
English,  but  is  mollified  and  made  gracious  by  the  Span- 
ish commandant.     The  representatives  of  the  august 
lival  powers  now  eat : ar.ch  together, and  talk  in  genu- 
liections.     The  Chatham  is  hauled  on  shore  and  re- 
paired.   Galiano  and  Valdes  enter  the  port  the  1st  of 
September.    Letters  pass,  and  deep  diplomatism  is  in 
order.     To  whom  shall  belong  the  several  shanties  on 
this  barbarous  coast  is  of  primary  importance  to  civ- 
ilization.    It  is  unnecessary  to  follow  here  the  sub- 
tile logic  of  these  ship-captains;   the  subject  is  ex- 
hausted in  another  place.     Suffice  it  to  say,  in  aught 
save  urbanity  and  obeisance  they  cannot  agree.     Bo- 
dega y  Cuadra  is  ready  to  draw  the  line  on  this  shore 
Iwtween  Spain  and  England;  Vancouver's  orders  ex- 
tend only  to  taking  possession  of  his  Majesty's  huts. 
Jointly  to  glorify  themselves,  and  likewise  to  make 
immortal  the  brotherly  love  which  swells  the  breast 
of  both  commandants  in  their  distinguished  disagree- 
ments, Vancouver  proposes,  and    Bodega  y  Cuadra 
serenely  smiles   acquiescence,  that    the  great  island 
whereon   they  now   sit   shall   forever   bo  known   as 


CUAURO  AKD  VANCOUVI-ni. 


SO 


lall  the 
north- 
)tk!i. 

•  of  the 
I  tlajjf  if 
\\\i\\  an 
ally  ac- 
;  bellow 
Si)anisli 
h(s,  and 
)ni  I-.on- 
10  navy, 
^original 
arrayed 
to  board 
ty  of  liis 
y  at  tb.o 
ho  Span- 
10  august 
in  gonu- 
and  re- 
lic Ist  of 
ism  is  in 
antics  on 
ce  to  civ- 
;he  sub- 
ct  is  ex- 
in  auglit 
CO.      Bo- 
lis  sliorc 
)rders  ex- 
y's  huts, 
to  make 
ic  breast 
disagree- 
y  Cuadra 
•at  island 
inown   as 


m: 


Cuadra  and  Vancouver  Island.^"  The  Spanish  armed 
ship  Aranzazu,  Caaniano,  conunander,  enters  tlu^  port 
the  8th  of  September.  Other  vessels  hero  and  else- 
wHerc  on  t'ae  coast  come  and  go,  some  trading,  some 
waiting  on  the  incii>ient  settlemenU  at  Nootka  and 
Neah  Bay,  all  jealously  watching  each  other  — an 
English  and  an  American  shallop  are  on  the  stocks  at 
Nootka;  a  French  trader  is  on  the  coa^i ;  besides  the 
Spanish  vessels  named  are  the  (lertnulix,  Ctmapvurn, 
J'rixrrsd,  and  the  San  (ViHok;  further,  the  Fcnis  and 
>St  Jimpk  and  tlie  brig  llape  are  nii'ntioned. 

And  now  at  Nootka,  Bodega  y  Cuadra  solemnly 
possesses  the  Spanish  huts,  and  Vancouver  solenndy 
)>ossesses  the  English  huts;  the  questions  involved  are 
leiorred  to  home  arbitrament;  tiien  the  several  s<iuad- 
rons  sail  each  their  w.y  leaving  the  bland  ^lacpiinna, 
with  bloodv  appetite  new  \v  hotted,  as  formerly  lord 
of  nil. 

On  his  way  to  San  Francisco,  Vancouver  names 
^AFoiuit  St  Helens,  "in  honor  of  his  J^ritannic  ma- 
jesty's ambassadors  at  the  court  of  Madrid,"  and  sends 
Wlii'lbey  in  tlio  Jhtdalns  to  survey  (iray  Harbor, 
Hid  1  'i-ougiiton  in  the  CJniilimn  to  examine  the  Colum- 
bia, I  lis  attem[)t  to  enter  the  latter  with  the  Discovery 
having  failed. 

Vet  twice  a^aiii  befori'  returninuf  to  England,  N'aii- 
corner  ;!p[)earid  ujion  the  Northwest  Coast;  once  in 
April  17'J3,  J^roughton  meanwhile  sailing  I'or  home, 
and  again  in  A])ril  17S)4,  after  spending  portions  of 
both  w  inters  on  the  sontiiern  coast  and  at  tlu;  Hawaiian 
Islands."     As  Hitherto,  whercMr  he  went  ho  found 

"■  Hntli  (•oiiiiiiaiiilcrs  \vi'rew»:U  aware  that  in  thus  giving  so  large  a  hody  of 
LiMil  tlirir  jiiiut  n;inii;s,  ii:i(l  so  rLc'oriling  it  in  tin.-  text  and  on  tlic  niajiM  ol  tho 
(■xiii'.itioiH  ol'  Vaacouver  ami  of  ( Jalia.io  an.l  \'aliU'-i,  oac,  ami  liiit  oni',  wouhl 
loniii  1.  aa.l  that  wouM  ilriicml  entirely  as  to  wiiidi  nation  tii-;  t^iiitoiy  f.  II. 

"in  the  I'Niiiilition  of  \'\y.\,  Vancouver  visited  and  nanieil  Cain' Caution; 
IJarkeCinal,  'aittrtlic  Ui;.'ht  Monorahle  Kdnitmd;'  Fisher  Canal, 'alter  a  niuili 
r -ii) '(te  I  triciid;'  ]M.ints  Wal!;ir,  Ivlinu.id,  Edward,  and  Kaiilioc;  King  Is- 
land, 'altrr  the  faniiiy  of  my  Lit,-  l.iddy  esteemed  and  iiiiieh  lainentiil  friend, 
Captiin  .lanu's  Kin,' of  tliu  navy;'  Tort  John,  I)ean,  LVsca'!e,  and  Muselo 
eiiial-,  and  Il.'storat.on  a.i  1  J',.. -on  eove  ;  the  i  li  •  entered  Milhank  Sounil, 
.so  na..icd  hy  Duncan,  ami  ^avo  ih  :  nam  •  <  f  luj  t.iird  lieuteuant  to  t'ai)e  Swaine, 


I 


'i 


'IIMl 

11 


30 


SUMMARY  OF  EARUEST  VOYACJES. 


in  almost  every  instance  that  the  Spaniards  had  been 
before  him. 

From  this  time  down  to  the  final  abandonment  of 
this  [)art  of  the  coast  by  tlie  Spaniards,  and  the  phmt- 

after  which  names  were  given  to  llanlner  Canal,  i)ointa  Hopkins,  C'umining, 
Hunt,  anil  IVarce,  HaM'kesbury  Ishinil,  Cape  Ihhutson,  I'itt  Archipelago,  '  after 
the  Riglit  Honorable  William  Pitt, 'Stephens  I:<laii<l,  'after  Sir  I'hilip  .Stejihi'nH 
of  tlicuilmiralty,' and  (Trenvillo  Canal.  Canal  del  Principe  was  navigated  and 
named  liy  Cuauiaflo.  Some  of  the  other  places  seen  and  named  by  Vancouver 
in  this  voyage  were  Rrown  Passage,  'after  the  commander  of  the  BiUtrni'-iii/i;' 
Dundas  Island,  'after  the  Right  Honorable  Henry  lunulas; '  Point  Maskely  no, 
'after  the  astronomer  royal; '  Point  Ranisden,  'after  Mr  Ramsden,  the  opti- 
cian; '  Cii;  •  Fox,  'after  the  Right  Honorable  Charles  James  Fox; '  Point  Alava, 
'  in  compliment  to  the  SjKini^h  governor  at  Nootka; '  Slate  Islet;  Point  Nelson, 
'after Captain  Nelson  of  tlionavy;'  Point  Sykes,  'after  (me  of  the  gentlemen 
of  the  J)iicori'n/; '  points  TroUoj),  Fitzgibbon,  Lees,  Whaley,  Escape,  Higj;ins, 
Uaviilson,  Percy,  and  Wales,  the  last  named  in  honor  of  his  schoolmaster; 
Burrough  Bay;  Traitor's  Cove;  Revilla  <iigedo  Island;  Behm  Canal;  Cape 
Northumberland;  Portland  Canal;  Moira  Sound;  Wedge  Island,  '  after  the  sur- 
geon of  ihc  Chal/iam;'  Walker  Cove,  'after  a  gentleman  of  the  C/int/unii;'  B.ll 
Island;  'after  Mr  John  Stewart,  one  of  the  mates.' Port  Stewart;  points  Lu 
Mesurier,  (irindall,  Rothsay,  Highticld,  Aladan,  Warde,  Onslow,  Blaipiiere, 
Howe,  Craig,  Hootl,  Alexander,  -Mitcliell,  Macnamara,  Nesbitt,  Harrington, 
and  Stanhope;  Bradfield  Canal;  Prince  Ernest  Sound;  Duncan  Canal;  Bushy 
Island;  Ihike  of  York  Islands;  points  Baker,  Protection,  Biirrie,  Beauderc, 
Amelius,  St  Alban,  Hunter,  Nortii,  Frederick,  Buck,  amlBorlase;  Conclusion, 
Coronation,  and  Warren  Islands;  Capo  Pole;  Capo  Henry;  AiHeck  Canal;  Ihike 
of  Clarence  Strait;  Engletield  Bay;  Prince  of  Wales  Ai'cliipelago;  Cartwri^ht 
Sound;  and  Cape  Decision,  the  last  having  been  given  on  making  up  his  mind 
that  tlie  earlist  reputed  discoveries  of  the  Spaniards  were  fabulous.  The  con- 
tincn',  between  Itesolation  Sound  and (iardner  Canal  he  named  New  Hanover, 
to  tlie  northward  of  Gardner  Canal  as  far  as  Point  Rotlisay,  New  Cornwall, 
and  to  the  northward  of  New  Cornwall  as  far  as  Cross  Souiul,  New  Norfolk. 
These  with  Nc  v  (ieorgia  and  New  Albion  completed  a  very  pretty  streteli  of 
new  dedicated  continent,  extending  from  Lower  California  tc.  Alaska.  To  t!iis 
illustrious  navigator  be  tlie  further  lionor  of  inflicting  from  his  endless  vocab- 
ulary the  nameless  names  of  personal  friendships  upon  the  places  visited  by 
him  in  his  voyage  of  ]7'.'4  as  follows:  Point  Macartney,  Sullivan,  Ellis,  liarri), 
Cornwallis,  Kingsmill,  Hobart,Vandennt,Walpolo,  Astley,  Windham,  A  Miier, 
L'tike,  Stylei.iai.,  Salisbury,  Arden,  Hugli,  Gambier,  Pybus,  Napeaii,  Wood- 
house,  Bingham,  Sophia,  Frederick,  Augusta,  Townshend,  Cardnor,  Samuel, 
Parker,  Marsdeu,  Retreat,  Bridget,  St  Mary,  Seihiction,  and  'after  the  se.-'.l 
of  my  ancestors,  Couvenlen;'  Chatham  Strait,  'after  Lord  Chatii-'vni, '  Caiio 
Addiuntiin,  'after  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons;'  j>i  cts  Camde  i, 
.Maliuesbury,  Houghton,  Snettesham,  Mary,  ( 'oncliu^ion,  Althrop,  and  I  i- 
ilalgo;  I'rinee  Frederick  Sound;  Capo  Faiisliaw;  liolkliam  Bay;  Dougl.us 
Islaibl,  Stepliens  Passage,  Barlow  Cove,  Seymour  Cana!;  Cape  Edwartl;  King 
(ieorge  tlie  Third  Arcliipelago;  Berners  Biiy;  Lynn  (.'anal:  points  Dunda.s, 
Wimliledon,  Lavinia,  Latouche,  Manby,  Fremantle,  Pel'iew,  I'akonham, 
Pigot,  Nowell,  (  ulross.  Countess,  Waters,  ami  I'yke;  Knight  Islands;  l*igg.'S 
Sound;  Win^liam  Island;  Cape  Spencer;  Passage  Canal;  Capo  Pu get;  Haw- 
kins Island;  Bligli  Island;  and  points  Elrii  gto:i,  Bainbridge,  Bentinck,  Wil- 
shed.  Campbell,  Mackenzie,  and  Woronzow.  I  think  wo  may  safely  say  that 
no  one  man  ever  ^ave  so  many  geograpliical  names,  which  remained  perma- 
nently i>laced  as  Vancouver;  I  wish  I  might  truthfully  mid  tiiat  no  one  ever 
exercised  better  taste  in  the  execution  of  such  a  task.  Among  the  names 
given  by  the  Spaniards  in  this  region,  and  for  the  most  part  ros^>vcted  by  Van- 


GENERAL  TRAFFIC. 


81 


mg  of  the  post  of  Astoria  at  the  mouth  of  the  Colum- 
bia Kiver,  by  the  Americans,  in  1811,  many  shij)a  of 
various  nations  coasted  Vancouver  and  Queen  Char- 
lotte Islands  and  the  adjacent  mainland,  chiefly  for 
purposes  of  traffic  with  the  natives,  and  after  and  alonj^ 
with  them  the  adventurers  of  England  tradin*^  into 
Hudson's  l^ay,  first  in  vessels  oidy,  and  then  with  all 
the  paraphernalia  for  permanent  <\stal)lishments,  further 
allusion  to  which  is  r.oi  necessary  in  this  coimection. 

couver,  were  tlio  C'iinal  do  Ri'vill.i  Crlgoilo,  as  ropresentecl  oii  tlic  chart  of 
Ciaiiiailo  K.strecho  do  Fiu'iitus,  I'l  i-rtn  dul  Caftavi'ivil,  Kiitrada  del  < 'lirinon, 
Cape  de  t'liUL'oii,  Isla  de  Z  lyas,  1  a'xi  i';uiiiiarK>,  PtUTto  dfl  liaylio  Bucareli, 
discovcrt'd  by  Hodoga  yCuadra  in  <77">,  faliodoSan  liiirto'omt',  Piiorto  do 
Vuldi's,  the  Pui-rto  (Jraviiia  Fiihil^o;  hut,  as  a  riilf,  tlio  iiaiiu'  jjivoii  liy  Kus- 
Biaii  and  S[)aiii.sli  i'X])h>ri'rs  who  had  procudod  •'aucuuvur  iu  tl  one  parts  were 
ia  his  re-iiaiiiiiig  iguured. 


1 ,;, . 

Ir 

. 

1 1 

'■.  lii! 

1    .               ID' 

ill 

CHAPTEK  II. 

GEXERAL  VIFAV  01;'  THE  NORXmVEST  COAST. 

Eastehx  I'ahallels — Configuration  of  North-western  America — Brit- 
ish Colombia  Coast  —  PrfiEv  SorsD — Va.vcocveu  Island — Queen 
Charlotte  Islands — Climauo  Sectkns  of  the  Mainland — New 
CAt,EDOMA— IIekjhts  OF  L.vND— Tn::  Columiua  and  Fraskr  Ti^teac 
Basin— Skekna  and  S'ikeen— Oregon,  Washington,  and  Idaho — 
Noutiiwest  Coast  Climates— The  Temperature  of  Various  Local- 
ities -Fauna  and  Flora — The  Aiiorkmnes — Attitudes  of  the  Fur- 
ruADEus  andSettlers  towardthe  Natives — Peaceful Heuime  cndeb 
the  Great  Monopoly— The  Chinook  Jargon. 

II\viN'(j  thus  siifticioiitly  refVcslioil  ouriiiouiory  as  to 
the  earliest  appearance  of  Europeans  in  these  parts, 
bel'oro  i)r()eee(linuf  in  chi'onoloi^ical  order  with  the 
aflairs  of  IJritish  Cohnnbia,  I  do  not  rejj^ard  it  tirao 
lost  to  take  a  Lieiieral  survey  of  the  eonchtion  of  thlnj^s 
at  th's  jvnu'ture  tlirou^hout  the  north  Paeilie  sloj)e; 
for  altliou_nh  the  careful  reader  of  that  part  of  this 
history  entitled  the  Xorthircst  Cocwit  must  have  some 
Icnowk'djLj^e  of  the  jjresent  state  of  allairs,  another 
{^lauce,  as  at  a  pictui'e  of  the  whole,  cannot  fail  to 
gi\e  a  clearer  and  inoie  lastin,L(  idea  of  the  country  at 
the  heininniii'jf  of  what  may  be  termed  JJritish  Colum- 
bia history  jiroj);!'. 

California  is  opposite  Siiain;  Orejjjon  and  Washinaf- 
ton  are  on  the  parallels  of  J'' ranee;  Jjritish  Columbia 
is  in  th(!  lalitutic  of  (jlreat  l>ritain;  as  the  world  is 
round  and  revol\in<jf,  there  is  no  reason  why  one  side 
of  it  should  be  better  than  another.     Nor  is  it.     Civ- 


lization  IS 


hard( 


er  u|)on  SOI 


Is  tl 


urn  .savatjfism;  ant 


I  tl 


10 


steppes  of  Kussia  and  Siberia,  thouyh  perhaps  somc- 


(lat 


PROMINENT  FEATURES. 


m 


ICA— Brit- 
D  — QrEE« 
AND— New 

U  Tl^ATKAC 
1)  lUAlUl — 
O'^S  Ll)CAL- 
FTIIE  FUR- 
LJIXIE  UNDER 


)ry  as  to 

so  [nirts, 

itli  the 

it  tiiiio 

*  things 

of  this 

ivo  some 

another 

t  fail  to 

)untry  at 

Coluui- 


ic  si 


^Vnshing- 
Dohunhia 
woihl  is 
one  siile 
it.    Civ- 
and  the 
ips  some- 

831 


what  more  <.ensely  occupied,  and  with  somewhat  more 
advanced  indigenous  populations,  are  neither  so  at- 
tractive nor  so  virgin  as  the  prairies,  lake  lands,  and 
river  and  mountain  districts  of  noi-thernmost  America. 
Each  hemisphere  has  its  freezing  eastern  side,  and  its 
warmer  western  side,  thanks  to  the  modifyinor  ocean 
streams  which  come  sun-beaten  from  the  tropics;  and 
for  the  rest,  there  is  little  to  choose;  that  little,  how- 
ever, always  being  in  favor  of  what  each  of  us  may 
call  OUT*  own  country. 

The  Xorthwest  Coast,  if  we  comprise  within  the 
limits  of  that  term  the  territory  from  California  to 
Alaska,  and  between  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the 
ocean,  is  more  varied  in  its  configuration,  some  would 
say  more  grandly  beautiful,  than  the  opposite  eastern 
plains.  The  rock  formations  of  the  former  are  more 
disturbed;  the  region  is  mountainous,  with  a  high 
irregular  plateau  betw'een  two  principal  ranges,  subor- 
dinate i)lateaus  intervening  in  places  between  subor- 
dinate ranges,  and  all  having  in  the  main  the  general 
trend  of  tlie  coast.  Thus  dropping  the  appellation  of 
the  great  continental  chain  which  binds  the  two 
Americas  from  Alaska  to  Patagonia,  and  adopting 
local  nomenclature,  we  have  for  the  representatives  of 
the  Bitter  Koot  ^Mountains  of  Idaho,  taken  collec- 
tively, the  Purcell,  Selkirk,  Columbia,  Cariboo,  and 
Oniineca  mountains  of  British  Columbia;  the  Cas- 
cade Ivaiige  is  a  continuation  of  the  Sierra  Nevada; 
Vancouver  and  Queen  Ciiarlotte  islantls  arc  a  contin- 
uation of  llie  Coast  liange;  the  great  plateau  region 
of  the  Columbia,  the  Fraser,  and  the  Skeena  rivers  is 
a  continuation  of  tlie  Utah  and  Nevada  basin. 

Western  Biitish  Columbia  is  essentially  moun- 
tainous, breaking  on  the  border  into  innumerable 
islands  and  ocean  inlets,  presenting  a  bold  locky  front, 
heavily  timbered  to  the  water's  edg«'. 

Exceedingly  beautiful  and  very  grand  is  the  water 
system  of  Puget  Sound,  and  the  labyrinth  of  .straits, 
inlets,  bays,  and  islands  all  akn-.g  the"  coast  of  British 

HUT,  Brit.  Cur..    8 


■\, 


84 


iJKNEUAL   MEW  OF  IHK  NORTHWEST  fOAST, 


m 

^    111!. 
iili 


Columl)ia.  And  while  St  Lawrence  Gulf  and  Lake 
Superior  are  wrapped  in  biting  cold,  roses  sometimes 
dare  to  bloom  here,  and  green  pease  and  strawberries 
to  prepare  for  their  early  gathering. 

The  island  of  Vancouver  presents  a  mountainous 
interior,  subsiding  at  either  end,  and  at  places  along 
its  eastern  side.  The  shores  are  exceedingly  pictur- 
es((ue,  bold,  rocky,  and  rugged,  brokt'U  on  the  western 
side  into  numerous  bays  and  inlets  like  those  of  the 
mainland,  with  intervening  clift's,  promontories,  and 
beaches,  while  on  the  northern  and  eastern  sides  the 
absence  of  ocean  indentations  is  remarkable.  The 
island  is  generally  wofxled,  the  borders  witli  fir,  back 
of  which  arc  lunnlock,  and  the  mountains  with  cedar. 
Between  the  rid<jes  which  cross  and  int(>rlace  are 
small  valleys  affording  but  moderate  agricultural 
facilities;  but  c>n  the  southern  and  eastern  border 
there  are  extremely  fertile  tracts  susceptible  of  easy 
cultivati(>n,  th«'  open  s[)ots  ottering  tlu>.  first  fittraction 
to  S(>ttlers.  Lakes,  streams,  and  water-falls  every- 
where abound,  though  the  rivers  are  none  of  them 
large 

The  Que«Mi  Charlotte  Islands  arc  mountainous, 
like  all  adjacent  lands;  and  while  there  are  tracts,  par- 
ticularly around  the  border,  which  might  bo  success- 
fully cultivated,  it  is  more  to  the  nnneral  resources 
hero  embedded  that  we  nnist  look  for  profitable  re- 
turns. Kast  of  the  hli>li  interior  of  !Moresbv  Island  is 
a  ilfit  belt  gv<'wiiig  a,ld<'rs.  All  these  islands  are 
densely  wooded,  cypress  and  s[>ruce  being  jirominent, 
with  redundant  underorowth.  The  climate  is  mild 
and  moist;  the  natives  are  light-complexioned,  intel- 
ligent, courageous,  and  cruel. 

Still  following  the  all-compelling  mountains,  the 
mainland  of  ihitish  Celumbia  may  be  ilivide<l  into 
three  sections,  the  fii-st  comprising  the  coastwise 
strip  between  the  o<ean  and  the  eastern  slope  of  the 
(^ascade  Kange,  I'xtending  back,  for  instance,  on  the 
Fraser  as  far  as  Yale;    the  second,  a   j>arallel  strip 


RANGES  AND  PASSES. 


85 


yostern 
'.  of  the 
es,  and 
ties  the 
:.      The 
Rr,  hack 
,U  cedar, 
lace   art! 
icultural 
I   horder 
3  of  easy 
.ttractioii 
s  cvery- 
of  them 

^utauious, 

[acts,  par- 
SUccess- 
•csources 
litahle  re- 
Island  is 
lands   are! 
in)uunent, 
\e  is  mild 
icd,  intel- 

Italns,  the 

lidi'd  into 

coasiwiso 


■^'; 


whose  eastern  l)oundary  line  would  be  ujion  the  west- 
ern side  of  the  Cariboo  Mountains,  and  cross  the 
Frascr,  say  at  Alexandria;  the  third  extending  thence 
to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Dense  woods  containing  trees  of  gigantic  growth, 
pine,  fir,  and  red-cedar,  characterize  the  first  section, 
the  low  alluvial  deposits  about  the  rivers  and  inlets 
being  covered  by  jungle,  with  hero  and  there  })oplars, 
alders,  l)alsam,  and  aspen,  and  sometimes  meadows  of 
coarse;  mitritious  glass,  all  the  products  of  rich  soils 
and  copious  rains.  Upon  the  drier  surface  of  the 
second  section  a  diflxrent  vegetation  appears.  Indeed, 
the  ])n'sence  of  cacti,  artemisia,  and  kindred  shrubs  be- 
ve)nd  Lytton  are  siijrnilicant  of  a  hot  as  well  as  a  dry 
climate.  In  place  of  the  massive  forests  and  redundant 
floia  of  the  seaboard,  we  find  an  open  country',  hills, 
jjastnres,and  grassy  vales,  with  intervening  forest  J>elts. 
Less  suited  to  agriculture,  except  in  the  more  favored 
spots,  more  wooded,  yet  still  with  vast  luxuriant  pas- 
tures, is  the  third  section.  On  the  great  plateau  stretch- 
ing i'ar  to  the  north  from  the  branch  bends  of  the  Fraser, 
the  climate  is  nnichmore  severe  than  between  Cariboo 
an<l  Kamloop.  On  the  other  side,  tov.ard  the  south 
and  east,  the  temjierature  is  nmch  milder,  jjarticularl}' 
between  Colville  anel  the  Dalles,  where  lies  the  great 
Columbia  cactus-bearing  desert  with  occasional  buncli- 
^rass  oases. 

Tiio  mountain  jiasses  are  usually  blockaded  in 
winter;  yet  in  June,  where  lately  rested  ten  or  twenty 
feet  of  snow  the  ground  is  llower-spangled,  and  the 
forests  ihish  with  the  bursting  green  of  tlu'  sweet  early 
foliage.  Crossing  the  gi-im  Stony  range  from  the 
east  j'.t  IVaee  lliver,  whieh  stretches  its  branches  far 
an<l  witjf  within  the  summit  line  of  the  continental 
ridgi",  and  steals  f(tr  the  eastei-n  slope  the  waters  of 
the  westerti,  the  lirst  I'u^otch  explorers  found  them- 
selves in  a  lalivrinth  (»f  minor  ridijres  whose  blue  lakes, 
among  the  puie-clad  steeps,  brought  to  mind  the  lochs 
ami  bens  of  their  old  highland  homos;  so  they  called 


36 


GENERAL  VIEW  OP  THE  NORTTTWEST  COAST. 


)I  I  I 


Ki 


I*      1*1 
i 


the  place  New  Caledonia  as  elsewhere  I  have  men- 
tioned. Approaching  McLeod  Lake  the  mountains 
put  on  a  more  stupendous  aspect.  Mackenzie  found 
the  temperature  there  from  30°  above  to  16°  below 
zero;  and  though  the  ground  was  covered  with  snow, 
the  gray  wren  and  mountain  robin,  the  latter  arrayed 
in  delicate  fawn  with  scarlet  belly,  breast,  and  neck, 
black  wings  edged  with  fawn,  variegated  tail,  and 
tuft-crowned  head,  came  out  hopping,  and  singing, 
and  eating,  as  though  the  dreary  prospect  only  stirred 
in  them  a  higher  happiness,  just  as  adversity  some- 
times brings  sweet  music  from  otherwise  dumb  hu- 
manity. 

In  this  boldly  swelling  country  of  New  Caledonia 
the  scenery  is  varied.  In  the  forests  the  cedar,  fir, 
and  hemlock  assume  magnificent  proportions,  while 
the  copses,  separating  jjlains  and  open  undulations, 
give  pleasing  variety  to  the  eye.  It  is  singularly  and 
beautifully  watered.  Rivers  mark  out  the  region  in 
natural  districts  often  silver-edged  with  long  narrow 
lakes,  which  glisten  in  the  sunshine  like  the  waters 
of  paradise. 

There  are  many  lieights  of  land  round  which  clus- 
ter snow-chul  peaks,  parting  the  How  of  waters,  parting 
twin  drops,  sending  one  to  the  Pacific  and  its  brother 
to  the  Atlantic;  sendinof  one  to  ininiyle  with  the  brine 
of  the  Mexican  Oulf  beneath  the  vapor-beating  sun, 
and  another  to  bo  locked  throuijliout  the  ajjes  in  the 
icy  embrace  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  All  along  the  conti- 
nental range  are  such  heights  of  land,  and  at  many 
l)oiiits  along  the  north-western  table-land.  Between 
the  tributaries  of  the  Saskatchewan  and  those  of  the 
Columbia;  between  the  tributaries  of  Peace  River 
and  those  of  Fraser  and  Skeena  rivers;  between  the 
streams  flowinix  into  the  Fraser  all  alonj?  its  course 
and  those  which  feed  the  Columbia  on  the  one 
side  and  the  Rellacoola  and  Skeena  on  the  other, 
there  arc  multitudes  of  these  heights  of  land,  not  to 
mention  the  ridges  dominating  the  rivulets  running 


m 


■^' 


OKANAGAN  AND  KOOTENAI. 


87 


to  thu  Stikeen  and  Yukon,  or  to  the  Mackenzie. 
He  who  camps  upon  the  narrow  isthmus  joining  the 
lofty  continental  mountains  and  dividing  the  high 
rolling  seas  of  hill  and  plain  on  either  side,  may  fill 
his  kettle  from  the  limpid  source  either  of  the  Sas- 
katchewan or  the  Columbia.  But  more  than  this, 
and  most  remarkable  of  anything  of  the  kind  on  the 
planet,  at  that  grandest  of  Rocky  Mountain  passes, 
the  Athaba.sca,  is  a  little  lake  called  the  Committee's 
Punch  Bowl,  one  end  of  which  pays  tribute  to  the 
^Mackenzie  and  the  other  to  the  Columbia. 

The  plateau  basin  of  the  Columbia  and  Fraser 
rivers  comprises  thickly  timbered  uplands  interspersed 
with  woodland  and  grassy  valleys  bordered  by  pine- 
dotted  hills  rolling  gently  upward  from  limpid  lakes 
and  boisterous  streams.  There  are  few  deserts  or 
worthless  tracts,  and  in  the  forests  but  little  under- 
brush; the  country  is  one  vast  pasture;  prairie  and 
forest,  valley  and  hill  being  covered  with  nutritious  - 
grass.  In  the  Okanagan  River  district  we  find  in- 
dications of  that  sandy  waste  which  hence  extends 
southward  as  the  great  American  desert  to  Mexico. 
The  lake  country  from  Chilcotin  to  Fort  Fraser  and 
beyond  is  generally  open ;  the  river  region  to  the  north 
and  east  of  the  Cariboo  Mountains  between  Fort 
George  and  Yellowhead  Pass  is  thickly  wooded,  with 
few  if  any  open  spaces.  Northward  only  the  hardier 
vegetation  is  able  to  endure  the  summer  night  frosts. 
Between  forts  Kootenai  and  Colville,  the  trail  winds 
along  lakes  and  streams  from  whose  borders  rise  moun- 
tains of  black  rock  hidden  beneath  the  dun  pine 
foliage,  which,  mirrored  in  the  transparent  waters, 
turns  them  to  lakes  and  rivers  of  dark  and  fathomless 
depths,  while  the  setting  sun  tips  with  gold  the  sum- 
mits of  these  gloomy  aierras. 

Tired  travellers  do  not  always  take  the  most  hope- 
ful view  of  the  wilderness  through  which  they  toil. 
Thus  Sir  George  Simpson  finds  the  Kootenai  country 
"rugged  and  boggy,  with  thick  and  tangled  forests, 


38 


(GENERAL  VIEW  OF  THE  NORTHWEST  COAST. 


craggy  i)eaks,  and  dreary  vales,  here  and  there  hills 
of  parched  clay  where  every  shrub  and  blade  of  grass 
was  brown  and  sapless  as  if  newly  swept  by  the  blast 
of  a  sirocco,  with  occasional  prairies  and  open  swards 
interspersed  with  gloomy  woods  or  burning  pine 
forests."  Passing  over  the  Fraser  basin,  Johnson  ex- 
claims: "Of  all  the  dismal  and  dreary-looking  places 
in  the  world  the  valley  of  the  Thompson  River  for 
some  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  from  its  mouth  would 
easily  take  the  palm!  We  have  thought  the  canons 
of  the  Fraser  rugged  enough,  but  here  was  naught 
Ijut  rocks,  whereon  even  the  hardy  fir  refused  to  vege- 
tate." 

Their  vocabulary  is  scarcely  sufficient  for  the  mighty 
fissure  of  the  Fraser,  whose  waters  gathered  from 
scores  of  lakes  and  tributary  streams  dash  through 
gorges  and  l)etween  high  perpendicular  rocks  in  suc- 
cessive cascades  and  rapids,  with  here  arid  there  brief 
breathing-places.  •'The  Fraser  Iliver  Valley,"  writes 
an  observer,  "is  one  so  smgrlirlv  formed,  that  it  would 
seem  that  some  superhuman  sword  had  at  a  single 
stroke  cut  through  a  labyrinth  uf  mountains  for  three 
hundred  miles,  down  deep  into  the  bowels  of  the 
land."  Again .  "At  no  point  of  its  course  from  Ques- 
nelle  to  Lytton  is  the  Fraser  Eiver  less  than  twelve 
hundred  feet  below  tlie  level  of  the  land  lying  at 
either  side  of  it;  and  from  one  steep  scarped  bank  to 
the  other  is  a  distance  of  a  mile."  AnotJier  standing 
at  Lytton  says:  "Here, along  the  Fraser,  the  Cascade 
Mountains  lift  tlieir  rugged  heads  and  the  river  fi(iws 
at  the  bottom  of  a  vast  tangle  cut  by  nature  throuirh 
the  heart  of  the  mountains."  Yet  "along  the  Xach- 
arcole  Iliver  there  will  be  found  a  country  admirably 
suited  to  settlement,  and  possessing  a  prairie  land  of 
a  kind  nowhere  else"  found  in  British  Columbia. 

In  the  Skeena  and  Stikeen  countries,  which  give 
rise  as  well  to  the  rivers  of  their  respective  names 
emptying  into  the  Pacific,  as  to  the  waters  which 
take    their    freezing    flow   round    by   the    Macken- 


^W 


W 

M 


THE  SPOKANE  COUNTRY. 


zie  to  the  Arctic,  the  wildest  and  most  romantic 
scenery  is  Ibiind.  Mountains  of  stone  and  ice  arc 
tliere,  and  jjclaciers  equal  to  any  of  Switzerland — Ljiant 
jijlaciers  and  infant  glaciers,  JSIethusalehs  and  mud- 
horn.  Ascending  from  tlie  sea,  through  the  pine- 
covered  belt,  through  spruce,  hemlock,  and  balsam, 
willow,  alder,  and  cottonwcod,  which  at  every  step 
becomes  more  broken  and  the  trees  more  scattering, 
the  traveller  finally  emerges  into  a  fit  home  for  piti- 
less fate,  glittering,  cold,  inexorable  bowlders,  and  snow 
succeeding  sn(»w,  and  bowlders  in  mountain  melange, 
limitless  variety  in  liniitless  unity,  here  and  there  cut 
into  sections  bv  ice-plouirhed  canons  and  chasms. 

Tliat  which  was  originally  the  bunch-grass  country 
of  eastern  Wasliington  is  noM'  famous  for  its  grain- 
growing  pntperties;  for  though  the  atmosphere  is  dry, 
water  lies  near  the  surface.  The  intersecting  moun- 
tain rangt'S,  and  the  deejvgorged  water  channels  of 
(astern  Oregon,  are  less  favorable  to  aijriculture  than 
the  rolling  plains  on  the  northern  side  of  the  (  Vilum- 
bia.  And  along  this  belt  far  to  the  north,  and  high 
above  the  sea,  the  sheltered  valleys  aflbrd  ample  re 
turns  to  the  husbandman.  At  Fort  Alexandria,  with 
an  altitude  of  fourteen  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  at 
other  i)laces  a  thousand  feet  hiijfher,  fortv  bushels  of 
wheat  to  the  acre  are  not  uncommon,  and  other  prod-' 
ucts  in  proportion. 

The  lower  slopes  of  the  snow-topped  mountains  of 
Idaho  are  furrowed  with  streams  which  clothe  the 
foot-hills  in  sturdy  forests  and  the  high  i)rairies  in 
rich  grasses.  Nestling  below  the  level  of  the  plains 
are  warm,  (|uiet  valleys,  protected  alike  from  the  arid 
winds  (»f  summer  and  the  cold  blasts  of  winter;  and 
on  winter  pastures  the  snow  seldom  remains  long. 

Larcli,  cedar,  fi:  and  pine  thickly  overspread  the 
Bitter  Koot  iMountains.  The  Walla  Walla  Valley, 
with  its  bright,  winding  streams,  fringed  with  cotton- 
wood,  presents  a  pleasing  picture.  North  of  the  Spo- 
kane  the  country  is  wooded,  and  much  of  the  soil 


!'' 


'^1' 


I  ti 


«0  GENERAL  VIEW  OF  THE  NORTHWEST  COAST. 

arable.  The  Flathead  country  is  warm,  with  good 
arable  land  predominating. 

The  well  watered  and  alluvial  "Willamette  Valley, 
being  alike  free  from  the  periodical  aridity  of  Cali- 
fornia, the  desiccating  winds  of  eastern  Oregon,  and 
the  general  gravelly  character  of  Washington  soils,  is 
peculiarly  adapted  to  crop-raising  and  fruit-growing. 
For  many  years  the  Yakima  country,  now  known  to 
be  one  of  the  most  fertile  wheat-fields  in  the  world, 
was  regarded  as  fit  only  for  grazing. 

Thus  the  highest  agricultural  facilities  of  Oregon 
and  Washington  are  reversed;  those  of  the  former 
lying  west  of  the  Cascade  Mountains,  and  those  of 
the  latter  on  the  eastern  side  of  that  range.  Let 
each,  therefore,  be  duly  thankful.  Not  that  western 
Washington  need  ulush  for  its  resources,  for  although 
the  surpassing  fertility  of  the  Willamette  soils  fails 
on  crossing  the  Columbia  and  entering  the  more 
gravelly  plains  of  the  Cowlitz  and  the  region  round 
Puget  Sound  and  Admiralty  Inlet,  yet  when  this 
old  ocean-bed  emerged  from  the  waters  with  it  came 
coal  and  iron,  and  in  due  time  grand  forests  arose  on 
the  margin  of  beautiful  waters,  and  crept  up  the 
Olympian  heights  to  the  line  of  summer  snow. 

The  climates  of  the  Northwest  Coast  are  many  and 
variable,  but  all  are  healthful,  and  by  far  the  greater 
part  agreeable.  Considering  the  surface  covered,  there 
is  a  remarkable  absence  of  marshy  plains,  miasma, 
malaria,  and  consequent  ague.  Here,  as  elsewhere, 
elevated  districts  are  cold,  but  not  so  cold  as  in  many 
other  places.  A  very  severe  winter  in  New  Cale- 
donia, such  as  happens  once  in  ten  years,  may  be  as 
severe  as  a  very  mild  winter  in  Canada,  but  not  more 
severe. 

The  Cascade  Range  marks  the  two  great  climatic 
divisions,  both  the  heat  and  the  cold  on  the  eastern 
side  being  greater  than  on  the  western.  East  of  this 
range  the  climate  is  dry;  on  the  western  slope  it  is 


€ 


HEAT  AND  COLD. 


41 


Dregon 
former 
lose  of 
;.     Let 
kvestem 
ithougli 
lis  fails 
e   more 
1  round 
len  this 

it  came 
irose  on 

up   the 


any  and 
greater 
d,  there 
miasma, 
e  where, 
in  many 
;\v  Cale- 
ay  bo  as 
lot  more 

cUmatic 
t  eastern 
,t  of  this 
ope  it  is 


'Af 


wet,  the  humidity  increasing  toward  the  north.  Sum- 
mer is  liot,  and  winter  cold,  on  the  eastern  side;  on 
the  western,  summer  is  lovely,  some  days  warm  and 
bright,  some  rainy,  and  winter  never  severely  cold. 

Temperatures  vary  of  course  with  latitude,  altitude, 
and  distance  from  the  sea;  but  throughout  the  whole 
of  this  region  there  are  <  omparatively  small  portions 
not  habitat )le  by  man,  while  by  I'arthe  greater  part  is 
salubrious  and  delightful.  The  well  protected  valleys 
arc  seldom  subject  to  extremes  of  weather,  being  free 
from  strong  winds  and  heavy  falls  of  snow,  and  in  tin* 
dry  crystalline  air  of  the  higher  plains  even  a  low  full 
of  the  thermometer  is  easily  endured.  The  rivers  of 
the  east  are  often  blocked  by  thick  ice  almost  down  to 
their  mouths,  but  navigation  on  the  lower  waters  of  the 
Northwest  Coast  is  seldom  impeded.  The  rivers  of 
the  upper  interior  freeze  in  winter,  but  on  the  elevated 
plains  snow  is  seldom  more  than  eighteen  inches  deep, 
and  when  the  sun  and  spongy  wind  look  in  upon  the 
valleys,  frosty  coverings  vanish  as  if  by  magic. 

Heat  and  cold  are  both  more  endurable  by  man  in 
a  dry  than  in  a  wet  atmosphere.  Add  to  this  the 
fact  that  the  western  sides  of  continents  are  warmer 
than  the  eastern  by  reason  of  the  warm  air  and 
ocean-currents  thrown  upon  them,  and  we  may  per- 
haps understand  why  the  mean  temperature  at  Fort 
Dun  vegan,  so  called  from  the  castle  of  the  McLeods 
built  among  the  cold  bleak  rocks  of  Skye  one  tliousand 
feet  above  the  sea,  differs  httle  from  that  of  Quebec, 
whose  altitude  and  latitude  are  much  lower.  And  yet 
Dunvegan  can  scarcely  be  called  west  of  the  mountains. 

Though  bordering  upon  the  high  latitudes,  the  cli- 
mate of  British  Columbia  is  more  British  than  hyper- 
borean. The  traveller  in  crossing  the  mountains  from 
the  east  may  find  the  same  clouds  arraying  the  one 
side  in  snow  and  ice,  and  dropping  gentle  rain  upon 
the  other.  Indeed,  along  the  border  of  the  ocean  as 
far  as  the  Aleutian  Archipelago  nature  is  always  in  a 
melting  mood. 


GENERAL  VIEW  OF  THE  NORTH^VEST  COAST. 


ir  li 


li  ri 


As  far  back  as  Idaho  and  Montana  the  modifying 
influences  of  the  Japan  currents  are  felt,  spring,  sum- 
mer, and  autumn  there  being  dehghtful,  wiiile  winter 
is  less  severe  than  in  Iowa,  Wisconsin,  or  Minnesota. 
It  is  only  on  the  higher  elevations  that  the  cold  is 
extreme,  or  the  snowfall  heavy.  Both  the  country 
and  climates  of  Idaho  and  Montana  are  well  adapted 
to  wool-ijfrowinjj  ami  horse  and  cattle  raisinjj.  The 
mean  winter  temperature  at  Virginia,  Montana,  is  not 
far  IVom  iwenty-Hvo  degrees  above  zero. 

Some  parts  of  Jiritish  Cohnnbia  arc  better  for 
grazing  purposes  in  winter  than  the  elevated  pastures 
of  Idaho.  J3irds  fly  south  when  snow  comes;  but  we 
find  tlie  stock-iaisers  of  Idaho  di'iving  their  cattle  for 
winter  pasturage  into  British  (.'oluml)ia,  the  low  snow- 
less  valleys  of  Idaho  being  too  small  to  accommodate 
then),  while  the  Columbia  basin  above  Colville  is 
more  hos[)itable  than  the  winter-wra[)pcd  upper  plains 
of  Idaho.  Sj)roat  calls  it  the  climate  of  England  with- 
out ihe  biting  east  wind.  "  There  can  be  no  doubt," 
says  Palmer,  of  the  royal  engineers,  "that  in  })oiiit  of 
salubrity,  the  climate  of  J^ritish  Columl)ia  excels  that 
of  (ireat  Tlvitaiii,  and  iiidied  is  i>!ie  of  the  finest  in 
the  world." 

Winter  on  ^  ancouver  Island  is  not  severe,  and 
sun)mer  is  charming.  Ilain  is  plentiful,  particularly 
during  winter;  snow  seldom  lies  long  on  the  lower 
levels.  The  climate  here  is  similar  to  the  mainland 
seaboard,  with  insular  |)eculiarities.  On  the  coast 
the  temperature  is  seldom  over  80"  or  under  '20" 
Fahrenheit. 

The  temperature  at  Stuart  Lake  is  subject  to 
sudden  Aariations,  though  these  are  exceptional.  Wild 
fruits  llouri.sh  and  ripen  there,  even  the  susceptible 
service-berry  blossom  being  seldom  blighted.  The 
hollows  thereabout  arc  subject  to  occasional  hoar 
frosts  in  summer,  which  do  not  appear  on  the  suimy 
slopes.  Here,  as  elsewhere  in  British  Columbia,  en- 
thusiasts point  to  the  humming-bird  as  proof  of  a 


GAME. 


gonial  cliinate;  yet  I  can  hardly  insist,  as  some  of  the 
old  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  servants  would  almost 
liavo  mo  do,  that  the  winter  climate  of  New  (.'alodonia 
is  wholly  free  from  inconvenient  cold.  On  the  upper 
Frasor  winter  is  capricious,  intense  cold  comingf  and 
ori)ing  suddenly.  Round  the  rugged  Cariboo  Moun- 
tains snow  falls  freely.  Extremes  are  rare  on  the  upper 
Cf)lumbia,  snow  seldom  remaining  long.  The  climate 
here  is  as  delightful  as  the  scenery  is  grand. 

Everywhere  north  of  San  Francisco  Bay,  and 
{dong  the  coast  as  far  ar,  the  sixtieth  parallel,  wore 
lounJ  grizzly  bears,  the  grassy  Hats  at  the  mouth 
of  rivers,  and  the  rank  vegetation  on  the  banks  of 
inlets,  where  berries  were  abundant,  being  their  fa- 
vorite haunts.  For  some  reason  they  did  not  seem 
to  fancy  Vancouver  Islantl  as  a  dwell ing-j)laco,  though 
their  black  brethren  were  there  in  superabundance,  as 
well  as  on  the  mainhnnl. 

Even  more  ferocious  in  this  region  than  the  grizzly 
Mas  the  bi  3wn  boar,  which  seemed  to  prcfc^r  the  in- 
terior to  the  coast.  On  the  island  and  mainland  were 
elk,  black -tailed  doer,  and  reindeer,  the  <'ariboo  of 
the  voyageurs  in  tLo  northern  mountains  of  New 
Caledonia.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  Kooky  Mountains 
were  mountain-sheep,  moose-doer,  and  wood-buifalo. 
The  fur-bearing  beasts,  whose  skins  constituted  the 
chief  braiicli  of  connnorce  on  the  Northwest  Coast, 
Were  brown,  black,  an<l  grizzly  bear;  beaver;  badgers; 
silver,  (loss,  and  red  foxes;  Ushers;  martens;  minks; 
llu'  gray  and  spotted  lynx;  musquash;  sea  and  land 
otters;  panthers;  raccoons;  black,  gray,  and  coyote 
wolves,  and  wolverines. 

The  natives  of  Vancouver  Island  speared  salmon, 
and  caught  herring,  halibut,  cod,  sturgeon,  and  whales; 
they  hunted  the  bear,  wolf,  panther,  elk,  door,  marten, 
mink,  beaver,  and  racco(.)n.  On  all  the  large  streams 
of  the  mainland,. salmon  were  plentiful  from  early  spring 
to  late  summer.    They  ascended  the  Fraser  seven  hun- 


44 


GENERAL  VIEW  OB^  THE  NORTHWEST  COAST. 


i 


dred  miles.  From  staple  food  of  the  natives,  salmon 
became  at  an  early  day  with  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany an  article  of  commerce.  Oysters  and  crabs  were 
common  on  the  sea-shore.  The  eulaehon,  or  candle- 
fish,  is  famous  in  those  parts;  sardine,  anchovy,  had- 
dock, and  dog-fish  also  may  be  mentioned. 

Birds  of  song  are  less  conspicuous  than  birds  of 
beautiful  plumage.  Grouse  are  common  on  island  and 
mainland.  Then  there  are  quails,  ptarmigan,  pigeons, 
geese,  ducks,  and  snipe. 

Thus  we  see  in  this  northern  west,  save  upon  the 
briny  border,  a  land  of  bright  skies  and  buoyant  airs; 
of  forested  mountains  and  fertile  plains;  of  placid 
bays,  large  rivers,  silvery  lakes,  and  prismatic  water- 
falls; of  coal,  and  iron,  and  gold,  and  other  exhaust- 
less  mineral  wealth;  of  fisheries,  and  agricultural, 
commercial,  and  manufacturing  facilities;  with  soils, 
climates,  and  scenery  equal  to  any  of  Europe,  equal 
to  any  on  earth.  What  shall  hinder  tinpire,  evolu- 
tion, and  all  that  elevates  and  ennobles,  aiding  man 
here  to  assert  his  completest  sovereignty? 

I  can  say  but  a  word  here  rtjgarding  the  aboriginal 
nations  inhabiting  these  parts,  but  must  refer  the  reader 
to  the  work  set  apart  for  that  subject.  The  first  vol- 
ume of  the  Natii'e  Races  of  the  Pacific  States  contains 
descriptions  of  the  several  peoples  as  first  seen  by 
Europeans,  and  their  manners  and  customs,  and  in 
the  third  volume  will  be  found  something  of  their 
mytlK)logics  and  languages. 

Nt)r  have  I  space  to  enter  at  length  upon  the  atti- 
tude (jf  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  toward  the  na- 
tives, tlieir  treatment  of,  or  policy  concerning  them. 
These  matters  will  be  fount!  fully  explained  in  the 
Jlistory  of  the  Northwest  Coast. 

This  much  I  can  say,  however,  by  wav  of  remind- 
ing the  reader  of  what  is  therein  stated.  Probably 
savagism  was  never  so  deftly  and  delicatelv  stripped 
of  its  belongings,  and  laid  away  to  rot,  as  ni  British 


-■t- 


THE  NATIVES. 


45 


salmon 
'  Com- 
)s  were 
3andlo- 
jr,  had- 

irds  of 
,nd  and 
ligeons, 

)on  the 
nt  airs; 
i"  placid 
!  water- 
xhaust- 
iultural, 
uh  soils, 
c,  equal 
,  ovolu- 
ng  man 

(Original 
e  reader 
irst  vol- 
contains 
seen  by 
and  in 
of  their 

the  atti- 

the  na- 

r  them. 

in  the 


Columbia.  Never  from  boj^nnning  to  end  was  then'  a 
single  outbreak  or  massmit;  of  any  ininortancc,  s{ivt> 
along  the  sraboard,  and  theso  were  seldom  directod 
against  the  resident  fur-tnukrs.  Why  was  this,  wlu'n 
tlie  United  States  Itorder  Mas  everywliure  di-lugrd  in 
blood?  Surely  theso  northern  nations  wore  naturally 
as  fierce  and  vindictive  as  any  south  of  them.  The 
answer  is — J>usintss.  The  natives  wore  needed  lor 
hunters.  Thoy  had  nothing  of  which  the  respectable 
I'^uropcan  wished  to  rol»  tlu-in;  so  their  possessions 
were  left  for  a  time  unmolested.  Wlieu  t'e  eonij)any 
wanted  their  land,  as  a  matter  of  course  tluv  took  it ; 
but  at  first  they  re(|uirid  only  the  skins  of  their  wild 
beasts,  and  these  the  natives  nmst  secure  and  bring 
to  them. 

The  natives  <if  tlu;  .seaboard  wi'rt;  n-garded  with 
fear  by  all  .uihsrs.  As  a  rule,  and  especially  to 
strangers,  they  wi;re  exc(;edingly  dangerous,  as  their 
capture  of  the  Itoxtou,  the  Toin/nlii,  and  other  vessi>ls 
abundantly  proves.  ( )ften  the  traders  fed  them  on  lire- 
water,  aiid  ill  I'etuin  the  demoni/.id  savages  cai'ght 
and  killed  tin  iii  whiiiover  the  y  felt  able.  In  e;  rly 
times,  lapiiie  and  murder  along  this  coast  was  the 
iioniial  eniidition  of  tilings.  vXgainst  every  attiMiipt  at 
seUleiiieiit  the  na.tivt!s  fought  desp<rati  ly. 

And  whv  should  tliev  not  resi. t  ^  I'rom  time  im- 
iii''iiiorial  their  tatlu^rs  had  Ik  Id  the  l.uid  ;  and  (lie  .s(>a 
was  tliiirs,  kindly  yielding  them  f;io;|  and  « lothiiig. 
They  could  not  a,  k  tlieir  <';(i<ls  for  more,  unh  s.s  it 
should  ln'  to  make  (Iiein  alwavs  diuiik. 


( 


Tilt!   oHIcers   ai!<l    .sei-vaiits    of   the 


Hud 


son  s 


li 


av 


oiii]i:iiiy  wcri'  as  niu*  h  gentlemen  hv  instiii<t  in  their 


treatment  of  Indians  as  in  their  tnutnient   of  civil- 


ized null  ;tnd  Women.      Ilenc(>  it  w 


.1  <  )e   J 

Stat 


is,  wlun 


( 


( lu'ia 


laiii',   wlulom   gov«>rnor  of  Oi-egon  and    I'liited 

«'s  sciiatiii'  as  he  was  once  ridiny,'  toward  Niso.nllv. 

>   ex(  laim   r(-  ;ai-diny'   the    natives   there- 


was    heard    t 


about,  "haiiiii  tliemi  it  would  d 

be  aCicr  tin  in  I  "his  hearers  could  not  understand  it 


o  my  soui  gtiou  to 


d  t( 


:| 


I    iit:  ! 


H  (JENEKAL  VIEW  OF  THE  NOIiriiWE.ST  COAST. 

Such  W()r<lH  could  uoviT  luivo  falloii  fVf)in  the  hps  of 
a  McLoughhn  or  a  J)(ni^his.  It  was  a  s|K'cies  of  l)l<)od- 
thirstv  ln'utahty  totally  iKjyoiul  tlu;  ooiii|»roheiisioii  of 
nun  who  had  learned  to  look  on  these  ehildren  of  the 
forest  as  men  of  like  creation  and  nature  as  them- 
selves. 

For  the  trial  of  the  Indians  han«jfed  at  St<'ilacooni  for 
tlie  killinuf  of  Wallace  at  the  Nis(|ually  post,  jurymen 
were  l>rou<j^ht  all  the  way  from  Orey^on  City.  Well 
may  we  say  that  therein  was  nuuli  hollow  form  for  a 
little  show  of  justice',  when  we  are  told  that  three  or 
lour  of  tliese  men,  durinjjf  tlu'ir  deliheiations,  rolled 
themselves  in  their  hlankets.  and  hefore  eom[»osin«; 
theiiisi  Ives  to  sleep  remarki'd,  "Whenever  you  want 
ill)  I  ndian  hani;-ed,  awaki'  us."  liut  this  was  intelliu'ent 
and  humane  conduct  in  comparison  with  nuuh  that 
occuiTcil  in  the  A iijulo- American  occujiation  of  the 
western  United  States.  1  admit  that  luither  what 
wei-e  called  jn'ood  men  nor  th<'  t;oveinment  were 
wholly  ri'sponsilile  for  the  wholesale  butcheries  of 
men.  women,  and  children  for  nimes  which  tluy 
never  committed;  ami  yet,  whenever  1  am  ohliycd  to 
allude  to  the  suhject,  I  can  hut  notice  this  ditt'erence 
ill  the  treatment  (»f  the  Indians. 

The  lre(|iient  hostility  of  the  Indian  does  not  orii^i- 
nate  in  sava^o  malignity  <»r  natuial  hlood-thirstiiiess, 
hill  ill  righteous  retaliation  for  (  iidless  pro\  (tcations. 
"  Many  a  iiiLi'ht."  wi'iti's  one  l>y  no  means  seiilimenta! 
ill    sneii    niiitters,    "liaNc   I   sat  at  the  camp-firt!  and 

listened  to  tile  I'ecital  of  hloodv  and  fcjociitus  scenes, 
in  wlii<  h  the  iiari'utors  wei-e  the  actoi-s  aii<l  the  ])oor 
I iidtaiiK  the  victims;  and  I  liii\e  felt  my  hlood  tin;4ie 
with  sliaiiM'  and  hoil  with  iiitlienation  to  lieai'  the  dia- 
holiciil  acts  a|i|ilaii(led  iiy  those  foi-  whesr  amusement 
tiny  Wel'e  i-elated." 

Unforluniitt'ly  for  the  po(»r  savaL^c.  in   his  divinely 
•reordained  extinction,  it  was  ordered   that  In;  should 
often   hroULfht    into  contact  with  thosi'  wh«»  sou<»;ht 
to  Siive  his  so\il  and   tli(»se  who  destroyed  his  hodv. 


1 


RELIUlON  AND  <  O.MMEKcK. 


47 


How  mucli  lu'ttoi-  tor  him  w»»ukl  it  have  been  it'  the 
nii.ssioiiaiirs  had  dirrctLiI  thiir  otrorts  toward  iiii- 
jtroviMi;'  tht'  htarts  and  morals  of  tlie  di'sporato  and 
l)rutal  l)or(K'r  lucii,  tht;  knavt's  and  va^al)oiHls  wlio 
spent  their  lives  in  int'onninjx  ujion  and  insultin^^  the 
natives,  and  on  the  tirst  sliiLi:ht  appearance  of  detV  neo 
or  rtitaliation  on  the  j)artof  the  Imlian,  in  slauijrhterin^' 
him.  ]:Jetter  a  thousand  times  had  the  missionaries 
sjK'nt  their  lives  in  eonvertin<^  these  men,  for  they 
nei'ded  reufenenition  far  more  than  did  the  savaife. 

Wherever  tlie  otHe«'rs  and  servants  of  the  Iliulson's 
J»a.y  C'ompaiiy  had  theectimtry  entirely  to  themselves, 
there  was  Ijtth'  trouhle  with  the  natives.     Their  man- 


aLTcment  of  tluin  was  perteet.  They  treated  th«'m, 
tiist  of  all.  as  human  creatures,  not  its  wild  heasts. 
They  wei'e  to  thrm  the  ehiliUi'ii,  not  tlu'  enemy  of 
civiii/atioii.  In  their  inteicoui'se  they  Wi-re  humane, 
in  theii' dealiu'ns,  honest.  ( )tlenees  were  follov.ed  hy 
jfj.'ine,  not  hy  reveuLji'.  No  attempt  WMs  ma«le  to 
fi)st<ii  upon  them  the  I'eiiyions  or  molalities  of  civiliza- 
tion ;  though  t^ross  ei-uelty  ami  irdiumanity  amoui;' 
themselves  were  seveicly  frowned  u|)on,  they  were 
left  to  marry  (i>l  h'hltnin  or  not  to  marry  at  all,  and  to 
worship  the  yods  of  tluir  creation  after  their  own 
fashion. 

But  the  moment  eom|ietitiv«'  traders  came  in,  all 
(his  happy  state  of  thin</s  was  ehan^i-d.  Fit-ry 
<lrau'j,hts  of  intoxication  were  placol  ti»  the  lips  of 
the  savayu'S,  no  less  hy  the  lienev(»li'nt  and  di^nitied 
adventurers  of  Mnyland  than  hy  the  heedless  Nankeo 
skijiper  and  the    ho|<|ei'  desperado.       ( 'onmieree    ie\e|s 

all  moralities.  Wlu-uevei- e\  en  the  most  hitti-r  rivalry 
was  conliued  to  larye  and  responsihie  eoiiipjinie«^,  tin; 
sa\aMe  xvas  not  mu<'li  the  f^uU'erer;  indet  d,  his  ini- 
|iorlain-e  was  often  therehy  «;ri-atly  ma^jnitied,  and  the 
artl.'ss   al»ori-4iiial    was    hv    no    means    slow  to  make 


vail  of  th 


a 


tries. 


I  hit 


lis  iiiereaseil   purc|iasin|4   power  o|   Ins  j 


•1- 


III  sections  where  tree  trapp'  IS  and   irre- 
'poiisihle  holder  iiK'ii  ohtained    peiniaiH  nt    foothold, 


'  Ifl 


II  GENERAL  VIEW  OP  THE  NORTHWEST  COAST. 

rapine,  murder,  and  exterminating  war  were  sure  to 
follow. 

While  treating  all  foreigners  with  politeness,  and 
while  I'ver  ready  to  rescue  the  distressed  of  any  na- 
tion, tiie  Hudson's  Bay  Company  were  exceedingly 
jealous  of  interference  in  their  trade.  They  would 
not  have  their  prices  changed,  nor  their  hunters  de- 
moralized, if  by  any  possibility  they  ct)uld  ])revent  it. 
Compacts  were  often  made  with  the  Kussiaiis  and 
with  the  ca})tains  of  American  vessels  trachng  on  the 
coast,  not  to  deviate  i'roni  the  company's  tariH',  and 
not  to  sell  li(iuor  to  the  natives,  which  promises  were 
not  always  kept. 

In  the  Fort  Simpson  journal,  under  date  of  Xovem- 
ber  1,  18;iG,  I  find  entered:  "(^aptain  Snow,  of  the 
i>ank  Lai/raiifjf,  saluted  the  body  of  a  Siniseyan  chief 
who  «lie(l  of  sn»all-j)ox,  with  five  guns,  and  now  he  is 
getting  all  the  trade  of  the  tribe — a  contem[»til)le 
Yankee  trick."  Twentv  years  previous  to  this  entrv, 
a  fight  occuncd  between  an  American  coasting  vtssel 
and  the  Chilcats,  in  which  one  hundred  of  the  latter 
were  killed.  When  the  Hudson's  Bay  people  estab- 
lished Fort  Tako,  th(!  Chilcats  treated  them  with 
marked  sus])icion.  *'lt  is  rather  too  bad,'  writis 
Douglas  in  his  journal,  "to  hold  us  responsible  for 
tlie  sins  of  others,  parti«'ularly  of  a  peo[)lt!  t«)  whom 
we  are  indebted  for  no  intenhangt}  of  goocl  oftices." 
The  natives  early  learned  to  distinguish  tiie  iviiig 
(iieorg(^  Uieii  from  the  Hostons,  not  by  ilress,  but  by 
features  and  ^ju'ecji,  and  to  the  no  small  disparage- 
ment of  tlu'  latter.  Xor  <lid  tlu^  JIudson's  Hiij  Com- 
pany exi'rt  themselves  t(>  promoti;  good-fellowsiiip 
between  their  dusky  ])r<)(('(/('s  and  vVmerican  traders, 
^'et  J  am  very  sure  that  no  violent  or  unfair  sfvjts 
were  ever  t.iki'U  by  oflieers  «>f  the  company  to  lid 
themselves  (»f  interlopers.  They  would  tell  the  na- 
tives to  beware  of  then»,  to  have  nothing  to  do  with 
tluMii,  and  that  was  all. 

ThoU'di  ri'adv  on  the  instant  to  draw,  the  Hudson's 


JUST  TREATMENT. 


«9 


urc  lo 

58,  and 
,ny  im- 
(lin^ly 

w»)uUl 
CIS  tle- 
ent  it. 
us  ami 

oil  tlio 
•irt",  ami 
es  were 

M'ovem- 
,  of  the 
an  chief 
)W  he  is 
'in\>tihU) 
is  entry, 
itf  vi'Hsel 
»o  latter 
h>  i>8tal)- 
L>ni  with 
"   writes 
siltle   for 
t«)  Nvh«)iu 
otlices. 

>   Kiii'JC 
hut  hy 
imraLye- 
vj  Co\n- 
ll«»\vshil» 
traileif*. 
lir  stol'H 
y  to  rill 
the  na- 
)  ilo  with 

IucIsuu'h 


M 


1 


Bay  Company  were  slow  to  use  their  weapons  on  the 
natives.  The  punishment  of  insolence  or  other  petty 
oftenee  was  to  knock  the  offender  down,  and  the  offi- 
cers, irom  governor  to  clerk,  prided  themselves  on  their 
superior  skill  in  the  manly  art.  "However  expert  the 
Indians  may  be  at  the  knife,  or  the  spear,  or  the  gun," 
says  Simpson,  "  they  arc  invariably  taken  aback  by  a 
white  list  on  their  noses."  An  offence  was  seldom 
allowed  to  go  unpunished,  and  the  company  were  as 
ready  to  do  justice  as  to  exact  it.  "It  was  a  general 
rule,"  says  Tod,  "to  mete  to  the  Indians  justice. 
They  would  bring  sometimes  two  or  three  hundred 
dollars'  worth  of  furs ;  they  could  not  courit  more  than 
ten.  I  would  always  try  to  make  them  count  foi 
themselves  by  explaining  how  to  do  it;  but  they 
would  always  trust  us  to  count " 

It  is  a  great  nnstake  to  fling  all  aboriginal  men  and 
women  into  one  category  and  danni  them  as  savages. 
As  elsewhere  on  this  planet  there  are  good  Indiana 
and  bad  Iiidians,  honest  men  and  tender-hearted 
women,  as  well  as  thieves  and  murderers.  I  liave  at 
hand  scores  of  remarkable  instances  illusti'ative  of 
the  honesty  and  humanity  of  the  natives  of  liritish 
Co]und)ia.  So  reconciled  to  civilized  supremacy  did 
they  become  under  the  just  treatment  wliich  <hev  i-e- 
ceivi'd,  that  wherens  at  first,  in  this  or  other  legit.ns, 
white  men  could  traverse  the  country  only  in  l)ands 
of  thirty  or  forty,  a  single  person  belonging  to  tiie 
all-])owerl'ul  fur  company,  or  havii»g  its  [uotection, 
could  ii(»w  go  and  com(!  at  pleasui'e  ;iny where  in  Urit- 
ish  Columbia,  passing  in  safety  thi'ough  the  lands  of 
.scores  of  triU's  hostile  to  each  other,  as  one  whoso 
life  and  luojuM'ty  were  things  sacreij. 

Their  nohl(>r  nature  was  easily  worked  upon;  niany 
of  them  would  scorn  to  *lo  things  which  white  Chris- 
tiJins  jiractise  on  om;  ant)ther  without  renuu'se  of  con- 
science. They  loved  honor  and  power;  Chinamen  and 
negroes  they  regarded  with  su|ireme  contemi>t.  I  lalf- 
breetls  have  not  proved  a  suct-ess. 

liur,  Uui.  Cut.    4 


(JE.VEHAL  VIEW  OF  THE  NORTHWEST  COAST. 


,i'-H 


The  statement  ot'aii  intelligent  ofKcer  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Conjjiuny,  as  to  their  |)()licy  with  regard  to 
the  natives,  may  be  better  than  mine.  A.  C.  Ander- 
son devott'S  e«)nsi(h'ral)le  space  in  his  manuscript  His- 
tortj  itf  thr  XortJiH'rsf  dodxt  to  this  fsuhject.  The  great 
fur  eompanit's  of  ]]i-itish  .Vmerica,  lu;  says,  owe  their 
success  to  the  rigid  discipline  maintained  amoiiuf  their 
servants,  and  the  ex<'rcise  of  prudenci;  and  humanity 
in  their  transactions  with  the  natives.  Olfences  and 
iiisurrections  were  ni|)ived  in  tlu^  hud  hy  such  cool 
audacity  on  the  part  of  tlie  sui)erior  race,  as  to  excite 
at  once  a<lni!iation  and  fiar  in  the  hrt'ast  of  the 
savage.  l*unislnnent  of  crimes  was  swift  and  .sure; 
but  it  was  inllictcd  onjv  on  tlie  guilt  v.  To  miard 
against  surprise,  almost  all  stations  were  suiinountod 
by  stockades,  with  armed  bastion-;  at  the  o[)[)osito 
angles.  Against  <lesultory  outbreaks  these  forts  were 
proof,  but  not  agaii;st  wi>ll  organized  attack;  but  by 
holding  the  balan<*e  of  pitwcr  among co'itending  chiefs 
the  fur-traders  were  almost  always  able  to  prevent 
formlilable  attacks.  Ander.son  regards  the  missionary 
operations  among  the  aljorigines  as  no  less  injudicious 
than  unsuccessful. 

Peace,  therefori^,  wo  may  conclude  <  haracterized 
the  intercoui-.se  of  the  resilient  fui'-traders  with  the 
natives,  and  that  IVic  iidshii>  was  absolutely  essential 
to  tralHc.  An  affac/id  of  the  comi)any  sutliciently 
otfentling  was  dismissed  the  s»>i'vice;  this  the  s:>\ages 
knew,  though  it  seldom  happened.  It  was  sometimes 
exceedingly  tlillicult,  however,  for  the  tradei*  to  pre- 
serve his  patience.  The  natives  of  New  (\dedonia 
were  often  uncouth  ami  rude,  sur1\ .  la/v,  autl  to 
stran-^ers  in  small  parties,  insolent  and  (juarrelsome 
Yet  tluiv  Were  the  gi'utle  Shu^hwaps,  tlu  Jolly  Car 
riers,  the  knightly  C'ayuses,  and  others  witii  like  good 
^diti»>,  whose  li\es  might  pri'a«-h  perpetual  sernio.is 

eon'^res.s«^>.  of  philosophers.     There  wei'e  thefibjiy 


mti 


■\  il    :iud    iaithrul     Kontenais,    the    b)'a\.'    .uhI 


uliiU    .  ToihI  dOreilles,  aiid  ihu  lierce  Nehaunes  ab  )Ve 


A  TIIADK  .TAUCOX. 


Hud- 

iir<l  to 
Liulor- 
t  7//.S- 
I  great 
3  their 
r  their 
lumity 
i>s  and 
;h  tool 
I  excite 
of  the 
1  «ure; 
guard 
iounted 
)i)i)(»site 
■ts  were 
l)ut  hy 
M-  chiefs 
prevent 
•;sionary 
uilieious 

cterizod 
iith  the 

■ssontial 
llii'icntly 

sjvages 
liiH'tiiues 

lalcdonia 
:»nil    tt> 

illy  ( 'ar 
l^c<  got  id 
s. -nnojs 

V  tihliy 

|iw    anil 
OS  ab.  >ve 


'i 

^:^ 


Stikccn,  whose  female  chief  rescued  Mr  Campbell  in 
the  winter  of  18:58-1),  and  treate«l  hiiu  with  much 
kindiu'ss.  There  was  Xic(»la,  chief  of  the  Okanagans, 
and  ever  the  chanij)ion  of  the  right;  his  neighbor, 
King  Wan(|uille,  of  the  Shushwaps,  patriarch  an<l 
philanthropist,  and  (»ld  Kiiig  Fi-eezy  of  the  Songhics, 
the  last  of  a  dynasty  running  down  the  ccjituries. 
This  last-named  chieftian  was  u  chiUJU'tcr.  Indeed,  all 
Indian  chiefs  ai'e  ntit.iMe  men,  else  they  would  not  be 
ehiel's.  King  I'rei/y  lii\  id  (»bedienee,  and  commanded 
it.  lie  l(»ved  wives,  ot  which  at  one  time  he  had  no 
less  than  fifteen,  and  lu;  commanded  them.  It  was 
a  favoriti'  i)astiine  of  his  to  cut  dlf  a  wife's  head,  and 
(»ne  in  which  he  indulged  so  ol'ten,  that  in  ISf)'.)  In: 
ha<l  but  six  left.  Jb;  died  in  1S(;4,  and  w;is  duly 
lamente«l  by  tlu;  sorrowing  survivors  of  the  faithful 
fifteen. 

To  facilitati^  communicatioji  between  lMir«»peans 
and  the  native's  of  the  Xnithwtst  Coast,  with  their 
ninnerous  dialects,  a  trade  language  was  adopted  at 
an  early  day,  called  the  Chinook  jargon,  lu-ing  for  the 
greater  jiaii,  a  mixture  oi'  Chinook,  Ficnch-Cana 
dian,  and  Knglish  words,  wit'  perhaps  a  tew  additions 
from  the  Hawaiian  and  Spanish  languages.  This 
jargon  varii-d  somewhat  with  the  various  tribes,  each 
contiibuting  ft»r  local  use  some  «»f  the  words  of  their 
own  language;  but  for  the  mo>t  pail  it  was  the 
.same  among  all  the  tribes  of  a  Nery  wide  area,  and 
was  adopli  (1  for  geiiei'al  nsf.  not  only  U  tween  whitt-s 
and  Indians,  but  between  tin-  <litfer«  nt  tribes  them- 
selves. Of  the  aU»rigiiial  languages  the  C'hinook  was 
taken  as  the  ba^e,  owing  to  the  fact  that  tin;  Chinooks 
about  the  mouth  of  the  Cohuubia  were  tho  Hrst  to 
com(>  into  intimate  and  continuoiK  l'iterc«'urse  with 
Mur«t|  tan.s.  After  the  building  of  Fori  Astoria  the 
jargon  ia]>idly  spreail  toward  the  east  uud  north. 


CHAPTER  III. 

OCCUFATION   OF  THE  DOMAIN. 
1841. 

AllORKilNAI.     liltlTISlI     Coi.UMHI.V— FoKTS     AND     Fi;R-TllAI>RR.S — SySTKM.S     «)K 
CtiMMI  MCATIDN  — ImIKKKM'   ToWKIt   OK  Cl  VII.IZA  I  KiN  OVKll  SAVACilSM- 

Fru-iKAi)iN(i  DisiUKTS — SiAiioNs— Mission  All  V  and  AtiRicuLTiriiAi. 
Sk.iti.kmknts — Intkuiou  Fours— Coast  Stations— Tiik  Bkitihii  ank 
THK  Ri/HsiAX  Frit  CoMFA.N IKS— Tiik  Himson's  Bay  Comi'Any'.s  C'iiht- 
latino  Liiikaky — .Joint  ()«;(n:i'AN('Y  oK  tiik  Nouiiiwksi'  Coast  nv  Eno- 

LAND  AND  TIIK    UnITKD  StATKS— TiIK  TkKATY  UlVlDINU   TIIK   DoMAIN- 

Tiik  Nouiiiwkst  Coasi-  Immkdiaiki.v  I'uioii  to  tiik  Bkoinnino  op 
BitriTsii  Coi.t'MiiiA  llisrouY  J'uorFi:     N'isitok  l)or<ii,ASTo  tiik  Skvkkal 

I'osrs  -NlTKA  A.U>KtIIOLIN— (^1  AKKKI,  IIKTWKKN  IhHMJLAS  AN  1)  McNkII.I, 
— tSl  KVKY  OK  TIIK  SlIKKKN  AND  TaKo  HkhION  -  KkKEKKNCKS  FOR  TlllS 
AND  TIIK  I'ltKCKDINC  ClIAriKK. 


Bkitish  CoFJMiiiA  ill  1841  was  a  silent  wiltlcrnes!:'. 
Its  lords  \\i'H'  natural,  healthful,  and  free,  its  wild 
beasts,  birds,  uiid  lislies  wei'e  multitudinous  and  fear- 
less. Its  f()rost-|>lunied  hill-sides  and  its  ravines  whis- 
pered ceaselessly  their  soft  |»saln)ody;  its  plains  and 


transfixed  billows  bared  their  breasts  to  th 


e  cove 


ted 


war 


inth    oi'  the    all-enibracin<r  sun;    wliih;  its  sn 


ow 


silvered  mountain-tops,  <  aeli  a  sava;;"o  ( )lyinpiis,  marked 
the  earth's  limits  to  the  dusky  intellects  within  their 
iinbrace,  and  shed  a  dazzlin^^'  radiance  over  the  liappy 
liuiitin!L(-<,n()Unds  of   the  Invisiblt^      Nature's  perfect 


work  was 


hen 


abl 


I';  inexorai)le  as  evervwhere;  now  warm 


and  kind  and  beautiful;  a^ain  cold,  cruel,  jLjhastly. 
Yet  tho  nations  of  this  domain  were  doomed;  the 
shelterin*:;'  forests  and  the  innumerable  forms  of  life 
that  animated  them  were  impregnated  with  tho  poison 
of  progress;  for  already  the  subtle,  unfelt  clutel> 
civilization  was  on  the  land. 


Ol 


I W  ) 


INLAND  XAVKiATIOX. 


^YSTKMS  OK 
SAVAliISM— 
UU't'LTlIBAI. 
lltiriHH    ANI> 

^sv's  ClIUl  • 

lAST  I»Y  EN«1- 
K  DOMAIN- 
KtllNNINU     OK 

IIIK  Skvkuai. 

VNoMiNKU-I. 
i;il8  rOR  TUIH 


iUlcrucsf. 

ItH  wiM 
aiul  i'eur- 
iius  whis- 
>luinH  uiul 
m  covctou 
its  st»«)W- 
IS,  uuu'Uia 
Jiiii  their 
the  liavvy  . 
j's   piTtV'Ct. 
now  wan  a 
J,  j^hastly. 
mull;  tl'i' 
•ms  of  lit'' 

thciH»is()ii 
clutii>  «>l 


i 

■lit!. 


Tlu'so  littU!  i>ickoti.'«l  onclosuros  appearing  at  inter- 
vals of  two  or  tliree  hundred  miles,  like  seeliided  fox- 
holes in  boundless  prairies — what  arc  they?  To  the 
unenlightened  vision  of  the  thoughtless  red  man  they 
avc.  magazines  of  celestial  comforts,  arms  which  give 
the  possessor  superliuman  pf-wer  in  war  and  in  the 
rhase;  containing  implements  of  iron  and  steel  whose 
cunning  causes  even  nature  to  blush;  woven  wool  which 
wards  off  cold,  dist  ase,  and  death;  glittering  trinkets 
whose  wealth  raises  wrinkled  imbecility  ai)ove  the 
attractions  of  youth  and  talents;  and  above  all,  tobacco 
and  that  blessed  driiik  of  heaven  which,  indeed,  can 
minister  to  a  mind  diseased,  while  ])lacing  the  body  for 
a  time  lu^yond  tlie  reach  of  jiain.  To  their  builders,  and 
to  the  white  race  everywhere,  these  solitary  and  con- 
tracted pens  have  a  far  diflerent  signification.  They 
are  depots  of  compressed  ]>ower,  dominating  the  land 
and  all  that  is  therein;  they  are  genns  of  the  liigliest 
human  typi',  wliich  shall  shortly  spring  uj)  and  over- 
spread the  wiklerness,  causing  it  to  witiier  beneath  its 
latal  shade. 

The  svstem  of  connnunication  bctweiii  Montreal 
and  Hudson  ])ny  and  the  tributaries  of  the  Arctic^ 
and  the  Pacific  was  (juite  complete  Along  the  main 
livers,  along  the  links  of  watirs,  where  lakes  and 
streams  suiceeik'd  i-ach  other  so  as  to  form  a  contiim- 
ous  line  of  travil,  havlnn;  the  gicatest  anumnt  of  navi- 
gablt!  waters  with  the  shortest  portiiges  and  the  k-ast 
possibk'  amount  of  land  travel,  w»re  chains  of  posts 
with  tuUjiosts,  subordinate  establisjinients  or  feedeis 
on  either  side  on  all  the  minor  streams,  and  in  local- 
ities t)lf  the  main  chains  wlu>re\ cr  peltries  were  to  bo 
profitably  purchased.  Twice  every  year  over  all  these 
lines  of  connnunication  passed  regular  brigadi-s  or  ex- 
presses bringing  into  the  central  jtosts  the  furs  on 
hand,  and  carrying  back  fort  supplies  and  trading 
go«)ds.  The  Cohnnbia  liiver  and  the  Saskatchewan 
with  its  two  branches,  and  tlu;  chain  of  lakes  to  the 


(  W  ) 


M 


OlCUrATION  OF  TIIK  DOMAIN. 


eastward,  Imvo  evin*  been  the  artories  of  travel  in  the 
Hudson's  liny  (^()iii|)aiiy'.s  t<!rrit()ries. 

(^aiKK'H  and  liorscs  wt.TO  oliu'f  amon<^"  the  aids  of 
trans{»ortation,  \Vh«ii  tlu!so  failed,  the  backs  of  voy- 
a^ifi'urs  and  natives  were  eni[)l()yed.  Sometimes  in 
winter  the  ubiquitous  fur-buyers  llitted  hither  and 
thitlier  on  shnls  and  snow-shoes,  often  finding  the'.n- 
s('lv(!s  amon<jf  the  tree-tops  forty  feet  from  solid  ground. 
And  most  fortunate  were  they  if  they  eouKl  hold  to 
their  eourso,  avoid  precipitous  banks  and  chasms,  and 
ke(!p  themselves  above  the  sut)W  instead  of  being 
buried  under  it. 


f: 


Where  shuH  wi;  soo  more  forcibly  displayed  the 
power  of  trnini  (1  and  enlightened  intellect  over  the 
uncultivated  mind  and  l)estialityl  S(;attered  in  small 
bands  over  jui  area  i-cjual  to  one  half  of  Xorth  Amer- 
ica, in  tlm  midst  of  ferocious  savaires  outnund>erin<> 
them  a  thousand  to  one,  these  few  individual  white 
men  luld  .ibsolute  sway;  having  first  brought  tlieir 
own  |i:isslt)iis  under  obedience  to  mind,  they  iinjjosed 
obi'dienct!  u})on  the  passions  of  these  wild  and  l;i\vl(;ss 
inliabitants  of  tiie  forest.  This  living  and  laboring  in 
savaii^e  countries  was  attended  bv  many  danu^eis  and 
p(!culiari ties  which  lu-came  as  asecontl  naturt*  to  these 
hardy  and  coura<>eous  men.  Nor  wis  the  influence 
idtog(>tli(!r  that  of  civili/ation  u[)on  savngism.  To  no 
small  exttint  tiie  traders  and  vovJi'^eurs  bi'came  so  far 
imbued  with  nature  as  to  marry  aborigines  and  adopt 
many  primitive  cus<oms.  Kven  the  Oregon  ;>»  ttlci-s  of 
IS.'{|-4  became  half-savjigc  in  sonu;  of  their  ways;  the 
womi'n,  for  (>xamph',  l>eing  unable  to  procure  cloth  for 
dress(>s,  adopted  the  vidiquarkc,  or  cedai'-bark  petti- 
coat of  the  natives,  the  fibres  being  twisted  into  cords, 
or  frayed  from  the  waist  to  the  knees.  This  with 
a  piece  of  gr(M'n  or  scarlet  bai/.c;  ovir  the  shoulders 
<;om[)leted  the  ci)stume.  The  nun  were  glad  to  get  a 
shirt,  with  sometimes  a  bhudcet.  The  servants  of 
the  fur  companies  vvere  always  comfortably  clad,  the 


■m 


GENERAL  DIVISIONS, 


S5 


aids  of 
of  voy- 
nu'rt  in 
ler  and 
f  tho'.n- 
»rn)un<l. 
hold  to 


tyod  tlio 
owv  tlu' 
i  in  small 
U  Anu'V- 
miilunn.!; 
Lial  wliiti" 

rrlit    tlu'ir 

f  iuiposod 
1(1  liiwUi^^ 
Iturini;  in 
iM(>rs  anil 
to  ibcso 
inlluoncr 
I.     To  no 
lino  so  far 
;iii(l  ado[)l 
;,,-tllors  of 
ways;  llio 
i  flolli  for 
•urk  poiti- 
liiito  c'ordb, 
This  with 
shoulders 
,d  to  ;-!,'*'t  a 
jrvants   of 
tlad,  the 


capote,  or  hooded  cloak,  being  conspicuous.  A  uni- 
form was  worn  at  first,  but  afterward  was  laid  aside. 

In  domestic  economies,  even  in  personal  bearing 
and  mode  of  speech,  the  traders  copied  largi'ly,  tliouf'h 
evidently  unconsciou.sly,  from  their  aboriginal  i'riends. 
Like  the  Indians,  the  fur-traders  were  remarkable 
for  graphic  diction  whenever  their  habitual  reticence 
allowed  their  oral  |)owers  lull  play.  Now  and  then 
a  fur-governor  from  beyond  the  mountains  illumined 
nature  by  his  presence,  on  which  occasion  traders 
everywhere  were  tremulous  with  excitement,  and  the 
denizens  of  the  forest  spellbound  as  the;  mighty  man 
passed  by. 

On  the  consolidation  of  the  Northwest  and  Hudson's 
Bay  companies  in  1821  the  uj)per  interior  was  known 
to  the  fur-traders  as  the  Columbia  tlistiict.  Three 
years  later  we  iind  Archibald  Macdonald,  then  clerk  of 
one  of  the  Thomi)sou  Jviverposts,  drawing  a  ma[),"  with 
much  detail  and  wonderful  <(nTection,"  as  his  editor, 
McLeod  .says,  in  which  the  territory  between  the 
Columbia  Kiver  and  the  Arctic  Ocean  was  laid  down 
as  the  Thomjtson  River  district.  Soon  after,  and 
while  yet  tlm  whole  region  north  of  California  was 
generally  designattjcl  as  the  Oregon  territory,  the 
>rew  Caledonia  district  was  ])ortioned  off  in  tlie  in- 
terior, and  on  the  coast  we  find,  following  the  I'ancy  of 
Vancouver,  and  beginning  at  Mount  St  Elias,  New 
Norfolk,  Now  Cornwall,  New  Hanover,  New  ( Jeor- 
l^ia,  and  Now  Albion,  the  last  named  reaching  down 
to  San  Francisco  IJay.  New  Georgia  lay  between 
Nootka  Sound  and  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia 
River,  and  New  Hanover  next  above  to  Queen  Char- 
lotte Island. 

In  early  times  all  the  country  north  of  California, 
all  the  region  drained  by  the  "Uiver  of  the  West,  as 
well  as  the  seaboard  was  called  Oregon.  It  was  then 
a  mystic  land,  a  region  of  weird  imagery  and  i'able. 
In  the  spring  of  18;{:»  there  was  not  a  single  United 


Stat 


.es  settler  in  all  the  Oregon  territory.     It  was 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.! 


1.25 


2.8 


Sim 


1= 

2.0 


1.4    IIIIII.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WK  T  MAIN  STRISY 

WIBSTER.N  /.  14380 

(716)  e,tr4503 


4i^ 


% 


'^ 


^ 


<> 


m 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  DOMAIN. 


during  this  year  that  American  emigration  to 
Oregon  began.  Certain  French-Canadian  famiUes, 
formerly  servants  or  retainers  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company,  with  the  fatherly  advice  and  assistance  of 
John  McLoughlin,  had  previously  opened  ftirms  in  the 
rich  valley  of  the  Willamette  and  on  the  banks  of  the 
Columbia.  It  was  the  French  who  were  first  in 
Oregon,  who  had  been  first  in  the  Mississippi  Valley, 
who  had  been  foremost  in  Canada,  and  who  at  one 
time  had  dominated  four  fifths  of  North  America; 
it  was  the  humble  descendants  of  this  cliivalrous  race 
who  first  opened  for  cultivation  these  lands  primeval, 
and  paved  the  way  for  the  harder-headed  Anglo- 
Saxon. 

On  Twiss'  map,  London,  184G,  Oregon  extends 
from  latitude  42°  to  54°  40'  west  of  the  Hocky  Moun- 
tains. It  includes  the  Queen  Charlotte  and  Van- 
couver islands,  and  all  the  mainland  drained  by  the 
Fraser  and  Columbia  rivers.  McKinlay  divides  the 
country  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  into  two  dis- 
tricts :  the  Columbia,  extending  to  Utah  and  California; 
and  New  Caledonia,  reaching  from  Thompson  River 
to  the  Russian  possessions.  Were  this  ever  officially 
the  case,  such  partition  did  not  so  remain  long  before 
the  territory  ,vas  redistricted.  Says  Anderson :  "  The 
extent  of  New  Caledonia  may  be  briefly  indicated  as 
comprising  the  tract  watered  by  the  Fraser  and  its 
tributaries  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  Coast 
Range  down  to  the  point  about  twenty  miles  below 
Alexandria,  now  known  as  Soda  Creek."  Then  comes 
the  Thompson  River  district.  Vancouver's  territorial 
nomenclature  was  never  put  into  practical  use,  nor 
were  the  fur  company's  districtings  officially  retained 
after  the  erection  of  British  Columbia  into  a  province. 
British  Columbia  to-day  embraces  broadly  all  lands 
and  islands  west  of  the  summit  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains lying  between  Washington  and  Alaska. 

In  1839  the  Willamette  settlement,  begun  ten  years 
previous  by  a  retired  servant  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 


THE  VARIOUS  POSTS. 


m 


d  its 

Coast 

Dclow 

comes 

Itorial 

nor 

ained 
vince. 

lands 
^oun- 

yoars 
Bay 


Company,  numbered  fifty-four  men,  and  about  as 
many  farms.  There  were  four  other  stations  of  Amer- 
ican missionaries,  one  at  the  Dalles,  one  at  Walla 
Walla,  one  on  the  Clearwater,  and  one  at  Spokane. 
Five  vessels  performed  the  coast  service,  Paul  Fraser 
was  in  charge  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  estab- 
lishment  at  Umpqua  when  the  influx  of  Americans 
was  so  great  as  materially  to  jeopardize  the  interests 
of  the  fur-traders  in  that  quarter   • 

Upon  a  continental  apex  not  unlike  that  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  national  park  which  separates  the 
waters  of  the  Missouri,  the  Columbia,  and  the  Colo- 
rado, stood  Fort  St  James,  the  capital  of  this  west- 
ern Caledonia.  Old  Mr  Harrison  once  commanded 
there,  and  so  did  young  James  Douglas  before  honors 
and  titles  thickened  around  him. 

Its  site  was  the  south-eastern  end  of  Stuart  Lake, 
and  it  was  the  central  figure  of  a  cluster  of  forts. 
Twenty-five  miles  south-westerly  was  Fort  Fraser; 
sixty  miles  south-easterly  was  Fort  George;  eighty 
miles  north-easterly  was  Fort  McLeod,  and  one  hun- 
dred miles  north -westerly  was  Fort  Babine.  South- 
ward from  this  highland  flow  the  waters  of  the 
Fraser;  northward  and  westward  the  Skeena;  north- 
ward and  eastward  Peace  River  winding  through  the 
Rocky  Mountains  and  thence  onward  to  the  frozen 
ocean. 

Later  for  a  time  in  charge  of  the  New  Caledonia 
department,  was  Chief  Factor  Ogdcn,  whose  head- 
quarters were  at  Fort  St  James  on  Stuart  Lake. 
On  Lakes  Fraser,  Babine,  and  McLeod  were  forts  of 
the  same  names.  Fort  Thompson  was  on  the  Kani- 
loops  River;  and  from  Fort  Alexandria  on  Fraser 
River,  the  station  of  a  chief  trader*,  the  northern 
brigade  took  its  departure  going  north.  At  McLeod 
Fort,  where  the  genial  wide-mouthed  Tod  used  to 
welcome  governors  to  an  empty  larder,  was  one  of 
the  most  prolific  fur-fields.  Before  Tod  at  this  post 
was  Peter  Warren  Dease,  and  after  Tod  was  Mr  Mc- 


m 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  DOMAIN. 


I 


Intosh,  subsequently  shot  by  the  savages.  The  post 
at  Babine  was  built  by  Chief  Trader  Brown  in  182G-7. 
In  charge  of  Fort  Langley  was  Yale;  Rae  was  at 
Yerba  Buena,  and  Simpson  at  the  Hawaiian  Island 
agency  Wilkes  counted  "six  permanent  establish- 
ments on  the  coast  and  sixteen  in  the  interior,  besides 
several  migratory  and  hunting  parties." 

Kootenai  and  Flathead  were  outposts  of  Colville, 
and  yielded  annually  forty  packs  of  peltries;  Chilco- 
tin  sent  in  four  packs,  and  Alexandria  from  twenty  to 
thirty  packs.  Fort  St  James  was  a  profitable  station, 
sending  down  yearly  furs  worth  in  London  £50,000, 
if  we  may  believe  Wilkes,  which  I  for  one  do  not, 
especially  when  coupled  with  the  statement  that  only 
twenty -five  cents  iu  goods  was  there  paid  for  a  beaver- 
skin  worth  at  Fort  Vancouver  ten  times  that  sum. 
It  was  only  one  year  prior  to  the  date  of  this  chapter 
that  Samuel  Black,  while  in  charge  of  Kamloops, 
was  killed  by  a  nephew  of  Wanquille.  Some  few  of 
the  company's  posts,  like  the  missionary  establish- 
ments of  California,  became  subsequently  the  nuclei 
of  little  settlements,  particularly  those  in  gold-pro- 
ducing parts. 

Every  year  the  chief  factor  or  chief  trader  having 
charge  of  a  district  would  go  to  Fort  Vancouver  and 
thence  conduct  a  brigade  of  supplies  to  his  distribut- 
ing depot,  employing  for  that  purpose  boats,  men,  and 
horses  according  to  the  nature  of  the  region  traversed. 
From  Fort  Vancouver  to  Fort  St  James,  for  example, 
the  transport  was  made  by  boats  to  Okanagan,  and 
thence  to  Kamlooj)  and  Fort  Alexandria  by  horses, 
in  bands  of  from  two  hundred  to  three  hundred. 
From  Fort  Alexandria  to  Fort  St  James  merchandise 
was  conveyed  in  canoes. 

It  was  a  hazardous  occupation,  as  I  have  said,  a 
large  amount  of  imperfectly  guarded  ])roperty  being 
constantly  exposed  to  the  cupidity  of  the  savages,  to 
sa}^  nothing  of  tlie  dangers  of  navigation.  The  port- 
ages made  arduous  the  voyage  up  the  Columbia,  and 


ROUTES  OF  TRAVEL 


69 


the  land  travel  between  Okanagan  and  Kamloop  was 
particularly  rough.  The  distance  from  Fort  Van- 
couver to  Kamloop,  following  the  sinuosities  of  rivers 
and  trails,  was  seven  or  eight  hundred  miles,  though 
supplies  wore  carried  in  this  direction  more  than  twice 
that  distance. 

Kamloop  was  the  capital  of  the  Thompson  River 
district  proper.  The  fort  was  compact  and  well  pal- 
isaded ;  and  within  the  stockades,  standing  at  a  little 
distance,  there  was  room  enough  for  the  largest  horse 
brigades  together  with  their  accoutrements. 

To  the  eye  of  the  inhabitant  of  these  lonely  wilds, 
whether  white  skm  or  red,  the  arri\al  of  the  horse 
brigade  was  a  thrilling  sight.  Through  the  deep 
ravines,  round  precipitous  mountain-sides,  and  over 
hills  and  plains  they  had  come;  sleek,  fat  animals, 
usually  perfect  in  form  and  color,  bearing  the  burdens 
which  had  been  carefully  brought  so  far,  from  beyond 
continents  and  seas,  and  all  to  be  laid  at  the  feet  of 
the  lordly  savage. 

The  stations  on  the  coast  were  Fort  Langley  and 
Fort  Simpson,  the  former  the  first  sea  fort  iu  British 
Columbia,  the  latter  tremblingly  erected  among  some 
of  the  wickedest  savages  upon  the  coast.  Then  there 
were  Fort  McLoughlin  on  Milbank  Sound,  and  Fort 
Tako  on  the  Take  River,  Yet,  so  well  was  the  mat- 
ter arranged,  that  a  footing  was  obtained  without 
fighting  for  it,  and  an  almost  impregnable  fortress  was 
erected.  By  the  aid  of  these  two  establishments, 
wliich  were  regularly  served  from  Fort  Vancouver, 
first  by  the  schooner  Cadhoro,  Captain  Simpson,  and 
subsequently  by  the  steamer  Jkaver,  the  indomitabk! 
More  engineer,  American  opposition  was  finally  driven 
from  the  coast. 

Plying  the  wilderness  of  water  between  forts  Van- 
couver and  Tako,  sometimes  venturing  boldly  out  to 
sea,  sometimes  creeping  more  prudently  through  the 
labyrinth  of  islands  and  canals  between  Nisqually  and 
Sitka,  these  historical  craft  of  the  Northwest  Coast 


^ 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  DOMAIN. 


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came  and  went,  playing  no  insignificant  part  in  the 
u^reat  work  of  human  overturnings  hereabout. 

At  first  a  few  goods  had  been  brought  over  the 
mountains  from  eastern  ports.  But  so  difficult  and  ex- 
]iensive  was  this  mode  of  transport  that  it  was  soon 
abandoned,  and  all  supplies  for  the  western  slope 
wore  brought  from  England  to  Fort  Vancouver  round 
Cape  Horn.  The  coast  trade  was  confined  to  the 
coast  tribes,  and  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  inland 
trade  conducted  by  the  old  route  from  Fort  Vancou- 
ver up  the  Columbia  to  Okanagan,  Kamloop,  and 
Fort  St  James.  Communication  with  the  coast  ports 
was  had  at  first  by  schooners  sailing  regularly  from 
Fort  Vancouver,  and  subsequently  by  the  company's 
steamers.  This  coast  trade  was  at  the  first  not  profit- 
able, but  was  persevered  in  for  many  years  at  a  heavy 
loss,  in  order  to  clear  the  shore  forever  of  Boston  ships 
and  Boston  men. 

Between  these  two  lines  of  traffic  intervened  the 
Cascade  Range,  an  obstacle  to  fi'ec  commercial  intei- 
course  which,  might  have  been  overcome  by  the  com- 
pany had  they  chosen  to  do  so.  But  this  partition 
wall  was  not  without  its  benefit,  separating  as  it  did 
interior  tribes  from  the  influence  and  opposition  of 
foreign  traders  along  the  coast. 

Prior  to  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California,  which 
raised  no  small  connnotion  throughout  all  the  Colum- 
bia and  New  Caledonia  regions,  John  Lee  Lewes, 
conspicuous  among  all  the  officers  of  the  company  for 
dashing  dress,  held  conunand  at  Fort  Colville.  He 
was  succeeded  in  1848  by  Alexander  C.  Anderson. 
Besides  fine  personal  appearance,  Lewes  possessed 
many  g(^od  qualities.  Indeed,  since  Northwest  rivalry 
had  so  sharpened  wit,  the  service  enforced  the  ap- 
pointment only  of  able  and  energetic  men.  Where 
strength  of  mind  and  body  were  so  essentially  requi- 
site, favoritism  went  for  less  than  it  did  formerly 


FARMS  ESTABLISHED. 


61 


In  my  History  of  the  Northwest  Coast  I  have  stated 
that  in  the  lease  of  a  portion  of  the  Russian  territory 
to  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  for  a  term  of  ten  years 
from  1809,  afterward  increased  several  years  more, 
it  was  stipulated  that  during  such  occupation  the 
Russian  American  Fur  Company  should  purchase  all 
their  European  goods  from  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany, who,  also,  alone  were  to  supply  such  agricul- 
tural products  as  the  several  Russian  posts  and  vessels 
should  require. 

Now  the  Russians  were  hearty  eaters,  and  not 
over-fond  of  work.  Exercise  sufficient  for  an  appetite 
they  could  get  by  beating  their  poor  seal-hunters,  the 
Aleuts  and  Koniagas,  who  likewise  grew  hungry 
under  the  process.  Even  these  latter  raised  little  or 
no  produce.  But  whence  were  to  come  the  fruits  of 
the  soil  upon  which  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  had 
promised  to  feed  them?  Some  little  planting  had 
been  done  at  Colville,  Fort  Vancouver,  and  the  Willa- 
mette and  Cowlitz  valleys,  but  barely  sufficient  for  the 
company's  own  requirements.  The  British  fur-hunters 
were  but  little  more  inclined  to  agriculture  than  were 
the  Russian  traders.  There  were  these  points  of 
difference,  however,  between  the  two :  the  former  had 
suitable  soil  and  climate  with  enterprise  and  thrift 
to  exercise  upon  it,  all  which  the  latter  lacked.  At 
all  events,  before  making  their  bargain,  they  wero 
supposed  to  have  sufficiently  weighed  results,  and 
would  in  due  time  furnish  the  provisions  agreed  upon. 
Some  they  could  get  from  California,  some  from  the 
Hawaiian  Islands;  but  such  in  the  main  was  not 
their  purpose.  They  preferred  to  develop  home 
resources. 

To  tliis  end  the  management  determined  to  open 
other  farms  upon  the  banks  of  the  Columbia,  and  in 
the  rich  Willamette  Valley;  for  which  purpose,  during 
the  same  year  of  1839,  English  and  Scotch  farmers 
were  brought  from  Canada  across  the  mountains,  and 
placed  in  the  several   most   favorable   parts   of  the 


62 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  DOMAIN. 


m 


country.  Likewise  French  Canadians  and  half-breeds 
retiring  from  the  service  of  the  company  were  encour- 
aged to  settle  upon  lands,  the  best  of  wJiich  were  to 
be  had  without  asking,  and  become  tillers  of  the  soil. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Vancouver,  and  else- 
where, the  areas  of  agriculture  were  soon  greatly 
enlarged,  and  grist-mills  erected  for  making  the 
several  grades  of  flour  required  for  tho  Russian 
American  trade.  More  sheep  and  cattle  were  being 
driven  up  from  California,  and  the  Sandwich  Islands 
swine  were  permitted  rapidly  to  increase.  The  plains 
near  Fort  Nisqually  were  turned  into  sheep  and 
cattle  ranges,  and  the  Puget  Sound  Agricultural 
Company  was  inaugurated.  Hence  it  was  not  long 
before  wheat,  flour,  butter,  pork,  and  other  articles 
in  no  considerable  quantities  were  ready  for  shipment 
to  the  Russian  posts,  not  alone  of  the  American,  but 
of  the  Asiatic  coast,  and  four  barks  of  eight  hun- 
dred tons  each  were  built  in  London  for  the  exporta- 
tion of  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  produce. 

Lieutenants  Warre  and  Vavasour  report:  "At  Nis- 
qually, near  the  head  of  Puget  Sound,  is  the  farm  of 
the  Puget  Sound  Company,  commenced  in  1839,  and 
supported  chiefly  by  the  gentlemen  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company.  They  here  cultivate  wheat  and  pota- 
toes, etc.,  but  the  magnificent  range  of  rich  prairie 
country  between  the  shores  of  Puget  Sound  and  the 
Cascade  Mountains  to  the  east  are  chiefly  used  as 
pasturage  for  the  immense  herds  of  cattle  and  sheep, 
the  greater  number  of  which  were  brought  from  Cali- 
fornia in  1840-1."  Operations  here  were  under  the 
management  of  W.  F.  Tolmie  for  the  Puget  Sound 
Agricultural  Company,  an  off*shoot  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company.  Anderson  and  Niell  did  the  honors 
at  this  post  upon  the  occasion  of  the  visit  of  the 
United  States  exploring  squadron  in  18-41.  It  was 
then  in  the  full  beauty  of  growing  fields  and  well-kept 
gardens,  with  a  fine  dairy  attached. 

Crops  were  raised  by  the  company  at  Fort  Van- 


A  CIRCULATING  LIBRARY. 


6S 


cour- 
;re  to 
3  soil, 
else- 
reatly 
r    the 
ussian 
being 
slanda 
plains 
p    and 
Liltural 
)t  long 
irticles 
ipment 
an,  but 
it  hun- 
xporta- 

b  Nis- 
tarm  of 
39,  and 
dson's 
pota- 
prairie 
nd  the 
ised  as 
sheep, 
m.  Cali- 
ler  the 
Sound 
udson's 
honors 
of  the 
1  It  was 
bll-kept 


couver  until  1850,  but  after  184G  the  farms  declined, 
and  the  Russian  Company  contracts,  which,  prior  to 
that  time  had  been  filled  from  Fort  Vancouver,  wer(> 
afterward  shipped  from  Oregon  City  and  Champoeg, 
the  necessary  produce  being  obtained  by  purchase. 

W.  F.  Tolmie  states  that  he  first  met  Mr  Ander- 
son at  Milbank  Sound  in  December  1833,  where  he 
replaced  Anderson  as  clerk.  There,  in  connection 
with  Chief  Trader  Donald  Manson,  he  *•  conceived  the 
idea  of  establishing  a  circulating  library  among  the 
officers  of  the  company.  Anderson,  on  readiing  Fort 
Vancouver,  ventilated  the  matter.  It  was  readily 
taken  up  by  Dr  McLoughlin  and  Mr  Douglas.  A  sub- 
scription library  was  formed  which  did  much  good  foi" 
about  ten  years,  soon  after  which  time  it  was  broken 
up.  The  officers  subscribed,  sent  the  order  for  books 
and  periodicals  to  the  company's  agent  in  London ;  the 
books  were  sent  out,  and  as  everybody  had  subscribed, 
they  were  sent  to  all  the  forts  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land.  The  library  was  kept  at  Fort 
Vancouver,  subscribers  sending  for  such  books  as  they 
wanted,  and  returning  them  when  read.  Finally  the 
books  were  divided  among  such,  of  the  subscribers  as 
cured  about  having  them.  The  Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany, by  their  ships,  sent  out  the  Times  and  other  lead- 
ing papers  for  circulation.  This  was  the  first  circulating 
library  on  the  Pacific  Slope,  extending  from  1833  to 
1843." 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  territory  west 
of  th(?  Rocky  Mountains  and  north  of  California  was 
at  this  time  Jicld  by  agreement  in  joint  occupancy  by 
Great  Britain  and  the  United  States.  That  the  par- 
tition line  must  be  drawn  somewhere  and  shortly  was 
well  understood.  Some  little  ill-will  had  boon  engen- 
dered between  the  subjects  and  citizens  of  the  two 
powers  thus  brought  into  anomalous  contact.  Both 
sides  claimed  a  riglist  to  occupy  the  territory,  thougli 


64 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  DOMAIN. 


neither  knew  mucli  about  it  It  was  bad  blood  onl} 
that  was  stirred ;  it  was  ignorance  and  stupidity  only 
that  became  blatant.  When  the  not  most  reliable  or 
refined  element  in  the  United  States,  poverty-stricken, 
with  barefooted  and  bareheaded  wives  and  children, 
and  teams  of  bony  oxen  and  empty  wagons  straggled 
through  the  mountains,  the  officers  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  behaved  most  nobly.  They  fully  be- 
lieved their  right  to  the  territory  as  good  as  that  of 
the  others.  Though  holding  under  the  stipulated  terms 
of  joint  occupancy,  their  domination  in  these  parts  had 
been  from  the  beginning  absolute  and  continuous. 
They  inherited  from  the  Northwest  Company,  who 
bought  from  the  Pacific  Company,  which  latter  was 
supposed  to  be  an  American  incorporation,  though 
made  up  almost  wholly  of  foreigners.  Between  the 
shock-headed,  dirt-becoated,  tobacco -spitting,  and 
swearing  ox-drivers  from  the  United  States  border 
and  the  educated  and  punctilious  business  men  of  the 
fur  monopoly  there  was  a  marked  contrast,  and  the 
latter,  I  say,  behaved  nobly. 

There  was  much  in  this  immigration  to  exasperate 
them.  The  interlopers,  as  from  their  standpoint  they 
could  but  regard  them,  had  come  to  spoil  their  trade, 
to  drive  away  the  game,  to  demoralize  the  natives,  and 
to  take  the  land  for  cultivation.  Even  if  they  did  not 
so  declare,  such  would  be  the  inevitable  effect.  And  yet 
they  were  kindly  treated,  and  fed  and  clothed,  as  we 
have  many  times  seen  in  the  pursuance  of  this  history. 
And  I  hold  it  churlish  in  any  American,  or  in  any 
man,  to  deny  McLoughlin,  Douglas,  Work,  and  Og- 
den,  and  all  the  rest  of  these  fearless,  warm-hearted, 
open-handed,  and  clear-headed  Scotch,  Irish,  and  Eng- 
lish men,  their  full  meed  of  praise.  It  is  not  a  ques- 
tion tliat  turns  upon  the  relative  merits  and  demerits 
of  the  nations;  such  discussion  I  leave  entirely  to 
the  stump-orators  and  long-eared  logicians  on  either 
side.  I  deal  only  with  men;  and  it  matters  not  one 
whit  with  me  the  accidents  of  color,  creed,  or  country. 


FUll-HUNTEUS  AND  SETTLERS. 


CS 


L  onl} 
r  only 
ble  or 
icken, 
ildrcn, 
aggled 
idson  s 
illy  be- 
that  of 
d  terms 
rts  had 
:,muous. 
ly,  who 
■ter  was 
though 
een  the 
[ig,    and 
\  border 
sn  of  the 
and  the 


The  representatives  of  the  two  nationalities,  thus 
meeting  in  oppugnant  interests  in  the  new  Nortli- 
west,  were  of  totally  different  classes,  and  in  review- 
ing their  character,  they  cannot  be  justly  placed  upon 
tlie  same  plane.  Among  the  self-sacrificing  i)ioncors 
of  the  Pacific  tliere  Avere  many  intelligent,  high- 
minded,  and  honorable  men  and  devoted  women,  who, 
it  is  scarcely  necessary  for  mo  to  say  to  the  reader 
of  the  previous  volumes  of  this  history,  arc  worthy  of 
every  honor,  every  gratitude  that  history  and  pos- 
terity can  give.  Yet  none  of  us  can  deny  that  among 
the  emigrants  were  ignorant  and  ill-mannered  men 
and  slatternly  women,  who  in  their  attitude  and  deal- 
ings compared  unfavorably  with  first-class  business 
men  trained  to  strict  accountability  from  boyhood. 

Says  my  friend  Elwood  Evans,  ever  ready  enough 
to  do  battle  for  his  country:  "It  was  a  motley  settle- 
ment, indeed,  if  we  consider  the  caste  to  which  each 
settler  belonged,  or  the  influence  which  brought  him 
thither.  There  were  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company 
and  its  retainers,  holding  almost  exclusive  possessic  n 
of  the  country,  insidiously  retarding  and  discouraging^ 
American  settlement,  and  destroying  by  its  policy  of 
trade  every  American  enterprise.  Here,  too,  were 
the  discharged  or  retired  servants  of  the  company, 
located  in  the  country  by  its  permission,  and  over 
whom  it  yet  exercised  controlling  influence,  men  of 
every  variety  of  color  and  nationality.  Here  and 
there  were  Americans  who  had  dropped  out  of  and 
remained  behmd  the  various  companies  and  expedi- 
tions which  had  been  crushed  out  or  supplanted  by 
the  great  monopol}'  of  trade  enjoyed  by  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company,  of  necessity  entertaining  no  very  kind 
feeling  toward  the  company,  nor  friendship  for  its 
studied  and  persistent  attempts  to  convert  Oregon 
into  a  British  province.  Thsn  came  the  missionary 
colonies  with  denominational  castes,  each  imbued  with 
a  loading  principle,  true  to  themselves,  yet  zealous  to 
outvie  in  evidences  of  successful  labor  tlieir  rivals  in 

llisr.  Brit.  (^or,.    5 


60 


OCCUPATION  OF  THK  DOMAIN. 


|i 


similar  services;  soon  after  whom,  and  last  of  all,  fol- 
lowed the  American  emigrants  proper,  men,  women, 
and  children,  seeking  homes  for  themselves  and  their 
posterity,  each  in  proper  person  asserting  faith  in  the 
American  title  to  Oregon,  and  prepared  to  struggle 
against  every  effort  and  influence  which  would  wrest 
the  country  from  the  United  States.  Such  was  the 
Oregon  of  that  period,  and  it  is  difficult,  indeed,  out 
of  these  heterogeneous  elements,  each  having  its  own 
peculiar  history,  to  present  an  intelligible  and  intelli- 
gent view  of  affairs." 

The  treaty  of  1846,  which  drew  the  dividing  line 
between  American  and  British  territory  on  the  Pa- 
cific, befitting  in  my  mind  the  history  of  Oregon 
rather  than  the  history  of  Britisli  Columbia,  has  been 
fully  analyzed  in  a  previous  volume.  Its  effect  upon 
the  interests  of  United  States  settlers  was  primary 
and  immediate;  its  effect  on  the  fur-traders  was  to 
remove  their  operations  farther  to  the  northward. 
Nor  should  the  fact  be  lost  sight  of  in  any  discussion 
of  the  differences  arising  between  the  fur-traders  and 
the  settlers,  that  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  was  by 
no  means  a  free  and  full  representation  of  the  British 
nation.  They  were  simply  an  incorporated  commer- 
cial association,  acting  for  themselves,  solely  in  their 
own  pecuniary  interests,  and  were  a,  deadly  opposed 
to  opposition  from  people  of  their  own  nationality  as 
from  those  of  any  other  nation. 

1  cannot  do  better,  in  concluding  this  general  view 
of  the  Northwest  Coast  at  the  beginning  of  British 
Columbia  history  proper,  than  to  give  a  resume  of 
the  doings  of  James  Douglas  immediately  antecedent 
to  the  opening  of  operations  on  Vancouver  Island ; 
that  gentleman  being  then  not  only  foremost  in  north- 
coast  fur  affairs,  but  rapidly  rising  to  sole  rulership 
in  the  commercial  and  political  interests  of  Pacific 
British  America.  The  information  here  given  is  epit- 
omized from  his  journals  of  1840-1. 


DOUGLAS*  JOURNAL. 


07 


Leaving  Fort  "Vancouver  the  22(1  of  April  1840, 
Douglas  passed  round  by  the  Cowlitz  to  Nisqually, 
where  he  learned  of  the  total  destruction  of  Fort 
Langley  by  fire.  The  object  of  the  present  expedi- 
tion was  the  occupation  of  the  Stikcen  post,  lately 
leased  from  the  Russians,  and  the  building  of  another 
establishment  on  the  Tako  River,  also  within  Russian 
territory. 

The  destruction  of  Langley  at  this  juncture  was 
ill-timed  and  inconvenient,  depending  as  they  were  on 
that  post  for  salt  provisions,  which  it  was  now  too 
late  to  obtain  from  any  other  source.  The  lessors  of 
the  hyperborean  domains,  therefore,  must  depend 
alone  upon  the  ravens  of  their  religion,  as  they  had 
often  done  elsewhere,  to  feed  them.  Douglas  could 
but  remark  in  passing  on  the  early  depopulati  :  of 
the  Cowlitz  country,  for  of  the  once  numerous  in- 
habitants thern  ]\o\y  remained  but  sixty  men.  H.) 
attributes  the  cause  to  ague  and  the  mysterious  ways 
of  proviJ'  ace. 

The  first  ague  summer,  says  Plomondo,  one  of  the 
first  to  settle  there,  was  in  1830,  when  "the  living 
sufficed  not  to  bury  their  dead,  but  fled  in  terror  to 
the  sea-coast,  abandoning  the  dead  and  dying  to  the 
birds  and  beasts  of  prey.  Every  village  presented  a 
scene  harrowing  to  the  feelings;  the  canoes  were  there 
drawn  up  upon  the  beach,  the  nets  extended  on  the 
willow  boughs  to  dry,  the  very  dogs  appeared  as  ever 
watchful,  but  there  was  not  heard  the  cheerful  sound 
of  the  human  voice.  The  green  woods,  the  music  of 
birds,  the  busy  humming  of  the  insect  tribes,  the 
bright  summer  sky,  spoke  of  life  and  happiness,  while 
the  abode  of  man  was  silent  as  the  grave,  and  like  it 
filled  with  putrid,  festering  carcasses."  All  hail,  sweet 
sympathizing  friends;  providence,  civilization,  and  the 
ague  await  your  coming  to  reap  alike  rich  harvests  in 
the  more  virgin  north. 

Proceeding  from  Nisqually  in  the  steamv.'»'  to  Lang- 
ley, Douglas  there  found  Yale  busy  erecting  a  new 


w 


08 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  DOMAIN. 


stockade.  Twenty  men  from  the  steamer  were  loaned 
tlie  fort-builders  for  a  short  time;  after  which  tlie 
vessel  continued  its  war .  takinu'  in  wood  and  water  at 
the  north  end  of  Tejada  Island,  buying  Hfty  beaver- 
skins  from  the  saucy  natives  of  t])e  Conmx  village  off 
Point  Mudge,  who  were  yet  unreclaimed  by  Chris- 
tianity and  undisciplined  by  civilized  ague,  and  an- 
choring in  McNeill  Harbor  on  the  8th  of  Ma3^ 

Opening  trade  with  the  Quackolls  from  Cheslakee, 
twenty  sea-otter  and  seventy  beaver  were  bought. 
Continuing,  a  few  skins  were  traded  at  Port  Bull; 
500  bushels  of  potatoes,  500  pieces  of  cedar  bark,  and 
thirty  cords  of  wood  were  taken  on  board  at  Fort 
McLoughlin,  and  on  the  14th  Fort  Simpson  was 
reached.  Thence  by  way  of  Stikeen,  Douglas  went 
to  Sitka  and  talked  with  Etholin,  the  Russian  gov- 
ernor, about  their  territorial  bounds  and  trade,  which 
questions  were  satisfactorily  settled.  Each  might 
buy  provisions  anywhere,  but  furs  only  within  their 
own  territory.  A  tariff'  was  agreed  upon  for  the 
Indian  traffic,  and  some  furs  were  exchanged  between 
themselves.  Permission  was  granted  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  to  buy  sheep  at  Bodega  provided  the 
sanction  of  the  California  authorities  could  be  obtained, 
but  not  otherwise.  The  Russians  offered  to  sell  Bo- 
dega for  $30,000,  with  1,500  sheep  at  one  and  a  half 
dollars  cash,  and  3,000  cattle  and  horses  at  ten  dollars 
each.  Etholin  had  sugar  enough  to  last  him  four 
years,  but  he  would  take  some  blankets,  and  agree  to 
furnish  two  hundred  pairs  of  Finland  slioes  at  five 
shillings  each.  Douglas  offered  to  grind  part  of  their 
wheat  into  fine  flour,  but  Etholin  replied  that  his 
people  did  not  use  much  fine  flour.  The  question  of 
selhng  arms  and  alcohol  to  savages  was  opened  and 
closed  without  effecting  anything;  the  Sitka  people 
did  so  love  liquor,  and  arms  were  essential  to  success- 
ful hunting.  As  to  next  year's  supply  of  provisions, 
the  Russians  would  want  one  hundredweiglit  of  but- 
ter; if  they  did  not  sell  Bodega,  they  could  there  cure 


DOUGLAS  AND  ETHOLIN. 


all  the  beef  they  would  require ,  they  would  receive 
<;rain  in  California  if  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company 
would  pay  the  freight  to  Sitka. 

Thus  these  dignitaries  dickered,  each  holding  the 
otlier's  business  methods  in  contempt.  Douglas  here 
growls  over  several  pages.  The  two  Kussian  estab- 
lishments visited  by  him  were  crowded  with  lazy 
and  idle  officers  and  men.  It  was  bad,  the  appoint- 
ing of  naval  officers  to  the  command,  who  know 
nothing  of  the  service ;  it  was  bad  having  officers 
Avholly  uncpialificd  for  business  undertakings,  wliose 
t(;rm  of  service  was  only  five  years,  and  who  drew  ]iay 
from  both  the  government  and  the  fur  company.  Fif- 
teen vessels  wei'e  kept  constantly  alloat  in  the  Rus- 
sian service,  and  six  thousand  dollars  were  expended 
annually  for  provisions.  The  seal  islands  were  not  so 
l)r(tductive  as  formerlv,  and  thev  were  now  obliiifed  to 
pursue  a  course  of  mirsing,  <)nl3'  fifteen  thousand  of 
the  superfluous  young  males  being  now  allowed  to  Ijo 
killed  annually.  Twenty-five  tliousand  beaver  and 
otter  were  traded  each  year,  at  a  ncit  profit  not  to  ex- 
<'eed  twenty  per  cent  on  the  capital  employed.  Their 
furs  were  mostly  exchanged  on  the  China  frontier  ftr 
teas,  at  the  rate  of  seventy-five  roubkss,  or  fifteen  dol- 
lars, for  otter,  and  fifteen  roubles  for  beaver.  In  all 
which  Douglas  doubtless  was  right. 

Returning  to  Stikeen,  a  misunderstanding  arose 
between  Douglas,  conunander  of  the  i^x})edition,  and 
McNeill,  ca[)tain  of  the  steamer,  a  brief  account  of 
which  will  best  illustrate  the  nuitual  relations  and 
duties  of  these  officials  in  the  company's  service. 

The  hours  of  labor  were  from  six  to  six.  Jn  taking 
on  wootl,  Saturday,  the  'M)t\\  of  May,  Douglas,  being 
anxious  to  expedite  afiairs,  ordered  work  continu(Hl 
until  nine  o'clock  at  niglit.  The  captain  disliked  to 
drive  the  men  so  hard,,  lest  they  should  coni[)lain, 
and  reasonably,  as  it  was  against  the  rules  of  the 
ship.  Prayers  were  held  on  Sunday  between  one  and 
two,  and   after   further   resting    until  four,  Douglas 


■il'  ;  ii: 


70 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  DOMAIN. 


ordered  the  wooding  to  proceed,  the  captain  remain- 
ing as]  lore  all  day  in  an  ill  humor.  Next  morning 
McN(  ill  was  more  angry  than  ever,  and  on  encoun- 
tering Douglas  in  the  cabin,  addressed  him  in  an  agi- 
tated manner. 

"Mr  Douglas,  if  you  interfere  with  the  duties  of 
the  ship,  I  will  lca\  -  her  as  soon  as  we  get  to  Fort 
Simpson." 

"In  what  instance  sir  have  I  interfered  with  the 
ship's  duties?" 

"In  various  ways." 

"You  would  oblige  me,  sir,  by  more  explicit  infor- 
mation. It  was  certainly  never  m}'  intention  to  do 
anything  on  board  this  ship  to  diminish  the  respect 
due  to  you.  However,  in  my  ignorance  of  naval 
routine,  I  may  have  inadvertently  trespassed  on  some 
point  of  etiquette,  and  I  wish  you  to  point  it  out,  that 
I  may  avoid  it  in  future." 

"The  mate,  an  hour  ago,  asked  me  whose  orders  he 
should  obey — ^yours  or  mine." 

"Call  him.  Sir,  why  did  you  put  such  a  qusstion 
to  the  captain?" 

"Because  you  gave  me  several  orders  yesterday 
when  the  captain  was  ashore." 

"Did  I  ever  tell  you,  sir,  to  disobey  the  captain's 
wders?" 

"No,  sir." 

"Well,  sir,  you  have  acted  very  improperly,  and  in 
a  manner  more  l)ccoming  an  inmate  of  the  forecastle 
than  a  gentleman  and  an  officer." 

"Very  well,  I  will  go  away." 

"Go  to  the  devil,  sir,  if  you  please." 

♦'Captain  McNeill,  I  refuse  duty,"  exclaimed  the 
mccce,  as  he  left  the  cabin  and  went  on  deck.  Douglas 
followed  him,  and  ordered  him  back  to  the  cabin  The 
mate  moved  slowly  and  reluctantly.  Douglas  was 
very  angry.  Seizing  in  his  powerful  grasp  the  collar 
of  the  mate's  jacket,  he  shook  him  as  he  would  have 
done  a  school-boy. 


EXPLORATION  OF  THE  TAKO. 


n 


"Would  you  lay  violent  hands  on  me?"  shouted  the 
mate.  Instantly  remembering  himself,  Douglas  re- 
leased his  hold,  and  the  man  marched  quietly  into  the 
<'abin.  Douglas  then  assured  the  officers  that  he  had 
no  intention  of  interfering  with  their  duties,  hut  should 
he  deem  it  necessary  at  any  time  to  issue  orders, 
they  nmst  be  obeyed  by  every  person  in  the  company's 
service,  master  and  mate  included.  Mr  Work  was 
now  in  charge  of  Fort  Simpson,  and  Rae  of  Stikeen. 

While  at  the  former  place  a  few  days,  the  ship 
Vancourcr  arrived,  whereupon  Doviglas  was  perplexed 
what  disposition  to  make  of  the  vessels,  Avhich  were 
needed  at  once  at  the  Columbia  for  gen(!ral  scn'vice, 
and  there  ujion  the  north  coast  to  assist  in  making 
ready  tlie  uvw  establishments.  He  finally  concluded 
to  send  both  the  sailing  vessel  and  the  steamer  to 
deliver  the  outfits  at  Stikeen  and  Tako;  tlience  to 
proceed  to  Sitka,  returning  to  Simpson,  when,  if 
Work  deemed  it  necessary,  he  might  ship  his  furs  to 
Fort  Vancouver,  meanwhile  landing  the  outfit  for 
Fort  McLoutifhlin,  and  touchinsj:  on  the  coast  below 
for  trade,  that  is  to  say,  if  a  vessel  unprovided  with 
boarding-nettings,  as  was  the  ra7icouvcr,  might  do  so 
with  safety. 

This  plan  Douglas  proceeded  to  put  into  innnediate 
execution,  still  retaining  his  place  on  board  the  Beaver, 
with  Roderick  Finlays(ni  of  the  party.  Arriving  at 
Stephens  Passages  on  the  17th  of  June,  In  the  ixhvv- 
noon  of  the  same  day  he  set  out  with  two  armed 
boats  and  twenty  men  to  explore  the  Tako  River  to  a 
distance  of  thirty-five  miles,  where  his  instructions 
informed  him  was  to  be  placed  the  post  of  Tako. 
Three  days  were  occupied  in  this  expedition.  The 
higher  elevations  everywhere  were  covered  with  ice 
and  snow,  the  lower  level  with  green  grasses  and  flow- 
ering plants  in  full  bloom.  So  strangely  beautiful  was 
it,  so  singular  the  contrast  betwecm  tho  heavenly  des- 
olation and  the  earthly  paradise,  tliat  Douglas  called 
it  Eden.     Yet  so  swift  and   dangerous  was  the  cur- 


72 


OCCUPATION  OP  THE  DOMAIN. 


rent,  moreover  being  blocked  by  ice  during  the  winter, 
that  Douglas  finally  decided  not  to  place  the  fort  far 
up  the  river,  but  to  build  it  where  an  intelligent  native 
had  directed  him,  some  twenty  miles  south  of  Point 
Salisbury.  Pickets  and  block-houses  were  quickly 
thrown  up,  and  a  salute  fired  on  the  fourth  of  July  an- 
nounced the  guns  in  place.  Trading  •  began,  but  it 
was  not  wholly  satisfactory,  the  savages  being  so  ab- 
sorbed in  dealing  in  slaves,  who  were  brought  from 
a  distance  and  used  in  commerce  as  a  sort  of  currency, 
that  they  had  but  few  skins  left  to  buy  whiskey  with. 
Arrived  at  Tako  the  12th  of  August  the  Cadhoro, 
bringing  news  from  all  the  coast  stations.  Discharg- 
ing and  receiving  her  cargo  she  soon  set  sail  on  her 
return  voyage,  Fort  Vancouver  being  her  destina- 
tion, while  Nisqually  was  that  of  the  Beavei:  Be- 
fore leaving  these  parts  Douglas  made  a  short  cruise 
into  the  neighboring  inlets  to  exhort  the  savaijces  to 
bring  their  skins  to  Tako  and  buy  some  tobacco  and 
blankets  with  them,  and  not  waste  tliom  on  iiltliy 
human  beings.  A  lengthy  account  is  given  in  his 
journal  by  Douglas,  of  the  occurrences  at  the  several 
stations  during  ])is  return  trip,  which  it  is  needless 
for  me  to  reproduce.  Year  after  year  the  company's 
vessels,  with  but  little  variation  and  with  few  inci- 
dents worth  recording,  coasted  up  and  down,  supply- 
ing the  stations,  and  trading  on  the  vessel's  deck 
where  no  posts  were  established.  During  the  follow- 
ing winter,  1840-1,  Douglas  visited  California  to  pur- 
chase grain  and  send  overland  to  the  Columbia  a  largo 
herd  of  live-stock. 


Much  has  been  written  on  the  climates,  physical  features,  natural  wealth, 
aborigines,  and  occupation  of  the  Northwest  Coast.  I  have  given  in  the  two 
preceding  chapters  but  an  outline.  A  volume  would  not  exhaust  tho  sub- 
ject. I  am  obliged,  therefore,  to  refer  those  desirous  of  further  information 
upon  the  subject  to  other  works,  among  which  after  my  Native  Races  of  the 
Piicijic  Statea  and  the  former  volumes  of  this  Ilistory  of  the  Pacific  States, 
I  may  mention  tlio  following :  A.  C.  Anderson,  who  in  his  Northwest  Coast, 
MS.,  22&-32,  discusses  the  climates  of  Stuart  Lake  and  of  Victoria,  and  dc* 


AUTHOIUTIES  ON  PHYSICAL  FEATUliKS. 


73 


'inter, 
>rt  far 
native 
Point 
Liickly 
ily  an- 
but  it 
so  ab- 
froni 
Tcncy, 
7  with. 
idboro, 
icbarg- 
on  her 
cstina- 
.     Bc- 
cruise 
ages  to 
;co  and 
L  lilthy 
in  his 
several 
cedless 
ipany's 
,Y  inci- 
upply- 
deck 
bllow- 
bo  pur- 
ix  largo 


^1  wealth  I 

the  two 

tho  8ub- 

lorniatioii 

ces  of  the 

Kc  States, 

ipst  Coast, 

ami  de- 


votes a  large  part  of  liia  prize  essay  oii  The  Dominion  of  tine  Went  to  the 
p;e()graphical  features  of  both  islands  and  maiiiliind. 

On  tho  conriguratiou  and  climate  of  Vancouver  I^jland,  sue  Forhes'  Essay, 
(i'2,  tho  harbors  particularly;  Pemliertons  V.  1.,  118,  150,  on  timber;  MoffaCs 
Jour.,  ill  Id.,  14(5,  Itfl,  natural  products;  lloretzhys  Cancilf.  on  the  Pacific, 
passim;  JliUlmis  Gniiic  li.  C,  passim,  on  both  islands  and  mainland;  JIac- 
donaliVs  Lecture,  4:1-4;  Ifazlltl's  B.  C,  217-18;  Pook's  Queen  Charlotte  Islands, 
58-01,  for  a  good  description  fif  tho  harbors  of  Vancouver  Island  and  tlio  main- 
luiul  f)ppositc;  Martins  If.  li.,  .'52-'),  copying  Wai-re  and  Vavasours  I'cport, 
for  physical  aspect  and  resources  of  tho  island;  Brit.  X.  Am.,  30G-9,  for 
game,  timber,  fish,  fur,  and  coal.  Victor  says,  Oreijon,  2r)4,  that  thero  is  but 
littlo  good  land  on  tho  i.'land,  though  slieep-raising  is  carried  on  largely. 
Tho  wealth  of  the  island,  is  in  its  timber,  coal,  and  iisheries;  probably  gohl, 
cojjpc.T,  .and  salt  miglit  bo  renmnerative.  fJ^rant,  London  Geo'j.  Sac,  Jour., 
xxvii.  2()8-.'520,  gives  .a  full  description,  remarking  that  tho  soil  is  'rich  where 
lIuTC  is  any. .  .the  singular  system  of  inland  seas  by  wliich  it  is  environed 
teems  with  lisli  of  every  description,'  .and  tliat  it  is  a  lino  scat  for  .a  colony. 
For  tho  western  side,  see  tho  voy.ages  of  Mearos,  Dixon,  Cook,  Sutil  y  Mcxi- 
cana,  Vancouver,  and  for  the  interior,  the  journeys  of  Mackenzie,  Lewis  and 
Clarke,  Frascr,  Stuart,  Sim^json,  Francliem,  Cox,  and  other^^,  and  al:;o  tlie 
several  geological,  geograpliical,  and  road  and  railway  explorations.  McLeod, 
Peace  I'ircr,  5-0,  states  that  tho  rivers  and  lakes  north  of  Cariboo  are  seldom 
frozen  after  !March,  even  on  tho  phiteau.  Harmon  in  \\\n  Journal,  I'Jl,  calls 
attention  to  the  raid  of  the  far  reaeliing  branches  of  I'caco  River  upon  tlio 
waters  of  tho  western  side  of  tl»e  continental  'water-shed,  botli  Findlay  and 
I'arsnip  rivers,  before  tlioir  junction,  running  along  the  western  base  of  tli^' 
mountains  with  their  stolen  moisture,  as  if  in  search  of  a  passage  tlirough. 

Uattray,  V.  /.,  22-54,  has  a  hmg  ehapter  on  the  climate  of  Vanctmver 
Island  anil  ]?ritish  Columbia,  its  salubrity  and  variations,  tho  foi'ce  ot  winds, 
temperature,  rainfall,  barometric  ranges,  with  tables  and  chart.  Also  7:5-7 
an  article  on  timber,  its  produc^e,  uses,  and  value.  Oood,  li.  ( '.,  MS.,  515-1 14, 
gives  a  long  description  of  a  trip  up  the  Fraser  l)y  steamer  to  Yale  and  thence 
by  road  to  Clinton.  An  cloepient  antl  graphic  description  is  given  of  tho 
country,  its  topographical  features  and  sceni'ry,  particularly  of  the  Kandooji, 
Nicola,  and  Oiianagan  districts.  Indeed,  1  might  gi\o  volumes  of  de»cri[(- 
tion  from  tho  hundreds  of  writers  on  tho  subject,  every  ono  of  whom  has 
something  to  say  of  tho  country  that  lie  has  either  seen  or  lieard  of.  I 
hav("  scarcely  space  in  this  volume  for  reference  even,  and  thereldre  will  con- 
dense as  much  as  possible,  and  omit  all  but  the  nmre  important.  On  general 
features  and  climate  see  firth(u',  LaiKjiriii's  Bcj^t.,  40-4;  Con.irallis'  A'i"»'  AY 
Dor<ulo,  27,  .30,  11.  .  ...irfies  V.  I.  and  B.  C,  chap,  ii.;  Dc  Snwf,  Mis.,  dr 
I'Or.,  144,  where  an  account  is  given  of  tho  twelve  voyagcurs  swallowel  in 
tho  Dalles  des  Morts  in  18I5S;  'I'reeuhnw's  Or.  ami  Vol.,  27-!);  Bii/lcrs  Xnrlli, 
Land,  1015;  Fraser's  Jd  Jour.,  -MS.,  3;  U'iii/rerillr\i  If.  B.,  psussim;  Cladmau  in 
Home  Com.  liejtt.,  18.')7,  :5!)0-2;  Chiraijo  Acad.  ScL,  i,  01-78,  more  especially 
with  reference  to  the  geology  of  tlie  Mackctizio  River;  Ilincs  Or.  awl  its 
Instit.,  7,  unil Iliiirs'  Ki:  to  Or.,  cluap.  xvi;  Dodijcs'  Plains,  passim;  Macdonald^H 
li.  C,  chap,  i.-iii. ;  Ahsarahi,  chap,  iii.,  on  Dakota-  Taylor's  Xor/hiirst  Am 


74 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  DOMAIN. 


MS.,  47,  65;  NiW  Register,  xvi.  235;  Dalles  Mountaineer,  April  4,  1868;  Mae- 
ketizie's  Hist.  Topog.,  314-15;  Cox'a  Adv.,  ii.  300-92,  about  New  Caledonia; 
TliomUm'a  Or.,  i.  chap,  xix;  Parkers  Tour,  chap,  i.;  MaUe-Dnm,  Pricia  de 
C6oij.,  vi.  310-14,  compiled  from  Vancouver,  Lewis  and  Clarke,  and  others; 
Jiichards'   V.  I.  Pilot,  1-255;  Findlays  Direct.  iV".    W.  Am.,  392-430;  Imray's 
Sailimj  Direct.  N.  W.  Am.,  23^-15,  201-312,  357-CO;  7?oioe's  Cohn.  Emp.,  i. 
117-29,  134-7;  Tolmie's  Piiget  Sotind,'^iS.,  13-14,  on  Committee's  Punch  Bowl. 
Burnett  in  liisTPcco/.,  M.S.,  i.  115-16,  tells  about  one  Black  Harris,  atrapper, 
■w'lo  claimed  to  have  discovered  a  petrified  forest  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  on 
lir.st  coming  in  sight  of  wliich  ho  had  supposed  it  a  beautiful  grove  of  gum 
timber,  '  and  so  sudden  had  been  the  petrification  that  tlie  green  loaves  wero 
all  petrified,  and  the  very  birds  that  were  tlierc  singing  in  the  grovo  were 
also  petrified  in  the  act  of  singing,  because  their  mouths  were  still  open  in 
tlio  petrified  state.'    Black  Harris  must   have   been  reading  the  Arabian 
Niijliti;  but  stranger  than  the  story  of  the  forest  is  the  fact  that  so  sensible  a 
man  as  Governor  Burnett  should  half  believe  it.     Tlie  ignorance  of  politicans 
concerning  tliis  country  is  painfully  apparent,  when  wo  see  congressman  like 
Mr  Baylies  as  late  as  1826,  men  who  claimed  knowledge  sufficiently  extra- 
ordinary and  accurate  to  warrant  a  printed  coininunication  of  the  same  to 
congress,  coolly  asserting  the  existence  of  five  establishments  subordinate  to 
Astoria,  one   '  at  tlie  moutli  of  Lewi.)  lliver,  one  at  Lantoii,  a  third  on  the 
Columbia,  six  liundred  miles  from  the  ocean  at  the  confluence  of  the  Wantana 
[.•i/f]  lliver,  a  fourtli  on  tlie  east  fork  of  Lewis  lliver,  and  the  fifth  on  tlie 
Multnomah.'    Lewis  and  Clarke  were   not  favorably  impressed  with   the 
country.     It  was  a  dreary  time  they  had  of  it.     At  the  mouth  of  the  Colum- 
bia they  saw  little  land  that  tliey  thought  fit  for  cultivation,  and  the  account 
they  gave  was  such  that,   for  twenty  year.)  after  their  visit,  Oregon  Was  re- 
garded an  almost  desert  region  fit  only  for  fur-bearing  animals  and  hungry 
savages.     So   says  Jesse  Apjilcgate   in   Soj-ton'-i  Or.    Ter.,  MS.,   142.     Con- 
tinuing f)iir  lists  of  references  there  is  Fninrhirv's  I^ar.,  229,  on  the  Columbia 
region;    Victor's  Oregon,  one  of  the  best  wor':j  tixtant  for  general  descrip- 
tion;  Townscnd's  Nar.,  07,  who  says  of  tlie  Wind  lliver  Mountains:     'Tliia 
chain  gives  rise  to  tlie  sources  of  the  Missouri,  the  Colorado  of  the  west,  and 
Lewis  River  of  the  Columbia,  and  is  the  highest  land  on  the  continent  of 
North  America,'  which  last  assertion  he  was  somewhat  premature  in  making, 
as  he  had  not  iiicasureil  all  the  elevations;  U.  S.  Ev.  H.  B.  Co.  Claims,  35-45, 
67,  on  the  soil  of  Idaho;  Frt'mont's  E.r.,  274-0;  DmujUis'  Private  Papers,  MS., 
ser.  i.  8-27,  73,  for  scenery  on  the  Columbia  and  Cowlitz;  Ross'  Fur  Hunters, 
i.  34,  70,  3.")8,  ii.  80-3,  360,  for  Okanagan,  Grrand  Conte,  Falls  of  the  Colum- 
bia, and   New  Caledonia;  Simpson's  Jotirney,  i.    150-5  et  seq.,  et  passim; 
Howard  and  Burnett's  Direct.,  1803,  192-3;  Dawson  on  Mines,  1-3;  Overland 
J'rom  Minnesota  to  Friuser  River,  passim;  Harnett's  Lert,,  42-5;  Churchill  and 
Cooper's  B.  C,  4;  Sclwyn's  Oeol.  Sur.  Rept.,  passim;  Compton's  Ah.  B.  C, 
MS.,  1-3;  De  Oroot's  B.  C,  6,  8;  Canaila  Hand  Booh,  52;  Joly's  Rept.  on  For- 
estry in  Ag.  Rept.,  1877,  1-20;   Waddington's  Overland  Route,  15;  Rawlinys' 
North  Am.,  chap,  viii.,  ix.;  McLellans  Golden  State,  632;  Johnson's  Very  Far 
West,  94;  Palmer's  North  Bentinck  Route,  passim,  on  Williama  Lake  and  Cari- 
boo; fsbister's  Proposal,  passim;  Hist.  Mag.,  March  18G3;  Land  ami   Work'* 


WRITERS  ON  THE  NATIVES 


75 


liept.,  1865;  Jour,  and  Sess.  Papers,  B.  C,  1873-4;  MaUandaim's  First  Vic. 
Direct.,  18;  Nevada  Jour.,  June  11,  1858;  Harmon'a  Jour.,  passim;  Dunn's 
Or.,  passim;  Remy  and  Bremhky,  Jour.,  ii.  509;  BulfinclCs  Or.,  156;  Win- 
ihrop's  Canoe  Jour.,  284;  Stvart's  Montana,  89-92;  W.  McD.  Dawson,  in 
Home  Com.  licpt.,  IT.  B.  Co.,  1857,  399-^02;  Wilkes  Nar.  U.  S.  Expl.  Ex., 
iv.,  passim;  McTavish's  Dep.,  passim;  Richardsons  Polar  Regions,  219-97; 
Hoopers  Tents  of  the  Ttiski,  309-80,  where  is  an  excellent  description  of  tlie 
aurora  borealis;  Gray's  Or.,  010-19;  Lee  and  Frost's  Or.,  81-95,  190-203;  /'of- 
ter'.^  Mi'isi.  Valley,  30,  180,  197-9,  252,  257. 

In  relation  to  the  j^.  jli^  v  of  the  European  fur-trailers,  settlers,  ami  mission- 
aries, besides  the  authorities  already  quoted,  I  would  mention  Roberts'  Rec. , 
MS.,  14;  Brit.  Col.  SketrMt,  MS.,  30;  Compton's  Forts,  MS.,  passim;  Tod's 
New  Caledonia,  MS.,  24-0,  29-.34;  Hancock's  Thirteen  Years,  AIS.,  359-00, 
Chinook  jargon;  McKay's  Rec,  MS.,  17-18;  Dean's  V.  I.,  MS.,  22-4;  Douij- 
las'  Primtc  Papers,  MS.,  ser  i.,  33-4,  55-6,  83;  VoioelCs  Miiiiny  Dint.,  MS., 
S-11.  Nobili,  in  De  Smet,  Miss,  de  I'Or.,  153;  Pub.  Accts.  Canada,  iii.  43; 
[laymeuts  to  natives  B.  C,  1870,  House  of  Commons  Rept.,  H.  B.  Co.,  1857, 
;ii)3-7;  Anderson,  in  Hist.  Mag.,  vii.  76;  census  carriers  and  remarks  on 
(lucrcase,  U.  S.  Ind,  Affairs  Rept.,  1809,  533-4,  558-00;  Overland  Monthly,  ii. 
200-7;  Seemann's  Voy.  Herald,  i.  104-6;  Canada  Year-Bool;  1878,  44; 
Rept.  Drpt.  Int.,  1875,  xlvi.  44-0;  Indian  reservations,  Columbia  Missiou, 
various  reports;  Kirchhoff,  Reisehilder,  ii.  81;  B.  C,  Journal  and  Sejis.  Pap., 
I,  1874,  passim,  and  Rept.  1875,  673;  2'ith  Cong.  3d  Sess.,  House  Com.  Rept 
101,  41;  FitzgeraWs  H.  B.  Co.,  chap,  vii.;  Douglas'  Addresses  and  Met.}., 
68;  Armstrong's  Or.,  25-6;  U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  passim;  Sluis'a  Courier, 
Dec.  24,  1864;  Isbister,  in  Jfouse  Com.  Rept.,  H.  B.  Co.,  1857,  123;  McKin- 
lai/s  Nar.,  MS.,  13-14;  Simpsons  Nar.,  i.  210;  Allen's  Cont.,  MS.,  20;  FoH 
Simpson  Journal,  MS.,  11;  Sproat's  Scenes,  passim;  Simmons,  in  U.  S.  Ev. 
IT.  B.  Co.  Claims,  134. 

As  to  original  populations  in  these  parts.  Lieutenants  Warre  and  Vavasour 
ill  their  report  of  the  20th  of  October,  1845,  give  the  census  of  the  tribes  in- 
lialiiting  the  Oregon  Territory  between  the  forty-second  and  fifty-fourth  par- 
allels and  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  at  86,947.  This  census  was  made  up 
from  the  trading-lists  of  the  several  stations,  and  from  other  good  authority. 
Of  the  number  named,  11,079  were  arrived  at  by  estimate,  and  75,868  by  ac- 
curate census.  The  last  named  consisted  of  33,950  males,  35,182  females, 
1,584  children  under  twelve,  and  5,146  slaves. 

Lord,  B.  C.  Naturalist,  ii.  220,  estimates  the  native  copulation  of  Van- 
couver Island  and  British  Columbia  in  1800  at  30,000.  In  the  United  States 
the  numbers  have  fallen  from  2,000,000  to  300,000.  Douglas,  Private  Papers, 
MS.,  ser.  ii.,  7-33,  gives  census  tables  of  native  British  Columbia  populations 
of  the  several  districts  in  columns  showing  heads  of  families,  women,  canoes, 
guns,  etc.,  most  of  which  are  for  the  years  1838-9.  These  statistics  were 
found  very  useful  to  the  Company  in  its  commercial  operations.  Kane,  Wan- 
derings of  an  Artist,  also  gives  tables  of  population,  all  which  are  contra- 
dictory and  unsatisfactory. 

Aboriginal  British  Columbia,  by  P,  N  Compton,  is  a  manuscript  of  120 
pages,  filled  with  interesting  and  valuable  detail  concerning  the  geography. 


76 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  DOMAIN. 


natural  wealth,  and  native  inhabitants  of  the  country.  Most  of  it  is  the  re- 
sult of  personal  observation.  The  style  is  plain,  simple,  anil  practical,  com- 
mon sense  characterizing  every  page.  It  is  probably  the  most  complete  work 
cxtiint  on  the  aborigines,  particular  attention  lieing  given  as  well  to  their 
fisheries,  game,  food,  and  commerce  as  to  their  character,  customs,  and  lan- 
guages. Not  tlic  least  interesting  part  of  the  work  is  a  division  on  the  natural 
history  of  this  region,  devoted  chiefly  to  the  bear  tribe. 

For  fort-dwellers,  settlers,  and  missionary  stations  I  would  refer  more 
especially  to  McLouijhlini*  Prirate  I'a}>ers,  MS.,  ser.  i.  1;  Saxton's  Or.  Ter., 
MS.,  38;  the  observations  of  Wilkes  aiul  Simpson  before  quoted.  Belcher, 
Vol/.,  i.  301,  mentions  as  occupying  the  Willamette  Valley  24  Canadians,  20 
American  stragglers,  mostly  from  California,  and  ten  Methodist  clergymen 
and  teachers.  The  live  vessels  performing  the  coast  service  were  the  bark 
Coluiiiliiii,  310  tons,  6  gims,  and  24  men;  the  bark  Vaticoiiver,  324  tons,  G 
guns,  aiul  24  men;  ship  Nereid,  283  tons,  10  guns,  and  26  men;  scliooner 
Citi/lioro,  71  tons,  4  guns,  and  12  men;  and  steamer  Beoivr,  10!)  tons,  5  guns, 
and  2(}  men.  See  also  y/oK.vr  Cowwiow*  Refiirnsfn  Three  Adilre.tsea,!;  MeKityn 
llec,  MS.,  2;  F\i,Uvj,'*on's  V.  I.  nml  X.  C,  MS.,  l)t)-l;  TolmieH  JIht.  Pio/et 
Soiaiil,  MS.,  r)!)-(50;  ;J/,/h  Comj.  J.if.  Se.«  ,  Senate  Doe.  JC,..',  27-30,  ill.;  Kmn^' 
Ulxt.  Or.,  MS.,  xxi. 

McKinlay  states,  Xarratire,  MS.,  13-15,  that  Waiiquille  River  Wii.s 
named  after  the  Indian  chief  Wanquillo,  and  Nicola  Lake  after  the  chief  of 
the  Okanagans  who  lived  there.  MoT.eod,  in  MeDoiudd's  Jour.,  113,  states 
tliat  Tt'te  .Jaune  Cache  at  Yellowhead  or  Leather  Tass  derived  its  name 
from  the  fact  that  the  Hudson '.s  Bay  Company,  re(|uiring  largt;  quantities 
of  leather  for  their  carrying  service  in  tluj  Cnhunbia,  Tliompsou  llivor,  and 
New  Caledonia  di.striils,  brought  from  the  eastern  side  by  tliis  pass  dressed 
moo.se  ami  deer  skins  which  were  here  cached  for  convenienci'.  Two  miles 
below  Fort  Vancouver  the  country  was  called  Cox's  Plain,  '  from  Old  Cox, 
the  H.  H.  Co.  swineherd,  who  had  liis  residence  there  among  tlie  oaks, 
as  mentioned  in  a  former  volume.  Hines,  Ex.  Or.,  says  that  ten  miles  soutli- 
west  of  Corvallis  rises  the  most  beautiful  mountain  of  the  ('oa.st  Range, 
Mary's  Peak.  Among  a  party  travelling  in  that  vicinity  in  early  times  was 
Mary,  an  Indian  woman,  tlui  wife  of  a  white  man.  In  crossing  a  river  here- 
about, her  mule  threw  her,  and  she  narrowly  escaped  drowning;  in  compen- 
sation for  which  disaster  both  river  and  mountain  were  honored  by  her  nan\i'. 
Indian  tradition  says  that  the  falls  at  tlie  I )allcs  were  once  so  great  that  fi-li 
could  not  scale  them;  also  tliat  from  Swalalahhost  Mountain  south-east  of 
i'^oung  Bay,  tlunuler  and  smoke  once  issued;  also  that  the  waters  at  tlie  ('ar- 
cades on  the  Colundjia  once  llowed  snumthly  and  ■without  o))stacle  beneatli 
lines  of  projecting  rocks  until  they  fell;  over  since  which  time  the  water  has 
stumbled  over  tliem;  also,  that  the  chasm  at  the  Ualles  was  once  arched  over, 
and  M'as  subse([uently  rent  by  an  earthquake.  Mt  St  Helens  is  siitl  to  have 
enipteil  in  1831 ,  The  TacuUies  called  the  reindeer  of  their  region  hotsec- 
kaya;  the  Ctauadian  voyageurs,  caribou,  whence  the  name  of  the  Cariboi> 
country.  Many  years  ago  the  lieaver  Indians  iidiahited  the  country  round 
the  rivers  Beaver  and  Athabasca,  formerly  Elk,  and  lakes  Deer  and  Wollas- 
ton.     Then  came  the  Knisteneaux,  th((  most  warlike  and  powerful  people  in 


f  it  is  tlio  re- 
actical,  com- 
(inplete  work 
^-ell  to  their 
ms,  and  laii- 
n  the  natural 

I  refer  more 
'h's  Or.  Ter., 
tl.  Belcher, 
'anadians,  20 
it  clergymen 
ere  the  l)ark 

.TJ4  tons,  G 
en;  schooner 
;ons,  5  guns, 
,  7;  McKay  K 

in.f(.  Putjet 
',  ill.;  ErayiH 


NOMENCLATURE 

77 

all  these  parts,  and  drove  the  Beavers   +,.,r,.fi.  •..    .,    . 

Slaves,  .lown  the  Athabasca  I  i^t  ami  W^  '^^^^^  '"'«''^°-  *''" 

called  Lake  of  the  Hills.  ThenrLriavT  ,  1"  "^"''^''^^'^  I-''«.  «"c-o 
Slave  Lake,  thus  ^^.^^^Ji:^:^^^^^^^^  to 
turned  mto  Teacc  Rver  whfw  „r,,.„  -x    "  '  ""'"^  "''"le.     1  ho  Beavers 

they  halted  and  .nado  L^  ^rtlt':  "'  '"  f  ^'"'  ^'^"^  '''  "-">. 
boundary,  from  which  cirelltoLe  t  L  1'"'"'  'i"'^'"  *'"  '"'"*  *'"'" 
the  river  Unjigah  or  Peace  RTver  ^         ''*'  '"^^"^  ^'*''^^«  ^'"i"*'  >^^ 


River   was 
the  chief  of 
,  1 1 3,  states 
ul  its  name 
e  quantities 
1  River,  and 
[)ass  dressed 
Two  miles 
tri  Old  Cox, 
;   tlie  oaks, 
miles  soutli- 
last  Range, 
y  times  was 
L  river  hero- 
in oompon- 
y'  her  name, 
at  tliat  iUh 
uith-east  oT 
attiieCas- 
L'le  heneatli 
e  water  lias 
rchcd  over, 
iiid  to  have 
ion  hotsee- 
ho  Cariboo 
ntry  round 
iid  AVollas- 
1  people  in 


CHAPTER  rV. 


CAMOSUN  AND  ESQUIMALT. 

1842. 

Necessities  of  a  Northern  Metropolitan  Post — Encroachments  of  Set- 
tlers ON  THE  Columbia — The  Dividing  Line — Growing  Importance 
of  Agriculture — The  Question  of  Locality — A  Northern  Kendi-z- 
vous  FOR  Whalers — The  Southern  End  of  Vancouver  Island — Irs 
Advantageous  Position — Douglas  Survey^,  the  Harbors — Camosun 
and  Esquimalt  Compared — Report  of  Douglas. 

Several  causes  united  at  this  juncture  to  render 
necessary  the  building  of  a  metropolitan  post  some- 
where to  the  northward. 

When  John  McLoughlin  came  to  Astoria  in  1824, 
he  saw  at  once  that  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  was 
not  the  proper  place  for  the  chief  factory,  or  general 
distributing  depot  of  his  company  on  the  Northwest 
Coast.  Here  as  elsewhere  the  adventurers  of  Eng- 
land trading  into  Hudson  Bay  must  have  absolute 
control  of  the  country,  its  lands  and  waters,  its  forests 
and  prairies,  its  aborigines  and  its  wild  beasts.  It 
must  be  all  or  nothing.  Competition  might  be  en- 
dured along  the  seaboard  where  the  savages  were 
blood-thirsty  and  jealous,  and  where  the  silent  sailing 
of  the  ships  neither  disturbed  the  game  nor  mate- 
rially changed  the  relative  attitude  of  the  inhabitants. 
Astoria  might  be  the  best  location  for  a  fortress  in 
repelling  foreign  invasion,  but  there  was  something 
more  to  be  feared  than  foreign  invasion.  In  fact,  the 
thought  of  forcible  entry  from  the  sea  in  such  numbers 
as  to  do  much  injury  gave  little  concern.  Game  must 
be  preserved  and  the  native  hunters  controlled.    This 

178) 


QUARRELS  OP  THE  FUR-TRADERS. 


79 


could  be  done  only  by  keeping  others  away ;  all  others 
rxcept  members  of  the  monopoly;  for  their  own  coun- 
trymen, English,  Scotch,  and  Irish,  as  wc  have  often 
<)]),scrvcd,  were  as  bitterly  detested  as  opponents  as 
wore  the  Kus.sians  or  Americans — instance  tlio  long 
and  bitter  rivalry  of  the  Northwest  Company,  culmi- 
nating in  the  bloody  fueds  of  Red  liiver.' 


'Fully  to  realize  the  extent  to  wliich  this  brotherly  hate  was  ciirrieil, 
one  should  have  been  jn-eaent  at  a  iiieet'ug  of  the  clans  iit  York  Factory 
or  Fort  William  ininiediatdy  after  the  coalition.  IJoforo  me  is  a  vivid 
account  of  one  such  meeting,  early  in  the  summer  of  Ki'J'J,  at  the  former 
j)08t,  forwhich  I  am  indebted,  among  other  kindnesses,  to  Mr  .Tohn  Tod.  Tlie 
liittemessof  the  Northwesters  was  somewhat  intensilied  because  of  their  sup- 
|)oaeil  defeat,  though,  as  a  nuatter  of  fact,  they  were  less  defeated  than  tlieir 
«il)l)onents.  The  loss  of  their  name,  and  the  scattering  of  the  hitherto  proud 
and  powerful  Montreal  associates,  gave  the  retainers  of  the  old  chartered  com- 
l)atiy  an  opportunity  to  assume  superiority,  of  wliich  tliey  did  not  hesitate  to 
make  avail.  A  dinner  at  York  Factory  in  those  days  was  closely  akin  to  a 
tragedy.  There  were  the  h.aughty  Highliuulers  of  tlie  Northwest  Company, 
and  the  equally  independent  servants  of  the  Hudson's  Ikiy  ( 'ompany,  stalking 
tlie  sondire  halls  of  the  dilapidated  fortress,  and  glaring  deadly  scorn  from 
under  shaggy  eyebrows  as  paths  met.  Company  colors  were  still  bravely 
tiaunted,  the  former  arrayed  in  gray,  the  latter  in  blue.  At  the  sounding  of 
tlie  hell,  seventy  or  eighty  of  these  two  kindred  souls  marched  promiscuously 
into  the  dining-hall  and  stood  along  the  walls  in  sullen  silence,  jealously 
watching  colors  in  the  appointnicuts  of  place  and  precedence.  But '  that  crafty 
fox.  Sir  George  Simi>son,  as  my  friend  of  the  grays  calls  him,  was  liajipy  with 
his  small  talk  and  diplomacy,  and  presently  the  party  was  seated.  Brought 
thus  into  yet  nearer  and  more  nervous  conjii  ■  tion,  it  was  interesting  to  sec; 
them  hivndling  the  knives  intended  for  cutting  their  meat,  but  seemingly  it 
would  have  given  greater  satisfaction  to  have  applied  them  to  the  throat  of 
their  fh-d-riK.  There  was  blind  McDonnel  savagely  blinking  at  his  enemy  of 
Swan  Kiver,  Chief  Factor  Kennedy,  whom  ho  had  fought  with  naked  sword 
within  these  three  months,  and  who  still  carried  marks  of  tlie  encounter  upon 
his  face.  'I  shall  never  forget  the  looks  of  scorn  and  deliance,' says  my 
friend,  'as  their  eyes  met.  The  Highlander's  nostrils  expanded;  he  snorted, 
S(|uirted,  and  sjiat,  while  the  other  looked  all  that,  and  more.'  At  either  end 
<if  the  table  sat  the  respective  chiefs  of  the  lately  opposing  companies.  Sir 
<leorge  Simpson  and  Simon  MeOillivray,  who  intcrposeil  wine  and  good  cheer 
between  the  would-be  combatiuits  with  such  polished  stratagem  as  to  save 
the  dining-hall  the  scene  of  open  hostilities.  Indeed,  under  the  Hudson's 
]{ay  governor  preceding  Simpson,  the  bluU'  and  rugged  Williams,  whose 
ultimate  appeal  in  matters  of  dispute  w;is  al""iys  war,  the  coalition  would 
scarcely  have  been  achieved.  'Immediately  oii  the  right  of  McCiillivray,' 
continues  the  gray,  speaking  of  this  special  occasion,  '  sat  that  llexible  char- 
acter, Mcintosh,  his  ever-shifting  countenance  and  restless  black  eye  in<lieat- 
ing  that  nature  had  designed  him  for  the  harbingi'r  of  plots,  treasons,  and 
stratagems.  I  allude  to  the  same  who,  some  years  before,  in  I'eace  Kiver, 
tried  hard  to  poison  poor  little  Yale,  but  could  not  succeed,  for  so  iiivuliicra- 
lile  had  the  integuments  of  the  latter's  stomach  become  by  long  aeijuaintaiieo 
^vitll  the  tough  tare  of  that  inhospitable  stop-mother.  New  Caleiloiiia,  that  the 
diabolical  attempt  altogether  failed.  Directly  in  front  of  Mcintosh  sat  liis 
gallant  enemy  of  the  preceding  winter,  the  pompous  but  good-natured  .loliii 
I  lark,  with  neckerchief  and  shirt-collar  always  up  to  his  ears,  and  his  head 
above  the  level  of  ordinary  men. '  I  may  remark  that  the  two  leaders,  Mclritosh 


80 


CAMOSUN  AND  ESQUIMALT. 


But  to  protect  the  dusky  children  of  their  adoption, 
to  watch  white  interlopers,  to  prevent  the  too  rapid 
slaughter  of  fur-bearing  animals,  and  to  delay  settle- 
ment, a  location  more  central  than  the  seaboard  was 
deemed  advisable.  Hence  head-quarters  had  been 
removed  up  the  river,  near  the  head  of  ocean  naviga- 
tion, and  near  the  mouth  of  a  largo  river  flowing  in 
through  the  fertile  Valley  Willamette,  from  far  to 
the  southward.  The  northern  bank  of  the  Columbia 
had  been  chosen,  that  should  this  stream  prove  event- 
ually the  boundary  line  between  British  and  American 
Pacific  domain,  as  was  then  thought  probable,  the 
chief  post  of  the  company  might  still  be  found  planted 
within  British  possessions. 

In  1824  agriculture  also  began  to  assume  impor- 
tance in  fur-trading  circles.  The  subordinate  estab- 
lishments, of  which  there  were  a  score  or  so  on  the 
Pacific  slope,  needed  supplies.  The  servants  of  the 
company  were  no  longer  satisfied  to  trust  entirely  for 
food  to  the  game  which  they  might  kill  or  purchase. 
Some  of  the  interior  forts  might,  it  is  true,  and  did, 
cultivate  vegetable  patches,  and  Colville  raised  no  in- 
considerable quantities  of  grain  and  live-stock.  But 
every  locality  was  not  suited  to  growing  grain ;  further- 
more, mills  were  necessary,  and  the  more  the  occu- 
pants of  the  several  posts  cumbered  themselves  with 
the  paraphernalia  of  civilized  life,  the  more  their  traffic 
was  impeded.  But  the  central  establishment  might 
very  properly  and  profitably  turn  some  attention  to 
agriculture,  and  while  securing  land  to  themselves 
prevent  its  falling  into  the  hands  of  others.     It  was 

and  Clark,  each  on  his  respective  side,  •«  re  for  several  years  close  neighbors, 
and  constituted  the  advance  guard  of  th  t  fierce  rivalry  which  so  long  kept 
the  fur-traders  in  a  turmoil.  It  was  only  ithin  the  past  six  months  that  after 
a  long  day's  march,  side  by  side  on  sno  hoes,  they  had  agreed  to  settle  a 
dispute  by  combat ;  and  across  the  blazi  camp-fire  that  night  lively  pistol- 
lings  began,  which  were  unfortunately  ini 
These  festive  occasions,  however,  greatly 
which  could  not  long  continue  after  their  p 
before  this  present  York  Factory  feast  is 
with  his  late  jailer  who  had  burned  brin- 

thus  giving  him  a  somewhat  unpalatable  ioretaste  of  what  might  be  bis  fata 
hereaiter. 


•fered  with  by  their  companions, 
sisted  in  healing  personal  feuds, 
uniary  interests  became  one;  for 
ver  we  see  McVicor  taking  wine 
one  and  phosphorus  in  his  cell. 


CHANliK  OF  LOCALITY  FOR  IIKAD  yUAUTEUS. 


81 


option, 
»  rapid 

settle- 
,rd  was 
1  been 
naviga- 
ving  in 

far  to 
)lumbia 
)  event- 
nerican 
ble,  the 
planted 

impor- 
e  estab- 
on  the 
i  of  the 
irely  for 
urchasc. 
and  did, 
id  no  in- 
k.     But 
further- 
tic  occu- 
cs  with 
lir  traffic 
It  might 
ition  to 
msolves 
It  was 

neighbors, 
b  long  kept 
[s  that  after 
1  to  settle  a 
vely  pistol- 
lompanions. 
onal  feuds, 
ne  one;  for 
t,king  wine 
In  his  cell, 
[be  his  fate 


wise  policy  on  the  j)art  of  McLouglilin  and  his  asso- 
cijitoa  to  move  their  Pacific  licad-quarters  from  Astoria; 
and  all  tilings  considered,  the  site  of  Fort  Vancouver 
was  as  well  chosen  as  was  then  possible. 

And  now  in  1843  a  second  move  seemed  no  less 
necessary  than  had  the  first  in  1824.  Tlie  ownership 
of  the  territory  was  still  in  dispute.  Settlers  from 
th(>  United  States  and  elscwh(>re  W(Te  coming  in,  and 
the  land  ci)uld  no  longer  be  kept  wholly  as  a  game 
preserve.  The  rej)resentatives  of  two  powerful  nations 
occupied  in  common  by  agreement.  In  the  very  nature 
of  things,  this  partnership  must  be  dissolved.  In  sen- 
timent and  in  policy  the  subjects  and  citizens  of  the 
two  powers  were  to  some  extent  an^^j^onistic.  Still 
more  were  the  private  interests  of  the  fur  company, 
who,  down  to  near  the  present  time,  had  singly  domi- 
nated this  common  territory,  oppugnant  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  incoming  agriculturists.  Some  day,  and 
that'  not  far  tiistant,  either  with  war  or  without  war, 
there  would  be  drawn  the  dividing  line;  and  that 
line  it  was  now  certain  would  not  be  south  of  the 
('oluinbia,  though  it  was  possible  the  lower  Columbia 
might  be  upon  that  line. 

But  in  any  event,  whether  the  territory  was  divided 
soon  or  late,  whether  the  forty-sixth  or  the  forty-ninth 
juirallcl  should  separate  the  ownership  of  the  two 
nations,  it  was  no  less  important  that  the  head- 
(juarters  of  the  fur  company  should  be  moved.  It 
was  impossible  to  prevent  settlement;  it  was  impos- 
sible to  treat  settlers  as  enemies,  for  the  officers  and 
servants  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Co'mpany  were,  as  a 
rule,  just  and  humane  men.  Nor  was  it  any  the  less 
impossible  to  conduct  a  successful  peltry  business  in 
the  face  of  increasing  settlement.  For  several  years 
l)ast  these  ideas  had  been  patent  in  the  minds  of  all 
who  thought  upon  the  subject. 

Having  determined  upon  the  necessity  of  a  move, 
the  next   consideration  was   the  selection  of  a  site. 

Hist.  Bbit.  Col.    6 


^^•4:! 


m  CAMOSUN  AND  ESQUIMALT. 

The  nearest  northern  post  was  Nisqually.  Too  near, 
in  fact,  for  already  the  agriculturists  were  upon  them. 
There  were  the  Cowlitz  farms;  and  round  Fort  Nis- 
qually the  Puget  Sound  Agricultural  Company  was 
rapidly  laying  wide  tracts  under  contribution.  But 
this  was  not  the  worst  of  it.  The  agricultural  im- 
provements on  Cowlitz  Plains  and  round  Nisqually 
belonged  to  the  Puget  Sound  Company,  which  be- 
longed to  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  All  this  could 
be  easily  controlled;  and  the  agricultural  interest 
might  indeed  have  been  subordinated  to  the  fur  traffic 
to  the  benefit  of  both.  For  it  need  not  necessarily 
follow  that  tlie  principal  post  of  supply  sliould  be  in 
the  centre  of  a  fur-bearin<>'  region.  But  it  was  better 
it  should  be  back  of  settlement;  and  settlement  in 
earnest  had  already  set  in  between  the  Columbia  and 
Puget  Sound.  Then  Nisqually,  while  distant  from 
the  northern  posts  'vas  likewise  distant  from  the  sea; 
and  too  much  threading  of  inlets  would  more  than 
offset  any  other  advantages  Puget  Sound  might  offer. 
But  most  of  all  to  be  considered,  Nisqually  might  be 
on  the  southern  side  of  the  line  when  the  national 
partition  should  be  made,  and  it  was  surely  desirable 
that  any  further  improvements  made  by  the  British 
fur  company  should  be  on  British  territory. 

Fort  Langley  might  next  be  considered.  The 
Frascr  was  the  next  largest  river  on  the  coast  after 
the  Columbia,  and  on  it  stood  Langley,  as  Vancouver 
stood  on  the  Columbia.  The  Fraser  could  offer  as 
abundant  a  supply  of  salmon  as  the  Columbia,  and  the 
entrance  was  as  safe.  The  Fraser  should  now  become 
the  natural  route  to  New  Caledonia,  and  Langley  was 
well  situated  to  supply  all  the  interior  posts.  But 
might  not  some  point  more  accessible  to  the  sea  be 
chosen  which  would  offer  all  tlie  other  advantaijes  of 
Langley  as  well?  The  dividing  line  once  determined 
there  would  be  little  fear  of  present  inroads  of  set- 
tlers beyond  it;  and  if  in  time  a  British  colony  within 
strictly  British  territory  and  under  British  rule  should 


.»;J«iWI*.iJa, 


WHALERS'  RENDEZVOUS. 


83 


be  established  t)ii  the  Pacific  coast,  might  not  the 
fur  company's  site  be  the  best  for  a  colonial  capital 
as  otherwise?  In  the  ordinary  course  of  things,  the 
business  of  wild-beast  raising  and  skinning  must  de- 
cHne;  and  when  it  does,  and  agriculturists  take  the 
place  of  savages,  it  would  be  as  well  for  the  proprie- 
torship of  the  metropolis  of  the  new  empire  to  vest  in 
the  company  as  in  another. 

Yet  another  consideration  miq-lit  be  regarded.  It 
so  happened  tliat  with  tlie  decline  of  the  fur-trade 
upon  the  Northwest  Coast,  the  Avhaling  interest  had 
assumed  larger  proportions.  Since  1790  there  had 
been  occasional  vessels  off  tiie  shore  of  California 
cittching  whales.  Gradually  the  number  of  these  ves- 
sels increased,  a  large  proportion  of  them  now  hailing 
from  Xew  England  ports,  until  the  present  century 
was  wellnigh  two  tliirds  gone,  when  in  the  north 
Pacific  this  fishery  was  at  its  height. 

Meanwhile  San  Francisco  Bay  had  its  Whalers' 
Harbor,  now  Sauzalito,  and  large  fisliing  fleets  con- 
gregated at  Honolulu.^  And  but  for  the  narrow  policy 
of  the  Mexican  Government  and  the  apathy  of  the 
people  of  California,  the  harbor  of  San  Francisco 
would  have  been  tlie  rendezvous  of  Pacific  whalers 
during  tlie  most  important  half-century  of  their  exist- 
ence. For,  though  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  lying  as 
they  did  in  the  very  track  betwcHMi  the  northern  and 
southern  fisheries,  we^  e  alwaj^s  easy  of  access  by 
reason  of  the  trade  winds,  nature  oifered  far  more 
bounteous  supplies  for  the  refreshing  and  refitting 
of  vessels  upon  the  mainland  tluin  at  the  Islands. 
Besides  a  plentiful  supply  of  timber  and  resin  which 
California  off*ered  for  ship-building,  hemp  grew  spon- 
taneously, and  beef  might  be  had  for  a  trifle. 

For  several  yeai's  prior  to  active  operations  in  that 
quarter,  the  southern  end  of  Vancouver  Island  had 

^In  1823,  tbrco  years  after  the  arrival  at  the  Hawaiian  Islands  of  the  first 
niissionaries,  fifty  or  sixty  whalers  might  ho  .scon  at  one  time  at  Honolulu, 
••nul  for  twenty  years  thereafter  tlic  annual  arrival  at  this  port  averaged  not 
h-.ss  than  sixty  sail.     Sim  Janv-i' Hiur.n'dit /"liim/s,  'Ml. 


84 


CAMOSUN  AND  KSQUIMALT. 


been  thought  of  and  talked  of  as  a  locaUty  suitable 
for  an  establishment.  It  was  indeed  better  adapted 
for  the  site  of  a  magnificent  city,  than  that  of  a  fur- 
trading  fort.  It  was  near  the  ocean,  and  yet  protected 
from  it.  It  was  on  the  broad  highway  between  the 
islands  and  shores  of  the  Pacific,  and  a  continental 
interior  equal  to  the  whole  of  Mexico.  It  was  at  the 
cross-roads  of  waters;  to  the  west  led  Fuca  Strait,  to 
the  south  Admiralty  Iidet,  and  to  the  north  tlie  Gulf 
of  Georgia.  Huge  islands  were  back  of  it,  and  a  huge 
continent  beside  it.  And  the  fact  that  as  a  place  alone 
whereat  to  buy  furs  it  was  not  as  desirable  as  some 
others,  shows  that  in  the  minds  of  the  shrewd  traders 
and  factors  of  the  great  comj)any  who  saw  and  seized 
this  opportunity,  it  was  something  more  than  a  mere 
trading-station. 

The  steamer  Bearer  had  not  been  on  duty  in  these 
waters  more  tlian  a  year  before  she  was  prying  into 
the  mysteries  of  Royal  Harbor.  For  in  the  Fort 
Simpson  journal  under  date  10th  August  1837,  I 
find  written:  "On  his  way  to  the  southward  (Japtain 
McNeill  explored  the  south  end  of  Vancouver  Island, 
and  found  an  excellent  harbor  and  a  fine  open  country 
along  the  sea-shore  apparently  well  adapted  for  both 
tillage  and  pasturage,  but  saw  no  river  sufficiently 
extensive  for  mills.""'  This  clearly  shows  what  was 
wanted;  not  onl}'^  a  fort  site  but  a  mill  site;  that  is  to 
say,  something  more  than  a  coimnon  trading-post. 

As  Governor  Sim[)son  passed  tlie  place  by  the 
same  conveyance  on  his  way  from  l'\)rt  Vancouver  to 
the  northern  posts  in  September  1841,  he  remarked: 
"  The  neighboring  country,  comprising  the  southern 
end  of  Vancouver's  Island,  is  well  adapted  for  culti- 
vation, for,  iji  addition  to  a  tolerable  soil  and  a  mod- 
erate climate,  it  possesses  excellent  harbours,  and 
abundance   of  timber.     It  will  doubtless  become,  in 

"The  fact  that  tliis  survey  of  Esquiinalt  and  Victoria  harbors  by  McNeill 
was  recorded  in  the  journal  of  so  distant  a  post  lu  tiiatof  I'ort  Simpson,  shows 
that  it  was  th^i  regarded  as  a  matter  tif  no  small  imx)ortaucu  to  the  company, 
and  ono  generally  speculated  upon  by  tho  ollicers. 


iJEORGE  SIMPSON. 


time,  the  most  valuable  section  of  the  whole  coast 
above  California."* 

Simpson  had  seen  this  island  twenty-three  years 
before,  immediately  after  his  overland  journey  and 
passage  down  Fraser  River  in  1828;"^  but  having  no 
need  to  think  much  about  it  at  that  time,  Fort  Van- 
couver filling  every  requirement,  he  passed  it  by  with- 
out special  conuuent.  But  now,  and  later,  during  this 
visit  of  1841,  we  find  his  mind  dwelling  upon  the 
subject,  and  connecting  it  with  that  of  a  whaling 
station  within  British  Pacific  territor}^  which  he 
believed  might  be  made  at  once  attractive  to  ship- 
masters and  profitable  to  his  company.  Surely  north- 
ern forests  were  superior  to  southern;  northern  liarbors 
equally  safe,  and  as  whaling  operations  worked  north- 
ward, a  northern  rendezvous  might  be  more  convenient. 
As  for  supplies,  if  tlie  Hudson's  Bay  Company  could 
I'urnish  the  Russians  in  America  on  terms  advan- 
tageous to  both  parties,  as  they  were  now  satisfied 
they  could,  surely  tliey  might  supply  the  whaling 
rtects  of  those  waters." 

When  Simpson  reached  England,  being  while  here 
en  route  overland  round  the  world,  he  laid  the  matter 
of  a  new  Pacific  post  before  tlie  London  directors. 
Ordinarily  in  planting  a  new  establishment  no  such 
formality  was  deemed  necessary.  But,  involving  as  it 
did  an  entire  change  of  base  in  o})erations  here,  a  vir- 

* Siiiipsoii'it  Joitniry,  i.  IS'J. 

''Goorgo  t-iniij-ioii  was  chief  oHiccr  in  America,  and  governor  of  the  Hud- 
son's  Bay  territories  for  an  nnintcrnipted  term  of  tliirty-seven  years.  He 
had  no  lixed  residence;  part  of  tlie  time  lie  spent  at  Ked  River,  part  iu 
Oregon,  part  in  Athabasca,  and  part  in  t'anathi.  Tliroughout  that  vast  eom- 
mcrcial  empire  as  well  iu  Kuj)ert  Lauil  as  in  tlie  north-west  territories,  his 
atitiiority  was  absolute,  his  will  unipKistioned  except  by  the  council  or  the 
company.  And  during  all  this  time,  if  wo  may  believe  his  own  statement,  it 
was  never  questioned.  A  very  able  nuui  of  large  physique,  ho  was  a  power 
tliroughout  the  land. 

''The  governor's  logic  M'as  sound  enough,  but  it  is  not  so  easy  to  draw 
tralhc  from  its  accustomed  channels.  Vancouver  Island  never  was  greatly 
uacl  by  whalers.  In  A'<7('.s'  JicijiMfi;  Ixx.  34  J,  mention  is  made  of  four  Amer- 
ican whaling  vessels  that  wintered  there  in  1845-0,  one  of  which  was  tlio 
Morrition  of  .Massachusetts,  and  one  the  Lnivrie,  of  Connecticut.  Six  sailors 
d(!sertiiig  from  those  ships  with  a  stolen  boat  attempted  to  land,  hut  were 
opposed  by  the  natives;  and  bo,  driven  to  sea  in  a  storm,  throe  of  them 
perished. 


86  CAMOSUN  AND  ESQUIMALT. 

tual  abandonment  of  the  Columbia,  and  the  beginning 
of  a  new  regime  under  new  conditions,  it  was  deemed 
desirable  to  have  the  advice  and  sanction  of  the  mag- 
nates of  the  corporation,  before  proceeding  with  what 
were  now,  in  the  minds  of  the  managers,  tolerably 
well  determined  plans. 

The  fact  is  there  could  not  be  in  this  association 
two  opinions  in  regard  to  this  measure.    A  move  was 


'tw*^tf!*^' 


ym' 


I  <J/'(  Fhlltt^tl' 


'^.^v^>n;;. 


-'   PORT  *N<lEV°* 


Camosun  and  Vicinity. 

inevitable.  The  life  of  a  fur-trader  or  factor  was  one 
perpetual  lesson  in  observation.  To  study  well  the 
country,  its  configuration  and  contents,  was  their 
daily  occupation.  Hence  the  location  of  the  chief  city 
of  British  Columbia  was  not,  as  has  been  so  many 
times  the  case  in  city-building,  the  result  of  accident. 
The  very  best  place  that  the  very  best  men,  after  due 
deliberation  and  examination,  could  find,  was  chosen, 
and  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  refiults  of  this  sound 


DOUGLAS'  SURVEY. 


87 


judgment  their  successors  and   descendants   forever 
may  call  them  blessed. 

Those  to  whom  more  immediate  thanks  are  due  are 
James  Douglas,  John  McLoughlin,  Eoderick  Fin- 
layson,  John  Work,  Anderson,  Tolmie,  and  McNeill, 
(lovernor  Simpson  and  the  London  management  were 
only  secondary  in  their  influence  as  to  location.  It 
was  the  chief  factors  and  chief  traders  of  the  day 
who  really  determined  matters. 

And  first  among  these  we  may  place  James  Doug- 
las. McLoughlin  was  now  in  his  decline.  His  retire 
ment  was  already  determined  upon.  He  had  been 
the  central  figure  in  Northwest  Coast  affairs  for  a 
})eriod  of  eighteen  years.  A  new  sun  was  now  aris- 
ing, which  for  the  next  score  of  years  was  to  shine  in 
the  north  as  had  the  other  in  the  south. 

In  early  sunnner  1842,  Douglas  made  a  careful 
l>roliminary  survey  of  the  southern  end  of  Vancouver 
Island,  more  particularly  of  the  region  round  what  is 
now  called  Royal  Bay,"  it  being  by  this  time  well  un- 
derstood that  there  was  to  be  fimnd  the  most  suitable 
a\ailable  spot  on  all  the  Northwest  Coast. 

At  a  place  calicd  by  the  natives  Camosun,^  or  Ca- 

'  At  the  extreme  scnitli-eiistoru  end  of  Vancouver  I»liiud  is  a  large  open 
Lay  called  Royal  Bay,  directly  hack  of  -wliich  is  Ksquimalt  Harhor,  some 
tliree  miles  east  of  wlxich  is  Victoria  Harhor.  Tliat  part  of  Royal  Bay  lead- 
ing more  directly  into  Esquinialt  Harhor,  and  heginniiig  at  Alhert  Head,  is 
called  lioyal  Roads.  Vessels  may  there  anchor  in  tenor  twelve  fathoms,  safe 
Irom  all  winds  save  those  from  the  east  or  south-eiwt.  Esquinialt  Harhor  may 
ho  entered  at  all  times,  and  tliere  vessels  of  any  size  liud  safe  anchorage. 
Victoria  Hiirl)or,  entered  hetween  points  McLoughlin  and  Ogden,  hy  reason 
of  the  sunken  rocks  which  extend  a  mile  in  eitlier  direction,  from  the  oare, 
tlat  projection  situated  midway  ))etween  the  two  harhors,  and  know:  as  Sailor 
<ir  ^lacaulay  point,  is  regarded  as  dangerous  of  entrance  in  'jad  weatlicr. 
The  cliannel  is  so  tortuous  that  long  vessels  often  run  agrounf'..  '  It  appears 
not  a  little  remarkahle,'  says  Iniray,  Wed  (Vi.si  of  North  America,  239,  '  that 
with  the  excellent  liarlior  of  Esquinialt  within  two  miles,  Victoria  should 
liave  heen  continued  as  the  commercial  port  of  a  rising  colony.'  See  also 
Kdurs  Wanderiiiijs,  '208,  and  Sctiiituins  Voi/.  Ilcraltl,  i.  101. 

**  So  written  by  Finlayson,  and  by  Douglas,  Camosack.  I  give  the  prefer- 
ence to  the  former,  lecauso  though  Finlayson  may  not  on  all  occasions  have 
heen  as  close  an  observer  as  Douglas,  the  visits  of  observation  of  the  latter 
were  transient,  and  in  some  degree  necessarily  superficial,  while  the  former 
Wiw  brought  immediately  into  close  and  continued  relationship  with  the 
natives,  where  ho  was  obliged  to  know  something  of  their  language,  and  where 
lie  assuredly  liad  tlie  opportunity  to  obtain  the  most  correct  pronunciation  of 
NO  important  a  word.  Lieutenant  Vavasour,  in  March  184(5,  J/oune  of  Common* 


VJ 


III 


M 


CAMOSUN  AND  ESQUIMALT. 


mosack,  signifying  the  rush  of  waters,  such  as  occurred 
at  the  gorge,  Douglas  found  an  open  space  some  six 
miles  square  in  area,  consisting  of  a  range  of  plains 
with  timber  convenient,  and  possibly  v,  ater-power  for 
mills  on  Camosun  Canal,  notwithstanding  McNeill 
had  reported  unfavorably  in  regard  to  mill  sites. 

I  will  permit  Douglas  to  make  his  own  report. 
"  Camosack  is  a  pleasant  and  convenient  site  for  the 
establishment,  within  fifty  yard.s  of  the  anchorage,  on 
the  border  of  a  larue  tract  of  clear  land  which  extends 
eastward  to  Point  Gonzalo  at  the  south-east  ex- 
tremity of  the  island,  and  about  six  miles  interiorly, 
being  the  most  picturesque  and  decidedly  the  most 
valuable  part  of  the  island  that  we  had  the  good  for- 
tune to  discover.  More  than  two  thirds  of  this  sec- 
tion consists  of  prairie  land,  and  may  be  converted 
either  to  purposes  of  tillage  or  pasture,  for  which  I 
have  seen  no  part  of  the  Indian  country  better 
adapted;  the  rest  of  it,  with  the  exception  of  the 
ponds  of  water,  is  covered  with  valuable  oak  and  pine 
timber.  I  observed,  generally  speaking,  but  two 
marked  varieties  of  soil  on  the  prairies;  that  of  the 
best  land  is  of  a  dark  vegetable  mould,  varying  from 
nine  to  fourteen  inches  in  depth,  overlaying  a  sub- 
stratum of  grayish  clayey  loam,  which  produces  the 
rankest  growth  of  native  plants  tliat  I  have  seen  in 
America.  The  other  variety  is  of  inferior  value,  and 
to  judge  from  the  less  vigorous  appearance  of  tlie 
vegetation  upon  it,  naturally  more  unproductive. 
Botli  kinds,  liowever,  produce  abundance  of  grass, 
and  several  varieties  of  red  clover  ffrow  on  the  ricli 
moist  bottoms.  In  two,  particularly,  we  saw  several 
acres  of  clover  growing  with  a  luxuriance  and  a  com- 
pactness more  resembling  the  close  sward  of  a  well- 
managed  lea  than  the  produce  of  an  uncultivated 
waste.  Being  pretty  well  assured  of  the  capabilities 
of  the  soil  as  respects  the  purposes  of  agriculture,  the 

.■■'"'/(•«.'»  to  Three  Addremen,  10,  writes  the  word  Cammuaan,  which  certainly 
l(?an3  toward  Finlaysoii's  ortlionraphy.  Holduc  says  Skapits  called  the  south- 
•>• '.  i;iid  of  Vancouver  Island  Ramnon.  De  Smct'a  Or.  Miss..  CI. 


I 


DOUGLAS'  REPORT. 


climate  being  also  mild  and  pleasant,  we  ought  to  b<.' 
able  to  grow  every  kind  of  grain  raised  in  England. 
On  this  point,  however,  we  cannot  confidently  speak 
until  we  have  tried  the  experiment  and  tested  the  cli- 
mate, as  there  may  exist  local  influences  destructive  of 
the  husbandman's  hopes,  which  cannot  be  discovered 
by  other  means.  As,  for  instance,  it  is  well  known  that 
tile  damp  fogs  which  daily  spread  over  the  shores  of 
Upper  California  blight  the  crops  and  greatly  de- 
teriorate the  wheat  jjrown  near  the  sea-coast  in  that 
country.  I  am  not  aware  that  any  such  effect  is  ever 
felt  in  the  temperate  climate  of  Britain,  nearly  con- 
responding  in  its  insular  situation  and  geographical 
position  with  Vancouver  Island,  and.  I  hope  that  the 
latter  will  also  enjoy  an  exemption  from  an  evil  at  once 
disastrous  and  irremediable.  We  are  certain  that 
potatoes  thrive,  and  grow  to  a  large  size,  as  the  Ind- 
ians have  many  small  fields  in  cultivation  which  ap- 
pear to  repay  the  labor  bestowed  upon  them,  and  I 
hope  that  other  crops  will  do  as  well.  The  canal  of 
Camosack  is  nearly  six  miles  long,  and  its  banks  are 
well  wooded  throughout." 

About  a  league  west  of  Camosun  was  a  spot  known 
to  the  natives  as  Esquimalt;"  that  is  to  say,  *a  place 
for  gathering  camasf.,'  great  quantities  of  which  vege- 
table were  found  there,  where  it  was  now  well  known 
was  a  bettor  harbor;  indeed,  Camosun  could  scarcely 
be  regard  jd  as  a  suitable  rende/.vous  for  Avhalers;  but 
that  did  not  prevent  its  being  a  bcttci-  place  for  a  fort. 

'  As  usual  in  such  cases,  wc  find  both  of  these  naiiios  mixed  and  nuitilatod  in 
a  variety  of  ways  by  diflerent  writers.  Thus  (Irant,  Loud.  Gcoij.  Soc,  Juki-., 
xxvii.  272,  and  others  repeating  liis  error,  say  the  natives  called  Victoria  Uar- 
lior  Tsoinus,  'from  tlie  name  of  the  tribe  which  liven  there,'  which  were  the 
Soiighies,  and  which  name  in  fact  he  was  endeavoring  to  pronounce.  There  is 
'  a  bay  within  three  miles  of  Fort  Victoria,'  say  two  very  intelligent  gentlemen 
.specially  appointed  to  see  aiul  speak  correctly.  Warre  and  Vimtmnr,  Jfrpt., 
1845,  '  called  Squirnal  by  the  Indians.'  The  native  name  of  Cordoba,  the  Vic- 
toria Harbor  of  the  Siitil  y  Mcxicaiia,  Viage,  38,  is  given  by  a  Spanisli  writer 
Chachinmtupusas.  Paul  Kane,  the  artist,  WandcriwjK,  209,  writes  most  of 
the  names  in  the  vicinity  correctly;  but  he  peoples  the  Songhio  village  with 
Clallams,  a  scarcely  pardonable  mistake  in  one  studying  savages.  I)ouglas 
writes  Esquimalt  Iswhoymalth,  which  orthography,  liowever  correct  it  may 
bo,  is  rather  redundant  for  popular  use.  Tlio  French  Jesuit,  Bolduc,  Ik 
iimet'8  Or.  Miss.,  57-8,  calls  the  Songhies  Isanisks. 


I! 


M 


90 


CAMOSUX  AND  K8QUIMALT. 


When  once  the  shoals  and  covered  rocks  were  known, 
the  channel  would  be  found  sufficient  for  the  small 
vessels  of  the  company ;  and  as  for  whalers,  the  other 
haibor  was  quite  near  enough  for  their  not  always  too 
pleasing  presence.  Little  thought  was  then  taken  as 
to  which  should  be  the  great  commercial  port,  or  as 
to  where  should  be  placed  the  future  great  commercial 
city.  Even  should  the  station  ever  assume  such  pre- 
tensions, Esquimalt  would  still  assuredly  be  the  proper 
place,  and  Caraosun  would  still  be  near  enough  to  it. 
For  the  present,  favorable  surroundings,  good  open 
lands,  clear  fresh  water,  and  a  beautiful  periscope 
were  far  weightier  considerations  than  the  accessi- 
bility to  shipping,  which  they  did  not  care  to  have 
too  near  them. 

In  reference  to  Esquimalt,  Douglas  says :  "  Iswhoy- 
malth  is  one  of  the  best  harbors  on  tlie  coast,  beinjf 
perfectly  safe  and  of  easy  access,  but  in  other  respects 
it  possesses  no  attraction.  Its  appearance  is  strikingly 
unprepossessing,  the  outline  of  the  country  exhibiting 
a  confused  assemblage  of  rock  and  wood.  More  dis- 
tant appear  isolated  ridges,  thinly  covered  with  scat- 
tered trees  and  masses  of  bare  rock;  and  the  view  is 
closed  by  a  range  of  low  mountains,  which  traverse 
the  island  at  a  distance  of  about  twelve  miles.  The 
shores  of  the  harbor  are  iniggcd  and  precipitous,  and 
I  did  not  see  one  level  spot  clear  of  trees  of  sufficient 
extent  to  build  a  large  fort  upon.  There  is  in  fact  but 
little  clear  land  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  harbor, 
and  that  lies  in  small  patches  here  and  there  on  the 
declivities  and  bottoms  of  the  rising  ground.  At  a 
greater  distance  are  two  elevated  plains  on  different 
sides  of  the  harbor  containing  several  bottoms  of  rich 
land,  the  kigesc  of  which  does  not  exceed  fifty  acres 
of  clear  space,  much  broken  by  masses  of  limestone 
and  granite.  Another  serious  objection  to  the  place 
is  the  scarcity  of  fresh  water."  ^" 

'•Compare  further  MnrtirHs  HwUorCa  Bay,  35-7;  Waddlngton'a  Fraser 
Mhifs,  l,"}.  '  Victoria  may  bo  tlie  farm,  but  Lsquimalt  will  be  the  trading- 
port.'  Seemanns  Voij.  Herald,  i.  101. 


THE  MATTER  DETERMINED. 


91 


Such  report  dated  the  12th  of  July  beino-  dnlr 
njadeat  Fort  Vancouver  on  the  retuni'of  D^uS 
after  due  consideration  hy  tlie  factors  and  traders  there 
assembled,  it  was  determined  to  onen  operations  at  thll 
point  as  earl,^  in  the  following  spring'  asprcttaMe! 


'1 


CHAPTER  V. 

FOUNDING  OF  FORT  CAMOSUN. 
1843. 


Expedition  fkom  Foet  Vancouver— Sourck  of  Agricultural  Supplies — 
The  Cowlitz  Country— Embark  on  the  'Beaver'— Visit  to  theClal- 
lAMS — Anchor  in  Camosun  Harbor — Beauties  of  the  Surroundings 
— ^Aboriginal  Occupants— Selection  of  a  Site — Two  Points  Attract 
Attention — Location  Settled — The  Jesuit,  Bolduc — His  Confer- 
ence WITH  the  Natives — The  Fort-builders  Begin  Operations — 
Portentous  Signs — Bolduo  Celebilvtes  Mass — He  Visits  Whidbey 
Island — Douglas  Departs  for  Tako — Abandonment  of  that  Post, 

AND   ALSO   of    FoRT     McLoUUHLIN  — ReTURN   OF   DoUOLAS    Tl»   CaMOSUN 

WITH  Reexforcements — The  Stockade  Erected— Arrival  of  the 
'  Cadboro' — Ross  Placed  in  Command— Departuhe  of  Douglas  with 
THE  '  Beaver  '  and  the  '  Cadboro.  ' 

The  expedition  tor  establishing  a  post  on  the  south- 
ern point  of  Vancouver  Island  left  Fort  Vancouver 
the  first  day  of  March  1843.^  It  consisted  of  some 
fifteen  men,  and  was  under  the  command  of  James 
Douglas.'^    It  had  been  determined  that  the  posts  of 

'  As  to  the  date  of  the  first  e.vpedition  to  Royal  Bay  for  the  purpose  of 
planting  an  establishment  there,  and  of  the  beginning  of  the  Fort  Victoria 
buildings,  tlicre  is  a  multiplicity  of  statements,  although  there  is  not  the 
slightest  difficulty  in  reaching  the  truth,  strange  as  it  may  appear,  if  one  goes 
to  the  right  place  for  it.  Thus  Cooper,  Maritime  Matters,  M^.,  2,  who  ont? 
would  tliink  sliould  know,  says  '  the  fort  was  commenced  in  1842  and  com- 
pleted in  1844,'  when  in  truth  the  site  was  no  more  tlian  selected  at  the  date 
lirst  mentioned,  while  for  nearly  ten  years  after  the  time  last  named  they  were 
adding  to  the  buildings.  McKinlay,  Narrative,  MS. ,  7  was  quite  near  it  for 
him  when  lie  dates  the  founding  1840.  Grant,  in  London  Oeog.  Soc,  Jour., 
xxvii.  272,  and  Uazlitt,  Brit.  Cot.,  157,  copying  him;  Tolmie,  Pu(fet  Sound, 
MS.,  19,  Fiiilayson,  Hist.  V.  I.,  MS.,  21,  who  was  there  and  one  of  the 
building  party,  give  the  date  1843. 

^  Of  this  expedition,  which  will  be  forever  interesting  and  important  as  the 
beginning  of  active  permanent  operations  on  Vancouver  Island,  I  have  two 
accounts,  of  the  highest  order  of  evidence,  both  narrators  being  of  the  party; 
one  is  the  journal  of  James  Douglas,  written  by  himself,  and  the  other  a  let- 
ter of  Bolduc,  a  Jesuit  priest,  to  Mr  Cayenne,  published  in  De  Smet'a  Or.  Miss. 

(92) 


THE  EXPEDITION. 


93 


Tako  and  McLoughlin  should  be  abandoned,  and  the 
men  tlierc  stationed  should  lend  their  assistance  to 
the  builders  of  the  new  establishment;  hence  the  small 
immber  of  men  brought  from  Fort  Vancouver."' 

First  of  all,  arrangements  must  be  made  fou  pro- 
\isions.  Unlike  a  regular  fur-trading  fort,  the  pro- 
[tosed  general  depot  on  Vancouver  Island  could  not, 
in  any  considerable  degree,  sustain  itself  by  hunting 
and  fishing.  It  was  intended  at  once  to  pursue  agri- 
culture; but  there  could  be  but  little  raised  the  first 
year,  and  while  the  first  crops  were  growing  the  men 
must  eat.  Therefore,  Nisqually  and  the  Cowlitz 
Plains  being  of  all  the  Company's  farms  the  most 
productive  and  accessible,  it  was  deternuned  to  draw 
supplies  thence.  A  week  was  thus  occupied  in  the 
Cowlitz  country,*  and  in  the  transportation  of  eflects, 
and  on  the  9th  the  party  reached  Nisqually  in  the 
midst  of  a  heavy  fall  of  snow.  There  the  little  black 
/iearcr  awaited  them ;  but  it  was  the  13th  before  all 
their  effects  were  on  board  ready  to  start.  Embark- 
ing at  ten  o'clock  on  that  day,  and  steaming  north- 
Avard  through  Puget  Sound  and  Admiralty  Inlet,  at 
dusk  they  came  to  anchor  a  few  miles  south  of  Port 
Townsend.'*  The  water  was  still;  over  the  sides  of 
the  vessel  fishing  tackle  was  thrown,  and  soon  a  j)len- 
tiful  supply  of  cod  and  halibut  w:is  secured  for  the 
next  day's  dinner. 

WeijTfhing  anchor  the  next  morninijf,  they  ran  into 
New  Dungeness,  and  landed  ft)r  the  doiil>le  purjxjse 
of  notifying  the  Clallams  of  their  intended  occupation 
of  Vancouver  Island,  preparatory  to  opening  traltic 
with  them,  and  also  to  examine  the  neighborhood  as  to 


^  'According  to  instructions  from  tho  governor,  Sir  ftuorgo  Simpson,  tlie 
trailo  ;it  Tako  and  the  neighboring  inlands  was  to  be  carried  on  by  tho  liettrcr 
Kteamcr,  as  a  trading  vessel  along  tlio  coast  there.'  Fiiiliti/son'n  V.  /.,  MS.,  UI. 

*The  first  night,  camped  at  the  mouth  of  the  Cowlitz;  second  night,  slept 
below  the  forks;  third  night,  above  the  forks;  fourth  and  fiftli  niglits,  at 
Cowlitz  Farms;  sixth  and  seventh  nights,  at  Mountain  Plain;  eighth  niglit, 
at  north  end  of  Grand  Prairie.  We  may  judge  somewhat  of  their  occupation 
by  their  movements.  Douijlas'  Jotimal,  MS.,  120. 

"At  a  place  named  Pointe  Per-hix,  formed  by  a  projection  of  the  Isle 
Whitby.'  Bolduc,  iii  De  Smet's  Or.  Miss.,  55. 


04 


FOUNDING  OF  FORT  CAMOSUN. 


its  resources.  There  was  a  plain  of  some  two  hundred 
acres,  eoiitainiiij^  chiefly  granite  bowlders,  a  stream  of 
water,  and  a  large  village  of  the  Clallams,  who  in 
autumn  capture  large  quantities  of  salmon.  In  small 
gardens  on  the  plain  the  natives  cultivated  potatoes. 
Their  observations  completed,  they  crossed  Fuca 
Strait  to  Camosun  Bay,  and  anchored  about  four 
o'clock  just  inside  the  entrance  round  Shoal  Point." 

It  was  indeed  primeval  in  appearance.  Before 
them  lay  a  vast  ocean-bound  body  of  land  upon  which 
no  white  man  now  stood.  Not  a  human  habitation 
was  in  sight,  not  a  beast,  scarcely  a  bird.  Even  the 
distant  murmur  of  the  voiceless  wood  was  drowned 
by  the  gentle  beating  of  the  surf  upon  the  shore. 

There  was  something  specially  charming,  bewitching, 
in  the  place.  Though  wholly  natural,  it  did  not  seem 
so.  It  was  not  at  all  like  pure  art;  but  it  was  as 
though  nature  and  art  had  combined  to  map  and 
make  one  of  the  most  pleasing  prospects  in  the  world. 
So  park-like  in  appearance  was  the  region  round  and 
back  of  the  harbor,  that  the  European  first  landing 
would  scarcely  have  manifested  surprise  had  he  en- 
countered workmen,  who,  while  subduing  that  which 
was  evil  or  ungainly,  were  yet  subordinating  art  to 
nature,  and  striving  with  their  artificial  changes  still 
to  preserve  nature's  beauties.  The  fertile  vales,  warm 
groves,  and  grassy  slopes  of  the  rolling  plateau  were 
intersected  by  serpentine  ribbons  of  glistening  water, 
and  bound  round  by  wind-chiselled  rocks  as  smooth 
and  symmetrical  as  if  placed  there  by  design.  These 
gave  the  ground  a  substantial  air,  and  a  warning  to 
the  encroaching  sea,  as  if  progress  had  specially  pre- 
pared the  place,  and  the  foundations  of  civ!li:5ation  were 
there  already  laid.  Never  danced  cicavcr,  purer  water 
in  the  sunlight  than  that  which  rippl;  J  in  the  coves 
and  bays  around,  and  the  Olympian  Heights  from  this 


*Some  say  that  this  expedition  first  entered  Esquimalt  Harbor,  some 
C6rdobaBay;  botJi  are  in  error.  These  sliores  liad  been  previously  visited 
often  enough  to  enable  them  to  proceed  at  oucc  to  their  objective  point. 


VmcJiN  WIU)ERNESS. 


95 


stalidpoint,  with  tlie  glistenin«^  water  for  a  foreground 
anil  cloud-eut  midway  above  their  base,  a.s  they  often 
are,  seeineil  translated  lieavenward.  Never  were 
mountains  more  aptly  named  than  these,  thanks  to 
tlie  old  trinket-huekster,  Meares;  for  if  there  is  any- 
wliere  a  spot  on  whieh  an  American  Jove  might 
fitly  hold  his  eourt,  it  is  here  on  these  high  up- 
lifted hills,  their  base  resting  on  clouds  and  their 
white  tops  bathed  in  celestial  glory 

The  aboriginal  occupants  of  the  domain  round  Ca- 
niosun,  by  which  native  a[)pellation  we  are  permitted 
for  a  time  to  call  what  was  afterward  known  as  Victoria 
Jlarbor,  were  the  Songhies,"  whose  chief  village  was 
situati'd  on  the  western  side  of  the  channel,  on  a  point 
about  one  mile  from  the  entranci>.  At  the  })resent  time, 
however,  they  had  ft)rtified  themselves  within  stakes 
enclosing  an  area  some  one  hundred  and  fil'ty  feet 
s<(uare,  at  the  head  of  the  harbor,'"*  through  fear  of 
the  fierc-c  Cowichins,  who  livjii  a  little  north  of  Fia.^er 
River,  both  on  the  island  and  on  the  mainland,  and 
\\ ho  crept  stealthily  down  the  strait  in  their  canois, 
entered  villagers  at  night,  massacred  the  men,  and  car- 
ried the  women  and  children  into  slavery. 

On  the  present  occasion  the  Beaver  liad  scaivcly 
come  to  anchor  when  two  canoes  were  seim,  and  ac 
tlie  discharge  of  cannon  savages  appeared  upon  the 
l)ank,  confusedly  moving  hither  and  thither  like  the 
uni'arthed  inhabitants  of  a  disturbed  ant-hill.  The 
niglit  ])assed  (piietly,  and  tlie  following  morning  saw 
the  steamer  surrounded  by  a  swarm  (kf  boats. 

Chief  now  anionu'  other  considerations  was  wood 
with  which  to  build  the  fort,  and  ground  to  place  it 
on.  For  tlie  former,  early  on  tlie  morning  of  the 
loth  of  !N[arch,  l)oui;las  set  out  fiom  the  steamer  in 
a  small  boat  and  be<»"an  to  examine  the  shore  dircctlv 
north  of  tlie  anchorage,  where  he  found  the  trees 
.^liort,  crooked,  and  not  at  all  suitable.     On  the  soutli 


'  Se«  X<it!ir  RaccM,  i.  174-107.  297. 

"  IJoMuc  says  'six  iiiilos  from  the  i«)rt,  iit  the  extremity  of  the  hay.'  /)<• 
Siiift'ti  Or.  MUs.,  50. 


li  ?P 


!ii 


I 


96 


FOUNDINCr  OF  FORT  CAMOSUN. 


side  the  wood  was  better,  and  Douglas  anticipated 
no  difficulty  in  obtaining  sufficient  of  some  kind  for 
liis  purpose.  Small,  straight  cedar-trees,  such  as  were 
most  desirable  for  pickets,  being  lighter,  and  of  greater 
durability  underground  than  other  timber  of  this 
region,  he  found  it  necessary  to  bring  from  a  distance. 

Meanwhile,  never  indifferent  to  food  supply,  he 
questioned  the  natives,  and  learned  that  pilchard,  or 
herring,  came  in  April,  and  that  salmon  ascended  Fuca 
Strait  in  August,  when  large  quantities  were  taken, 
the  supply  of  the  latter  continuing  until  September. 

Where  to  place  the  proposed  fort  was  the  next 
question.  "There  are  two  positions,"  writes  Doug- 
las m  his  journal  under  date  of  15th  of  March,  "pos- 
sessing advantages  of  nearly  equal  importance,  though 
of  difl'erent  kinds.  Number  one  has  a  good  view  of 
the  harbor,  is  upon  clear  ground,  and  only  fifty  yards 
from  the  beach;  on  the  other  hand,  vessels  drawing 
fourteen  feet  of  water  cannot  come  within  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  feet  of  the  shore.  We  will  therefore 
have  either  to  boat  cargo  off  and  on,  and  at  a  great 
destruction  of  boats,  and  at  a  considerable  loss  of 
time,  or  be  put  to  the  cxpenf-:e  of  forming  a  jetty  at  a 
great  amount  of  lal)or.  Number  two,  on  the  other 
hand,  will  alhnv  of  vess'^Is  lying  with  their  sides 
grazing  the  rocks,  wliich  form  a  natural  wharf  where- 
on cargo  may  be  conveniently  landed  from  the  ship's 
yard,  and  in  that  respect  would  be  exceedingly  advan- 
tageous; but  on  tlie  other  hand,  an  intervening  point 
intercepts  the  view,  so  that  the  mouth  of  tlie  port 
cannot  l)e  seen  from  it,  an  objection  of  much  weight 
in  the  case  of  vessels  entering  and  leaving  port. 
Another  disadvantage  is,  tJuit  the  shore  is  there  cov- 
ered by  thick  woods  to  the  breadth  of  two  hundred 
yards,  so  that  we  nmst  either  place  the  fort  at  that 
distance  from  the  landing-place,  or  clear  away  the 
thickets,  which  would  detain  us  very  much  in  our 
building  operations.  I  will  think  more  on  this  sub- 
ject before  determining  the  point." 


WLit^tjKm 


BOLDUC,  THE  MISSIONARY. 


97 


In  all  which  it  is  clearly  evident  the  commander's 
mind  was  dwelling  more  on  proximate  facilities  than 
on  permanent  advantages;  for  had  he  been  aware 
that  he  was  choosing  the  site  of  a  city,  and  not  merely 
locating  a  fort,  such  considerations  as  a  view  of  the 
entrance  or  a  belt  of  bushes  on  the  shore  would  have 
weiuhed  but  little. 

With  the  expedition  was  a  Jesuit  missionary,  J.  B. 
Z.  Bolduc,  who  claims  to  have  been  the  first  priest  to 
put  foot  on  Vancouver  Island;  of  the  truth  of  which 
supposition  perhaps  neither  he  nor  any  of  those  with 
him  were  the  best  judges.  However  this  may  have 
been,  certain  it  is  that  Father  Bolduc,  on  this  same 
15th  of  March,  landed  with  swelling  breast  and  head 
erect,  as  fully  bent  on  business  as  any  there  ])resent. 
If  we  may  credit  tlie  truth  of  the  good  man's  state- 
ment, the  savages,  with  their  chief,  whose  name  was 
Tsilalthach,  at  once  recognized  his  apostleship,  and 
bowed  submissive  to  that  spiritual  yoke  which  they 
lioped  would  in  its  own  mysterious  way  add  to  their 
creature  comforts. 

Accom})anied  by  the  commander  of  the  expedition 
and  the  captain  of  the  steamer,  the  ]»riest  directed  his 
steps  to  where  the  savages  had  congregated  up  the 
channel,  and  was  immediately  embraced  by  six  hundred 
souls,  which  number  swelled  to  twelve  hundretl  before 
his  dejnirture.  Men,  women,  and  children,  all  nmst 
touch  the  hem  of  his  garment,  all  must  sliake  hands 
with  him,  and  absorb  in  their  being  some  of  that  divine 
attiatus  that  flows  from  the  Lord's  anDinted. 

ilepairinu,  to  the  great  public  house  of  the  village, 
the  i)riest  harangued  the  people,  and  the  chief  ha- 
rangued the  priest:  which  was  the  more  interesting 
and  instructive  discourse  1  shall  not  attempt  to  deter- 
mine. 

•'0  man!"  cried  Bolduc,  "red  man,  blind  man, 
beastly  man;  know  you  not  of  a  creator,  a  heaven, 
and  a  hell  ?     I  knr  v    and  I  am  come  to  tell  j'ou,  the 

Hist.  Buit.  Col.    1 


01 


FOUNniNd  OF  FORT  t'AMOSUN. 


!  Ml: 


creator  is  such  and  such  a  character  aw  I  shall  describe ; 
and  he  loves  and  hates  such  tilings  as  I  shall  tell  you 
are  right  aiid  wrong." 

"All  that  I  know  as  well  as  you,"  returned  Tsilal- 
tliach.  "Another  told  mo  ten  years  ajjo."  I  UP'xl  to 
be  bad;  now  I  am  good." 

Lucky  Bolduc!  Lucky  Tsilalthach  1  How  wonderful 
is  knowledge,  hidden  as  it  is  from  the  wise  and  prudent, 
but  revealed  to  babes ! 

"You  must  be  baptized,"  continued  Bolduc. 

"Baptize  our  enemies,"  said  Tsilalthacli;  "do  not 
baptize  us;  for  all  the  Kwantlums  and  Cowichins  so 
treated  died  immediately." 

"Then  you  can  never  see  tlie  master,"  replied 
Bolduc. 

"Well,  baptize,  then,"  cried  Tsilalthacli;  "wc  have 
soon  to  die  in  any  event." 

So  Bolduc  baptized  until  arrestea  by  slie<n'  exhaus- 
tion; and  the  sheep  now  gatliered  into  the  fold  were 
ready  for  the  slaughter 

Next  day,  the  lOth,  having  determined  on  a  site, 
which  was  nuiiib(>r  two  of  his  recorded  cogitations, 
Douglas  put  his  men  at  work  squaring  timber,  and 
six  others  digging  a  well.  He  then  ex})lained  to  the 
natives,^"  now  assi'mbled  in  considerable  numbers,  tliat 
he  had  come  to  build  among  them,  and  to  bring  tJiem 
arms  and  implements,  clothing  antl  beautifnl  adorn- 
ments, which  they  might  have  for  skins  Whereat 
they  were  greatly  pleased,  and  eagerly  [tressed  their 
assistance  u}»on  the  fort-builders,  who  were  glad  to 
em])loy  them  at  the  rate  of  one  blanket  for  every  forty 
pickets  they  would  bring." 

The  17th  was  Friday;  was  it  their  lucky  or  un- 


®  Was  it  another  first  pviost,  a  RWcariti  j:f  sailor,  or  a  siiponmtnrnl  apparition  ? 

'"Tho  'SaiiioMi!,'  Ill)  uiilU  tlium:  which  is  liardly  ho  iu;ar  'Songhics '  as 
'  Cainosack '  is  to  'Cainosim,' 

"  'Tlio  ])ickets  W'TC  twenty -two  foot  hint;  and  throofoot  in  ciri'iimU'rcncf. 
I  also  lent  thi'iu  thrco  larj^u  axes,  ono  h.ilt' s(piaro  head,  and  ton  hiill'-rdiiiid 
head  axos,  to  bo  ri'tiirno(l  licroaftor,  when  they  had  iiiiishodthe  joh.'  7>o«,v/»i<' 
Journal,  MS.,  iL't  ."). 


THE  nativp:s. 


90 


lucky  day  ?  Was  that  luminous  streak  which  lingered 
in  the  heavens  after  the  day  went  out,  shining  brightly 
there  until  the  moon  came  up  and  frightened  it  away 
— was  the  sign  portentous  of  good  f)r  ill  to  this  begin- 
ning? And  did  it  speak  to  the  savage  or  to  the  civil- 
ized? For  five  consecutive  niglits  it  did  not  fail  to 
make  its  appearance,  and  was  the  wonder  of  the  timo.^' 

Sundav  was  th(>  19th,  and  Rolduc  decided  on  that 
day  to  celebrate  mass.  Douglas  kindly  placinl  at  his 
disposal  whatever  he  sliould  wisli  from  the  steamei', 
besides  supplying  him  men  to  aid  him  in  his  holy  work. 
A  rustic  chapel  was  improvised:  a  boat's  awning  serv- 
ing as  canopy,  and  branches  (^f  fir-trees  enclosing  the 
sides.  During  the  service  the  rude  sanctuarv  was 
gnv(".'(i  wifb  the  presence  of  the  ccmimander,  and  two 
('.ii,hf^lj>-  lies,  by  wliich  term  the  polite  Frenchman 
dcsignati's  the  pious  half-1  )n'('d  wives  of  the  Canadians. 
No  cathedral  bell  was  heard  that  sabbath  morning; 
no  soft  and  solenm  peal  fiung  back  by  waving  forest 
on  Georgia  and  Fuca  straits;  and  yet  the  Songhies, 
Clallams,  and  Cowichins  were  there,  friends  and 
bloody  enemies,  in  thick  attendance,  all  anxious  for 
heaven  after  they  should  have  received  sufiicient  of 
some  nearer  and  more  present  happy  sensation. 

Tlie  Sonu'hies  themselves  wove  soon  enlisted  in  mis- 
sionary  service.  Bolduc,  desirous  of  carrying  the  gos- 
])i'l  to  Whi(lb(\y  Is.'uUvl,  after  })ui'chasing  a  canoe  was 
(levoutlv  paddled  ilieut c  bv  Tsilalthach  and  ten  of  his 
most  ettic';  (It  m,. rrior!-,  <)i\  the  24th.  Tlu;  captain  had 
given  him  a  c.  uj^'Ism  mkI  had  tohl  him  which  \\i\y  to 
st(H'r,  else  tins  vaan  wiio  knew  !Ue  road  to  heaven  so 
well  M'ould  have  iO."  ]ii;'.  way  on  a  little  stretch  of 
opaque  sea  of  twenty-seven  miles.  The  first  night  was 
spent  on  Lopez  Island;  tlu^  new  eonvt'rts,  securing  an 
;il>undance  of  sia  fi>od  to  gorge  themselves  Avithal,  iHd 

'- I)imi;l;is  cvory  (lay  iiiiido  a  unto  of  it,  pliiciiig  it  '  ihin  soiiUi  from  tlio 
pit  itioii  w(>  <H'i'U|ii('()  at  tlio  liincof  its  aiiiicarauci',  ami  cxtcmli'il  from  tlii-iifi' 
III  a  I'ontiiiuoiis  liiu'  t'  '.lie  si  iith-wcst  imint  of  tlic  liori/oii,  foiiniiiij;  an  air  of 
viiicty  tlc^rccs.  It  ■'.  iiiiiisliod  j,'ra'liially  lowanl  tlu'  .soutliwi'st  liorizoli.* 
I'oiii/lim'  joiinnil,  M  ■<      i'."i. 


If 


JOO 


F()UNl)iN(i  OF  FOK'J'  lAMOSUX. 


Ill 


iK^t  find  it  necessary,  at  this  juncture,  ti)  eat  tlic  mis- 
sionary. The  next  day  lie  reached  Wliidbey  Island 
in  safety ;  and  pitching  his  tent  beside  the  cross  planted 
there  by  Blanchet  in  1840,  before  the  sun  went  down  he 
had  shaken  hands  with  a  file  of  savages,  numbering,  with 
those  so  favored  the  following  da}',  over  one  thousand, 
enough  to  i)ut  to  blush  Ulysses  Grant,  the  greatest  of 
American  hand-shakers.  Signifying  his  desire  for 
something  better  than  a  cotton  house,  two  hundred 
Skagits  immediately  fell  to  cutting  trees,  and  in  two 
days  a  wooden  building  twenty-five  by  twenty-eight 
feet,  covered  with  cedar  bark,  the  interior  lined  with 
rush  mats,  stood  at  his  ser*  ice  upon  an  adjacent  hill; 
in  return  for  which  the  S'.  sits  were  tauij^ht  to  sinof. 

The  l}d  of  April  the  good  ;  )nary  tleparted  from 

these  shores,  directing  his  boat  ;  k  toward  Nisqually, 
naively  remarking  that  although  the  heathen  here- 
abouts iiladlv  received  the  word,  he  was  not  sure 
they  fully  cominehended  it;  for  when  he  attemi)ted 
to  reform  their  morals  they  straightway  relapsed  into 
indirt'erence. 

The  beginning  of  these  important  t)perations  having 
thus  been  made,  Douglas  connnitted  his  little  force  of 
fort-buiUlej's  to  the  honorahle  mercies  of  the  yet  un- 
maddened  savage,  and  steamed  northward,  transacting 
the  usual  business  on  the  way. 

Proceeding  to  Fort  Tako,  he  took  thence  all  the 
goods  and  otluir  articles  worth  the  transi)ortation,  and 
jtlacing  tluMu  with  the  men  on  boaril  the  vessel,  aban- 
doned the  place.  A^  Fort  Simpson  he  took  on  board 
Roderick  Finlayson,  leaving  there  another  officer  in 
his  place.  Droj)ping  down  the  Milbank  Sound,  he 
gathered  in  the  stores  and  men  at  Fort  McLoughliii, 
and  abandoned  that  post  as  he  had  done  Fort  Tako.'' 
Then  he  returned  to  Camosun. 


't ' 


J 


"'This  coui'80  was  adopted  in  conHctjufiuic  of  instructions  having  been 
sent  from  Red  River  settlement  in  Hudson's  Bay,  tlien  tlie  head-quart<!i'8  of 
<»ur  governor,  Sir  (ieorge  Simp.son,  to  estalilisli  a  tlejiot  for  wliah'rs  on  the 
south  point  of  Vancouver  Island,  as  there  were  many  whalers  then  visiting 
theNortli  racitic'  Fiiilui/soii'-i  I'.  /.,  MS.,  '_'!. 


THE  FOUNDATIONS  OF  EMPIRE  LAID. 


101 


It  was  on  the  first  day  of  June  that  the  new 
force  landed  from  the  Beaver  at  Caniosun.  But  Httle 
pro<ifress  hal  been  made  in  building  since  the  de- 
j)arture  of  the  steamer,  and  tliere  was  as  yet  no 
slieltcr  for  stores  upon  the  shore.  Carrying  forward 
to  rapid  conn)letion  the  few  log  huts  already  begun, 
the  goods  were  landed,  and  stored  in  them,  the  men 
protecting  themselves  at  night  as  best  they  were  able, 
until  further  buildings  were  erected  for  their  accommo- 
dation. 

From  the  coasts  of  Vancouver,  the  neighboring- 
islands,  and  the  contisfuous  mainland  the  natives 
llocked  in  to  sec  the  work  that  was  being  done,  and 
encamped  on  every  side.  Tliey  were  all  well  armed, 
and  were  without  their  wive  and  children,  whidi 
st'cmed  somewhat  suspicious  to  tliu  fort-builders.  Tlu' 
fur-trading  force  at  Camosun  now  immbered  fifty  men, 
j);ut  of  whom  were  from  the  abandoned  posts  of  Tak»> 
and  McLoughlin,  and  j)art  fi-om  F  U't  Vancouver. 
Tliis  was  almost  too  formidable  an  array,  armed  to 
the  teeth,  and  constantly  on  guard  as  tlicy  were,  fVn- 
tlie  natives  to  tliiidc  of  attacking;  so  they  contente<l 
tliemsclvi's  with  tlie  }>iirering  of  sucji  articles  as  provi- 
dence threw  in  tlieir  way,  for  they  were  tJiieves  upon 
|irincii)le. 

Three  months  after  the  arrival  of  the  parties  from 
tlic  north,  the  stockade,  with  bastions  at  the  angles 
and  store  and  dwelling  liouses  within,  was  conipl('te<i. 
Wliile  this  work  was  in  jtrogri'ss,  the  schooner  ('(idhoro 
arrived  with  supplies  from  Fort  \"ancouver.  ^[r 
diaries  Koss,  wlio  had  been  in  chaigc^  of  Fort  Mc- 
Ijongldin  at  the  time  of  the  abandonnuMit,  being 
senior  otlicer,  was  placed  in  command,  witli  Mr  Fin- 
layson  as  second.  Then  in  October,  Douglas,  })ro- 
nouncingthc  new  establishment  capable  of  self-defence, 
departed  with  the  livaver  and  tlie  Cadhoro,  and  their 
crews,  midst  loiig  and  lusty  cheers  from  the  shore. 
Thus  wc^re  laid  the  foundations  of  a  new  empire. 


II 


I 


HI  •III  J" 
III  IP 
11     11 


S<  H  I141 


CHAPTER   VI. 

AFFAIRS    AT    C  AMOS  UN. 

1S44. 

Dkatii  of  Commaxper  llos.s  —  lloPKRirK  ]'iNLAVS0N  —  Sketch  of  his 
C'aukek — At  Fokts  Tako  axi>  Simpson' — BinLioriUAPiiu'Ai,  Note  ox  his 
Maniscriit — His  Ciiauacter — First  C'ak(;o  ok  Livk-stock — The  Sav- 

ACIES  MAKE  GaME  OF  THE  CaTTLK— UeIJUESS  DeMANHED  AX1>   REFtrSKD— 

Wah  Dei'lared— Tsouohila.m  and  Tsilalihach  avith  their  Allies 
ArrAi'K  THE  Fort — STitArEiiY  of Finlaysox — Bl(h)uless  Viotory — The 
Pipe  ok  Peace  is  Smokek — ]>esii!iitions  ok  the  Fortress— »\'arre 
and  Vavasoiu  —  Ueutholo  Sf.kmax X  —  Fin layson's  LEriEK—  James 
Deans — His  Character  and  Maxisoript — Interestincj  and  Minute 
Description  of  the  Fort — Under  Ordehs  ok  Douolas,  Fort  Camosux 
WAS  Bi'Ii.t  wriHoirr  a  Nail. 

In  the  spring-  of  1844  Ross,  the  oiliccir  in  charge,  died, 
and  Finlayson  reigned  in  liis  stead.  Tlio  first  duty  of 
the  new  comniander  Mas  to  despatcli  to  Nisqually  a 
eanoo  with  a  messenger  for  Fort  Vancouver,  announc- 
ing tlie  deatli  of  Ross.  Tlie  return  express  brouglit 
from  ^EcLoughlin  authority  i'or  Finlayson  to  remain 
in  cliarge,  with  a  promise  of  another  olticer  to  be  sent 
sliortly  to  assist  liini  in  carrying  on  operations. 

On  the  western  highlands  of  Scotland  was  uorn 
Roderick  Finlayson,  thus  destined  for  a  time  to  rule 
this  island.  His  father  was  an  extensive  sheep-farmer, 
and  in  assisting  him,  no  less  than  in  attending  the 
parochial  school,  the  youth  was  preparing  for  his 
successful  future. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  left  home  and  began 
making  his  own  way  in  the  world.  Crossing  the  At- 
lantic on  an  emigrant  ship  in  18o7  to  New  York,  he 
there  met  an  uncle  who  secured  him  a  position  as  ap- 
prenticed clerk  in  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and 


RODERICK  FINLAYSON. 


io;< 


reported  himself  at  tlie  office  in  Montreal.  After  re- 
maining there  several  months  he  was  appointed  to 
Bytown,  a  station  on  the  Ottawa  River.  Thence  in 
1839  he  crossed  the  mountains  to  Fort  Vancouver, 
where  he  wintered,  hunting  in  the  Willamette  Valley, 
•shooting  duck  where  Portland  now  stands,  and  making 
preparations  meanwhile  for  an  expedition  northward 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  possession  of  the  ten-league 
sliore  strip  lately  leased  from  the  Russians.  Thence 
witli  James  Douglas  in  command  of  the  party,  of 
wliichwere  W.  G.  Rae,  John  Kennedy,  and  J olin  Mc- 
Loughlin,  junior,  in  the  sj)ring  of  1840  he  proceeded 
hy  way  of  the  Cowlitz  Jiiver,  Nisqually,  Langley,  Mil- 
hank  Sound,  and  Fort  Simpson  to  the  Stikeen  River, 
wlicre  woi'e  left  Rae,  McLoughlin, and  eighteen  men; 
Douglas,  Kemiedy,  and  Finlayson,  with  tlie  remainder 
of  the  i»arty,  proceeding  in  the  steamer  Beaver,  which 
liad  hrouglit  tliem  from  Nisqually  to  Sitka. 

Ill  June  the  party  sailed  from  Sitka  for  the  Tako 
liiver,  where  they  built  a  fort,  which  was  loft  in 
charge  of  Kennedy,  with  Finlayson  as  assistant,  aii<l 
eighteen  men,  ] Douglas  returning  to  Fort  Vancouver. 
Ai'ter  a  dreary  winter  Jit  Tako,  in  the  sununer  of 
1841  Finlayson  was  ordered  to  Stikeen  to  take  the 
place  at  that  station  of  Mr  Rae,  who  was  sent  to 
Verba  Ruena.  There  ho  remained  six  months,  Avhen 
lie  took  liis  place  at  Fort  Shnpson  as  trader. 

Upon  the  assassination  of  John  McLoughlin,  junior, 
by  his  men  at  Stikeen,  Finlayson  proceeded  thither 
in  a  canoe  to  take  connnand  of  that  jiost,  but  on  ar- 
rival he  found  that  Governor  Simpson  liad  reached 
the  ])lace  before  him,  and  had  provided  for  its  gov(U'n- 
nunt.  Thereupon  he  returned  to  Fort  Simpson, 
where  he  remained  tiirough  1842,  and  until  he  was 
taki'ii  thence  by  I)oui>'las  to  assist  in  establishinii'  the 
l>ost  at  Camosuu  in  the  spring  of  1843.^ 

*Iu  a  inuuuHcriut  of  104  folio  pages,  cutitlod  llktonj  of  y'tincoutrr 
Ixland  and  the  NorthwcHt  Cmtxt,  h//  lioiU'vkk  Fiiilaysmi,  are  given  tho  primary 
l.icts  relative  to  the  first  establishmoiit  on  VancnuviT  Island  subsocjucnt  to 
the  doings  at  ^rod'.ka,  loiiin  l:;ilf-ii';!*r.rv  jirovioiis.     Vart  nf  this  nianusuript 


ill    i'ii! 


ill  'I 


104 


AFFAIRS  AT  CAMOSUN. 


There  can  be  no  evidence  more  satisfactory  to  the 
historian  in  regard  to  an  incident  or  episode  not  con- 
nected with  contending  factions,  than  the  testimony  de- 
rived from  frequent  and  close  converse,  pen  in  hand, 
with  the  chief  actor  in  the  event.  If  besides  being 
upon  the  spot  and  ordering,  or  doing,  and  seeing  done 
all  that  was  done,  we  have  a  witness,  intelligent, 
high-minded,  of  the  strictest  integrity,  careful  in  his 
statements,  precise  in  the  use  of  words,  unbiassed,  un- 
bigoted,  neither  seeking  praise  nor  fearing  censure,  it 
were  strange,  indeed,  if  one  seeking  facts  only  could  not 
under  such  circumstances  find  them.  Such  a  witness, 
touching  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  important 
events  of  British  Columbia  history,  namely,  clearing 
the  ground  for  the  future  metropolis,  and  setting  there 
the  stakes  of  civilization,  we  happily  have,  in  this  in- 
stance, in  the  person  of  Mr  Roderick  Finlayson. 

is  in  the  handwriting  of  tlie  author;  the  remainder  was  taken  by  reporters 
from  Mr  Finlayson 's  dictation  in  my  presence,  and  while  suljject  to  my  inter- 
rogatories. Ho  who  would  investigate  the  early  affairs  of  British  Columbia, 
more  particularly  matters  relating  to  tlic  founding  of  its  most  important 
establishment,  and  which  led  to  the  building  of  the  present  city  of  Victoria, 
is  surprised  at  the  absence  of  material.  There  was  scarcely  a  post  upon  the 
whole  Northwest  Coast  of  which  I  had  not  more  information  than  concerning 
the  founding  of  Camosun,  or  Victoria,  before  I  began  to  gather  it  from  un- 
recorded sources.  Fortunately  in  Mr  Fmlaysou  I  found  the  man  before  all 
others  for  the  purpose.  Well  preserved  in  mind  as  in  body,  clear-headed, 
courteous,  intelligent,  and  public-spirited,  he  patiently  sat  with  mo  day  after 
day  and  week  after  week,  until  I  expressed  myself  satisfied.  And  to  liim 
his  fellow-members  of  the  commonwealth,  and  all  who  care  for  a  knowledge 
of  its  early  incidents,  may  tender  their  thanks;  for  without  what  he  has 
given  me  there  would  be  little  to  tell.  It  is  wonderful,  indeed,  liow  quicklj' 
unrecorded  facts  drop  out  of  existence;  and  what  blind  apathy  even  the  most 
prominent  men  sometimes  display  concerning  most  important  matters  which 
have  lain  nearest  them  all  their  lives,  but  which  did  not  happen  to  come 
within  the  routine  of  their  duties.  When  asked  by  Mrs  Victor  for  incidents 
of  the  early  life  of  John  McLoughlin,  Mr  Douglas  replied  that  he  knew  noth- 
ing of  McLoughlin's  early  life.  Half  their  lives  had  been  spent  in  intimate 
business  and  friendly  intercourse;  both  were  wise  and  prominent  men,  and 
yet  the  younger  knew  absolutely  nothing  of  the  elder  except  what  he  saw  of 
him.  Mr  Finlayson  has  a  most  happy  way  of  presenting  facts.  His  style  is 
lucid,  exact,  and  at  the  same  time  comprehensive.  The  chief  incidents  of  his 
long  and  prominent  career  seemed  already  arranged  in  his  mind  in  well  de- 
fined sequence.  His  manuscript,  though  not  as  large  as  some,  contains  as 
much  information  as  many  three  times  its  size,  and  the  importance  of  his 
information  is  not  exceeded  by  any.  Mr  Finlayson  jpresentetf  as  fine  an  ap- 
pearance physically  as  one  not  very  often  meets.  Tall,  well  proportioned, 
erect,  and  crowned  with  gray,  with  fine,  full  features,  expressive  at  once  of 
benevolence  and  intelligence,  his  would  have  been  felt  as  an  imposing  pres- 
ence in  any  community. 


chakactj:r  of  finlayson. 


105 


y  to  the 
not  con- 
lony  de- 
in  hand, 
es  being 
inf?  done 
:olligent, 
■ul  in  his 
ssed,  un- 
snsurc,  it 
30uld  not 
.  witness, 
mportant 
,  clearing 
ing  there 
ti  this  in- 


by  reporters 
t  to  my  inter- 
ioh  Columbia, 
pst  important 
f  of  Victoria, 
post  upon  the 
in  concerning 
r  it  from  un- 
lan  before  all 
cleiir- headed, 
mo  day  after 
And  to  him 
a  knowledge 
■what  ho  has 
how  quickly 
iven  the  most 
lattcrs  which 
pen  to  come 
for  incidents 
e  knew  noth- 
t  in  intimate 
jnt  men,  and 
lat  ho  saw  of 
His  style  is 
iidents  of  his 
1  in  well  de- 
,  contains  as 
•tance  of  his 
J  6no  an  ap- 
>roportioned, 
re  at  onco  of 
iposing  pres- 


Every  individual  is  composed  of  human  qualities, 
the  worst  having  much  that  is  good,  the  best  much 
tliat  is  bad.  And  the  honest  historian  deems  it  his 
duty  to  present,  in  every  instance,  without  fear  or 
favor,  without  prejudice  or  feeling,  botli  pliases  of 
cliaracter,  clearly  and  conscientiously.  In  rigidly  ad- 
lioring  to  tliis  course,  he  must  expect  little  else  but 
ct'iisuro  from  any  quarter;  for  praise  a  man  never 
so  long  or  loudly,  once  a  fault  is  touched  he  or  his 
friends  bristle  with  anoer  in  a  moment.  In  the  lives 
of  the  best  of  us  are  some  things  which  we  prefer 
sliould  not  be  brought  under  too  strong  a  light;  the 
worst  of  us  do  not  relish  the  parading  of  our  wicked- 
ness, nor  do  we  believ^e  it  true,  or  the  statement  just, 
{before  embarking  in  his  too  often  thankless  task,  the 
writer  of  history,  if  his  work  be  worthy  the  lame, 
must  so  incase  himself  in  armor  as  to  be  wholly  in- 
different to  attack,  relying  only  on  truth,  and  the 
satisfacticMi  of  telling  it,  for  his  reward. 

Applying  this  sentiment  to  the  niatter  in  hand,  I 
Had  nu'self  at  a  loss  in  the  consunnnation.  Xo  doubt 
Finlayson  has  bad  qualities;  his  })la(!e  is  not  upon  this 
jtlanet  otherwise;  but  unfortunately  I  have  not  Www 
idile  to  find  them.  Though  ah 'ays  a  leading  man  in 
th(>  conii)anv  and  in  the  colonv,  ho  has  not  been  so 
prominent  as  to  have  excited,  to  any  general  I'xtent, 
jealousy  or  obloquy  by  reason  of  his  position.  Among 
husiness  men,  among  those  who  have  met  him  almost 
daily  for  a  perit)d  of  forty  years,  or  are  intiinati*  with 
liis  course  and  character,  he  is  pronounced  a  shrtjwd, 
practical,  clear-headed  Scotchman,  who,  though  some- 
times seeking  office  and  assuming  public  duties,  med- 
dles little  with  his  neighbors'  affairs,  but  attends  U) 
liis  own  business,  an<l  does  it  so  well  and  thoroughly 
as  usually  to  command  success.  Kind,  ben(!Volent, 
liouorable,  and  exceedingly  courteous,  showing  him 
sc^lf  l)v  instinct  a  gentlemen  hi  the  hisfhest  sense  of 
that  much  misapplied  word,  he  possesses  neither  the 
genius  nor  the  weakness  of  McLoughlin,  nor  the  chiv- 


i;  iy*:-'i 


r 

ill 


106 


AFFAIRS  AT  CAMOSUN. 


ulrous  strcnnrtli  or  the  cold  calculating  formality  of 
Douglas.  He  is  not  wholly  self-abandoned  in  his  well- 
doing like  the  one,  nor  snow-capped,  by  reason  of  his 
mond  or  jjolitical  elevation,  like  the  other.  Being  not 
so  crreat  a  man  as  either,  his  faults  do  not  stand  out 
so  conspicuously. 

We  will  now  crontinue  our  narrative  of  affairs  at 
Cyaiuosun. 

When  tiio  Cadhoro  and  the  Beaver  sailed  away 
about  their  business  the  previous  October,  the  lattt^r 
proceeded  to  Fort  Nisqually,  and  taking  on  board  u 
ear<>o  of  cattle  and  horses,  returned  with  them  to 
( 'amosuu.  Tliereafter  regular  trip,;  were  made,  and 
soon  C-amosuu  became  the  home  station  vt'  the  little 
steamer,  wlience  she  departed  on  lier  several  missions. 

Tlie  cattle  brought  fi'om  Nisc[ua]ly  were  chiefly  of 
Mexican  origin,  and  wt>re  wild  and  uiimana2feable. 
When  first  turned  loose  from  tlie  steamer,  witli  head 
and  tall  erect  they  darted  lilther  and  tliitlier,  and  then 
j)lunged  into  tlie  thicket;  and  it  was  with  no  small 
dIflicuUy  tl'.at  they  were  finally  corralled  and  c-ontrolled. 
In  due  i'nnv,  however,  a  sufficient  number  for  building 
and  farnilug  jHirposes  were  subdued  and  brought  under 
the  yoke,  and  wluni  not  at  work  were  turned  out  to 
graze,  as  were  likewise  the  liorses  and  other  cattle. 

The  savaws  re<jrarded  with  Wv)iider  not  unmixeil 
with  contempt  this  new  species  of  game  trained  to 
do  women's  work,  and  tliereby  rendered  wellnigh  un- 
lit for  the  accomplishment  of  their  high  destiny,  which 
was  to  be  killed  and  eaten.  Besides,  if  this  thing  was 
to  be,  what  would  wom<!n  do;  what  would  wives  be 
good  for?  Not  only  would  they  become  idle,  lazy, 
anc-  too  proud  to  work,  but  they  would  so  fall  in  value 
as  materially  to  aftect  the  wealth  and  standing  of 
those  possessing  six  or  ten.  Their  blood-thirsty  logic 
was  convincing  to  their  own  minds  at  least,  and  m- 
deed  overpowering,  notwithstanding  the  white  men 
liad  warned  them,  under  penalty  of  severe   displeas- 


1  III 


HOSTILITIES. 


m 


luo,  to  treat  these  civilized  beasts  with  distinguished 
consideration. 

J',  aumg  tliose  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  the  fort, 
ami  who  watched  ojierations  with  as  keen  a  zest 
as  any,  was  a  hand  of  Cowichins,  whose  chief  was 
Tsoughilani,  and  wht)  had  come  down  from  the  nortli 
on  a  plmiderino-  expedition. 

The  horses  and  cattle  of  the  fort-builders  were 
magnificent  prey  for  these  brigands,  particularly  the 
work-animals,  which  were  finer,  fatter,  and  more 
easily  approached  than  the  others.  It  was  not  often 
the  good  gods  sent  them  such  abundant  benefit  at  so 
small  a  cost;  and  to  decline  them  might  seem  ungrate- 
ful. So  some  of  the  best  of  the  work  oxen  and  horses 
were  killed,  and  the  Cowichins  were  filled  to  their 
utmost  content. 

The  day  of  reckoning  quickly  came.  The  fort- 
Uuilders,  having  need  of  tlieir  cattle,  Avent  out  fur  them 
one  morning,  and  found  in  place  of  tlieir  faithful  as- 
sistants only  blood  and  bones,  the  more  valuable  parts 
of  the  carcasses  being  easily  traced  to  the  Cowichin 
(•;iuip.  Finlayson  inunediately  despatched  a  messen- 
ger to  Tsouijjhilam,  di'mandiniif  delivery  of  the  ofl:\!nd- 
irs,  or  payment  for  the  slain  animals.  The  savage 
attempted  intimidation,  prt^tended  ingenuousness, 
tliough  he  knew  well  (niough  he  was  criminal. 

"\VhatI"  exclaimed  to  the  messenger  the  lordly 
aboriginal,  "these  animals  yours  I  ]3id  you  make 
them  (  Are  these  your  fic'lds  that  fatten  tliem  ?  I 
thought  them  the  property  of  nature;  and  whatever 
nature  sc>nds  me,  that  I  slay  and  eat,  asking  no  ques- 
tions, and  paying  no  damages." 

"  These  cattle  were  brouijlit  from  beyond  the  yreat 
sea,"  replied  the  messenger;  "they  belonged  to  those 
who  brought  them;  and  unless  you  make  proper  res- 
titution, the  gates  of  the  fort  will  be  closed  ajjainst 

VOU. 

*  Close  your  gates,  if  you  like  1"  exclaimed  Tsough- 
ilam,  now  thoroughly  enraged,  "  and    I  will    batter 


11!: 


mm. 


108 


AFFAIUS  AT  tAMOSUX. 


tlicm  down!  Close  your  <]fat('S  forsooth  1  Think  you 
\vo  (11<1  not  llvo  before  the  wliite  man  came?  and  tliink 
you  we  slioukl  die  wi're  lu?  s\ve])t  from  tliese  si i ores  f 

It  was  no  idle  threat  that  Tsoucfhilam  thus  made. 
There  were  others  in  the  neighborhood,  bold  chief- 
tains with  their  warriors,  not  least  amoni;  whom  was 
Tsilalthach,  the  ij^reatest  and  l)ravest  of  the  Sonj^hies, 
who  had  watched  these  many  da}  s,  with  itching  palms, 
the  good  things  carried  in  behind  the  palisades,  and 
who  would  not  scruple  in  the  least  to  attempt  to 
secure  some  of  them.  Though  not  exactly  upon  his 
own  domain,  Tsous>hilam  almost  felt  at  home  there  ])V 
r(>ason  of  his  oft-repeated  depredations.  Ho  might 
set  U])  a  sort  of  claim  by  right  r^f  eoiujuest.  At  all 
events,  his  right  was  as  reasonable  as  was  the  white 
man's.  Sunnnoning  to  a  council  all  the  chiefs  within 
liis  call,  he  said  to  them: 

'*  lieptiles  have  crept  hither,  rt-ptih'S  with  strangr 
stings,  whom  it  w«>re  well  to  crush  upon  the  spot  lest 
they  sliould  soon  overspread  the  Avhole  island  The 
reward  for  such  labor  may  be  found  behind  the  pal- 
isades. 

Then  arose  Tsilalthach,  cliief  of  the  Songhies,  and 
said:  "We  and  our  forefathers  have  lived  in  happiness 
ujum  this  island  for  many  ages  before  the  existence  of 
these  strangers  was  known.  AVe  have  eaten  the  fruits 
of  the  earth,  have  bathed  in  the  waters  and  in  the 
sunshine,  have  hunted  our  forests  uncpn^stioned  of  any, 
and  have  fought  away  our  enemies  manfully.  Is  all 
now  to  be  taken  from  us^' 

The  spirit  of  butchery  was  aroused.  "  We  will 
meet  this  new  infliction,"  cried  another,  "as  we  have 
met  those  in  the  past.  We  can  do  without  bedizen- 
ments;  or,  what  is  better,  we  can  take  them  without 
the  asking." 

Meanwhile  within  the  fort  watch  was  kept  day 
and  night  to  prevent  surprise.  After  a  lapse  of  two 
days,  during  which  a  large  force  had  assembled  n)un<l 
the  fortress,  the  threatened  attack  was  made.     Midst 


THK  FOUT  A'iTACKK!). 


lOS) 


SUV  yolls  aiitl  terrifyiiitif  antics,  such  as  should  put 
to  h.„lit  a  liost  of  liobgohhns,  men,  or  devils,  a  shower 
of  musket-halls  came  })atteriiig  down  upon  the  I'ort, 
riddlinjif  the  stockade  and  rattlin*?  on  the  roofs  of  the 
houses.  Instantly  Finlayson  shouted  his  order  that 
not  a  sliot  was  to  he  returned,  thougli  it  was  with  the 
ntniost  difficulty  he  could  restrain  his  men.  The  sav- 
ages conthmed  tlunr  fire  for  full  half  an  hour,  when 
set'ing  no  pros[»ect  of  annihilation  near,  they  rested 
from  their  waste  of  anununition.  Then  the  com- 
mander of  the  fort  ajipeared  upon  the  parapet  and 
licckoned  Tsoughilam  within  speaking  distance. 

"  Wliat  would  you  do?"  exclaimed  Finlayson. 
-'  What  evil  would  you  bring  upon  yourselves?  What 
folly  with  your  peppery  guns  to  think  to  demolish  our 
stronghold!  Know  you  not  that  with  one  motion  of 
mv  fin<;er  I  could  Uow  you  all  into  the  hay  ?  And  I 
will  do  it,  too.  8ce  your  houses  yonder !  And  in- 
.stantly  ujx)!!  the  wonl  a  nine-pounder  helched  forth 
wit^'  astounding  noise,  a  large  k)ad  of  grape-shot  tear- 
in         to  splinters   the    cedar   lodge  at  which  it  was 

A  hundred  howls  of  agony  rent  the  air,  as  if  hy 
tliat  single  shot  all  the  women  and  children  of  the 
island  had  been  blown  to  atoms. 

And  so  they  would  have  been  doubtless  injured 
somewhat  had  tluy  been  there,  as  many  of  their  woe- 
stricken  husbands  and  fathers  supiH)sed  they  were. 
Hut  the  humane  Finlayson  had  no  desire  to  depopu- 
late the  isle,  or  even  to  injure  a  hair  of  a  single  abo- 
riginal head.  Before  seeking  a  parley,  and  while  the 
bullets  were  falling  thick  around  him,  he  had  formed 
a  ])lan  for  teachino-  them  a  salutary  lesson  without 
(IdUig  them  mjury.  He  had  ordered  his  interj)reter 
1<>  slip  from  the  back  gate  and  run  for  his  life,  as  if 
esca[»ing  from  a  deadly  foe,  ar.d  on  arriving  at  the 
lodges  designated  to  warn  the  inmates  to  instant  flight, 
as  the  fort  was  preparing  to  fire  upon  them.  Hence 
no  damage  was  done  save  the  shivering  to  splinters 


110 


AFFAIRS  AT  CAMOSUN. 


'  II  I 


:wn<w 


5i    !i 


of  some  pine  slabs.  And  much  good  was  accom- 
plished, as  the  result  will  shoiv. 

Some  little  time  was  allowed  to  elapse  after  the 
firing  of  the  shot,  that  the  savages  might  have  oppor- 
tunity to  gather  somewhat  their  dusky  senses.  Pres- 
ently a  deputation  of  their  principal  men  appeared 
before  the  fort  and  requested  a  parley  with  the  wliite 
chief.  Finlavson  told  them  thev  mitjht  come  within 
the  stockade;  and  as  a  guaranty  of  his  good  foith,  lie 
would  send  out  two  of  Jiis  men  as  liostages.  The 
oft'er  was  accepted,  and  tlie  deputation  entered  the 
fort. 

Then  Finlayson  fully  explained  t<j  them  how  easily 
lie  c(>uld  destroy  them  if  he  would.  He  showed  tliem 
his  men,  his  big  guns  and  his  little  guns,  and  powder 
and  balls,  and  knives  and  swords.  He  assureil  them 
that  he  wished  them  only  good;  but  he  insisted  that 
those  who  killed  the  oxen  sliould  l)e  given  up  for  pun- 
isliment,  or  the  cattle  paid  for.  They  preferred  the 
latter  alternative,  and  before  night  fur  to  the  full 
amount  of  the  damage  was  delivered  at  tlie  fort  gate. 
The  JHpe  of  peace  was  then  smokeil,  and  promises  of 
fri(!ndshii)  exdiaiiixed.  Next  dav  tlie  natives  asked 
to  see  the  great  gun  tried  again;  whereupon  Finlay- 
son told  them  to  station  an  old  canoe  out  in  the  water, 
and  pointing  the  camion  at  it  he  fireil.  Away  went 
the  ball,  and  after  cutting  a  great  hole  in  the  boat, 
bounded  along  the  surfa/'e  of  the  water  tt»  the  oppo- 
site shore.  The  savages'  respect  for  civilized  institu- 
tions was  duly  increased. 

iUit  tlu^  white  manV,  laws  as  gradually  revealed  to 
them  were  seldom  ]>alatable.  For  exanii)le,  not  long 
after  the  cattle-killinyf  atl'air  certain  Skatjits  from 
\\'hi<Ibev  Island  came  to  Caniosiin  to  trade.  Their 
business  doiu'  thev  started  for  their  boats;  but  before 
reachin*''  them  tlu!  Son<>Iiies  fell  u|>on  the  visitors  and 
strip]tetl  them  of  their  go(>ds;  for  between  the  Ska- 
gits  ai'd  the  Songhies,  just  as  betv<>en  France  and 
Gcrnianv,  feuds  had  long  existed.      Xow,  in   tli(>  bi'^ 


DESCRIPTION  OP  THE  FORT. 


HI 


IS   acconi- 


hook  of  the  fur-hunters  is  it  not  written  that  trading 
skins  is  a  sacred  calhng,  and  that  consequently  the 
l»crsons  of  skin-sellers  are  sacred?  Therefore  when 
tlio  Skagits  returned  with  long  faces  to  the  fort  and 
told  their  tale,  the  connnander  ordered  the  immediate 
restoration  of  the  stolen  goods,  under  ]>onalty  of  his 
displeasure  and  absolute  cessation  of  trade,  which 
was  done.  Steal  and  butcher  among  y(»urselves,  or 
on  any  other  occasion,  as  much  as  you  will ;  but  at 
vour  peril  touch  tlij  pilgrim  who  brings  hither  the 
Liains  we  love. 


The  fort  was  situated,  as  we  have  seen,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  hilet,  directly  opposite  the  chief  village 
of  the  Songhies,  which  was  distant  some  four  hundred 
yards,  and  between  which  places  was  constant  com- 
numication  by  boat;.;.  As  usual,  the  cliiefs  were  ke[)t 
friendly  by  presents  and  a  judicioub  balancing  of 
power  by  Mr  Finlayson,  for  whom  they  encertained 
tli(>  Jiigiiest  respect." 

The  scjuare  enclose<l  by  the  ciular  ]»ickets,  which 
w  ere  eighteen  feet  above  ground,  was  one  huuilred  and 
fifty  yards  on  every  side,  with  two  blov.'k-housi>s  or 
l»astif)ns  at  the  angU's,  and  dwellings  and  storehouses 
within  the  enclosure.^ 

Althouijh  building  was  not  entirely  over  for  several 
years,  the  fort  })ro[)er  and  tlu;  usual  building  within 
the  palisades  wwe  well  advanced  during  tins  year  of 
1844.  As  there  is  no  period  in  the  history  of  a  com- 
monwealth j)ossessing  a  mon;  kc>eii  and  lasting  interest 
than  that  of  the;  rude  inci[)iency  of  its  metropolis,  I 

'■' '  On  tlui  o])i)oHito  Nido  of  tlio  liarlior  is  .a  larf^i'  luitivd  village;  tlic  ilis- 
t.ii\co  across  is  only  KM)  yards,  ami  oaiicics  k('i'j>  mi  CDiistint  (■oiMiiniiiicatioii 
lii'twi'i'ii  it  and  the  fort.  Certain  supiilies  to  tiu^  I'liiefs  ke(|i  tiii'in  in  jjood 
IniiMiir  with  their  intrudiiij^  visitors.'  The  house.s  of  tho  natives  'ari^  liuilt 
Aitli  solidity,  the  tdiinato  rendering  it  nt^eessary  to  >f\iiird  aji;aiiist  .'he  coM, 
iiiil  arraiiuo  vitli  somo  dc^gree  of  order  in  streets  or  lanea  M'ith  jiassa  ,'es  rnii- 
iiiiig  11])  lietweeii  till  ni  Several  families  oeeiqiy  the  same  lioiis(!  oiie  largo 
>*lu'd,  littli:  lietter  than  an  o[K'ri  cow  house  or  stahle  in  an  iiidill'erei't  inn, 
tlie  eomiiartnieiits  or  walls  hardly  ex<diidiiiv;  the  sight  of  one  family  f''oin 
■iiiotiicr.    Siriniinii'n   To,./.  Hinilil,  i.   lO.V  (i.   See  also  A'ir/(C('  l!,\rin,  i.   \~ \  'JdS, 

"liiis  is  Mr  KinliiysouH  statement,  lliil.  W  /.,  MS.,  ;U  •-'.  Other.s  who 
know  less  ahoiit  it  give  otlior  ligiireH. 


112 


AFFAIRS  AT  CAMOSUN. 


shall  give  the  impressions  of  a  few  early  visitors  in 
their  own  words. 

Lieutenants  Warre  and  Vavasour,  wlu)  were  there 
in  1845,  report  the  2Gth  of  October:  "We  visited  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company's  post, .  .  .where  they  have 
established  a  fort  similar  to  those  already  described, 
a  farm  of  several  hundred  acres,  on  which  they  raise 
wheat  and  potatoes,  and  a  depot  of  provisions,  supplies, 
etc.,  for  the  different  trading-posts  farther  to  the 
north."  And  again  the  latter  of  the  above-named 
gentlemen  says  in  a  report  to  Colonel  Holloway  dated 
the  1st  ')f  Marcli  1 84(5:  "Fort  Mctoria  is  situated  at 
the  suutliern  end  of  Vancouver's  Island,  in  the  small 
harbor  of  Cammusan,  the  entrance  t<^  whicli  is  rather 
intricate.  The  fort  is  a  square  enclosure  of  one  hun- 
dred yards,  surrounded  by  cedar  pickets  twenty  feci 
in  height,  having  two  octagonal  bastions  containing 
each  six  six-pounder  iron  guns  at  the  north-east  and 
south-west  angles.  The  buildings  are  made  of  s<piared 
timber,  eight  in  numbor,  forming  three  sides  of  an 
oblong.  This  fort  has  lately  been  establislied;  it  is 
l)a(lly  situated  with  ngard  to  water  and  position,  which 
latter  has  bi-cn  diosen  for  its  agiicultural  advantages 
onlv. .  .  .  This  is  the  best  built  of  the  com  pan  v's  forts; 
it  requires  lotip-lioling  and  a  ])latform  or  gallery  to  en- 
able men  to  riiv  over  tiu;  pickets.  A  tiitch  might  be 
cut  round  it,  but  the  rock  ai)i)ears  on  the  surface  in 


mai 


aces 


"4 


HtMthold  Secmann,  naturalist  on  board  It.  ]\[.  S. 
Hcrahl,  who  visited  the  place  in  July  IH4(!,  says: 
"The  fort  is  a  square  enclosure,  stockaded  with  poles 
about  twenty  feet  high,  and  eight  <»r  ten  inches  in 
diameter,  placed  close  togetlier,  and  seamed  with  a 
crof .,  |)iece  of  n«^arly  ecpial  size.  At  the  tiansversi; 
corners  of  the  scpiare  there  ixvv  strong  octagonal 
towers,  mounted  with  four  nine-])ounder  guns  flank- 
ing each  side,  so  tliat  an  attack  l)y  savages  would  be 
out  of  the  question;  imd  if  defended  with  spirit,  a  dis- 

*  //niitf  (\)inniniis  IMiini'i  In  Thru'  Aililfd.^fn.  7,  11    V2. 


LAYIN<;  OUT  A  TOWN. 


113 


ere  there 
isited  the 
bhey  have 
described, 
they  raise 
;,  supphes, 
er   to  the 
)ve-iiaiued 
way  ilated 
iitiiated  at 
the  sinall 
I  is  rather 
'  one  huiv- 
^veiity  feet 
contaiuinj;' 
i-east  and 
of  stpiared 
ides  of  ail 
ihvd;  it  is 
ion,  whieli 
idvaiitages 
nv's  forts; 
|h>ry  to  eii- 
ini,l»lit  he 
urfaee  in 

111.  M.  IS. 
\\{\,  says: 
Litli  poles 
liiu'hes  ill 
[d  Avith  a 
Irans  verse 
loetnufonal 
ins  llank- 
kvould  l)e 
(lit,  a  dis- 


I 


<'iphned  force  without  artillery  would  find  considerable 
diHieulty  in  fou'ing  the  defences.  The  square  is  about 
one  liundrcd  and  twenty  yards,  but  an  increase,  which 
will  nearly  double  its  len«j;th  from  north  to  south,  is 
contemplated.  The  building  is  even  now,  though 
plaiti  to  a  fault,  imj)osing  from  its  mass  and  extent, 
while  the  bastions  or  towers  diminish  the  tameness 
which  its  regular  outline  would  otherwise;  produce.  The 
interior  is  occupied  by  the  officiTs'  houses,  or  apart- 
ments they  should  rather  l,>e  called,  stores,  and  a  trad- 
ing house,  in  which  smaller  bargains  an'  concluded, 
and  tools,  agricultural  im])leineuts,  blankets,  shawls, 
ixads,  and  all  the  multifarious  products  of  Sheffield, 
Hirmingham,  Manchester,  and  Leeds,  are  offered  at 
exorbitant  ))rices." 

"In  lHo'_',"says  Kinlayson,  "the  town  of  A'^ictoria 
was  laid  out  in  streets,  then  bounded  on  tlu'  west  by 
the  harbor,  on  the  east  by  the  present  Goveinment 
street,  on  the  south  by  the  old  fort,  and  on  the  north 
l>y  the  present  Johnson  street.  Outside  of  these 
boundaries  were  the  fields  whic^i  were  under  cultiva- 
tion."^ This  will  enable  the  nader  to  locate  to-day 
the  exact  spot  on  which  the  fort  stood. 

Hut  by  far  the  best  account  extant  of  the  [)lace  as 
it  existed  at  an  early  day  is  that  give:i  me  by  my 
friend  ifanu's  Deans,"  of  Vancouver  Island,  who  de- 
scribes it  as  he  first  saw  it  in  January  185,']:  "The 
bastions  were  of  hewn  logs  some  thirty  feet  in  height, 
and  were  connected  by  ])alisades  about  twenty  feet 
liigh.  Within  the  palisades  were  the  stores,  num- 
hered  from  one  to  five,  ami  a  blacksmith  shop,  besides 

'■• /•'iiiltii/soii'.i  h/lti-.i,  MS.,  Oct.  18,  187!>. 

''Si til. mint  <)/'  ]'iiiirniiitr  Julmiil,  MS.,  l>y  Joinis  Dvatin,  A'ii'tdria,  1878. 
Mr  ni'iuis  \V!i.s  liorii  at  AriiiLstii'ld,  HniMiiigtonshiiT,  Scotland,  on  the  ITtli  ol' 
•hiiic  l.S'JT.  Lcavinj^'  LoikIoii  tlio  17tli  of  August  18.VJ,  on  the  II.  11.  ('o.'.s 
bark  XiiniKiii  Morritim,  ho  iirriveil  at  Victoria  the  Kith  of  .lanuary  following. 
Uritish  Columbia  ha.s  Ix-en  hin  plucu  <if  rusiiiunce  ever  since.  Thus,  under  lii.s 
3«>iiunuou8  observation,  society  aiid  the  cnnnnonwealth  have  arisen  and  de- 
veloped, anil  being  a  close  and  intelligent  observer,  an  original  thinker,  and 
.'i  fearless  speaker,  his  uianuscrint  constitutes  no  unimportant  part  of  my 
material  for  this  por*iou  of  my  history.  I  shall  have  occasion  to  refer  to  it 
"li'uy  times  during  the  progress  of  this  work. 

11 1ST.  llllIT.  COL.     8 


114 


AKKA1K.S  AT  fAMOSUN. 


V<  m 


dininj^-hall,  cook-liouso,  and  chapel.  .  .  .The  site  of  the 
tort  was  ail  oak  opening.     The  ground,  to  the  extent 
of  an  acre,  was  cleared  and   enclosed  by  a  palisade 
forming  a  square.     On  the  north  and  south  cornens 
was  a  tower  containing  six  or  eight  pieces  of  ord- 
nance each.     The  north  one  served  as  a  prison,  tlu- 
st)uth    one  for  firiny;  salutes  whenever  the  jjfovernor 
visited  any  place  officially.     In  the  centre  of  the  east 
and  west  sides  were  main  gate-ways,  each  having  a 
little  door  to  let  peoitle  out  or  in  after  hours.      On  the 
right,  entering  by  tlio  front  or  south  gate,  was  a  cot- 
tage in  which  was  tlie  post-office.     It  Avas  kept  by  an 
officer  of  the  <'onipany,  a  Captain  Sangster.     Next  in 
order  was  the  smithy.     Xext  and  first  on  the  soutli 
side   was  a  large  storehouse,  in  which  fish-oil,  etc., 
were  stowed  awa}'.      Next  came  the  carpenter's  shoj;. 
( 'lose  to  this  was  a  large  rt)om  provided  with  bunks 
for  the  company's  men  to  sleep  in.     Next,  and  last  on 
that  side,  was  a  large  building,  a  sort  of  barrack  for 
new  arrivals.     Between  this  corner  and  tlie  east  gate 
were  the  cha])cl  and  chaplain's  house.     On  the  other 
side  of  this  jjate  was  a  larijce  building  which  served  as 
a  dining-room  for  the  officers;  adjoining  this  were  the 
cook-house  and  pantry.     On  tlu;   fourth   side  was  ;i 
tlouble  row  of  buildings  i'or  storing   fur  previous*  t<> 
sliipment  to  England,  and  goods  before  taking  their 
})lace  in  the  trading  store      Behind  these  stores  was 
a  fire-proof  building  used  as  a  magazine  ft)r  storing 
gunjtowder.     On  the  lowei*  corner  was  another  cottage 
in  which  lived  Finlayson  and  family,  who  was  tlu'ii 
chief  factor.     (Jn  the  other  side  of  the  front  or  west 
gate  was  the  flag-staff  and  belfry.     The  central  part 
of  the  enclosure  was  open,  and  was  always  kept  clean. 
Through  this  enclosure  ran  the  main  road   leading 
from  the  two  gates.     On  one  side  of  this  road  was  ii 
well  in  which  a  lamentable  accident  happened  eailv 
in  the  rush  of  1858.     This  well  was  about  thirty  feet 
in  depth,  down  to  the  bed-rock,  which  dij)pcd  sutl 
denly  toward  the  harbor,  leaving,  when  the  water  got 


DOUGLAS  AND  FIXLAYSON. 


115 


low,  tlio  Upper  i)art  of  it  dry,  wliilo  at  tlu;  lower  })art 
there  were  tliree  or  tour  feet  of  water.  It  was  lined 
witli  stoiu'-work  up  to  the  surfaee,  then  covered  with 
wood.  To  tliis  well  the  miners  eanu;  for  their  supply 
of  water,  which  was  hauled  up  witli  a  rope  and  bucket. 
Wliile  one  of  them  was  haulinuf  up  water  the  rope 
hioke  and  kt  his  kettk'  fall  to  the  bottom.  In  order 
to  save  his  kettle,  he  ga\('  an  Indian  a  dollar  to  go 
down  and  fish  it  up.  The  Indian  went  <lown  and 
stood  on  the  dry  part  of  tlie  rock.  After  trying  a 
littk^  while,  and  unable  to  grap])le  th:-  kettle,  in  order 
to  help  Jiim  to  recover  it  the  miner  swung  himself 
down  by  the  rope.  When  about  ten  feet  down  his 
t'fct  struck  the  stone-work.  In  an  instant  the  w1k)1c 
wall  fell  <lown  on  the  Inilian,  who,  p(K)r  fellow,  died 
instantly,  crushed  to  di>ath  at  the  bottom.  A  nund>er 
(if  |)eople  came  and  quickly  recovered  his  bod}'.  The 
well  was  oidered  to  be  tilled  ii]),  which  was  doni'. 
Only  one  of  all  the  old  buildings  now  remains,  which 
is  the  store  known  as  nund)er  three.  It  is  at  present 
used  as  a  theatre"     that  is  to  sav   in  I  S78. 


( Miaracteristic  of  Douglas  was  the  desire  to  accf)ni- 
piisli  the  greatest  possible  residts  with  tlu'  smallest 
means,  a  praiseworthy  (juality  if  not  carried  to(»  far. 
During  his  wide  experience  he  had  often  been  forced 
to  this  economy  of  capital,  and  M'hat  he  had  done  he 
»t(ni[K'IKd  otluTS  to  do.  If  a  fort  was  to  be  built, 
Donglas  wt)uld  specify  the  nund»er  of  men  to  be  em- 
jiloyed,  the  tools  to  be  used,  among  which  the  nevt-r- 
failing  Canailian  chopping-adze  was  always  promini'nt, 
if  indi'ed  it  was  not  the  only  one,  if  I  may  except  a 
few  augers,  chisels,  and  saws.  Finlayson  had  beeii 
the  pupil  «)f  J)ouglas,  as  Douglas  had  In-en  th(>  ])U\n\ 
of  Mcjjoughlin. 

Under  the  iuHuenco  of  Douglas,  Finlayson  ind)ibed 
similar  ideas;  so  that  when  ordered  to  build  Fort 
( 'ainosun  without  a  single  nail,  ho  did  it.  Strange 
!ts  it  may  appear,  houses,  palisades,  and  bastions  were 


E|'i  I 


116 


AFFAIRS  AT  CAMOSUN. 


erected  without  the  use  of  one  iron  nail   or  spike, 
wooden  pegfs  alone  being  employed." 

'  B(.'si(les  Finlai/xonK  I/iat.  V.  /.,  M.S.,  passim;  Deans'  Settlevient  V.  I.,  MS., 
])as.siiii;  Doiii/his'  I'oyni/e  to  the  ^'oiihiirnt  C'onxt,  in  Journal,  MS.,  120-7; 
Holduo,  in  JJe  Smet'a  Or.  Minx.,  flo-OS;  ami  Wtidtlimjton's  Froficr  Minen,  ou 
whose  evidence  this  and  the  preceding  chapter  rest — I  may  infer  to  Emnn' 
HiM.  Dr.,  MS.,  'JTit;  Simp.soni*  Or.  Ter.,  47;  NIIc.h'  Jierj.,  Ixix.  134;  Svevmnu's 
Vo;i.  Ilcritld,  i.  101-3;  Maine  8  B.  C,  '2C>-!u;  Kane's  Wanderhvjn,  215;  Guide 
to  }{.  ('.,  281-4;  Martin's  II.  B.,  lU-.");  (Irani,  in  London  <>eoij.  Soc.,  Jovr.,  xxvi. 
272;  MrKinUiy's  Nar.,  MS.,  7;  Orerland  Monthly,  xv.  407;  James  Dontjlas,  Jl. 
B.  Co.  Er.  If.  B.  Co.  Claims,  40-01;  Cooper,  Mar.  Matters,  MS.,  passim;  Ifaz- 
lilt's  B.  C,  157,  copied  vcrhatini  from  (irant;  Tohnie's  Ptujet  Sound,  MS.,  10; 
/fon-ison's  Bept.,  30;  Marjie's  B.  C,  58;  Blanrhard,  in  House  Commons  Bept., 
1857,  2tH),  204;  Cooper,  in  House  Comvions  Bept.,  1857,  208;  Good's  Britink 
Columbia,  MS.,  2;  Toil's  New  Caledonia,  MS.,  10. 


Il 


CHAPTER  VII. 


CAMOSUN,   ALBERT,   VICTORIA 

1845. 

EXTKRMTTIATION    OF     SaVAOE     NoMENCLATURK — CaMOST'.N     BECOXrES      FlFiST 

Alhkrt,  and  then  Victoria — Food  Siri'LV — Doislas'  Moito,  «iuEAr 
Fnd.s  from  .Small  Means  — Wooden  I'loi(!1is  am>  Roi'E  ITarnehs  A 
More  Liberal  Economy  Somktimk.s  Prokitarle  —  Outward-hound 
Siiirs  from  Enuland  now  L'omh:  DiitEiTLY  HniiEii — Wilu-im;  Kt.EETs 
— The  Mission  of  the  'America' — Captain  (Jordon  as  a  Sportsman — 

HosriTALITY  AT  FoRT  VUTORIA — 'FlFTV-FOUR  FoRTY  OR  FHillT  '— >[oRF. 

Vessels  of  War  at  Victoria — Also  Surveyors  and  Ari'raiser.s  of 
Territories — The  Northwest  Coast  not  Worth  FiiaixiNti  for-  - 
ADVFiNTUREs  OK  Padl  Kanb— Fokt  Victobia  IN  Early  IUys. 

Back  into  the  woods,  you  greased  and  painted  red- 
skins I  Go!  And  take  your  belongiiii^s — all  of  them, 
that  is,  all  except  what  civilization  would  have.  But 
cliiefly  take  yourselves,  your  past,  your  future ;  take 
your  names  of  things  and  places ;  take  your  lares  ct 
pniatcs,  take  your  legends  and  traditions.  Begone! 
Blot  yourselves  out!  Why  should  you  be  remem- 
bered (  What  liave  you  done  as  tenants  of  this  domain 
except  to  occui)y,  and  eat  and  sk'e[),  and  keep  it  fresh 
and  virgin  as  God  gave  it  3'ou,  until  some  stronger 
hand  sliould  come  and  wrest  it  from  you?  Thanks, 
g(Mitle  savage;  but  go!  And  please  do  not  die  liere 
under  our  cultivated  noses.  You  need  execute  no 
testament;  we  will  administer  your  estate.  (Jio!  Be 
forgotten!  Be  not!  And  let  not  your  late  home 
breathe  of  your  former  being. 

For  the  first  two  years  of  its  existence,  as  we  havx- 
seen,  the  post  at  the  south  end  of  Vancouver  island 
was  called  by  the  native  name  of  the  place,  (^amosun. 

(117; 


!i 

1  i;  1  ] 

Ii!    1  " 

in: 

III  i:',   ; 

1      !  ■ 

'■j '  . ' 

1 

'   ! 
1  ii 

M'i: 

Ii  '  ' 


tit 


CA.MOSUX,  ALBERT,  VIlTOltlA. 


It  was  HOW  (leouictl  advisable,  not  to  say  nocussary, 
to  eradicate  all  traces  of  nature  and  the  natural  man; 
it  was  thought  in  better  taste,  with  the  levelling  of 
forests  and  the  tearing  uj)  of  rocks,  to  blast  from 
memory  the  sylvan  race  that  once  were  masters  there. 
It  happened  there  lived  somewhere  a  man  whosi* 
name  was  Albert,  whom  it  were  well  for  the  ailven- 
turers  of  England  to  conciliate;  therefore,  in  the  year 
of  grace  I  84;"),  orders  came  from  the  London  magnates 
to  damn  the  name  Camosun,  and  call  the  place  Fort 
Albert.  But  even  then  tliey  were  not  satisfied;  for 
behold,  n[)on  this  planet  there  was  one  nnghtier  than 
Albert,  even  his  wife,  the  queen;  and  so  before  the 
year  had  expired  Camosun  was  called  Victoria,  eacli 
new  baptism  being  celebrated  by  the  usual  .salutes  and 
ceremonies.' 

Xo  sooner  were  the  stockade,  storehouses,  and 
dwellings  prepared  than  the  people  at  Camosun 
turned  their  attention  to  the  production  of  food. 
"  Foi,"  sai<l  Finlayson,  "after  the  first  year  many  a]»- 
plications  for  agricultural  produce  from  head-quarters 
would  be  ascribed  to  want  of  energy  on  the  part  ot" 
the  otticiMs  in  char'>i>  "  and  holdin»>'  last  to  the  motto 
of  Douglas,  "great  ends  from  small  means,"  the 
omnipotent  adze  was  sharpened,  and  wooden  ploughs 
and  harrows  were  made,  tiie  mould-board  anil  teetli 
being  of  oak;  old  ropes  obtained  from  the  coasting 
vesst'ls  W(U'e  used  as  traces  for  tlie  lioi'ses  to  ])ull  l»y. 
Afterward,  seeing  how  industrious  and  thrifty  they 
were,  as  a  mark  of  h.is  s[>ecial  favor  Douglas  in^lulged 
them  in  the  e.vtravagance  of  a  few  iron  ploughshares 

FinlayHou  wiys,  J/!.i/.  V.  /.,  MS.,  2fi:  'In  the  yc;ir  IM'i  tliu  Uiuiie  I'l' 
CainoHiiii  i(rcvi(m.><ly  j^ivcii  to  tlio  I'ort  wii«  cluingtMl  to  Fort  Albert  l)y  onli  r 
from  I'higlaiiil,  unci  tlio  sui'ccodiiig  your  to  that  of  Victoria. '  Tliis  J  slioiilu 
regard  at!  tlic  liigiicst  autliority  liiil  I  not  find  a  hi^dier  in  tlic  report  of  lleii- 
tentants  Warre  and  Vavasour,  J/oii.ii'  i)J'<'oiiimn,i.s  lictHriiK  to  TInrc  Aihlns  :<<. 
7,  dated  tlie  'JGtli  of  October  1S4."),  in  wliieli  the  j)o.st  is  |ilainly  designateil 
Fort  N'ictoria.  This  may  have  been  done  witliout  projior  autliority,  or  ii 
niiiy  not  have  lioeu  coinnioidy  called  by  that  name,  or  ba]>ti»!d  into  it  lieforr 
184(5.  At  most,  the  •li.'icrepanc;,  in  the  time  of  the  change  of  name  involves 
but  a  few  monthu. 


(iKKAT  KX1>S  FROM  SMALL  MEANS. 


no 


loccssary, 
Liral  man; 

(last  tioin 
iors  tUero. 
an   whosi' 
]\c  advou- 
11  tlic  year 
I  inaguatt's 
place  Foi't 
tisfiod;  for 
rlitier  than 
luiforo  tlu' 
L-toria,  eacli 
salutes  and 


Kouses,   and 
^t   Camosun 
jn    of  food, 
av  laaiiy  ap- 
ad-quaitois 

the  part  of 
.o  the  motto 
ueaus,"    the 
U>n  ploughs 
d  and  teeth 
lie  eeastnii; 
to  \»uU  hy. 
thrifty  they 
las  iudulgc>d 
»loUghshares 


>t  Albert  l>y  «>'-'l<'; 
L  ■  This  1  slioul'l 
liic  ni>oit  of  lii^^"- 
1,  77/(W  J«/'/cc.s  •'■.■. 
li.laiulv  ilesiguiiU;! 
authority,  <"•  " 
lizetl  into  it  hotor.' 
of  uiiiiie  iuvolvos 


iVtnii  Fort  Vancouver;  and  whetting  their  Scotch 
ingenuity  still  further,  they  took  the  iron  lioops  from 
old  provision  casks  and  with  them  lined  the  mould- 
Itoards  of  the  pKmgh  and  bound  the  wooden  agricul- 
tural machinery  gricultural  outhouses  were  built; 
and  urain  was  thravshed  bv  driving;  horses  ronnd  a 
ring  in  the  barn.  Flour  was  made  witli  a  steel  hand- 
mill  sent  from  Fort  Vancouver. 

i'erhaps  a  more  liberal  economy  would  have  bettii' 
Served  the  purpose,  though  it  might  not  so  well  have 
scrvt-d  James  Douglas.  McLoughlin  was  making 
ready  to  retire  from  the  service,  and  remove  from 
Kort  Vancouver  to  Oregon  City  the  coming  winter, 
leaving  Chief  Factor  ])ouglas  first  in  connnand  on 
the  Pacific.  Tliis  new  post  on  A'^ancouver  Island  was 
undoubtedly  destined  to  great  things.  Mr  (ilrant 
savs:  "As  in  sett)  in  IT  there,  no  idea  was  entertained 
by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Comj)any  beyond  starting  a 
fresh  tra(ling-])ost  with  the  Indians,  the  establishment 
riMuained  in  ."fUifn  quo  until  the  j-ear  184!),  when  the 
granting  of  the  whole  island  to  the  com})any  opened 
out  a  fresh  fieUl  i'or  their  I'xertions;"  but  in  this  he  is 
mistaken.  We  know  that  the;  com})any  harbored  far 
more  ambitious  views  for  Camosun,  or  by  the  grace 
of  (iod,  Albert,  and  Victoria,  than  the  establishing 
of  an  ordinary  trading-]K)st  there,  thougli  ]\Ir  (Jrant 
did  not.  The  great  men  of  the  great  monopoly  were 
\\h<»lly  abk'  to  keep  their  own  counsel,  and  those 
ut^arest  them,  in  point  of  time  as  well  as  of  distance, 
olten  knew  least  i.s  to  tlu'  project  or  [)oIicy  revolving 
in  their  mighty  minds. 

Had  a  trading-])ost  ah)n(>  been  the  nu>asure  of  their 
expectations,  Langley  would  have  answered.  At  Lang- 
ley  were  both  furs  and  fisherii's;  there  was  little  local 
trade  on  this  south  end  of  Vancou^■l'r  Island.  Xo. 
the  day  was  coming  when  ])rogres.s  should  demand 
somewiieiv  in  this  western  noith  a  Ih'itish  city. 
Already  the  Americans  were  nj>on  theni,  and  had 
spoiled  their  st)uthern  urounds.      JNissiblv  thev  miijht 


i'l4!!r:!. 


120 


CAMOSUN,  ALBERT,  VlLTOUiA. 


nurse  their  western  hyperborean  game  yet  a  century 
or  two  as  tliey  had  done  in  Kupert  Land ;  or,  if  hard 
pressed,  they  might  spare  the  island  to  civilization  and 
yet  liold  the  mainland  savage. 

Howbeit,  with  metropolitan  glories  far  or  near,  with 
or  without  the  assistance  of  the  whale-catchers,  this 
new  post  would  prove  more  than  the  usual  trafficking 
stockade.  Therefore  Douglas  would  begin  his  reign 
with  reform,  and  carry  yet  more  tlian  ever  into  rigid 
practice  his  ])rinciple  of  the  greatest  results  from  the 
least  means. 

Almost  innnediately  Fort  Victoria  became  the  sec- 
ond depot  of  Hudson's  Bay  Company  goods  on  the 
Pacific  coast,  and  shortly  afterward  the  first.  Out- 
ward-bound ships  from  England  now  had  orders  to 
sail  direct  for  this  port,  and  after  landing  here  all  the 
goods  destined  for  the  coast  trade,  to  proceed  to  the 
(\)lumbia  River  with  the  remainder.  Hence  tlie  sta- 
tion rose  rapidly  in  importance. 

There  were  now  three  vessels  in  the  company's  ser- 
vice between  London  and  the  Northwest  Coast,  the 
Vancouver,  the  Coirlltz,  and  the  Columbia.  These  ships 
made  yearly  voyages,  bringing  outfits  always  twelve 
months  in  advance,  which  enabled  the  fort  to  have  on 
hand  one  or  two  years'  supply.  The  first  to  enter 
Victoria  Harbor  direct  from  England  was  the  Van- 
couver in  1845.^ 

A  fleet  of  five  American  whalers  dropped  in  at 
Royal  Bay  in  1845  for  supplies.  And  yearly  after 
that  they  called  at  Fort  Victoria,  until  finally  it  was 
found  that  tlie  Hawaiian  Islands  offered  a  more  con- 
venient port  of  call.  Indeed,  the  hope  of  Governor 
Simpson  to  establish  here  a  general  rendezvous  for 
whalers  was  never  fully  realized. 

Durintr  this  same  year  Juan  de  Fuca  Strait  was 
honored  by  a  visit  from  her  majesty's  ship  America, 

'The  Vatienrnvr  is  reported  at  Victoria  again  in  Novemln-'r  1840,  ami  iti 
1847  tlie  bark  t'otniiiltin  at  Honolulu  twenty-six  ilaya  from  Vancouver  Islautl. 


VISIT  OP  OORDON. 


121 


whose  captain  was  Gordor,  brother  of  the  earl  of 
Aberdeen,  tiien  priine-iuinister  of  Enij;land.  Knowing 
little  or  nothing  of  Esquinuilt  and  Victoria  harbors, 
(lordon  put  in  to  Port  Discovery,  sending  a  despatch, 
as  lie  was  passing  through  the  strait,  to  the  officer  in 
cliarge  at  Fort  Victoria  to  come  on  board  his  vessel. 

Placing  his  first  officer  in  charge  of  the  fort,  Finlay- 
son  returned  with  the  messenger  to  the  America,  and 
soon  stood  in  the  presence  of  the  august  commander. 
A  series  of  catechisings  then  set  in,  which  lasted  three 
(lays,  at  the  expiration  of  which,  Finlayson,  squeezed 
of  all  information  in  his  power  to  impart,  was  sent 
l)iick  to  his  post.  Captain  (iiordon  aiul  certain  of  his 
officers  accompanying  him. 

The  object  of  the  A)ticrivafi  visit  wns  to  obtain  in- 
formation concerning  the  coast,  such  as  shoukl  assi.st 
tlic  English  government  in  settling  the  boundary 
question  then  pending.  To  this  end,  while  Finlayson 
was  yet  on  board,  C{q)tain  Parke  of  the  marines, 
and  Lieutenant  Peel,  son  of  Sir  Robert  Peel,  were 
despatched  by  way  of  the  Cowlitz  to  the  Columbia, 
to  ascertain  the  value  of  that  region  to  the  subjects 
of  Great  Britain. 

As  the  time  drew  near  when  the  rights  of  owner- 
sliip  and  occupation  must  be  finally  determined,  Brit- 
isli  statesmen  asked  themselves.  Is  the  country  worth 
haviiiij?  Further  than  this,  is  it  worth  fiyfhtinu:  for? 
These  queries  they  put  to  the  London  management 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  the  answers  were 
not  satisfactory.  The  company  cared  nothing  for  the 
value  of  the  country,  cared  little  whetlie-'  England 
should  fight  for  it.  Their  interest  lay  in  preserving 
it  as  a  hunting-ground.  So  long  as  that  was  done,  and 
they  enjoyed  a  monopoly  of  the  fur-trade,  all  was  well. 
If  their  plans  wx-re  to  be  spoiled,  it  mattered  littK;  to 
them  whether  it  was  dime  by  the  English  governnuMit, 
or  by  American  settlers.  When  McLoughlin  was 
asked  this  question,  he  answered  plainly  that  ho  did 
not  think  the  country  worth  fighting  for. 


CAMOSUN,  ALHKKT,  VH TlJUlA. 


It  was  not  t'VL'iy  (lay  tliat  ln'otlitTs  and  sons  ot'rarls 
and  baronets  tlroppi'd  in  upon  tlic  quiet  traders,  and 
all  were  well  aware  that  Kni;land  now  cxpeettnl  Fin- 
layson  to  d(t  his  duty.  First  of  all,  the  A7ncricas 
ottieers  were  duly  feasted,  this  heinjr  a  eustoni  whieh 
EuLrlish  ijentlenien  as  well  as  American  sava»;c8  de- 
lijjfhted  in.  Fatted  calves  were  killed,  also  swine  and 
poultry' ;  and  hunters  were  sent  out  for  ^anie.  To 
native  delicacies  wire  add.cil  liouie  i)rotluctioiis,  which 
wi'll  cooked  and  served  with  the  choicest  wines  and 
li(|Uors  satisfied  the  stomach  and  warmed  the  heart 
into  solemn  ufood-fi'llowship. 

It  w\is  really  necessary  the  dinner  should  pass  oti 
well  if  the  service  was  to  escape  disgrace,  for  when 
bedtime  came  there  were  no  sumptuous  apartments 
into  which  to  show  the  quests.  Eatinijj  and  sleepiniL; 
were  two  <|uite  distinct  afl'airs  at  Fort  Victoria. 
There  wi-re  no  wives,  civili/ed  or  savage,  in  the  offi- 
cers' quarters  of  the  fort;  indeed,  Fiidayson's  was  the 
oidy  bed,  and  that  was  a  singh.'  "ot  slung  against  the 
l)are  walls.  This  was  gisen  to  the  ca))tain,  while 
tlie  others  sle[)t  on  the  floor. 

At  the  breakfast  table  next  morning  a  large,  fine 
salmon  was  placed  before  the  guests,  smoking  liot. 

"What  is  that  '"  demanded  the  captain.  ' 

"  Salmon,"  said  Finlayson;  "wo  Lave  plenty  of  them 
liere." 

"  Have  you  flies  and  nxls  :* '' 

"AVe  use  lines  and  bait;  the  Intlians  catch  them  in 
nets ;  we  have  no  flies  and  rods  '(  " 

"  No  Hies!  no  rods  1"  resj>onded  thepuz/led  captain, 
who,  like  many  others,  prided  himself  most  on  what 
he  knew  least  about,  and  could  scarcely  imagine  a 
greater  disgrace  to  English  sportsmen  than  the  ado]>- 
tion  of  aborifjinal  customs  in  fishiui;  or  huntiuij.  "No 
flics !  no  rods !     Well,  vou  have  indeed  turned  sav- 


ages. 


Fishing  in  Fuca  Strait  being  out  of  the  question, 
without  the  customary  adjuncts  attending  angling  in 


OI'INIOXS. 


i-.':» 


eh  theiii  in 


Hiitisli   trout-sti 
and  Hc('t<'s 


ilonul,  tlu!  finest 


sircjims,  hor.scs  wen*  (Htlonui,  u\v.  tiiicst 
tlic  island  allordcd.     The  Jiritisli  sailors 


wtif  now  to  show  their  hoiii«^htcd  oountryinou  liow 
dt'ff  Mrri'  stalked. 

Hvi'ii  nature,  tlattei'ed  hy  the  [)resoiire  ot"  the  illus- 
trious visitoi's,  had  put  on  h. or  gayest  aj)))arel.  llidiny; 
tortli  u|>on  the  wiKl  sward  carpeted  with  ilower-',  ])e- 
twi'cn  forests  and  tern-frini;"ed  thickets,  the  rich  green 
of  the  liill-top  foliage  ]>luniing  the  illimitahle  ))lue,  tlm 
dancing  waters  i»elow,  and  the  fro/en  sunshiui^  ahove. 
the  hreast  of  the  honest  fur-trader  heaved  somewhat 
t  \ultant  over  the  island's  loveliness.  After  waiting 
in  vain  for  sonu'  e\[)ression  of  appreciation  on  the 
pari,  of  hi  conipani(»ns,  he  modestly  asked,  "Is  not 
tlii.v  he.iutiful  f 


Kiidayson,"  n-jtlied  (Jordon,    '"I 


vould  not  give 
luc  of  the  hleakest  knolls  of  all  the  hleak  hills  of 
Scotbuxl  for  tweiitv  islands  arraved  like  this  in  l»ar- 
liaric  glories." 

Finlayson  could  not  h»^li>  asking  himself  what  the 
government  meant  in  sending  such  an  ass  to  set  a 
\ahiation  on  ^.1  e  Xorthwest  Coast. 

L'resonily  a  tand  of  deer  started  ui>,  the  party  pur- 
■-ued,  and  just  as  Gordon  was  ri>ady  tt>  shoot,  the  game 
disappeared  in  a  thicket  whicji  the  mounted  hunters 
•  •ould  not  ]>enetrate.  The  captain  thereupon  hroke 
nut  into  new  cursings,  and  demande<|  how  deer  couhl 
l)c  shot  in  a  country  like  this. 


W 


lave  men  who  can  average  six  a  <lay,    sai( 


Finlayson.  "and  that  without  fatigue  ;  hut  as  the  game 
I'f  the  islautl  is  not  yi't  enclosed  in  park  fenci's,  and 
ue  caimot  run  it  down  through  tliese  thickets,  we  are 
nhiiged  to  steal  upon  it  imawares,  which  is  easily  <lone 
hy  those  who  understand  it." 

In  a  very  had  humor   the  sailors  returned   to  th* 
tort,  and  after  a  week  of  eating  and  drinking,  which 
iIkv  most  of  all   enjoyed,  they  wi-nt  on   hoard  their 
^liip.      ^leanwhile,  accouipanied  hy  Douglas,  who  was 
doing  the  honors  in  that  quarter,  Parke  and  Peel  re- 


124 


CAMOSUN,  ALBERT,  VICTORIA. 


turned  from  the  Columbia  River,  apparently  as  dis- 
gusted with  the  eountry  in  tliat  direction  as  Gordon 
had  been  with  Vancouver  Island.  When  the  expe- 
dition returned  to  Enu^land,  and  made  its  intelligent 
.'irid  valuable  report,  British  statesmen  were  amply 
.•'.l)le  to  give  the  subject  the  clearest  consideration. 

And  now  while  the  cry  of  "fifty- four  forty  or  fight'" 
was  ringing  throughout  the  United  States,  and  while 
in  England  there  was  likewise  no  small  excitement 
relative  to  the  interests  of  Great  Britain  on  tho 
Pacific,  there  appeared  before  Fort  V^ictoria  several 
British  vessels,  ,vhich  had  been  ordered  from  tlu; 
south  Pacific  to  guard  British  interests  on  the  North- 
west Coast. 

These  were  the  Cormorant,  Captain  Gordon — not 
the  (Tord(m  of  the  former  visit,  but  another  of  that 
name;  the  Fixijard,  Captain  Duntze;  the  Cousiancc, 
(^aptain  Courtney;  tlie  Jnconstinif,  Captain  Shepherd; 
and  the  surveying  vessels  Jlcrald,  Captain  Kellett, 
and  Pandora,  Ca[»tain  Wood.  Thus  again  in  184G 
Finlayson  was  called  upon  to  dance  attendance  on 
maritime  magnijicos.  Beef  cattle  were  driviJii  up  for 
tlie  officers  to  shoot,  and  wild  hors(!S  for  them  t<> 
break.  Douglas  and  Finlayson  were  often  on  the 
vessels  to  diimer,  and  the  officers  used  to  ask  them, 
"Why  do  you  leave  tlie  Colund)ia?  If  we  could  only 
be  sent  there,  we  would  take  the  whole  country  i»! 
twenty  four  hours."  After  these  came  the  frigate 
TlietiH  and  other  V-..^sels.  All  tliese  sliips  found  tlie 
fortress  of  Victoria  revellinii:  in  fat  tliinjifs;  nor  were 
tlie  officers  slow  to  })rovision  their  v«!ssels  from  the 
stock  of  cattle  and  jtroduce  there  al)ounding. 

Several  of  these  ships  were  given  some;  little  coin 
mission  other  than  tiie  primary  one  of  guarding  Jiritis'i 
rights  and    fi'owning  on   the  obstreperous  t;neroac]i 
ments  of  the  Americans.     Thus  Cjiptain   Duntze  of 

"Tlmt  is  to  say,  if  (Jroat  Britain  did  not  yield  to  tliu  Unittd  States  pcact 
alilo  poHHesiiioii  of  all  territory  west  of  tlie   lloeky   Mniiiitiiiiis,  lietwecii  tin: 

Co8S('s.sioiis  of  Mexico  mi  1ln'  soutii  ami   IliiM.sia  on  tiie  imi'tli,  whicli  latter 
uund  waa  latitude  Tit   40',  tiie  Amurieani  would  lijjht  for  it. 


S  I 


SEYMOUR  AND  KKLLEIT. 


125 


Lly  as  dis- 
ks Gordon 
the  ex[K'- 
intelligent 
jro  amply 
ration, 
'or  fight"' 
and  while 
excitement 
in   on   tlie 
ria  several 
from  tlie 
ho  North- 

)rdon — not 
icr  of  that 
( \msiancc, 
Shepherd; 
n  Kellett, 
n  in  1840 
ndanoe  on 
veil  uj)  for 
tliem  to 
I  on  the 
isk  them, 
ould  only 
country  in 
10  frigate 
ound  t]i<> 
nor  Wi-re 
from  th( 


ittle  eoni 
i«X  Jiritis'i 
(MU'roacli 
)untze  oi 


the  F'mjard  was  directed  hy  Rear-admiral  G.  F.  Sey- 
mour, commander-in-chief  of  her  majesty's  fleet  in  the 
s,  tilth  Pacific,  and  whose  rei)ort  to  tiie  admiralty  was 
dated  on  hoard  the  CoIliiKjirood,  Valparaiso,  8tli  Fch- 
ruaiy  1S47,  to  "ascertain  wliether  coals  could  be  sup- 
jilied  in  sufficient  quantities  for  the  use  of  steamers  on 
(^)uadia  or  Vancouver  Island,"  and  Diintze  accordingly 
sent  the  steam-vessel  Coruiorant  thither.  The  result, 
so  fai'  as  its  bearing  upon  the  coal  interest  is  concerned, 
will  I»e  given  hereafter.^ 

Henry  Kellett,  (;ommanding  the  Herald  and  the 
r<nt<lom,  which  appeared  before  Fort  Victoria  in  July 
IHtT),  being  tuu;u!'ed  from  deep  su)Touiidin«ifs  by  the 
('  mnorant,  which  was  tlu>re  before  them,  made  a  super- 
ficial survey  of  Fuca  Strait,  and  then  sailed  south- 
ward. Subsequently  Kcsllett  became  conspicuous  by 
three  cruises  to  the  Arctic  regions,  in  search  of  Sir 
.roliu  Franklin. 

Resides  the  war-vessels  of  the  Pacific  squad^o  i, 
whose  officers  were  to  leportoii  the  resources  and  joii- 
dition  of  the  country,  as  well  as  guard  their  govern- 
ment's interests  thert'in,  a  special  commission  of  iixpiiry 
was  sent  from  Knglan<l  by  way  of  (^anada  to  ascertain 
\(  t  more  definitelv  what  the  Northwest  Coast  was 
worth,  and  how  matters  stood  there.  Two  engineers, 
lieutenants  Warre  and  Vavascmr,  were  selected  by 
th(!  governmc'it  foi"  this  purpose,  and  tliey  arrived 
at  Fort  Vancouver  in  1845  by  the  annual  express 
from  York  Factory,  that  year  in  charge  of  Chi«'f 
r  actor  Ogden. 

In  addition  to  this  commis.iion  by  the  government, 
these  gentlemen  were  to  perform  a  little  sijcrct  serv'ce 
for  the  Hudson's  Bay  (\nnpany  council  in  London, 
wliich  was  no  less  than  to  act  as  spies  on  McTjough- 
liii,  esj)ecially  in  reftacnce  to  his  intiircourse  and  deal- 
ings with  settlers  from  the  United  States. 


1  States  iK'ai' 

<,    llctWIMMl    till' 

which  lattir 


*  'Ah  t  witlidrtiw  the  Comiorant  from  the  Northwest  ('oast,  on  hearing;;  <rf 
thi^  arruiiguinunt  of  the  Ontgoii  i|UOMti(>ii,  I  pruHiiiiiti  iioiio  will  l>u  ru<iu.rt>d 
Htiilcr  prcMMit  ciiciniiHtaiicoi  for  her  inajeHty's  nervico. '  Sq/iiinnr'n  Itnrt.  (• 
Ailiiitii.  i-    .'*,,...  ,o  HoiiHT  < 'omiimii*  lielurm  to  Three  AiHrvMHrH,  1848-U,  3. 


I'jr. 


(  A.MOsrX,  AI.HKUT,  VKTOKIA. 


P'V'  1,1 


m 


I  <1<)  not  doubt  tiitit  these  g'eutleimni  port'ormed  tlieii- 
duties  <'onsc'ientiou.sly.  They  exiimiiu'd  tlie  Columlua 
River  and  tlie  country  soutli  of  it;  they  visited  Puiifet 
Sound  and  A'ancouvcr  Ishvail,  and  made  a  lengthy 
jvj)ort  on  its  resounvs;  tliey  spoke  of  tlie  coal,  the 
fisheries,  and  the  tiniher;  but  they  did  not  thhik  the 
country  wortli  fiir,ditini;-  for.  Their  i'c[>ort  coneernin»_( 
^[eLouo'hlin  was  likewise^  unfavorable,  so  nmch  so 
tliat  they  s  -nt  it  otf  secretly,  witliout  showing'  it  ti> 
lilni,  wliicli  was  contrary  to  cu.^toin,  and  suspicious 
if  \u)t  insultin*^.  On  the  strenij^th  of  this  rc[)ort,  the 
London  inanau'enient  wrote  ^tcLousjfhlin  a  letter  of 
reproof,  which,  though  subsocpiencly  a[>olooized  for. 
](h\  to  tlie  inunediate  resignation  of  that  most  valu- 
a,l)le  officer. 

Travelhni«'  was  now  iH'cominu:  somewhat  daniierous 
along  tlie  middle  ( 'olumbia,  t'veii  fni'  the  HudsonV- 
Hiiy  people,  owing  to  animosities  arising  from  con 
llicting  interests.  As  a  rub',  liowe\cr  em-aged  the 
savages  might  be  against  Americans,  tbi'ir  faitii  in  the 
liritish  fur-traders  remained  unshaken.  Ihit  in  1844, 
when  J.  W.  McKay  iirst  came  to  Fort  Yancouve!', 
he  found  tliat  tlie  natives  along  some  parts  of  the 
rctute  were  not  to  be  trusted. 

After  sj»en<lin!_,  some  time  with  Paul  Eraser,  wno 
had  established  a  post  for  the  Hudson's  Hay  (.'om[»any 
near  the  mouth  of  the  IJmpipia  and  after  being  pres- 
ent at  several  political  meetings  in  Oregon,  where,  to 
his  no  small  amusement,  he  saw  luuninated  for  offict 
old  servants  of  tlu!  conipany,  ignorant  voyageurs,  wliose 
idc^as  of  government  were  but  little  ab(»vi^  those  of  a 
grizzly  bear,  he  was  detaile(.  to  attend  on  the  officeis 
of  tlie  l^ritish  gt)vernment  in  their  examination  of  tin 
country,  to  taki;  charge  of  the  baggage,  and  provide 
animals,  guitles,  and  («jui[)age.  McKay  tt^stifies  that 
with  rt!gard  to  the  Cowlitz  country  and  the  regioii 
between  tin?  Columbia  and  Kuca  Stniit,  they  declared 
that  it  should   be  held  at  all  )\azard.     If  by  this  he 


(•i;>,  \uir.s  VIEWS 


moans  that  such  was  t!  j  goneral  and  final  impression 
expressed  by  the  officers  of  the  Aberdeen  ministry 
lu'ie  investigating  in  1845,  that  being  the  time  of 
wliicii  he  s})eaks,  I  can  <»nly  say  tluit  the  weiglit  of 
ividence  is  against  liim.  Doubtless  both  British  and 
Americans  deemed  it  shameful  that  any  part  of  the 
Northwest  Coast  should  be  given  up  to  the  other, 
doubtless  both  would  tak((  and  hold  all  territory  pos- 
sible, witlu)ut  actual  wai- ;  but  when  it  came  to  fighting 
tor  the  gravi'lly  pl>ins  (»f  the  Cowlitz  and  tlie  rolling 
Itunch-giass  prairur.  of  eastern  Washington,  tliey  <li<l 
not  tiiink'it  worth  the  while. 

liarly  in  184(j  McKay  was  sent  to  California  to  as- 
certain what  arrangements  might  l)e  ma«le  for  obtain- 
ing certain  sup[)lies  nearer  than  Knglan«l,  in  cast'  tin- 
larming  (\stablishments  on  the  ( 'ohunbia  and  the  (^>w- 
litz  should  be  given  up  to  the  United  Statis. 

Tlieie  were  thoughts  in  I'^ngland  that  ]»erhaps  bef«)re 
long  settlement  by  l^ritish  subjects  W(»uld  begin  i'l  Brit- 
ish Columbia;  lor  about  this  time  we  fintl  S.  Cunard 
suggesting  to  the  athniraltv,  that  in  granting  lands  on 
X'ancouver  Island  the  crown  might  as  well  reservi'  to  its 
own  use  the  coal-mines  already  pri'gnant  with  promise. 

Meanwhile  such  of  the  company's  men  as  conld  Ik- 
spared  from  the  business  of  the  fort,  as  well  as  all 
natives  desirous  of  taking  on  civilization,  were  ke[>t 
at  W(>rk  clearing  lands  ami  istablishing  farms.  The 
savages  Were  soon  c'onvinced  that  in  this  instan<-e  em- 
phatically wisdom's  ways  wire  j)eaee;  so  they  turne<l 
ill  iuid  helped  the  white  nun  i  !id  the  men  half  white 
lo  work,  becoming  good  bulh.  k-<lrivers,  and  lu'ttcr 
phmghmen  than  the  Canadians  <r  Kanakas,  to  whom, 
iiev  'vthcless,  they  gave  freely  of  their  women  to  wife, 
all  which  tended  to  promoti;  good  behavioramong  the 
v!iriegutc<l  retainers  of  the  conunercial  despots.  The 
natives  were  treated  with  strict  fairness,  Ix'mg  pai<l  as 
well  as  other  laborers  wln>n   they  w»»rked   as   well. 

rill        • 

iheir  wages  were  from  £17  to  £25  per  annam. 


128 


CAMOSUN,  ALBERT,  VICTORIA. 


Within  three  years  after  the  beginning  of  the  fort 
there  were  under  cultivation  one  liundruJ  and  sixty 
acres,  on  which  were  grown  wheat,  oats,  potatoes, 
carrots,  turnips,  and  other  vegetables,  with  a  con- 
stantly inert  Mjing  conversion  of  wild  lands.  Then- 
was  a  dairy  furnishing  an  abundant  supply  of  milk, 
wliicli  took  tlie  place,  in  a  great  measure,  of  beer,  wine, 
and  spirits  as  a  beverage. 

]^y  the  end  of  1847  there  were  at  this  place  two 
dairies,  each  having  seventy  cows,  which  were  milked 
twice  a  day,  the  milk  yielding  seventy  pounds  of  butter 
to  the  cow  each  season.  Thus  the  wild  hunters,  fish- 
ermen, and  fighters  were  fast  becoming  farmers  and 
dairymen 

In  this  year  of  1847,  on  the  flat  where  now  run 
the    most    prominent    business    streets,    where    stand 
the  banks,  the  post-office,  and  the  principal  business 
houses,  threi>  hundred  acres  were  cleared  and  under 
cultivation.     The  laiul  was  rich,  ju'oducing  fine  pease 
and    })otatoes,    and    of   wheat    forty    bushels    to    th(? 
aciv,  the  most  of  whicli  prodive  was  sent  to  Sitka. 
Two  llussian  vessels  came  this  year,  and  carried  away 
from  Victoria   Harbor  over  five  thousand  bushels  of 
wheat,    beside    beef    and    nmtton,    payment    for    the 
same  beiiijif  made  with  bills  of  exchanufe  on  St  Peters- 
buig.      Fort   Ijaiigley  likewise  cojitributod  to  the  lad- 
ing of  these  two  s1ii[)S,  the   }>roduce   being    brought 
thence   to  Victoria   Harbor  in  small   boats.     Uj)  to 
the  time  of  tlie  bargain  with  the  Jlussian  American 
Fur  Comj>any,  nothing  like  a  foreign  commerce  in 
any  articles,  other  than  those  obtained  hi  the  regular 
fur   traffic,   was  ever  attempted    on    the   Northwest 
Coast.     Although  as  a  whaling  dej)ot  the  establish- 
ment at  Victoria  Harbor  was  attended  with  insignili 
cant  success,  yet,  as  tlie  Venice  of  the  ntirthern  wilds, 
the  home  anchorage  of  the   oidy  steamer  that  had 
'^v<'r  puffed  upon  those  waters,  and  the  cliief  commer- 
<'ial  port  in  British   Pacific  America  of  the   liussian 
American  fur-traders,  it   fast  budded   into    promise. 


VISIT  OF  THE  'HERALD.' 


129 


Two  or  three  years  lati^r  saw  dianges  yet  greater — 
the  seeds  of  a  city,  with  new  goods  and  new  jargons, 
with  a  cash  trade  for  goods,  as  well  as  a  fur-trade, 
where  nierehandise  was  sold  for  money  by  those 
who  had  hitherto  seareely  known  a  dollar  from  a 
ducat. 

While  the  fur-traders  were  delighted  over  any- 
thing which  broke  the  dead  monotony  of  tlicir  lives, 
and  were  specially  pleased  by  the  opportunity  to  en- 
tertain their  countrymen,  they  were  not  always  grati- 
fied with  tlie  result.  Leading,  as  they  did,  isolated  and 
simple  lives,  and  accustomed  to  indulge  only  in  plain 
words  and  honest  purposes,  they  were  often  treated 
somewhat  cavalierly  by  their  visitors,  while  using  the 
best  means  at  connnand  for  their  comfort  and  amuse- 
ment. And  when  once  the  guests  had  turned  their 
l)ack  iipon  the  place,  they  did  n(jt  hesitate  to  speak 
their  minds.  Thus  Seemann,  writing  for  the  officers 
of  the //ero/f/,  says: 

"  There  being  no  competition,  the  company  has  it 
all  its  own  way;  it  does  not  profess  to  suj)ply  the 
puhlic;  indeed,  although  it  does  not  object  to  sell  to 
pc()j)Ie  situated  as  we  were,  yet  the  stores  are  for  the 
trailu  in  furs,  to  supply  the  native  hunters  with  the 
goods  wliich  they  most  value,  as  also  for  the  use  of  its 
own  deperuh  .ts,  wlio,  receiving  little  pay,  art;  usually 
ill  ileht  to  the  comj)any,  and  are  tlierefore  nmcli  in  its 
}«»\v'(>r.  In  fact,  tlie  people  employed  are  rarely  those 
to  whim  r(>turning  lioine  is  an  object;  tliey  have 
iMiistly    boi'U    taken    from    poverty,  jukI    liave   at 


a  I 


t  vi  iits  food  and  clothing.  Tli<^  W(uk  is  hard,  but 
with  Jieahii  and  strength  this  is  a  bh-ssing  ratiier  than 
otherwise.     Wart  of  wliite  womtMi  jn>pt;irs  to  be  the 


and  generally 
iVoni  which 


(hawl'ack  to  tliis  j)rospect  of  succ 

I'Hils  to    conncH'tioiis  with    tlw?    natives, 

S[iriTig    jialf-castes,  who  from   tlie  specimens  we   saw 

a;>|icar  t()  inherit  the  vic(>s  of  both  races;    they  are 

active    and   shrewd,    but   violent    and    coarse,  while 

neither  their  education  nor  conduct  admits  theiu  into 

llisr.  iiiiiT.  cdi,.    y 


I 


! 


■jm  CAMOSUN,  ALBERT,  VKTOKIA 

the  societv  of  the  European  settlt^rs.  This  must  eu- 
i^eiider  a  bad  state  of  feehiij^,  and  niiglit  he  remedied 
by  takinj:;  more  pains  witli  the  education  and  traininji; 
of  these  liardy  and  enter})rising,  yet  more  than  half- 
hrutahzed,  jH'ojde,  We  felt  (juite  disgusted  in  seeing 
one  of  thesi!  half-eastcs,  hearing  as  good  a  name  as 
any  in  Scotland,  heating  and  kicking  a  score  of  Indians 
<»ut  of  the  fort  witli  as  httle  compunction  as  if  they 
IkuI  hccn  doi;s,  sc(irnin»r  tlu>m  as  natives,  tho«<xl!  his 
mother  had  hccn  taken  from  one  of  their  tribe,  and 
liad  been  no  more  educated  than  they  were." 

Thus  slowly  toward  a  more  illustrious  destiny  pro- 
ceeded affairs  at  Fort  A^ctoria.  Thouirh  no  danjj^er 
was  api)rehended  from  the  natives,  watch  was  usually 
kept  at  night  inside  the  j)ickets,  where  the  liourly 
cry  of  "All  is  well!"  told  the  conscious  sleepers  that 
the  sentinel  was  on  duty;-  for,  failing  to  hear  the 
cry,  the  sleepers  would  awake.  Thus  silently  aroused 
one  night  while  on  a  professional  visit  to  this  ])ost, 
])ouglas  caught  a  Kanaka  wacchman  endeavoring  t(» 
imlock  the  door  of  tlu'  storehouse,  probably  for  rum, 
but  surely  for  n(»  good  purpose.  Next  m<»rning  lie 
was  tied  to  a  tree  and  given  three  do/en  lashes,  and 
sent  to  work,  nevermore  to  bo  trusted. 

The  natural  advantages  of  this  lt>cality  w-tc  not 
slow  to  be  recognized,  even  by  the  aboriginals.  Al- 
though t>ach  fitrt  had  its  district,"  ami  the  inhabitants 
of  each  district  Mere  expected  to  trade  at  their  own 
post,  yet  so  nmcli  more  convenient  was  A'ictoria  to 
many  points,  and  so  nuich  bettiT  was  the  st<»ck  of 
g<MMls  kept  there,  thattni^  trade  of  this  stiition  rapidly 
increased  beyond  its  K'gitimate  dependencies. 

'"This  iiiioa  tlu?  authority  of  William  John  MaedoiiaM,  sutiator,  who  wms 
witii  tlio  company  «'i;;ht  years.    //.  C.  Shfr/ns,  MS.,  30, 

"For  I'xamjilf,  Ni.-iiually  oxtiinU'il  from  tliu  ( iichalix  Ilivir  toWhiilhiy 
iNlaixl;  I.aiii(h'y  from  Wliiilhcy  iHlaml  to  MillHUik  •Soiiiid;  McLoiighlin  Iroirt 
Milliaiik  Souml  to  thu  .Skci'iia  Uixcr;  aiul  SimpHoii  from  Ski'i'iia  llivcr  to  tli" 
Alaskan  lioumlary.  After  Mcliouulilin  wax  aliamloucil,  tiiu  territory  formci  ly 
iH-i'iipii'il  liy  that  post  was  covorDil  hy  tlie  ucigiihuriiig  vHtubliahniuntM.  /'<;/• 
l,fi/.iii,i's  l/iif.  r.  A,  MS.,  ST. 


lis  must  eii- 
Ijo  runiodied 
and  trajninji^ 
e  tliaii  halt- 
ed in  scoinj^- 

a  name  as 
"0  of  Indians 
I  as  if  they 

tliouorh   liis 

r  tribe,  and 
e." 

destiny  pro- 
i  MO  danyfor 
was  usually 

the  hourly 
leepers  that 
:o  hear  the 
itly  aroused 
)  this  ])ost, 
eavoriiiy:  t(» 
)ly  for  rum, 
norning    he 

lashes,  and 

y  Wire  not 
,^inals.  Al- 
iidiahitaiits 
t  their  own 
A'ictoria  to 
lie  stoek  ot' 
tion  rapidly 
ies. 

ciiiitor,  wlio  WIS 

viT  to  Whiillx  y 
[(■Lniighliii  ii'otii 
!ii;i  lliver  to  tli" 
•rritory  foriiuil) 
jlishmuiitH.  /'<"■ 


I 


PAUL  KANE. 

-1*NcX^tg^*«  -  eo..on  enough  nZ 
184G  Paul  Kane  nuuoZd  ti^  '*  ''^'  "^*  ««  ^^^en  i 
"-r  from  Canada  K,^^^^^^^^^^         Slaving  com  ! 
as  Ins  sole  companions    ^ti.         '.^'""*-^^-^'  ami  mm 
a  tached  himse/f  in  c:;;ssir  ^irm^?".  ^^^^^^'^^  '^^  ^ 
-i  ^Ir  Lane  and  wife,  I^fr  Cii  nl      .T"*^'''"''  ^'^"'^''sted 
■serviee  appointed  to  a  wo.f.  '  *\^''  '^  ^^^'^'^  in  tlio 

a'Hl  sixteen  men.  '^'*'''"  P''^^'  ^^r  MeGiJlivrav 

J^ouglas  ami  O.^den  ihn..       •        , 

I'"''^"^''nan  in  the  fonn  of  ^^^^>.  ^nnidred  men.  A 
w|^  stationed  in  the  river  iXe  T!^':  ""^7  ^^^^^" 
y^    Kane  met  McKinlav  w  lo  /'•^-    ^^^' <>'-^>y<>„ 

^^alla  gunpowder  story;  u.dlo  ',""   '''"^   ^^^"^ 

!">^;;ilo  recovered  son.e  st  , '  I  ''"^^''''''  <leseribin<r 
'"  Vnv  Caledonia.  He  .^T  \^T  ^^'^^'^  -^t^^^'""-! 
'^s  Joss  was  serious     t-f"^^  "^^*'.  ^>ut   <^'i'ee  pounds    .... 

;;jo..ti,  the  ...uz.]e  of  t  'tr  '"■;".';'"' '"  )■'""• '"  I  ' 

'''"""  to  atoms.  Scttiu"  th  ""•'  V'^f'  >™"W  l^o 
"">■  nearest  him  Wew  Si'"-'  ''■'"""l>'«  i'iiuself,  Z. 
-  -  .."til  all  had  Xne  "o  3";  •■""''  ""  ""^'  ^ 
'   ".,„e  h,s  turn,  hung  hi"  hca/  *      'i' '""",'  «'"'  «''«' 

'■' t','"'"'.'""'  «'"tea    '  ;S,,7";.  t'K- coast  k„„  . 
''"•   fjirnis    -jn.l     .     ,  •    'Sa(Ja'*le  book.^ 

;:':,;i--^Hntsandtiow.;:i  .nr^!.::''''->^'^'^!^^^ 


;;;  H-'t  heavy,  n./i,;; J    ;;  a  Huui^u 

^•"'   Jiad    ever  y.-t    been    f  n' K     t' ^' '^'"•^  *^ 

ly'n./,r!„,..   ...  .  "^  .  ^"      'airlv     ploU'dlod       I.Mf      ...1 


:v^v/!.,S---""i:3r'^i'^:/"/^" 


tl. 

»*'d,   but    onl 


IV 
10 


/  '"'.y'v  7',  ,• 


n/  \„rth   A 


"I'riai. 


.■"'«.  •■■."M"t;;,s.; 


from 
'o)n- 


132 


CAMOSUN,  ALBERT,  VICTORIA. 


ii,;i",,'t 


■.■11 


scratched.  While  trading  in  furs,  attention  was  like- 
wise directed  to  fisheries,  Fraser  River  now  exporting 
annnally  from  one  to  two  thousand  l)arrels  of  salted 
salmon. 

When  Paul  Kane  was  there  making  his  sketching 
excursions  in  the  neifjhborhood,  findinjx  clover  abun- 
dant  lie  supposed  it  "to  have  sprung  from  accidental 
sieds  which  had  fallen  from  packages  of  goods  brought 
from  England,  many  of  which  are  made  up  in  hay." 
Xot  a  very  brilliant  supposition;  for  so  correct  an 
artist,  not  to  say  naturalist,  should  know  wild  from 
tame  clover  without  8upi)osing. 

"  The  interior  of  the  island,"  Kane  continues,  "  has 
not  been  explored  to  any  extent  lixcept  by  the  Indians, 
who  represent  it  as  badly  supplied  with  water  in  the 
summer,  and  the  water  obtained  from  a  well  dug  at 
the  fort  was  found  to  be  too  brackish  for  use.  The  ap- 
pearance of  the  interior,  when  seen  from  the  coast,  is 
rocky  and  mountainous,  evidently  volcanic ;  the  trees 
are  large,  principally  oak  and  pine.  The  timbers  of 
ji  vessel  of  some  magnitude  were  being  got  out.  The 
establishment  is  very  large,  and  in\uit  eventually  be- 
<om',>  the  great  depot  for  the  business  oftlie  company. 
Tliey  had  ten  white  men  and  forty  Indians  engaged 
in  building  new  stores  and  warehouses." 

One  da^ ,  while  sketching  not  far  distant  from  the 
fort,  Kane  discovered,  stretched  naked  on  tlie  rocks, 
the  l)ody  of  a  young  female  slave  slain  and  thrown 
to  the  vultures  by  her  mistress.  The  artist  recognized 
the  victim  as  a  comely  maiden  whom  he  had  seen  a 
few  days  before  in  perfect  healtli.  Notifying  Finlay- 
son,  the  two  visited  the  lodge  of  the  mistress,  who 
was  accused  of  tlie  murder. 

"Of  course  I  killed  her.  Why  should  I  not?  She 
was  my  sUive,"  replied  the  wonuMi. 

"She  was  far  1  tetter  than  you,"  replied  Finlayson. 

'Whatl"  exclaimed  the  female,  now  furious  with 
ra'i;e,  "I,  the  daughter  of  a  chief,  no  better  than  a 
slave  I"  and  wrapi)ing  herself  in   her  filthy  dignity, 


JAMKS  BAY. 


]33 


was  liko- 
[ixporting 
of  salted 

sketching 
^cr  abuii- 
accidental 
8  brought 
)  in  hay." 
orrect  an 
wild  from 

lues,  "has 

c  Indians, 

tor  in  the 

liW  dug  at 

,     The  ap- 

le  coast,  is 

the  trees 

timbers  of 

ut.     The 

tually  be- 

company 


1 


onijrai'ei 


from  the 

the  rocks, 

id  thrown 

recognized 

ad  seen  a 

g  Finlay- 
tress,  who 

not?    She 

Finlaysou. 
i-ious  with 
,cr  than  a 
y  dignity, 


she  .stalked  from  their  presence,  and  a  few  days 
tliereafter  moved  from  that  locality.  Almost  as  in- 
human in  the  treatment  of  her  slave  as  are  civilized 
matrons  in  their  treatment  of  outcasts,  she  was  almost 
as  indignant  as  they  when  reproved  by  the  voice  of 
liumanitv. 

L(»ng  after  settlement  set  in,  long  after  the  tov.Mi 
was  laid  out  and  city-building  begun,  the  fort  was  tho 
<hief  feature  of  the  place.  "Upon  my  first  visit  to 
Victtnia  in  1849,"  says  ]\[ayne,  "a  small  dairy  at  the 
head  of  James  Bay  was  the  oidy  building  standing 
outside  the  fort  pickets,  which  are  now  demolished, 
i^ut  shortly  after,  ujwn  Mr  Douglas'  arrival,  lie  built 
himself  a  house  on  the  south  sideof  James  Bay ;  and  Mr 
Work,  another  cliief  factor  of  the  com])any,  arriving 
a.  little  later,  erected  anotiier  in  Rock  Bay,  above  the 
l)ri(ige.  These  formed  the  nucleus  of  a  little  group  of 
huildiiigs,  which  rose  about  ai-.d  Ix-tween  th(Mn  so 
slowly  that  even  in  1857  there  was  l»ut  one  small 
wliarf  on  the  liarbour's  edge." 

At  tlie  time  of  his  arrival  in  April  18G1,  Good  ol)- 
s(  rves:  "The  old  fort  of  tlie  Hudson's  ]^ay  Company, 
together  with  several  old  buildings,  all  surrounded 
with  a  strong  picket  palisade,  still  remained."^ 

*  Material  for  this  part  of  British  Columbia  history  is  meagre.  T\\c  trMt)i 
IN,  tht;ri!  was  little  going  on  at  the  time  at  Fort  Victoria,  to  whicii  this 
rliaptiT  is  cliictly  devotoiT,  exi'i'jit  the  usual  routine  at  such  ostahlishnients. 
My  authorities  are,  Fiiil'ii/son'ti  JI'iM.  V,  I.,  MS.,  2.">,  32— Jl;  Aiif/irnon'-i  Hi-sf. 
Xi>r//,i'r.it  ('(Misf,  MS.,  I'lO-lii;  MrKai/'ti  Jive.,  MS.,  '2-3;  noicjliut'  J'rim/,: 
JdiiriKil,  MS.,  passim;  Coojyer'it  M'lmlinie  MntU'rs,  MS.,  l-'J;  JlrLniiijIilhiH 
I'rirtKfi  PiipriK,  MS.,  sor.  ii.,  l.'J;  lirit.  Col.  Skrtd;:%  MS.,  'Jl-'i,  :W-:J; '  7'«x/'.< 
jVc/r  Cdlafoiiiit,  MS.,  21-3;  MrKiiiloy'n  jVir/*.,  MS.,  8;  I'tiiil  Khid's  Wniiilir- 
iHr/i,  '2W;  Mniinix  B.  C,  JiO;  Mnrifsrillc  Oil.  Apjmil,  Sept.  17,  187.');  Onynn 
S]ifi-/a/oi;  Nov.  'JG,  184G;  Sundwhii  J/il<ui(l  jVcww,  ii.  23;  J/owinons  Jffyt.,  30; 
lliidittH  B.  C,  'Jir>-I(>;  London  ThncH,  Aug.  27,  1858;  Houxe  Vommona  llrpt.. 
If.  Ii.  Co.  Afiiii-M,  1857,  208,  2".)0;  (lood'n  D.  C,  MS.,  2;  Fimlliii/H  Dinrt.,  i. 
4I7-I'.t;   Wwldimftoii'ti  Friwr  Jiic.  Milieu,  31;  MacJiv'H  V.  I.  luid  B.  C,  58. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THK    SHUSHWAI'   t'ONSPIRACY. 

1840. 

Kamlooi'— TiiK  ()i.i>  FouT  AM>  THE  New— TiiK  Rom.vsce  op  Fur-trauino — 
The  Loudly  AnoisiiiiVAi,  and  his  Home— John  Ton,  Kixo  of  Kam- 

I.OOP    -IIlS    PlIYSIQIE    AND    CrJARAC  TEK— I^)LO,     A    Rt'LEB   AMOSCJ    THE 

SiMsMNVArs — Who  anhWiiat  He  was— His  KiN<ii)o.M  for  a  Horse — 
Anntal  Salmon  Km-euitiox  to  the  Fuaser— Information  of  the 
CoxsriRACY — Loi.o  Retires  from  refoue  ma  Friends — Tod  to  the 
liEscTE  —One  Man  AtiAiNsx  Three  Hpnored  —  Small-pox  as  a 
Weai'on— A  Skjnal  Victory- Chief  Nicola  Meascres  Wits  with 
Mb  Tod — And  is  Foi  nd  Wanting. 


;!' 


mi 


i.:''l.      I 


John  Tod  reigned  at  Kamloop.  Jolin  Tod  was  a 
cliit't'  trader  in  the  service  of  the  llonorable  Hudson's 
Bay  Company,  and  Fort  Kandoop  was  the  capital  ol' 
the  Thompson  Kiver  district  bordering  on  New  Cale- 
donia. The  establishment  was  one  of  the  oldest  in 
all  the  Oregon  or  Northwest  Coast  region,  dating 
back  to  the  days  of  tiie  dashing  Northwest  Company, 
when  with  posts  planted  side  by  side,  the  two  great 
rival  associations  fought  for  the  favor  of  the  savage, 
and  for  the  skins  of  his  wild  beasts. 

There  were  two  forts  which  bore  this  name,  tlic 
old  and  the  new,  both  situated  at  the  junction  of  the 
two  great  branches  of  Thompson  Kiver  with  tluj 
eastern  end  of  Kamloop  Lake,  one  on  the  north  side 
and  the  other  on  the  south.  Old  Fort  Kamloop  was 
first  called  Fort  Thompson,  having  been  begun  by 
]3avid  Thompson,  astronomer  of  the  Northwest  Com- 
pany, on  his  overland  journey  from  Montreal  to  As 
toria,  by  way  of  Yellowhead  Pass  in  1810. 

Next  upon  the  ground,  after  Thompson,  was  Alex- 

(134) 


BL.VrK  AND  UOUCLAS. 


135 


0R-TKA1)TNG — 
^IMO  OF  KaM- 
II   AMOSf.    THE 

•on  A  House— 

ATION    OF    TUE 

Too   TO   TUE 

ALL-rOX     A3    A 

Ks  Wits  with 


iiiilor  Koss,  wlio  in  IMI-J  comliu'ttd  ojKTations  there 
111  lu'lialt'of  Ast(»rs  J^uific  Kur  Company.  After  tlie 
•i»aliti«»ii  of  tlie  XortliNVest  and    the  Irtudson's    Hay 


•ojnpaiu 


•s    ni   IH'JI,  wi 


find    the    iur   veteran    Jol 


in 


^^^  Leed  in  chariLj*'  of  the  Th«»nips()n  Kiver  distriet, 
l"n»  n  ISii'J  ti>  ISiMi.  Erinatinj^er  presided  tliere  in 
IS'JS,  Avlien  Sir  (jeori'e  Shnpson,  the  ilhistrious  front 
I  if  tlie  fur  traffi<'  in  British  America,  droppi'd  in  upon 
the  fort  and  liarangued  the  assenihled  redskins,  lie- 
.seechinijf  tlieni  ti*  he  lionest,  temperate,  fru;,^al,  to  love 


tl 


u'lr 


frii'uds  the  fur-traders,  and  aliovi*  all  to  hiinj 


ill  piles  of  jH'ltries,  and  rt'ceive  therefor  the  useful 
Mild  ma^nifieiMit  trinkets  whieh  the  honorahle  adven- 
tiiicrs  of  I']niifland  trading-  into  Hudson  Uiiy  had 
lieen  at  so  mueh  cost  an<l  pains  to  hrini^  them  fi'oiii 
St)  far;  aftti'  which  pretty  ]»ie<'e  <tfai-tless  suhtlety  the 
4t»vt'rnor  continued  his  )»erilous  di-si-ent  of  Fraser 
IJivcr. 

A  thousand  thrilliuL;"  and  romantic  associations 
liaiin'  round  the  ]»laee.  It  was  tlici'e  the  company's 
otlicer  in  conunand,  Samuel  Black,  challeni;'e<l  his 
brother  Scot  and  i>iu'st,  J)a\id  J)oui;;las,  the  wanih-r- 
iiii;"  hotanist,  to  \v^]\t  a  duel,  hecause  the  hlunt  visitoi- 
one  ni^ht,  while  over  his  rum  and  dried  salmon,  had 
stiL;niatized  the  ]ionoral)K!  fur-traders  as  not  ))ossess- 
ino'  a  soul  ahove  a  beaver-skin.  But  the  enthusi- 
astic pujiil  of  Ifookei"  preferred  to  fight  another  day, 
and  so  took  his  departure  next  inorninj^  unharmed, 
l>ut  only  t<»  meet  his  death  shortly  after  l»y  fallin*;; 
into  a  ])it  at  the  Hawaiian  lslan<ls  while  liomtward 


l»ound.      Likewise  mav 


we 


*^y.  I 


»oor  J]la<'k  I     For  it 


was  hut  a  short  time  after  this  chivalrous  disnlav  of 

ill*  •  •  1         •/ 

lidehty  to  his  company,  that  is  to  say,  durintjf  the 
winter  t»f  1841-2,  while  residinij;  at  thv  old  lort,  that 
lie    was    cruelly    assassinated    hy    tlu;    nejdiew    of   a 


nendlv    m 


ighl 


>orn»ir    c 


hief. 


n 


nainec 
liavin»if  cluirim'd  his  uncle's  life  awav 


I    \V 


anquil 


lor 


It  was   Black's  su<*cessor  who  huilt  the  new   fort 
n  the  opjiositu  side  of  the  river.     The   new  estab- 


136 


THK  SHUSHWAP  CONSPL^ACY. 


ll';' 


m- 


lishment  differed  little  from  the  later  built  fortresses 
of  the  fur  company;  some  seven  houses,  consisting 
of  stores,  dwellings,  and  shops,  were  Liclosed  in  pali- 
sades fifteen  feet  in  height,  with  gates  on  two  sides, 
and  bastions  at  two  opposite  angles.  To  the  older 
establishment,  beside  the  compact  and  j)alisaded  block- 
house, were  attached  stockades  for  animals;  for  here 
hundreds  of  fine  horses  were  yearly  bred  lor  the 
transport  service,  which  formerly  was  by  boats  from 
Fort  Vancouver  to  Okanagan,  and  thence  by  liorses, 
in  bands  of  two  or  three  hundred,  to  Kamloop  and 
Fort  Alexandria,  on  Fraser  River,  whence  to  Fort 
St  James  canoes  were  again  employed.  It  was 
a  sight  never  hereafter  to  bo  repeated,  two  hun- 
dred hor.ses  laden  with  rich  peltries,  winding  down 
the  mountains,  through  rugged  passes  and  over  the 
waving  plain,  on  toward  the  smoother  highways  of 
commerce,  along  which  are  interchanged  the  varied 
comforts  of  the  world.  Later,  the  route  of  the  semi- 
annual brigade  from  the  districts  of  New  Caledonia, 
Thompson  River,  Okanagan,  and  the  Columbia,  was 
from  Kamloop  to  Fort  Hope  on  the  Fraser,  and 
thence  bj'-  boat  to  Langley  and  Fort  Victoria  on 
Vancouver  Island,  now  rapidly  beoommg  the  metro- 
politan post  of  British  Columbia.  Seven  tribes 
traded  at  this  post  when  it  was  first  built,  namely 
the  gentle  Atnah,  the  lively  Kootenai,  the  chivalrous 
Okanagan,  the  surly  Similkaraeen,  the  fierce,  vin- 
dictive Teetjthe  treacherous  Nicoutamuch,  besides  the 
always  hospitable  and  friendly  Kamloop.  All  these 
nations  were  members  of  the  family  Shushwap.  These, 
however,  were  not  all  regular  visitors,  nor  perma^ient 
in  their  patronage.  The  simple-minded  and  ingen- 
uous savage  knew  every  trick  of  the  trade,  and  where 
opposition  was,  there  were  gathered  his  peltries. 

The  rough  rolling  surface  of  the  Kamloop-Shushwap 
plateau  with  its  frequent  depressions,  is  for  the  most 
part  open  and  grassy,  with  occasional  patches  of  scat- 
tering trees  thickening  at  still  wider  intervals  into 


THE  FRASER  HEREABOUT. 


137 


ri 


forests,  aiul  all  made  bright  ami  eye-compelling  by 
an  open  sky  and  silvery  waters,  here  dancing  in 
river-beds,  and  there  in  mirroring  lakes  softly  and 
silently  bringing  down  heaven.  The  summers  are 
liot,  the  winters  cold;  the  early  spring  enrobes  both 
plain  and  mountain  in  grass  and  flowers,  and  autumii 
spreads  before  the  phlegmatic  aboriginal  a  bounteous 
supply  of  food.     Thompson  River  is  sometimes  seen 


The  SiiiTSHWAP  ConNTRT. 

elbowing  its  way  among  the  rocks,  but  more  frequently 
it  presents  itself  glittering  between  rich  green  borders 
(tf  alder  and  willow.  Between  Fort  Kamloop  and 
the  Papayou,  or  the  Fountain  wo  will  say,  on  Fraser 
River,  arc  light  sandy  plains,  with  here  and  there  a 
gorge  or  valley  running  parallel  with  the  river,  a  rocky 
cliff,  bounding  a,  valley  covered  with  long  grass,  clumps 


I 


ll 


138 


THE  SHUSH WiVP  CONSPIRACY. 


of  bushes  and  trees,  all  *j;rowi!.«^  wilder  and  more  pro- 
nounced as  the  rugged  cliasni  of  the  Fraser  is  a|>- 
|>roaehed.  Trap  and  basalt  blurt's  occasionally  reaeJi 
over  the  border  of  the  lake  into  which  the  river 
br()adens  on  leaving  the  fort,  the  plateau  rising  behind 
in  terraces.  Everywhere  the  .scenery  is  bold  and 
varied,  and  the  heart  of  man  struggles  ever  outward 
to  meet  it.  And  as  many  others  before  and  since 
have  there  ruled,  John  Tod  reigned  at  Kandoop. 
His  kingdom  was  not  extensive  except  in  so  far  as 
spa<-e  was  concerned.  All  above  and  below  was  his, 
and  on  either  side,  surely  as  fai'  into  the  wilderness 
as  hi^  sjiouid  <-hoose  to  n'o.  His  sul)iects  wei'e  not 
numerons,  if  we  deduct  the  savages,  the  bears,  and 
the  beavers;  there  were  with  him  at  the  fort  during 
this  s[)rlng  of  184(1,  besides  the  dusky  motlur  of  his 
three  dusky  little  ones,  (mlv  half  a  dozen  men  and  a 
lialf-breed  boy. 

John  Tod  was  n(»t  a  handsome  man;  neither  was 
lu'  learned,  nor  polished,  nor  to  any  c(jnsidi'rable  extent 
dural)ly  refined  or  remodelled  by  civilization.  I  le  was 
one  of  som»^  two  tliousand  Scotchmen,  wju),  coming  into 
America  and  tuiiiiiig  themst']\(s  out  into  primitive 
pasturi's,  fell  l»ark  .somewluit  upon  the  «arly  ways  oC 
mankind,  and  became  what  in  the  wilds  of  the  Xortli- 
wrst  might  be  called  Eurojiean  saxages.  Tall,  bony, 
and  wiry,  he  did  not,  like  Mcliough'in  and  Douglas. 
|»rcseiit  a  phy^i<(ne  at  oii<-e  p(.\\trful  and  cominanding: 
Vet  wliiii  in  tlie  administratitiii  of  fur-tra<linu  justici' 
his  right  arm  was  driven  <lown  fr(»m  the  shoulder  b\ 
I'iglitfoiis  wrath  and  with  spasmodic  force,  the  I'ed 
nobl»;s  of  his  su/»'i'ainty  Irll  before  it  like  tenJ)in^. 
Ther-e  was  u  superstition  alu'oad  among  the  .savago 
that  they  could  not,  kill  him.  I  lad  he  not  been  huntctl, 
starved,  »'ut  at,  and  shot  at  bv  waniors  wli(»se  arm 
and  cunning  had  nevei-  hitherto  failed  them  '.  Upon 
a  small  lu-ck  lising  from  sloping  shoulders  was  st  t 
a  head  narrow  and  high,  which  a  half-century  of  con- 
stant i'xposure   to  the  rigors  of  a  New  Calerlonian 


i 


JOHN  TOD. 


l:{9 


nore  pro- 
4or  is  ap- 
illv  read  I 
till!  livoi 
ii«^  hohiiul 
bold    ami 

outward 
[iiul  siiiiT 
Kanilo(»|). 
so  tar  as 

was  his, 
viMerni'SH 
wert'  not 
M'urs,  .11  r1 
)rt  iluriiiL; 
u-r  of  his 
U'li  and  a 

'ithor  was 
hli'  cxtrnt 
1  [('  wa- 

)nnn,!L!;  into 

jirimitivc 

y  ways  ol 

he  Xortli- 

'all,  hon_\ , 

DoiiL^las. 

iMiandin'L; : 

«>    iustici 

midrr  \>\ 

,   the   r."(l 

t«'n|>ins. 

savai4;«'s 

II  liunttMi, 

liosc  aim 

'.      Upon 

1  was  st't 

y  of  r(»n- 

al«>d(»niaii 


cliniato  had  warped  a  little,  and  made  otherwise  awr} . 

Tilt-  liij[ht  hrown  hair  was  not  lorijLj,  falHnjif  over  the 

shouldi'rs  in  carefully  «(reased  waves  or  curls,  so  coni- 

iii(»Mly  seen  anion«^  the  free  trappers  on  frontiers;  nor 

was  it  short  like  a  ])rize-fiijfhter's;  it  was  «)f  niodiuni 

l(  iiifth,  sonu'what  stiff,  in   places  matted,  and  on  the 

\\!iol(     tolerahly  well    kept    in  dishevi'Ued    Hudson's 

Hay  respeetahility.      Ahove  a  hroad,  straight  Seot<*h 

iiitse,  an<l  high  eiieek-l)<)nes,  were  glittering  gray  eyes, 

wliicli   ilaslH'd  peipetual  Inn  an«l   intelligenre.     And 

llu;    mouth!     Sujiport    me,  ()    my  muse!      What    an 

iipeiiing  foi'  gin  and  ehxpienee!      Had  the  mouth  hen. 

small,  the  mighty  hrain  ahove  it  weuld  have  huist;  as 

it  was,  the   stream   of  eoMmiuiiicat,  on   once  set  How- 

iiig,  ami  evi'ry  limh  and  lihre  of  the  hody  talked,  tli<' 

lila/ing  eyes,  the  I'lectrified  hair,  and  the  wdl-poiscd 

tongue  ail  (lancing  attendance.      It  was  a  ti'iek   the 

t'ur-tradei's  early  fell  into,  that  of  copyii\g  from  sav- 

agism  its  aids  to  declamation.      Tod  could  no  moi-c  tell 

his  stoiT  seated  in  a  chair  than  ho  could  lly  to  .lupitfi 

while  chained   to   tlu*   rock  of  (Jihraltai-;  arms,  legs. 

and  \crtehra'  wer«'  all   hrought  into  re(|uisition,  while 

high-liucd  infor'ination,  homhed  >vitli  hroad  oatlis,  hurst 

from  his  hreast  like  lava  from  Mtna. 

Ihit  although  among  eajlhs  pretty  ones,  among 
I  he  starched  and  veiu'cj-cd  of  hr'oailways  and  houlc- 
\aiils.  hisangular  contour  and  disjointed  gait  Jiresen ted 
anything  hut  an  im[iosing  appcaram  ,  yet  John  Tod 
was  huilt  a  man  from  the  gioun<i  upward,  and  those 
with  eyes  might  see  in  him  a  king,  ay,  one  every  in<li 
a  king. 

Xotahle  n»»waml  tor  many  years  afterward  through- 
'lUt  these  jiaits  was  a  whitewashed  sa\age,  a  Shushwa|i, 
likewise  a  king  in  liis  way,  christened  hy  the  company 
St  I'aul,  and  hy  tlu^  Catholie  jtriists  .lean  Jiaptiste 
l-o|o.  'I'h,>  Shu.shwaps  fre([uente<l  Kandoop  almost 
as  much  as  they  di«l  the  lake  that  hears  tlu'ir  name. 
Their  |iassion  was  finery ;  they  loved  it  more  than  liipmi'. 
Indeed,  before  the  advent  of  the  miners,  beside  who.so 


140 


THK  SHUSHWAl'  (.ONSIMUACV 


mud -colored  clothoa  tlio  brij^lit  vesturos  of  the  iiativos 
shone  like  the  rainbow  on  a  tliundor-ljidon  sky,  tlio 
Interior  tribes  did  not  wallow  in  drunkenness  lik(!  their 
relatives  alonj^^  thi;  eoast,  but  rather  afteeted  horses, 
aiul  a  wanhobe  in  whieli  Avere  eons]»ieuous  caps  with 
^ay  ribl)ons,  seaih't  legorinos,  and  red  sashes,  and  for 
th(!  women  bright-eoh)red  skirts,  and  j^audy  handker- 
ehiet's  tor  tlie  head. 

Altliougli  ]jolo  liad  been  tlius  <loubly  liaptized,  \u 
was  not  yet  wholly  elean.  Th(;r»'  was  mueh  of  the 
aboiij^inal  A<lam  still  in  him;  yet  he  was  always  ready 
to  s»'rve  the  god  of  the  fur  rompany,  or  of  tin;  mis- 
sionaries, whenever  he'  <-ould  innkr  it  pay  ;  i'vciythino 
Ix'inn'  »(iual.  however*,  he  Kn't'ciicd  liis  «»wn.      in  i»l 


Ig  »((Ul 


I' 


piiy- 


si(|ue  he  was  larg(\  with  fine  bold  leaturrs,  u  Koinan 
nose  with  dilated  nostrils  In-ing  promin»Mit.  His 
blaek  <'yes  disjilayi'd  a  mdaneholy  euMniiig  rathei 
than  frrocitv,  thouuh  at  tinus  tiicv  woe  restless 
and  piercing. 

His  permanent  «lweHing  was  a  snl»stantial  lint 
sitnated  near  the  old  fort,  aiul  in  wlii<-h  he  lived  and 
reared  liis  fainii\  and  rnle«l  his  nation  long  aftei'  civil 
i/.alioii  liad  filled  tlie  Kamloop  Plains  with  tarme)-s. 
Ills  autlmiity  ann>ng  his  peoph- was  absolute;  even 
alter  old  age  and  sickness  had  sent  him  permanentl\ 
to  his  Ik"<I,  the  naked  sword  and  loadetl  gun  beneath 
his  pillow,  or  ever  within  his  reach,  were  a  terror  {*> 
the  most  distant  inend»er  of  his  tribe.  He  was  a  man 
of  intellect  and  iier\c  as  well  as  t»f  peisonal   iM<»wess. 


1' 


The  <'ompany's  trade  Jaigon  did  not  satisfy  him  in  his 
intetioujse  with  white  men,  and  so  he  leaiiied  ('ana 
di.-in  Kreneli,  which  he  spoke  fluently  in  later  lite. 
Some  time  a\'Ur  the  events  recorde<l  in  this  chapter, 
lu'lieving  sonuthing  at  fault  about  his  knee  joint, 
thinking  perhaps  it  n«'eded  scraping,  and  having  little 
faith  in  medicine-men.  red  (»r  white,  little  l>y  little  as 
he  could  l>eur  it,  with  his  i>wn  hand  la*  cut  the  flesh 
away,  bored  through  the  bone,  and  kept  t»pen  for  a 
time  the  woutui  by  forcing  water  through  it.      He  was 


10  natives 
sky,  thr 
liko  their 
(I  horses, 
caps  with 
■s,  and  tor 
handker- 

pti/ctl,  h< 
ell  of  thr 
ays  ri'atly 
f  tlu!  mis 
vt'rytliinu 
III  ])l>y- 
a  KoMian 
«Mt.  1 1  is 
nu'  ratliLM 
•I!    rt>stl('ss 

intial    hilt 
«  livt'd  and 


IlltiT  fivi 
t'liniitr; 


llltr 


rvrn 


lrinaiu'iitl\ 
I    hcliratli 
tcnnr  ft' 

Iwas  it  nuiH 
i»r(»w('ss. 


llllM   III 


liii't 


Ills 

I  ( 'ana 
llat«'r   lift'. 
[s  cliaitttT. 

LIH'l'-jo 


mi 


IviMir 


1 1  til 


I  littl 
tlic  W 


»>  lis 


CSll 


IH 


II    Inl"  a 
He  was 


\mjQ. 


141 


a  great  lover  of  liorses,  and  usually  kept  a  score  or 
two  for  his  own  use. 

Lolo's  <lays  were  not  few,  nor  did  his  name  lack 
rt'iiown;  for  twenty  years  hefore  Tod's  time  ho  had 
lived  there  on  friendly  terms  with  tlie  fur-tradors, 
and  for  a  dozen  years  thereafter  his  rusty  old  body 
still  enjoyed  the  hlossiiiLfs  of  sunlight.  To  the  h(»iior 
(»f  the  Hudson's  Bay  (Company's  t»ffic«Ts  stationed  at 
Kandoop,  1h!  it  said  that  in  his  old  agt;  tlioy  tn^ated 
r.olo  not  alone  with  kindness,  but  with  rcspi-ct.  A 
(lutii'ul  son  to  an  aged  parent  could  not  have  been 
more  considerate  than  was  McLean  in  niinisterinir  t«) 
tlie  whims  and  desires  <)f  this  ancient  sava«je.  And 
as  for  fame — who,  frtim  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the 
sea,  did  not  know  of  Lolo  { 

Now,  in  this  your  184G  the  two  kings,  the  white 
and  the  red,  were  in  their  prime;  Tod  was  domineer- 
ing and  reckless,  not  kn»>wing  tlu;  name  of  fear,  and 
Lolo  was  net  so  wealthy  in  women  and  liorsis  as 
al'teiward. 

One  horse  m  particular,  the  be'st  of  a  band  of 
(liifc  hundred  belonging  to  the  fort,  Lolo  had  long 
•oveted.      He  would  ^•(ve  anvthin«;  for  that  hors(',  en- 


(hire  anv 


hai'dsh 


ii|>,  kil 


"'.V  I 


)ei's«ni. 


Tod 


was  e<jiia 


illy 


olislinatc  in  his  refusal  to  part  with  it;  the  savage 
slioiild  not  liave  the  li«)rse;  second  best  must  sufiiee 
tile  niler  of  irilskins. 

It  was  the  ciisn  Ml  evi'ry  spring  or  summer  to  send 
a  party  from  Kaniloop  to  the  j'opayou.  sevi'iity-six 
mill's  distant  on  h'raser  liiver,  near  what  was  lat«r 
known  as  the  K(»uiitain,  to  jn'ocuic!  for  tlu;  year's 
siihsistiMK'e  salmon  there  caught  an<l  cured  by  \\\v 
natives.  It  had  been  agreed  this  year  that,  Lolo 
should  lead  the  party  for  the  mutual  beiielit  of  the 
two  soNrii  ignties. 

"Are  your  men  ready  r'  asked  Tod  oiu'  <lay. 

"They  lire  nady,"  rt  plied  Lolo. 

"  llav«'  the  horses  been  driven  in  and  hobbK-iir' 

"Ves." 


14-J 


TJIK  SIlUSIIWAr  CONSl'IRAtY. 


i' 


f 


"The  uion  will  leave  day  aller  to-morrow,  before 
.layli^'lit." 

"Very  good." 

The  aeeond  iii<,^]it  after  the  departure  of  the  expe- 
dition, just  an  the  ehief  trader  was  ahout  retiring,  a 
knock  was  heard  at  the  door.  Besides  hiniself  and 
family  and  the  half-breed  lM)y,  there  was  not  a  soul 
aitout  the  place;  every  man  was  with  the  expedition, 
and  as  the  country  was  at  j)eaee,  oven  the  fort  gati's 
were  not  fastened  at  niaht. 


'( 


oine  m,    exciaimet 


d  Tod. 


Slowly  the  dooropt-ns  a  few  inches  until  the  black 
eyes  of  Lolo  were  see!i  glistening  at  the  aperture. 
Though  amazed  beyond  measure,  and  fearful  lest  some 
misfortunes  had  ha))j»ened  to  the  party.  Tod  was  Indian 


noiigh  never  to  be  thrown  so  far  out  of  balance  as 
to  manifest  surprise  at  anything.  He  continuid  to 
l>tisy  himself  as  if  the  unwelcome  apparition  at  th( 
door  was  but  part  of  his  jneparations  for  bed.  Nevi'r- 
tlu'less,  wa\es  of  uncpiletness  began  to  roll  over  his 
l>reast,  ready  to  break  out  in  wrath  or  subside  in 
ri'signatii»n,  as  the  cas(!  might  recjuire,  for  Tod  was 
not  a  patient  man,  nor  slt)W  of  speech,  nor  soft  of 
words;  and  for  all  the  rascadly  redskins  this  side 
<»f  perdition  he  would  not  long  remain  the  Siivage  stoic 
lint  uj>on  (M'casion,  the  Gaelic  lion  could  play  the  lamb. 
pro\i«led  tlu-  pt'riod  of  enduraiu-e  wiTe  reasonable. 

Left  to  himself,  the  Shushwai*  chief  pushed  open 
thi'  dooi-  and  slowly  entered.  For  several  minutes  In 
stood  bolt  njtright  in  the  middle  of  the  room,  until  at 
length  Tod  mi>tioncd  him  tt»  a  seat  l>eside  thi^  table, 
and  shov(<d  toward  him  [»ipe  and  tobacco. 

"  VoiU'  family  will  Ik;  glad  to  sec  you,"  Tod  final)} 
remarke(l,  won<le)ing  more  than  ev«'r  what  had  hap- 
pen»>d  to  the  party,  and  why  he  had  returned,  ami 
cMT'sing  in  his  hiail  the  savage  conventionalism  which 
debased  a  mail  from  any  maiiifestion  of  cnrit)sity. 

"The  sorrel  horse   1  spoke  tt)  you  about,"  repliid 


THAT  SOIiUKI    IIOUSK. 


143 


the  cliief.     "I  slumld    like    to  liavo  that  liorse,  Afr 


Tod. 


The  river  has  risen  a  little  siiieo  yesterday,"  ol)- 


servec 


1  To.l 


"For  twenty  years  I  liavi'  followed  the  fortunes  <»t' 
llic  Hudson's  Uiiy  Company,"  eontinued  Lolo.  "  1 
have  shared  my  store  of  food  with  them,  warned  them 
iif  <lanii^ers,  attended  them  in  perils,  an<l  never  hefop' 
have  1  heen  denied  a  recjuest." 


Fill 


y»)ur  pipe,    saul 


1  T..d. 


•/ 


Vlasl  my  wives  and  little  ones,"  still  sii^diril  tlit 


savaire.     "Though   1  am  old  and  not  afiaid  to  dit 
they  ari'  youiij;'  and  helpless;  what  would  heeonie  of 
them  should  tiiis  evil  iiefall;  where  will  they  'j; 


'o 


What  th(!  devil  is  tin-  matter {"  now  hhuted  Tud, 
thrown  su<ldeidy  hack  by  Lolo's  j^ihherish  fi-om  \\\<^\\ 
forest  I'etieeiiee  to  the  collVentiiHial  sjieeeh  of  ehi'i>- 
teiidom.  "  Who  talks  of  dyiiijLj^  ^\'here  are  the  njen  ' 
Why  have  you  returned  (     Speak  I" 

"  .Nfatter  I'UoULCh,"  answeretl  the  ehief,  who  now 
(■hany;ed  his  tone  from  that  of  Avhininj^  lament  to  om 
nCsurly  eoneern,  "  When  near  our  destination  we  met 
a  youn^  chief  of  the  Atnahs,  who,  drawing'  me  aside, 
iMlonned  nn'  that  his  father,  who  is  a  friend  tif  mine, 
had  entered  into  a  eonspii'aey  with  llie  ehiei's  of  sev- 
eral other  Shushwap  trihes  for  the  extermination  of 
the  fur-traders.  They  had  au^ree*!  to  open  hostilities 
hy  tlu' «'apturi!  of  the  ainuial    Kandoo|>  party  just  as 

reached   the   Frasi'i';   an<l  this  wai"nin<^   was  t;i\t'n 
me  that  I  mi^jht  save  mysi'lt'and  mine."' 


lere  ai"e  tile  men  and  horses 


1  h 


W 

I  hid  them  as  well  as  I  eould  hehind  sonu>  liusl 


leS, 


.1  little  »>lf  tlu'  trail,  telling  them  that  I  was  n'oinu"  to 
hiMit  a  hetter  (•am]»in|Lj-<^i'ound,  and  to  let  the  animals 
.;i;i/e  theic  until  1  retuiMied.  I  said  iiitlhinL;'  alioiit 
the  coiu;pi)acy,  knowini;'  that  thi>  attack  would  not  he 
made  until  the  party  reached  the  river,  and  that  mv 
III' II  Would  not  I'emain  shoidd  they  know  olil.  Time 
\\  >s  when    I    would   not  have  turned    my    lta<k   opon 


I 

K 

'■    :  ' 
J 

I 

:! 


ma-'.'-  ;'. 


m 
■I 


-.11 


144 


THK  wSHU.SHWAP  CON.SI'IKACV, 


such  a  throat,  but  my  iiiciulHliip  and  faithful  services 
arc  no  lonj^cr  valuoil." 

"Well,  i^o  to  your  family  now,  and  let  mo  think 
ahout  it;"  find  so  the  eliief  departed. 

Was  it  true,  or  was  it  a  trick  on  the  part  of  Lolo 
t;)  ;,'et  the  horse?  Tod  was  jL^reatly  puzzled.  There 
ha<I  uivii-  liccn  trouble  with  the;  natives  in  this  vicinity; 
there  was  now  no  provocation  that  he  knew  of.  And 
yet  it  was  a  long  ride  for  ho  useless  a  (]uestion.  Of 
c(H(rst'  if  tliere  was  danger  of  an  attack  the  chief 
should  not  have  left  the  party.  As  he  thought  it 
over,  tin'  tradv-r's  suspicions  increased. 

While  fleep  in  these  considerations  as  to  what  was 
Iw'st  for  him  to  An,  Mr  T»)d  saw  the  door  again  move 
on  its  hing«'s,  and  liolo's  head  thrust  in  at  the  open- 
inj;.      "Will    vou    n<)t    let    me    have    the    hor.se.    Mr 

Tod  r 

"No,  damn  you!  go  homci;  and  if  y«>u  say  horse  to 
me  again  J  11  break  tvery  bonci  in  your  l)ody."  For 
tin  tradiTM  patience  had  finally  forsaken  him.  Hcj 
was  now  almost  sure  that  LoKi's  only  ol)ject  was  to 
get  the  horse,  and  that  the  conspiracy  story  was 
false;  nt^vertheli'ss,  tlie  party  must  be  looked  after 
immcdiatclv.  How  should  he  nuuun;«!  it?  His  ])e()- 
pie  w«re  all  absent;  there  was  not  a  whiti'  man  at 
that  mom«nt  within  seventy  miles  of  him.  For  him- 
self, his  family,  <.i' anything  about  the  fort,  the  chief 
tradei-  did   not  fear   the   Shushwaji   <'liief.      As   T.nio 


liinix' 


liad   sjlid.  hi"    had    been    tl'Ue    t'     tl 


e  (  ompaiiy 


for  tweiitv  years.  The  sorrel  hors«'  ho  lon»;ed  lor 
with  all  a  chiKls  inti-nsity;  but  often  it  ha|ipened  ti* 
be  neci*s.sjirv  to  denv  tlu'  childish  covetin<jfs  of  tli. 
aV»ori:^'inal,  else  his  desires  would  run  away  with  bin 
and  til.  le  uould  be  no  living  with  him.  Had  not 
T«»l  krH»wn  and  trust*-'  Lo|o  imjilicitly  he  would  not, 
at  -  imeture  li.ixe  sjH>ken  sharply  to  him  as  he  tolii 
lam  li  go  jinim-.  It  was  nwt  a  breach  of  etitjuette, 
lioweN.r.  for  a  mhitt-  eJiief  to  speak  ru<lelv  or  ev«  ii  t<> 


culf  or  kick  a  icd  ehiet ;   bnt 


WtH- 


to  the  white  rttan  of 


A  DESPERATK  RESOLVE. 


14S 


,'  luvrsc  to 
ly."     V«T 
vim.     lt^5 
t  was  to 
<tory   was 
lUi'd   at'ttir 
His  peo- 
f  man  at 
For  hiin- 

( oin]>aiiy 

rS     «)t'    tie 

\vill»  liii'  • 

\.ml<l  iH»t 
IS  he  told 
»'ti(iut'ttc., 

|,1-  I'V  II  to 
ito  IMkU  of 


.-| 


low  degree,  the  laborer,  the  voyageur,  who  insulted 
a  native  nobleman.  A  king  might  bear  a  king's  atiront; 
not  so  a  slave's. 

At  the  seat  of  war,  if  war  was  to  be,  the  position 
of  Lolo  would  be  entirely  different.  It  must  be  re- 
membered that  the  conspirators  were,  likewise  with 
Lolo,  members  of  the  Shushwap  family.  The  chiefs 
proposing  to  unite  for  the  taking  of  Kamloop  wen- 
till'  heads  of  the  several  divisions  of  one  family.  Lolo 
would  be  importuned,  and  perhaps  in  some  degree 
iuriuenced  against  his  old  friends.  Even  hens  so 
strong  was  his  faith  in  him,  Tod  did  not  fear  absolute 
troaehi'ry.  But  after  mature  reflection  he  concluded 
that  he  wculd  rather  undertake  the  management  of 
att'airs  without  the  presence  of  Lolo  than  with  it.  The 
cliii'f  trader  had  his  own  way  for  the  treatment  of 
such  cases  -a  way  always  original  and  generally  ef 
fcctual. 

Lolo  was  thunderstruck  at  tiie  bold  tone  in  which 
Tod  had  denied  his  last  rerjuest  for  the  horse.  The 
Indian  well  knew  of  the  truth  of  tl:o  (■•  nspiraey.  Ife 
kiK  w ,  or  at  least  he  suppost'd,  his  fidelity  and  seivic.  s 
Would  be  of  the  first  im[>ortance  to  tlu^  trader,  i  <>lati  d 
as  lie  was,  and  alone  in  tin;  midst  of  niimen»tjs  orgaii- 
i/i'dand  blood-thirsty  eiieiiiies.  Surely  the  Imrse  would 
not,  be  a  feathvi's  weight  to  him  now,  re;isoned  Lolo, 
whiii  all  the  horses,  the  j'ort,  and  the  ])roperty  in  it, 
wife  and  children,  and  life  itselt'  lor  the  eliief  well 
kiH'W  the  trader  Wt>uld  not  run  away  froni  danger, 
and  that  if  he  did  not  he  would  entalnly  l»<'  kilh^i- 
\v<  re  in  surh  jeoj»anly.  Tluirel'ore  \\a>  he  eunfoimded 
at  Tod's  rude  and  violent  denial. 

IJefoiv  tin;  doof  had  closi-d  on  the  retfeatlnu-  foj-ni 
ol"  the  savage,  almost  before  the  projluu'  wcrds  ol 
I'  tiisal  were  out  of  his  mouth,  the  trader  lun'  made 
"I'  his  mind  what  to  do.     Calling  the  half-bj-.  .-(l  bov. 


"i-'MTed  hiiii  to  sai 


hUe  1 


wo  o 


t'  the  tle<'test  liorsis  in 


th"'  coi-ral.     In  as  few  w<»rds  as  possible  lie  expl. lined 


the  situation   to  his  v. 
II I -T  iiiiiT.  <  ••!    r> 


Then  he  wrote  a  •••euerul 


I:  I 


M' 


u    t 


i4i; 


TMK  SHUSHWAl'  CONSI'IKAt  V. 


statt'ineiit  of  tlic  case  for  luad-quarteis  at  Victoria  in 
ruse  he  slioulU  iit'Vt'r  retuiu.  And  shortly  after  mid- 
iiiuflit,  whilo  liolo  WHS  asU'cp  at  liouu',  tlio  cliicf  trader 
and  Ills  l)oy  woru  on  tiic  trail  for  Frascr  liiver,  <^allop- 
'u\*f  over  tiio  «r|"()unil  as  fist  as  tlioir  liorscs  coukl  carry 
tluni. 

\r«'an\vliilc  tin-  mind  of  tlu'  chief  trader  was  no  loss 
active  tlian  liis  ImxIv.  Here  was  a  field  for  the  «lis- 
l»lay  of  liis  l)ri;nhtest  j^enins,  Jiy  slow  decrees  and 
c(M)l  ednsidetatioii  hc  had  arrived  at  the  eonelusion 
that  i^ilo  had  n(»t  diceived  him  in  rc«ifard  to  the  con 
spiracv.  lie  knew  the  Indian  character  thorouj^hiy: 
iioi'  was  the  cldef's  fresh  jiiea  for  the  horse  so  wholly 
ont  of  placo  in  such  an  emergency  as  in-  had  at  first 
rej^arded  it.  At  all  events,  tlie  safer  way,  the  oidy 
safe  way,  was  to  act  as  thoujj^h  the  reitort  was  true. 

111!  found  no  ditHcidty  in  reaching  his  men  l>y  noon. 
They  \\('»'e  surprised  to  see  him,  had  heaid  nothiiiii;  of 
the  thi'eatened  attack,  nor  did  he  see  fit  at  oiic(!  to 
eidiyhten  tluiin.  He  merely  ^ave  ordi-is  to  j»i-epai'e 
to  move  forward  early  the  next  mornin<4.  The  men 
were  accustomed  to  im|>licit  ohedience.  They  couM 
not  understand  why  their  ieadei-  should  he  stiddeniy 
f-it  solicitous  as  to  the  condition  of  thcii'  arms  and  tlu' 
supply  of  anuMunition,  seeing'  no  dani^tr  portending. 
Hut  it  was  not  their  jirovince  to  question. 

hy  sunrise  the  |>aitv  was  on  the  ti'ail,  moving  at 
tile  usual  pace  toward  the  l''rasir.  Some  distance  in 
advance  was  T(»(|,  ainnr;  he  juid  told  his  men  to  keep 
three  huiidrrd   \ai<ls  Ix  liiiid   him,  to  march  when  lie 


mai'clict'i,  and  stop  when  he  s 


tl 


ley  approa( 


'hcd 


topi 


»C( 


1.    I 


iv  iinu;  o( 


I  sii.all    open    pliiiii    elicloscii  m 


•lock 
thick 


hrushw d    iiiid    hortlciing    on    the    I'ivci-.      'I\)d    mo- 
tioned  his  men   to  hall  while  he  rode  slowlv  forward 


into  tlie  open  space,  apparently  careless  and  uncon- 
cerned as  usual,  hut  with  a  glance  which  scrutinized 
with  intense  interest  every  rock  and  sluui*  ar»»und  the 
Presently  his  eye  caught  unmistakahle  signs 


a»" 


O!  .'ppoHition. 


INTO  THE  JAWS  OF  DKATH. 


147 


IS  U<»  U'SS 

jreos  ami 
onclusioM 
)  the  (•«»» 
i»rou«;l»ly . 
so  \vlu>ily 
L(l  at  first 
,  thi!  only 
UH  true. 
11  l>y  >ioo»\. 
n<»tli'n>!:;  <•' 

ut  otK'e  t'» 
to  |)r(l»ar( 
Tlie  mt  II 

lirV   f()ul<l 
siKMelily 

lis  and  tl>' 

„,vtciulin;^ 

liaovinjj;  i»^ 
Idistaiu-r  in 
icn  to  k''  1' 
|l,  ^vlu•n  In 
liiu!  o'cl*)*'^ 
led  in  tl»i<"^< 
Tod    n»n- 
[iv  torward 
iiid  in\«'(>n- 
isrrutini/«'d 
[udund  ill'' 


Boliind  tiie  Imslu'S  on  tlio  iiortJierii  side  of  iho 
t)]HHiWj^,  and  closo  to  the  rivor,  lie  saw  a  lar«^o  hand 
oi' ainu'd  and  |)aintod  savajjfos.  Xo  women  or  cliikh'cn 
wore  anionuf  tlu'ni,  whicli  circumstance,  hcycMid  jtcrad- 
\«nturc,  sijjfiiifit'd  mischief,      Ahtady  they  had   dis- 

vered  him.  and  were  niovin*^  ahout  excitetllv.      The\- 


<•(» 


were  kihed  up  for  liyl't;  and  now  tliey  hran«lis]ie(l 
tlicii'  knives  and  jj^uns  tlireateninj^ly.  Ijo'o  was  li^lit; 
iiiid  tlie  clilef  trader  vowe«l  tliat  if  lie  survi\ed  that 
day  tlu'  chief  should  have  the  horse. 

ihit  what  was  lie  to  <lo  ?  lie  had  not  ten  nu'ii,  all 
told.  Canadians  and  Indians,  iind  hei'e  were  tlirre 
liumlred  arrayed  against  liim.  Xor  were  tluy  a  foe 
to  l»e  despisi'd,  these  ])owerful  and  active  Siiushwaps, 
t\(iyoii('of  whom  » ouUl  handle  the  rille  as  will  as 
;iiiy  white  man.  ilow  was  he  to  co[»e  with  thcnH 
ilrute  force  was  certainly  out  of  tin'  question;  hrule 
courM'^-e  here  was  powi-rless.  And  if  intellect  was  to 
lie  kinn',  Imw  was  white  cunning'  to  circumvent  the  red  ? 

Then  avose  the  mind  of  .John  T(»d  in  the  powei-  ot 
if-:  iiiin'ht. 

Tlif  men.  with  the  horses  in  t!.e  icar,  had  hy  this 
time  ;ippro;iched  the  openinLC,  had  seen  (he  saNjc^cs. 
jiiiil  h.ul  witries.se«l  th'-ir  warlike  demonstrations.  'I'hey 
kii'  w  now  why  their  leader  ha<l  ;.o  unexpecte«lly  ap- 
p.  ;ir<  (1  iimony;  them,  and  h.id  hein  .so  singularly  pre- 
<><•(  n|iic<|  the  ni'^ht  hefore.  Still  with  his  f;i<'e  t('V>ard 
'he  eiit'my,  though  he  had  now  stopped  his  horse,  'j'od 
iiiotiniu'd  one  ol"  his  party,  (^eorj^e  Simpson  hy  name, 
tit  ;itt<  nd  him. 

■■<  Jeorye,"  said  he,  as  the  Canadian  came  up.  "  I'.dl 
liarl-.  (juietly  with  the  horses,  and  if  thin!.;s  ^ni  wron^; 
uitli  me,  make  the  hest  of  your  wa\'  hack  to  the  foit. 

<io''" 

The  ora\i'  fellow  hesitated  a  moment  to   lea\'e   his 


Mi  alone  m  sut  h  pen 


D.mni   vou,   tro!"  shouted  Tod.  in  av 


oice    Wllleli 


i.iii'4  ihrounh  the  woods,  and  nuule  to  rattle  in  their 
hands  the  Weapons  of  the  startled  savay^os. 


% 


ri 

M 


im 


148 


THE  SHUSHWAP  CONSPIRACY 


And  now  to  busincsB. 

It  w  a  inai'nificuDt  animal  that  Tod  bcstridcH,  a 
white  mare,  clean  of  Hnih,  with  flowing  mane  and 
tail,  a  proud  ste{)i)er,  and  strong  and  Hwift  witlial. 
The  enemy,  einergmg  from  the  forest,  gather  on  and 
round  a  low  knoll  at  the  edge  of  the  opening,  and 
there  stand  watching  intently  the  fur-trader's  every 
movement.  The  battle  begins;  it  is  one  man  against 
three  hundred.  There  is  little  use  for  the  usual 
death-dealing  machinery  in  such  a  contest  as  this. 
Turning  full  front  upon  the  glowering  savages,  Tod 
put  spurs  to  his  iiorsc;  and  as  he  rushes  on  toward 
them,  they  raise  their  guns.  The  hors( man  ch»es  not 
flinch  nor  sla<;ken  speed;  but  <iuickly  drawing  .sword 
and  pistol,  he  holds  them  aloft  m  one;  hand,  and  with 
the  otiicr  lifts  hiy:h  his  y;un  above  his  head.  For  an 
instant  only  the  murderous  trinkets  flash  the  sun's 
light  intt>  the  eyes  of  the  astonished  multitude;  then 
tlie  ritlor  hurls  tliem  all  aheap  upon  the  plain.  Seiz 
iiig  till'  rein  wliicli  hitlierto  had  lain  neglected,  the 
rider  next  turns  his  attention  to  fi-ats  of  bors«'man- 
>liiji.  VV^ith  head  erect,  eyes  flasliing,  and  mane  flow 
ing,  tlu!  whiti'  niai'e  piances  to  tlie  right,  tlun  to  tlie 
hft,  and  after  ilescribing  a  half-circK-,  chargi^  intn 
their  very  nrnlsl. 

\'erv  stnnige,  no  doubt,  and  very  silly,  a  <avahy 
«'a|itaiM  would  say.  Why  did  tht y  not  kill  him  ^  So, 
indeeil,  the  'cavalry  ca|)tain  would  haxc  bei'U  killed, 
and  all  his  nun.  Why  did  not  those  Mre  who  raised 
their  guns  ^  Curiosity.  Thus  the  interested  ant<'lo|tr 
will  stan«l  and  be  shot.  They  wished  to  see  what  tin 
white  man  wouhl  do  next.  Hundii-ds  they  had  killed 
belbre,  and  <'ould  achieve  a  butchery  any  <hiy.      Ihil 


tl 


lev    «'oU 


Id   not    have   exciv  tlav  an    hononihle  chii 


tr;Mlel'  Upon  his  best  mettle  before  tlu'Ul  for  tin  ii 
amusement.  Well  was  it  that  Tod  unilerstood  ITh 
role,  and  had  the  coolness  and  couragt;  to  phi}'  it,  I'oi 
the  least  mistake  was  death. 

There  sat  the  tsmiling  Scoti  hman  upon  hi.^  pantinii 


OH,  WOKsmi'FUL  TOD. 


140 


M  hit*'  Htecd,  ainulst  tlu'  tlii<'kost  of  thciu.  T«k.I  always 
smilt'd  in  joy  and  in  sorrow,  and  Ids  snulo  was  enor- 
mous. His  anj^ry  hmuIo  was  nioro  fearful  than  his 
itlis;  th('  savanjos  felt  this,  tItou<^di  tluy  couhl  not 
laly/.e  the  smtiini'iit.      And  now  they  saw  his  siuiK' 


ai 


was  ant,nT,  tlioujj^h  he  spoke  them  fair;  they  iK'<j:an  t 
he  afraid,  though  tliey  knew  not  why;  hut  tluy  woul<l 
kill  him  presently. 

"What  is    all  this.'"    deman<led    the  chief   trader. 
"What  is  it  that  vou  wish  to  dof" 


l.ol 


We  want  to  sre   Jj(ilt>,"  they  replied. 


Wl 


lere  is 


o 


Wl 


IV  eanu 


yi.U  1 


lere 


All!  then  you  navt;  uat  heard  the  n«'Ws.      Lolo  u 


it  iiol 


lU". 
tWS 


I'our  felh.w:' 
What    utwi 


IliW 


iKisr 


'(•,  We  have  heard  lie 
tiiey  cried,  ai^aiii  fui'oi'ttiiii;  their  hloody  pur- 
lijulh'd  in  euiiositv 


1  am  sorry  for  vou,  niv  frieiuh 


And 


now  Ills 


>miie  on  the  outside  was,  oh!  S(»  sad,  thouy;li  inwardly 


lilitd   hv  tlie   softest,  liicllie.st  ellUekh 


T] 


u>  sma 


11- 


jiox  is  up(tn  us;  the  terrihle,  terrihK,'  small-pox.  It 
was  hroui;lit  fiitni  Walla  Walla  hy  an  Okanaj^an." 

They  well  knew  what  tlu;  small-[>t»\  was,  and  that 
it  lilted  at  Walla  Walla  and  on  the  lower  (^>lund>ia. 
\Voi\s»(  than  death  hey  f»ared  the  seoui'j^e;  the  hare 
i(l<  a  of  it  was  horrihh^  to  them.  Tlu-y  knew,  likewise, 
lit'  Whitiiijiirs  massacre,  and  the  divine  punishment 
that  had  so  (juiekly  followi'd  the  olfeiidcrs. 

"Av,  the  tlri'aded  iliseasc  is  here,"  c(»iitimietl  T<»»1, 
i.i  deep,  sepuli'liral  tones.  "That  is  why  I  am  conn-. 
I  cuiiu*  to  tell  vou.  I  came  to  save  vou.  Vou  are  mv 
IVuiids,  my  hrothei-s.  You  hiini;  me  fuis.  I  a-'wv  you 
Itlaiikits  iiii<l  «4uns  wherewith  U*  jn'ct  i'ood  for  your 
tainilics,  and  I  love  you.  Hut  you  must  n«)t  come  to 
Kaiiiloop  until  1  jLjive  you  notice;  else  you  will  die. 
Si'f,  I  have  hioU'uht  you  medicine,  for  I  would  not 
sec  vdii  ly in<r  s«attere«l  on  the  hank  like  yonder  «almon, 
"ttiii^,  rottiii",';  ah!  indeed,  I  would  not." 

Where  now  is  the  hattlc;  who  the  victor^     W(Hi 


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160 


THE  SHUSHWAP  CONSPIRACY. 


m 


by  a  trick ;  you  may  say,  a  lie.  Partly  so.  The  uni- 
verse is  but  a  trick,  however,  and  half  this  world  a  lie. 
Flown  to  remotest  regions  were  all  thoughts  of  mur- 
der, fire,  pillage.  Kill  him!  their  best,  their  truest 
friend?  They  had  never  intended  such  a  thing.  It 
was  other  adventure  they  were  dreaming  of,  they 
could  hardly  tell  what.  "0,  Mr  Tod!  Mr^Tod!  save 
us!  save  us!" 

Not  more  than  ten  minutes  were  occupied  in  achiev- 
ing this  wonderful  revolution  of  feeling.  It  was  a 
conversion  which  would  honor  any  apostle  or  priest, 
aided  to  the  full  measure  of  the  miraculous  by  atten- 
dant spirits.  And  now  black  was  white,  and  white 
was  black.  It  was  true,  however,  that  the  chief  trader 
would  help  them  as  he  was  able.  Though  they  would 
cheerfully  have  killed  him  half  an  hour  ago,  John 
Tod  would  no  more  have  revenged  himself  on  them 
])y  doing  them  injury  than  he  would  injure  his  child. 
They  were  but  children ;  and  if  his  boasted  superiority 
was  real,  he  could  afford  to  overlook  so  slight  a  fault 
as  intent  to  murder  him.  It  was  true,  the  small-i)ox 
was  abroad.  It  was  true  that  in  his  pocket  the  chief 
trader  carried  some  vr^ccine  matter.  The  Hudson's 
Bay  people  were  seldom  without  medicine.  Business 
still.  Between  his  thumb  and  finger  the  fur-trader 
held  the  will  of  that  multitude  as  the  will  of  one 
man;  but  lest  their  erratic  mind  should  change,  it 
nmst  be  kept  occupied.  It  was  not  enough  that 
the  white  men  should  simply  escape  with  their  lives; 
the  yearly  supply  of  salmon  must  be  secured,  and  the 
natives  nmst  be  induced  to  sell  to  them,  and  that 
speedily.  Not  a  word  about  conspiracy  and  nmrder ; 
not  a  word  about  wrongs  and  infelicities.  Fear  must 
be  kept  alive,  the  threatening  wrath  of  a  mysterious 
unseen  power  must  be  before  them.  Revenge  is  for 
fools,  for  beastly  idiots. 

"You  see  yonder  tree,"  pointing  to  an  enormous 
pine. 

"Yes." 


THE  GREAT  PHYSICIAN. 


m 


"Cut  it  down." 

Away  flew  their  weapons,  off  went  their  clothes, 
and  as  many  as  could  stand  round  the  tree  were  in 
stantly  at  work  hewing  it  down.     The  women  now 
oanic  forward  from  their  place  of  concealment,  and  to 
these  the  trader  next  directed  his  attention. 

"Do  vou  sec  the  smoke  beyond  the  bushes'?" 

"Yes;" 

"There  is  my  camp.  Carry  salmon  thither,  and  sell 
to  my  men." 

Xever  was  the  annual  requirement  more  quickly 
completed,  nor  the  price  less  questioned.  Presently 
down  came  the  tree,  and  the  trader  wishing'  to  gain 
yet  more  time,  that  his  men  miglit  get  well  on  tlieir 
way  toward  home,  said,  "Cut  it  again,  four  fathoms 
from  the  Imt;  then  level  the  stump,  and  roll  the  log- 
up  to  it." 

The  horses  were  now  all  loaded  with  salmon,  and 
Tod  gave  orders  to  his  men  to  hasten  with  their  pur- 
chase back  to  the  fort.  The  last  task  given  to  the  sav- 
ages was  completed,  and  there  being  no  further  cause 
for  delay,  the  chief  trader  dismounted,  and  seated 
liimsclf  with  royal  dignity  upon  the  stump,  his  feet 
restiuij:  on  the  log. 

"Let  fifty  of  the  bravest  and  best  of  you  strip  each 
his  right  arm."  Only  the  foremost  chiefs  were  in- 
cluded in  this  category.  "Go  down  to  the  river  and 
wash  that  arm,"  was  the  next  connnand.  Soon  they 
returned,  and  the  trader,  drawing  from  his  pocket  a 
knife  and  the  vaccine  matter,  began  to  vaccinate.  The 
knife  was  old  and  dull;  the  trader  used  it  princi- 
l)ally  in  cutting  his  tobacco  and  cleaning  his  pipe; 
therefore  strength  as  well  as  skill  was  requisite  in 
his  rough  surger}^  I  will  not  say  that  the  trader 
derived  no  pleasure  in  thus  driving  the  blunt  blade 
into  arms  so  lately  raised  against  him,  for  he  was 
human.  Indeed,  Mr  Tod  admitted  to  me,  confiden- 
tially, that  when  the  turn  of  certain  noted  rascals, 
whom  he  was  satisfied  were  the  head  and   front  of 


152 


THE  SUUSHWAP  CONSPIRACY. 


1  ; 


it 


the  conspiracy,  came,  he  did  cut  away  more  than  was 
absolutely  necessary,  and  did  not  perhaps  feel  that 
solicitude  for  the  comfort  of  his  patients  which  he 
ought  to  have  done ;  and  if  so  be  the  arm — mark !  the 
right  arm — might  not  wield  a  weapon  for  ten  days  or 
a  fortnight,  so  much  the  better. 

The  trader  was  thoroughly  fatigued  before  the 
round  was  made ;  and  even  then,  as  there  was  a  little 
of  the  virus  left,  he  vaccinated  another  score.  Then 
he  instructed  them  liow  they  were  to  carry  aloft  their 
arm,  and  when  the  sore  had  healed,  how  with  the 
scab  they  might  vaccinate  the  otliers.  ''  It  was  a 
strange  sight,"  says  Tod,  "to  witness  the  Indians 
going  about  with  their  arm  upheld  and  uncovered." 
As  a  matter  of  course,  it  would  be  fatal  to  handle  a 
weapon  before  the  arm  had  healed. 

And  so  the  conspiracy  of  the  Shushwaps  ended. 
Lolo  obtained  the  sorrel  horse,  and  Tod  was  worshipped 
throughout  that  region  ever  after;  for  not  a  man  of 
the  three  hundred  would  ever  after  believe  that  he 
did  not  owe  his  life  to  the  cliief  trader. 

Another  incident  tliat  happened  the  following  year 
I  may  briefly  mention  in  this  connection. 

A  band  of  Okanagans  came  one  day  to  Kamloop 
and  asked  permission  of  Mr  Tod  to  camp  close  by  the 
fort.  Nicola,  they  said,  who  lived  some  forty  miles 
south  of  Kamloop,  near  the  lake  which  to-day  bears 
his  name,  was  very  angry  with  them,  and  wished  to 
kill  them.  The  chief  trader  assented,  stipulating 
that  they  should  behave  themselves  and  obey  the 
regulations  of  the  traders.  It  was  a  custom  of  the 
company  thus  to  balance  powers  aboriginal,  taking 
care  that  in  the  end  they  alone  should  be  lords  of  all. 

Nicola  was  furious  when  he  heard  of  it,  and  swore 
ill  good  stout  jargon  that  white  as  well  as  red  should 
suffer  for  so  unfair,  so  unholy  an  alliance.  "A  pretty 
pass,  indeed,  things  have  reached  upon  these  hunting- 
grounds,"  he  said,  "when  one  cannot  fight  one's  eiie- 


NICOLA'S  PLOT. 


1611 


niies  without  this  foreign  interference."  But  he  must 
curb  his  impatience  until  better  prepared ;  for  in  the 
weighing  of  these  rude  destinies,  arms,  and  ammunition 
were  the  strongest  factor.  So  degenerate  had  become 
the  times,  since  the  advent  of  skin-buyers,  that  with- 
out these  infernal  implements  little  could  be  done  in 
the  killing  line.  The  Okanagans  were  well  armed: 
Nicola  was  short  of  guns ;  and  as  the  chief  trader  was 
at  present  opposed  to  slaughter,  he  would  furnisli  no 
weapons  knowingly  for  that  purpose. 

Nicola  Avas  shrewd  as  well  as  energetic.  His  intiu- 
CMce  was  not  so  widely  extended  as  Lolo's,  but  witliin 
his  narrower  area  he  was  absolute.  His  w^arriors  were 
active,  experienced,  brave;  moreover,  he  was  rich,  and 
loved  revenge  The  fort  people  lined  furs;  better 
tlian  revenge,  religion,  or  other  earthly  distemper  they 
loved  them;  furs  piled  mountain  high;  furs  without 
end. 

One  day  certain  of  Nicola's  men  a})peared  at  the 
fort  wishing  to  buy  guns,  which  were  given  them. 
Shortly  afterward  others  of  tlie  same  nation  came, 
and  asked  for  powder,  balls,  and  more  guns,  which 
were  likewise  sold  to  tliem.  The  Okanaixans  watched 
tliese  ])roceedings  narrowly. 

"Why  sjiould  Nicola  require  so  many  guns?"  they 
asked  of  the  cliief  trader. 

"For  hunting,  I  suppose;  I  do  not  know." 

"  No,  they  are  not  for  hunting,  but  for  us." 

"  If  I  thought  so,  I  w'ould  sell  them  no  more;  bold 
and  vindictive  as  he  is,  Nicola  would  hardlv  dare 
attack  j)eople  under  my  ])rotection,  under  the  very 
sliadow  of  the  holy  tabernacle  of  traffic." 

"He  will  dare;  he  will  do  it.  Tliose  bullets  are 
for  us,  for  our  wives  and  our  little  ones." 

Again  came  others  from  Lake  Nicola,  antl  asked 
for  knives  and  guns,  and  nothing  else. 

"  Why  do  you  buy  only  arms  and  so  nmch  ammu- 
nition ? '  demanded  tlie  trader.  "  You  will  leave  none 
for  others." 


154 


THE  SHUSHWAP  CONSPIRACY. 


i 


"  We  are  going  on  a  long  journey,  beyond  the 
Kootenais,  to  hunt,"  they  replied. 

"Ah!  my  friends;  your  hunt,  I  fear,  is  nearer  home. 
You  wish  to  kill  the  Okanagans.  I  will  sell  you  no 
more  weapons ;  and  you  may  tell  that  old  fox,  Nicola, 
that  if  he,  or  any  of  his  men,  dare  lift  a  finger  against 
any  person  within  five  miles  of  Kamloop,  I  will  be  upon 
him  in  a  way  of  which  he  has  never  yet  dreamed." 

Tliis  being  told  to  Nicola,  in  no  wise  tended  to 
assuage  his  wrath.  Summoning  his  warriors,  and 
such  of  the  neighboring  chiefs  as  he  could  prevail 
upon  to  hear  him,  he  talked  to  them,  ho  harangued 
them ;  breath  failing  him,  he  rested,  and  then  again 
harangued,  until  at  length  the  presence  of  the  spirit 
was  felt,  and  the  converts  acknowledged  it  their  duty 
to  capture  the  fort  as  well  as  kill  the  Okanagans. 
"  Refuse  us,  indeed!"  growled  Nicola,  as  he  expressed 
his  thanks,  "we  will  take  w^hat  we  require  without 
the  asking." 

Surely  enough  it  was  reported  shortly  after  that 
Nicola  was  marching  with  a  large  force  upon  the  fort. 
As  usual  Tod  had  but  a  few  men  with  him,  not  more 
than  six;  for  it  was  by  the  power  of  mind,  and  not  by 
physical  strength,  that  the  fur- traders  everywhere 
held  dominion.  Again  was  strategy  Tod's  only  re- 
source; for  even  his  few  men  became  so  frightened 
that  they  fled  to  the  woods,  a  most  unusual  proceed- 
ing in  fur-trading  annals.  The  Okanagans,  of  course, 
retired  to  a  place  of  safety,  and  the  chief  trader  see- 
ing himself  thus  left  alone,  sent  his  wife  and  children 
with  them.  One  only  of  his  men,  a  Canadian  named 
Lefevre,  returned  repentant. 

"I  cannot  leave  you,  Mr  Tod;  I  would  rather  die 
with  you." 

"No,  you  had  better  go;  we  are  too  few  to  fight 
them.  Had  the  others  remained  and  stood  by  the 
company's  property,  as  they  were  bound  to  do,  we 
might  hold  the  fort  until  assistance  from  Langley 
could  reach  us;  as  it  is  I  would  prefer  to  be  alone." 


THE  GUNPOWDER  FARCE. 


155 


Tod  now  bethought  himself  of  the  somewhat  stale 
gunpowder  ruse.  It  seemed  his  only  chance  of  sav- 
ing the  fort ;  and  he  did  not  believe  the  trick  had  ever 
been  played  in  these  parts.  There  was  danger  enough 
attending  it  to  make  it  deeply  interesting  to  him,  for 
if  he  failed  in  the  execution,  or  if  Nicola  suspected 
that  it  was  a  trick,  the  fort  was  lost.  Nicola  was  not 
ii  common  native;  he  possessed  a  powerful  will;  his 
intellect  was  keen;  his  hatred,  when  aroused,  was 
tigerish.  But  he  was  afraid  of  Tod;  it  is  only  the 
dull  and  brutish  savage  that  does  not  fear  civilization. 
Nicola  was  intelligent  enough  to  know  that  the  white 
man,  with  his  superior  arts  and  appliances,  held 
the  poor  redskin  at  disadvantage.  Another  point 
was  greatly  in  favor  of  the  fur-trader  in  the  coming 
combat:  an  officer  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company 
^'cry  seldom  deceived  an  Indian.  It  was  the  leading 
maxim  of  their  policy  to  inspire  confidence  as  well 
as  fear.  "Did  ever  I  lie  to  you?"  roars  Tod,  as  ho 
heaps  oaths  and  blows  on  the  liead  of  an  offender. 
"  Did  not  I  tell  you  I  would  knock  you  down?  And 
there!  I  have  kept  my  word,"  as  the  redskin  drops 
sprawling. 

So  that  when  the  chief  trader  sprang  from  an  am- 
bush and  caught  one  of  Nicola's  men  who  was  recon- 
noitring close  upon  what  he  now  supposed  the 
deserted  fort;  when  he  drove  the  captive  within  the 
palisades,  and  forced  him  to  bring  from  the  magazine 
three  kegs  of  powder,  upon  one  of  which  the  trader 
seated  himself,  driving  in  the  heads  of  the  two  others 
with  his  heel;  when  he  asked  the  affrighted  savage; 
for  his  flint,  coolly  remarking  that  he  was  now  read}' 
to  meet  Nicola,  and  any  number  of  his  men,  for  that 
the  power  was  at  hand  to  blow  into  atoms  the  whole 
earth  from  Kamloop  to  Okanagan  Lake;  when  this 
was  done,  I  say,  and  the  terror-stricken  captive,  as 
a  mark  of  benign  favor  was  permitted  to  escape  and 
save  himself,  upon  the  solemn  promise  that  he  would 
not  reveal  the  plot  to  Nicola  or  any  other  person,  the 


156 


THE  SHUSHWAP  CONSPIRACY. 


man  believed  it,  and  Nicola  believed  it,  when  his  scout, 
more  dead  than  alive,  returned  to  him  and  told  him 
all,  as  the  wily  Tod  had  wished,  and  well  knew  would 
be  the  case.  These  credulous  wilderness  men  had 
never  seen  so  great  a  mass  of  powder,  and  had  no  idea 
of  the  effect  if  ignited  at  one  time.  If  the  little 
a  nutshell  will  hold  can  bring  down  a  buffalo,  three 
kegs  might  bring  the  world  down.  What  Mr  Tod 
had  said,  that  would  he  do.  Besides,  if  while  the  buf- 
falo was  being  brought  down  by  the  nutshell  of  pow- 
der he  who  fired  the  shot  remained  uninjured,  might 
not  he  escape  harm,  who,  with  three  kegs,  blows  the 
Avorld  up?  So  Nicola  made  overtures  of  peace,  which 
the  chief  trader  required  should  include  the  Okana- 
gans.  The  following  summer  John  Tod  retired  from 
Kamloop. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

ANDERSON'S  EXPLORATIONS. 
1846-1847. 

Necessity  of  a  New  Route  between  the  British  Columbia  Seaboaki> 
AND  New  Caledonia — Must  be  Wholly  within  British  Territory — 
Anderson  Proposes  Explorations — Authority  and  Means  Granted — 
Biographical  and  Bibliographical  Note  op  Anderson  and  his 
Manuscript  History — Sets  out  from  Alexandria — Proceeds  to 
Kamloop — Thence  Explores  by  Way  cf  Anderson  and  Harrison 
Lakes  to  Lanoley— Returns  by  Way  of  the  Coquihalla,  Similka- 
meen,  and  Lake  Nicola — Second  Expedition  along  Thompson  and 
Fraser  Rivers — Back  by  Kequeloose  and  the  New  Similkameen 
Tkail — Report  and  Suggestions.  _ 


Meanwhile  brains  were  active  in  the  interior  as 
well  as  at  Fort  Vancouver  and  on  the  seaboard.  In 
1845  A.  C.  Anderson/  who  was  stationed  at  Fort 
Alexandia,  New  Caledonia,  then  the  lowest  post  on 
the  Fraser  except  Langley,  became  convinced  that 
the  boundary  line  between  United  States  and  British 
domain  on  the  Pacific  would  be  drawn,  by  the  treaty 
then  pending,  north  of  the  lower  Columbia ;  in  which 
event,  a  route  from  the  ocean  to  the  interior,  wholly 
within  British  territorv,  would  become  a  matter  of 
primary  importance. 

^  While  at  Victoria  in  1878  I  made  the  acquaintance  of  Mr  Antlorson,  and 
spoilt  nuich  of  my  time  with  him  iu  studying  Northwest  Coast  affairs.  In- 
dued, without  tliat  experic'.eo  and  the  information  then  given  me  by  Ander- 
son, Tolinie,  Finlayson,  and  others,  I  do  not  see  how  I  couhl  liavc  written 
« ith  any  degree  of  completeness  or  correctness  a  history  either  of  Oregon  oi- 
of  British  Columbia.  Anderson  was  the  most  scholarly  of  all  the  Hudson's 
H;iy  Company  officers;  Tolmie  was  keen  and  practical;  Finlayson  intellectual 
i  nd  courtly.  Sir  James  Douglas,  Mr  Work,  and  Mr  Ogdea  unfortunately 
vere  dead,  but  their  respective  families  kindly  placed  at  my  disposal  all  tlie 
information  M'ithin  their  reach.     I  speak  of  all  these  gentlemen  elscwliere.    I 

(157) 


158 


AN  I  )ERSON'.S  P:XPL0KATI0NS. 


Acting  on  tliis  conviction,  Anderson  wrote  Governor 
Simpson,  in  council  at  Norway  House,  Lake  Win- 
nipeg,   asking    permission   to   explore   a   route    from 


>:! 


will  give  here  only  a  brief  biographical  and  bibliographical  sketch  of  Mr 
Anderson  and  his  works. 

The  more  immediate  residt  of  my  many  interviews  with  Mr  Anderson  is  a 
niamiseript  llixlory  of  Ihe  Korlhweat  Coant,  comprising  'J85  pages,  and  cover- 
ing the  entire  field  of  Oregon  affairs  to  184(5,  and  of  matters  relating  to  New 
C'iucdonia  and  British  Columbia  to  date.  So  far  as  pos.siblu,  the  needless 
repetition  of  facts  rdready  in  print  was  avoided.  He  as  well  as  I  knew  well 
enough  what  was  wanted,  and  as  neither  of  us  had  time  to  waste,  M'e  confined 
ourselves  pretty  closely  to  inquiries  into  the  domain  of  luirevealed  facts.  A 
tiiousand  important  events  are  thus  for  the  first  time  placed  upon  record,  and 
a  thousand  incidents  heretofore  but  vaguely  stated  are  explained.  In  style, 
Mr  Anderson  is  somewhat  pompous,  pedantic,  and  ditiusive  in  parading  him- 
self before  the  world,  while  in  bringing  into  proper  prominence  the  deeds  of 
Ills  associates  a  false  delicacy  makes  him  painfully  reticent.  This  is  a  habit 
common  to  all  the  officers  of  the  great  monopoly,  who,  after  living  in  deadly 
fear  of  s])eaking  of  company  affairs  for  a  score  or  two  of  years,  almost  tremble 
in  their  old  age  to  set  their  tongues  wagging  over  these  eld-timo  and  sacred 
secrets.  But  for  his  honesty,  courtesy,  his  sound  business  sense,  and  dis- 
criminating analysis  of  character,  we  may  well  forgive  him  a  few  superlluous 
words  and  high-sounding  sentences.  Throughout  the  whole  work,  particularly 
in  the  first  pages,  the  facts  are  sadly  jumbled,  being  tiirown  together  as  they 
arose  in  our  minds,  without  regard  to  chrcmological  or  other  order;  but  when 
segregated  from  the  confused  mass,  by  the  system  of  note-taking  obtaining 
in  luy  Library,  and  being  brought  iirto  conjunction  with  parallel  facts  and  con- 
temporaneous incidents,  almost  every  sentence  is  a  jewel  which  finds  its  proper 
li  tting.  To  the  personal  work  of  M  r  Anderson  are  appended  certain  A  iUoijrii]ih 
Xo/cs  111/  the  lute  John  Slwirt,  written  at  Torres,  Scotland,  in  lS-12,  and  consist- 
ing of  caustic  criticism  of  a  previous  narrative  by  Mr  Anderson.  While  that 
work  of  Anderson's  is  as  a  wliole  iiighly  eidogized  by  Stuart,  parts  of  it  were 
pronoiniced  apocryphal,  and  other  parts  exaggerated.  This  indeed  would  Ije 
tlie  case  with  any  work  which  could  bo  written,  i'lace  three  or  even  two  of 
these  old  Hmlson's  Bay  men  in  a  room  to  discuss  general  atl'airs  in  which  they 
liad  all  participated,  and  hot  words  if  not  blow  s  are  sure  to  follow.  In  his 
A'o/(.<,  Stuart  takes  exceptions  to  the  dark  side  only  of  Indian  cliaracter  which 
.\nder.sou  chooses  to  dwell  upon,  and  to  the  boundaries  Anderson  yives  to 
New  t'aledonia,  which  Stuart  saj's  are  too  limited,  and  the  like.  To  all  this 
Audurson  replies  in  sucli  a  way  as  to  bring  out  the  real  state  of  affairs  in  the 
clearest  possUile  manner. 

And  now  for  a  brief  biography,  leaving  details  to  their  proper  place  in  the 
lii.stcu'y.  Alexander  Caidlicld  Anderson,  a  native  of  t-'.dcutva,  eilucated  in 
Jliigland,  was  a  youth  of  eighteen,  having  served  the  Hudt-on's  Bay  adventurers 
as  clerk  but  one  year  when  in  1832  he  first  appeared  at  Fort  N'aneouver. 
After  participating  in  the  founding  of  the  posts  at  Milbank  Sound  ami  on  the 
Stilvcen,  in  the  summer  of  JSIi5  he  was  appointed  to  !Mi'  Ogden's  district  of 
New  Caledonia,  and  leached  Fort  (»ef)rge  about  the  l)eginniiig  of  Scptendjcr. 
He  Mas  then  despatched  m  ith  a  party  by  way  of  Yellowhead  I'ass  to  Jasper 
House  to  meet  the  CoUnnbia  brigade,  and  bring  back  goods  for  the  New  ( 'ale- 
donia  district.  Two  months  afterward  he  was  appointed  to  the  charge  of  the 
post  at  the  lower  end  of  Fraser  Lake,  his  first  independent  connnand.  In  the 
autumn  of  1S.S9  he  was  removed  to  Fort  Ceorge,  and  in  the  spring  of  1840 
accompanied  the  outgoing  l)rigade  to  Fort  Vancouver,  and  in  the  autumn 
of  the  same  year  was  apponited  to  the  charge  of  Fort  Niscpially.  In  the 
autumn  of  1841  Mr  An(lcrsou  left  Nisqually  and  passed  the  winter  at  Fort 
Vancouver.     Next  spring  he  went  with  the  express  to  York  Factory,  re- 


FORMER  SURVEYS. 


luy 


ivcrnor 
!  Win- 
3    from 

;ch  of  Mr 

lerson  is  a 
ami  cover- 
ig  to  New 
a  needless 
knew  well 
'c  coutineil 

I  facts.  A 
-ecoril,  anil 

In  style, 
adiiig  liini- 
lie  <lee(ls  of 
s  is  a  habit 
r  in  deadly 
ost  trendile 
and  sacred 
ie,  anil  dis- 
suiiertluous 
[)articularly 
;lier  as  they 
•;  but  when 
^  ol)taining 
ctsandcon- 
s  its  proper 

II  Aitloijn'pli 
and  consist- 
While  that 
s  of  it  were 
1  would  be 
even  two  of 
which  they 
iw.  In  his 
iicter  which 
|(in  gives  to 

To  all  thi;; 
lirs  in  the 

L)lace  in  tlu' 
Jilucated  in 
lidvcnturcrs 
IVaiicouvcr. 
1  and  on  tlie 
district  of 
ISeptendjer. 
t  to  Jasjier 
1  New  ( 'ah- 
large  of  tlie 
lid.     In  the 
Jug  of  1840 
Ihe  autumn 
ly.     In  tho 
Iter  at  Fort 
tactory,  re- 


Alexandria  to  Laiigley  throuj^li  a  tract  of  country 
tlieii  practically  uiikiiowii.  His  request  was  granted, 
live  men  were  detailed  for  the  service,"  and  the  neces- 
sary lioises  and  outfit  provided. 

The  descent  of  the  Fraser  had  been  twice  at- 
tempted, and  twice,  after  a  fashion,  made :  once  in 
1808  by  John  Stuart  and  Simon  Fraser;  and  once, 
twenty  years  after,  by  Governor  Simpson.  It  was 
known  to  be  unnavigable  in  part;  it  was  then  dcemetl 
decidedly  impracticable  for  boats.  Some  other  path- 
way must  therefore  be  made,  wluirc  nature  was  less 
(tppugnant. 

tunie<l  in  October  and  proceeded  to  Fort  Alexanilria,  to  tho  charge  of  whicli 
he   had   been  appointed,  and  remained  tliere   till  184)S,  liaviug   meanwhile 
been  promoted.     In  that  year  he  was  appointed  to  ilie  Colville  district,  suc- 
ceeding Chief  Factor  John  Lee  Lewes.     At  Colville  he  remained,  making  an- 
nual trips  with  supplies  and  bringing  out  tho  furs  to  Fort  Langley  till  IWol, 
when  he  went  to  Fort  Vancouver  as  assistant  to  MrBidlenden,  and  succeedeil 
temporarily  to  the  superintendence  till  ISM,  when  he  retired   from  active 
service.     Marrying,  he  pa.ssed  a  few  years  near  the  house  of  his  father-in-law, 
.(ames  Birnie,  anil  then  purchased  a  home  at  Cathlamct.     In  18.")8  he  went  to 
X'ictoria  to  inipiire  into  the  gold  discoveries.     Douglas  urged  him  to  accept 
dtlice  and  bring  his  family  and  assist  in  the  afl'airs  of  tlie  colony,  which  he  did, 
since  residing  at  Rosebaidi,  Saanich,  near  Victoria.     In  bS7G  he  wa.s  appointeil 
by  the  Dominion  government  commissioner  to  settle  tho  Indian   land   <lif- 
fereiices  in  British  Colundiia,  and  continued  to  act  in  that  capacity  until  the 
cdinmission  was  dissolved  in  1878.     On  his  retirement  from  the  Hudson's  Bay 
('(iiiipany's  service  in  1853-4,  he  received  two  years'  retiring  furlf)ugh  in  ad- 
dition  to  the  usual  retired  interest,  which  continued  for  seven  yenrs  snbsc- 
(|uenily.     It  was  as  chief  trader  that  he  left  the  service  of  the  company,  his 
I  oiiimission  as  chief  factor  being  dependent  on  his  returning  to  take  charge 
ol  New  Caledonia,  where  be  had  already  passed  a  year;  but  the  education  of 
his  family  demanded  that  lie  shouhl  resid<'  nearer  the  conveniences  of  civiliza- 
tion.    In  lS4()Mr  Anderson  made  an  exploration  for  a  route  from  Alexandria 
chiwn  the  Fraser  V(dley  to  Fort  Langley,  ami  in  1847  a  similar  survey  from 
Kamloop  down  the  Tliomi)son  to  the  mouth  of  the  Nicola;  thence  Ijy  way  of 
Lytton  to  Yale  and  Langley.     The  lines  then  traced  afterward  became  the 
main  routes  of  access  to  tlie  interior.     In  IS.IS,  in  order  to  obtain  means  for 
transport  of  goods  to  tho  newly  discovered  gold-diggings,  he  recommended 
and  directed  the  opening  of  a  road  from  the  head  of  Hani.son  Lake  by  way  o.' 
bake  Anderson  to  the  crossing  of  the   I'raser,  whei'e  Lilloet  was  afterwaril 
leea.ted.     Five  liundred  miners  were  cmployoii  on  tlie  work,  and  tlie  road  thus 
constructed  was  used  for  the  tran:-.poit  of  all  supplies,  until  the  r(Kid  along 
the  Fraser  was  made.     In  per.sonal  .ii)peaiance,  at  the  time  I  saw  him,  be 
being  then  sixty-three  years  of  age,  Mr  Anderson  was  of  slight  build,  wii-y 
make,  active  in  mind  and  body,  with  a  keen,  penetrating  eye,  covered  by  lids 
which  persisted  in  a  perpetual  and  spasmodic  winking,  brouglit  on  years  ago 
by  siiow-lield  exposures,  and  now  become  habitual,  and  doubtless  as  di:;agi'ee- 
alile  to  him  as  to  his  friends.     In  speech  lie  M'as  elegant  and  precise,  and  by 
no  means  so  verbose  as  in  his  writings,  and  in  carriage,  if  not  so  dignified  as 
l''inlayson,  his  manner  would  do  him  credit  at  St  .Fames. 

-Their  names  were  Edward  Montigny,  .1.  K.  Vantrin,  Abraham  Charbon- 
nedern,  Theodore  Lacourse,  and  William  l)a,vis.  Anderson n  Nort/uoext  Co'ikL 
MS.,  124. 


160 


ANDERSON'S  EXPLORATIONS. 


Anderson's  journal  dates  from  Kamloop,  the  capi 
tal  of  the  Thompson  River  district,'  whence,  on  the 
15th  day  of  May  1846,  they  started,  and  passed  down 
Thompson  River  to  Cache  Creek,  in  the  main  by  the 
line  of  what  is  now  the  wagon-road.  The  first  en- 
campment was  at  the  lower  end  of  Kamloop  Lake. 
Crossing  the  Defunt  River  in  an  old  canoe  which 
they  found  at  hand,  narrowly  escaping  being  swept  to 
their  death  by  an  eddy  into  a  boiling  rapid  in  the 
effort,  they  continued  to  the  River  Bonaparte  which' 
they  found  much  swollen.  Nearly  the  whole  of  the 
I7tli  was  consumed  in  making  a  bridge  for  the  men, 
and  finding  a  ford  for  the  horses.  At  night  they  en- 
camped at  the  Bivi^re  aux  Chapeaux.* 

Through  a  cut  in  the  hills  they  jiassod  on  next  day 
to  a  small  lake,  then  to  another  lake,  then  to  Pavil- 
lion  river  and  village  on  the  Fraser,  following  which 
southward  they  reached  Upper  Fountain  at  four 
o'clock.  In  the  early  part  of  the  day  they  ho.d 
startled  a  village  of  natives,  who,  rushing  to  arms 
midst  terrific  yells  and  fear-compelling  antics,  threat- 
ened the  party  with  instant  annihilation.  On  An- 
derson's riding  forward  and  demanding  what  all  the 
uproar  was  about,  they  subsided  into  t!"  ^  smallest 
compass,  saying  they  thought  their  enemies  were  at 
hand. 

Here  the  way  was  found  too  rugged  for  horses,^  so 

' '  I  remember  the  old,  compact,  and  well-palisaded  fort,  and  the  stockades 
a  little  distance  off,  large  enough  for  three  or  four  hundred  horses,  for  the 
horse  brigades  for  transport  of  goods  in  and  returns  out  for  the  district,  and 
for  New  Caledonia,  generally  numbered  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  horses. 
A  beautifid  sight  was  that  horse  brigade,  with  no  broken  hacks  in  the  train, 
but  every  animal  in  his  full  beauty  of  form  and  color,  and  all  so  tractable.' 
Malcolm  McCleod,  in  Peace  Jiiver,  1 14.  The  New  Caledonia  and  Thompson 
River  brigades  wore  encamped  at  Kamloop  when  Anderson  set  out. 

*  N<nv  called  Hat  Creek.  '  This  stream  derives  its  name  from  an  Indian 
habitation  connected  witli  a  large  granite  stone  on  its  left  bank  indented  with 
several  hat-iike  cavities;  it  llows  throujTh  a  very  picturesque  valley  richly 
covered  with  herbage,  and  bordered  by  hills  sprinkled  by  fir-trees. '  Andef' 
sou'.i  Xcirthwest  Const,  MS.,  125. 

'' '  The  proposed  track  passes  over  a  mountain  1,500  to  2,000  feet  high,  the 
summit  of^  which  even  at  this  advanced  season  is  still  thickly  covered  with 
snow,  and  obviously  impassable  save  with  snow-shoes.  Indeed,  there  does 
not  exist  the  slightest  possibility  of  a  horse-road  in  this  direction  suitable  for 
our  purposes.'  Amlcrmns  }\oi-tlnvst  Coast,  JIS.,  I'JS. 


DOWN  THE  FRASER. 


IGl 


capi 

3n  the 
down 

by  the 

:st  en- 
Lake, 
which 

v^ept  to 

in  the 
which' 
of  the 

le  men, 

liey  en- 

ext  day 
Pavil- 
r  which 
at    four 
ey   had 
,o  arms 
thrcat- 
n    An- 
all  the 
mallest 
ivere  at 

jrses,^  so 

stockades 
laes,  for  the 
]istrict,  ami 
ifty  horses. 
|i  the  train, 
tractable. ' 
Thompson 

■i  an  Indian 
lentcil  with 
Ulcy  richly 
Bs.'  Ander- 

hi  high,  the 
Ivered  with 
1  there  does 
Suitable  for 


they  were  sent  into  the  open  country  southward,  to 
the  Vermihon  branch  of  the  Similkameen  River,  there 
to  await  Anderson's  return,  and  the  party  continu(^d 
down  the  river,  alternately  on  foot  and  by  canoe. 
Eni^aging  several  native  lads  to  carry  luggage,  they 
continued  their  journey  next  day  and  crossed  Fraser 
River  at  Lilloct.  Anderson  had  hoped  to  be  able  to 
follow  Fraser  River  to  its  mouth,  but  this  he  now 
found  impossible.  **  Precipitous  rocks,  ten  to  fifteen 
liundred  feet  in  height,''  he  says,  **rise  on  both  sides, 
and  preclude  the  possibility  of  all  progress  by  land, 
save  perhaps  by  scaling  the  craggy  sides  at  some  rare 
points  less  precipitous  than  the  rest."  He  concluded, 
therefore,  to  strike  westward  by  lakes  Seton  and 
Anderson,  and  thence  proceed  southward  by  Lilloet 
and  Harrison  lakes,  whif^h  was  done.  It  was  a  rough 
journey,  but  the  natucs  everywhere  received  him 
with  demonstrntions  of  joy,  and  lent  him  every  assist- 
ance, so  that  no  insurmountable  obstacles  opposed 
liini. 

On  the  21st,  while  in  the  vicinity  of  Lilloet  River, 
Anderson  writes:  "As  far  as  my  search  extended,  ] 
did  not  see  any  favorable  spot  conveniently  situated 
for  an  establishment  having  the  maintenance  of  a 
horse-pasture  in  view.  But  it  may  be  presumed  that 
should  the  idea  ever  be  entertained,  a  narrower  search 
than  the  state  of  our  provisions  enabled  me  to  insti- 
tute would  prove  successful." 

The  journey  by  tJie  line  of  lakes  was  made  chiefly 
in  canoes  obtained  from  tlic  natives,  though  portages 
Mere  frequent.  About  noon  on  the  24tli,  the  party 
foil  upon  Fraser  River  again,  and  at  five  o'clock  the 
same  day  reached  Fort  Langlcy. 

Thus  far  Anderson  was  not  particularly  i)loased 
witli  his  success,  but  he  hoped  to  do  better  on  his 
return.  Embarking  at  Langley,  the  28th  of  May,  in 
company  with  a  party  from  the  fort  who  were  asv  .end- 
ing the  river  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  salmon 
fishery,  they  encamped  the  first  night  just  below  the 

Hist.  Biut.  Col.    11 


162 


ANDERSON'S  EXPLORATIONS. 


Chilakweyak.*  The  second  c!;xy  thereafter,  at  noon, 
they  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Tlaekullum,  just  below 
the  Quequealla''  River,  where  the  town  of  Hope  now 
stands.  There  Anderson  and  his  assistants  were  left 
by  the  Fort  Langley  party. 


Andkuson's  RouTEa. 


Anderson  had  broufjht  with  him  an  Indian  chief 
as  a  guide  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Similkameen, 
and,  plunging  througli  the  Cascade  Range,  ho|)ed 
for  the  best.**  Over  a  high  ridge,  he  continued  his 
march  through  a  labyrinth  of  huge  bowlders  which 


*  Written  by  Anderson  Chilwhacook. 

'  Or  as  it  is  now  called  the  Coqnilialla.     On  Trutch'a  map  Coquhalla. 

'•This  from  all  I  coidd  ascertain,  botli  at  Kainloop  and  Fort  Langloy,  is 
tlio  moat  probable  if  not  only  route  by  which  it  is  likely  wo  may  discover  a 
coinmunicatiou  for  horses,  if  such  exist.'  Anderson's  X.  Coast,  MS.,  loS. 


SKAGIT  RIVER. 


1G3 


seemed  to  laugh  at  these  searchers  for  a  horse-way 
through  them,  and  the  baffled  party  beat  a  retreat. 
Another  defile''  to  the  northward  was  next  attempted 
and  with  better  success.  Returning  to  the  Fraser, 
Anderson  engaged  a  boat,  which  carried  them  into  the 
Quequealla,  where  disembarking  they  took  a  south- 
eastward course  by  land,  and  soon  found  themselves  in 
a  broad,  well  watered  valley.  Passing  out  of  this 
into  a  defile,  they  examined  the  country  carefully  on 
both  sides  of  the  river,  and  though  rugged,  Anderson 
discovered  a  route  through  which  he  thought  a  road 
might  be  built.  Of  tlie  surface  over  which  his 
proposed  horse-path  should  go,  he  gives  a  minute 
description,  so  particular  that  from  it  a  contractor 
might  almost  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  con- 
struction. 

The  first  day  of  June,  while  groping  his  way  slowly 
among  the  craggy  hills  and  unexplored  streams  of 
this  region,  Anderson  fell  in  with  an  intelligent  Indian 
from  the  fork  of  Thompson  River.  He  was  hunting 
beaver,  and  being  well  acquainted  with  the  country 
Anderson  engaged  him  under  promise  of  a  few  charges 
of  ammunition  and  some  tobacco  to  show  him  the 
way.  The  party  were  now  at  the  Sumallow'^  brand i 
of  the  Skagit  River,  down  which  they  proceeded  to 
the  fork,  and  then  up  the  north-east  branch,  or  the 
head- waters  of  the  Skagit.  Tlieir  way  wps  for  the 
most  part  through  a  rocky,  thickly  wooded  country, 
the  elevations  and  even  some  of  tlio  vallc ■^•s  being 
covered  with  snow.  Occasional  patches  of  grass  wore 
Ibund  on  which  horses  miglit  food.  Wending  tlioir 
way  north-east  toward  the  lieiglit  of  land,  they  leave 
flic  little  river  and  ascend  tlio  mountain  from  whose 
side  11  ic  foi-est  liad  been  [nivtially  burned  by  the  natives. 
Arrived  at  the  summit,  a  vast  expanse  of  wliite  lay 

'■•It  was  lip  tlio  'riaokulhmi  ilcfile  the  I^aiigh/y  guide  first  took  tluiin ;  now 
Amlorson  proposed  to  follnw  up  the  Quecpciula. 

'^'Tho  Jndiiuia  call  it  .Siinalaouch,  or  Simallaow,  and  way  that  it  talk,  as 
nearly  as  I  can  ascertain,  somewliero  in  the  vicinity  of  JJullingliuni  IJay.' 
Amlrrsoh'n  Xorlhicfst  ('oftft,  MvS.,  144. 


164 


ANDERSON'S  EXPLORATIONS. 


I'l 


spread  out  before  them,"  Close  at  liand  was  a  small 
lake  having  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  Committee's 
Punch  Bowl  at  the  sunmiit  of  Athabasca  Pass.  Here 
their  guide  left  them. 

Missing  a  good  Indian  trail  on  account  of  its  being 
covered  with  snow,  they  wandered  about,  scarcely  know- 
ing where  thty  were.  One  of  the  party,  Montigny, 
lost  himself  while  out  exploring,  and  Anderson  was 
obliged  to  go  in  search  of  him.  From  Summit  Lake 
they  followed,  as  best  they  might,  its  outlet,  which 
was  a  feeder  of  the  Similkameen  River,  to  Vermilion, 
or  Red  Earth  Fork,  the  appointed  rendezvous,  where 
they  found  their  horses. 

Proceeding  northward  through  a  fine  open  country, 
they  reached  the  Louchamcen  road,  just  above  Rocher 
de  la  Biche,  which  took  them  to  McDonald  River, 
whence  by  Nicola  Lake  they  continued  their  journey 
with  ease  and  pleasure  to  Kamloop,  where  they 
arrived  at  eveninsc  on  the  9th  of  June.  Thence  An- 
derson  proceeded  to  Alexandria. 

"  This  line,"  says  Anderson,  "  in  its  main  features 
was  afterward  adojited  for  the  government  road,  and 
is  the  direct  route  of  conmiunication  witli  the  south- 
western interior  of  British  Columljia."  It  was  the 
intention  that  tlie  trail  from  Kamloop  to  Hope 
should  be  made  suitable  for  horses.  For,  concludes 
the  journal,  "a  temporary  establishment  would  of 
course  be  required  at  the  place  where  the  horses 
must  remain,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Quequealla.  Ac- 
cording to  all  accounts,  this  vicinity  aflbrds  one  of  the 
most  prolific  fisheries  on  Fraser  River.  The  services 
of  a  few  men  might  thus  be  profitably  employed  in 
the  interval  during  whicli  it  would  be  necessary  to 
maintain  tlie  post.  The  boats  necessary  for  the  accom- 
modation of  tlie  brigade  were  to  be  brought  up  by 
tlie  Laiigley  peo[)le  and  Indians  at  the  proper  period, 

"The  I'iuiso  was  easily  explained,  hciiiy  '  ascribablc  to  tho  relative  position 
of  the  opposite  Hi(le.i;  tliat  l)y  wliiili  mo  asoeiuled  has  a  soutlieni  exposure, 
lyiiif,'  opei\,  coiiseipieiitly,  to  the  full  iiititienee  of  the  sun's  rays,  aided  l)y  tli'.' 
iiouthcni  winds,  and  ucc  i:ci\-iii.'  Amlcrsoiifi  yorthwcttt  <.'o(u4,  MS.,  l-l'J. 


THE  SIMILKAMKEX  COUNTRY. 


105 


conveying'  salt  and  barrels;  the  products  of  the  fishery 
to  be  conveyed  by  the  same  means  to  Fort  Langley, 
after  the  return  of  the  brigade." 

From  Alexandria,  Anderson  wrote  the  board  of 
management  at  Fort  Vancouver  on  the  21st,  and 
again  on  the  23d  of  June,  giving  the  particulars  of 
liis  proceedings  and  his  opinion  concerning  the  result. 
By  waiting  until  the  snow  melted,  and  the  streams 
swollen  tliereby  had  subsided,  he  pronounced  practi- 
cable tlie  route  by  way  of  the  Quequealla  and  Lake 
Xicola.  Fearful  lest  the  opening  of  a  roatl  by  the 
wliito  men  sliould  the  easier  let  their  enemicis  of  the 
Similkameen  upon  them,  tlu;  natives  of  Frascr  Kiver 
(lid  iiot  kindly  regard  the  movement.  Indeed,  Ander- 
son was  informcxl  by  Blackeye,  a  most  respectable  abo- 
riginal and  an  attache  o^  Kamloop,  that  Pahallok,  chief 
of  the  Fraser  liiver  Indians,  had  tampered  with  his 
fidelity  by  attempting  to  persuade  him  to  misl(>ad  and 
thereby  deter  the  road-makers  from  their  pur[)OKe. 
Some  delay  might  arise  therefrom,  but  no  serious 
trouble  was  apprehended. 

It  was  an  important  matter,  this  selection  of  a 
route  for  the  main  line  of  travel  between  the  liritisli 
( 'olumbia  sea-l)oard  and  the  interior,  and  the  stu- 
})endous  obstacles  interposed  by  nature  rendered  it  not 
s(t  easy  of  accomplishment.  Anderson  had  learned 
much  in  his  late  exploration,  but  yet  he  was  not 
llioroughly  satisfied.  Hence,  in  the  following  sum- 
mer we  find  him  examining  Thom])son  and  Fraser 
rivers  between  Kamloop  and  Langley,  hiiving  the 
same  purpose  in  view. 

Setting  out  from  Kamloop  on  the  19th  of  !May 
L847,  Anderson  proceeds  w^ith  five  men  to  Nicola 
Lake,  whence,  following  the  Nicola  Hiver  by  the  trail 
of  the  trading  parties  to  its  junction  with  the  Thomj) 
son,  he  sends  back  the  horses,  to  meet  him  on  the 
Kraser  near  Anderson  River,  where  there  is  a  well- 
known  trail  from  that   point  to  Similkameen.     Tlu 


1C6 


ANDERSON'S  EXPLORATIONS. 


I 


weather  is  sultry ;  several  Indian  camps  are  encountered 
on  the  way ;  the  country  is  remarkable  for  its  rugged 
volcanic  rock,  wormwood,  and  rattlesnakes.  Crossing 
the  Nicola  in  a  canoe,  on  the  2  2d  the  explorers  con- 
tinue along  the  left  bank  of  Thompson  River,  crossing 
the  streams  on  fallen  trees  until  next  day,  when  thej^ 
reach  Fraser  River,  and  encamp  near  the  Indian 
village  of  Shilkumcheen,  where  now  stands  Lyttoii. 
Here,  contracted  to  a  width  of  some  sixty  yards  and 
deepened  correspondingly,  the  Thompson  flows  quietly 
between  ragged  bounds  of  limestone  and  granite  into 
the  Eraser.  Soon  Pahallok  presents  himself,  and  de- 
livers a  letter  from  Yale.  Accompanying  the  chief 
is  a  concourse  of  savages,  men,  women,  and  children, 
a  scampish-looking  set  of  vagabonds  Anderson  calls 
them,  though  exceedingly  polite  and  affable. 

Continuing  along  the  left  bank  of  the  Fraser  on  the 
24th,  Anderson  finds  the  road  as  well  as  the  river-bed 
exceedingly  rough,  and  pronounces  it  impracticable 
for  a  loaded  horse  brigade.  Xor  can  Pahallok  or  any 
native  of  that  region  point  out  a  smoother  way.^' 
Still  the  natives  at  tJi')  villages  they  pass  receive  them 
with  loud  acclahns  and  bombastic  oratory.  At  the 
stream  called  Tumnmhl  the  aborigines  are  actively 
employed  in  erecting  a  stockade  for  protection  against 
their  enemies,  and  the  superior  death-dealing  con- 
trivances of  the  white  men  would  be  exceedingly  ser- 
viceable just  now.  Squazowm,  a  populous  village,  is 
reached  the  25th.  The  river  banks  in  this  vicinity 
are  wooded  with  cedar,  pine,  and  plane  trees,  and  the 
hills  which  rise  abruptly  in  the  background  are  free 
from  timber  in  parts,  aflbrding  good  pasturage.  Herb- 
age on  the  elevations  is  luxuriant,  and  the  hill-sides 
are  decked  with  larkspur,  red  flowering  vetch,  and 
the  dwarf  sunflower,  which  flaunts  its  glories  in  brave 
contrast   to  the    arid   declivities   so  recently  passed. 

^'^ '  In  the  vicinity  of  the  village  called  Skaoose  is  a  succession  of  rocky 
liills,  some  of  which  are  avoidable  oy  making  a  circuit,  while  others  appear  to 
otl'er  no  sucli  alternative. .  The  rocky  passages  extend  for  a  long  distance.' 
Anderson's  Northwest  Count,  MS.,  Ki'i. 


THE  RETURN. 


167 


The  horse-road  which  loads  hence  to  the  Similkameen 
country,  as  well  as  the  region  between  this  point  and 
Nicola  Lake,  is  well  known  to  Montigny  and  Michel 
Ogden,  both  of  whom  have  traversed  it;  thoreforc 
Anderson  deemed  it  safe  enough  to  order  his  horses 
sent  thither,  and  does  not  feel  obliged  to  stop  now  to 
examine  it.  The  new  road  was  but  recently  opened 
by  the  Similkamcens. 

Their  way  now  lies  along  the  Squazowm,''  which 
they  cross  upon  a  fallen  tree  and  follow  for  some  dis- 
tance, when  they  pass  over  to  tlie  Fraser.  Anderson 
iK)W  seeks  a  suitable  ])lace  for  a  ferry  across  this  man- 
defying  stream,  passage  by  tlie  left  bank  becoming 
more  than  ever  perilous,  Kequeloose,  near  where 
tlic  suspension  bridge  has  since  been  erected,  is  reached 
the  27tli,  and  Spuzzum  six  miles  below,  which  stands 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  Fraser,  and  where  Pahallok 
proposes  that  the  ferry  should  be  placed.  "The  coun- 
try is  very  rough,"  remarks  Anderson,  "and  much  labor 
with  many  painful  circuits  would  be  necessary  to  com- 
plete a  road  anywise  practicable  for  horses."  The  ex- 
plorers, after  careful  observation,  think  most  of  the 
rapids  hereabout  can  be  run  as  safely  as  those  of  the 
Columbia.  Leaving  now  the  rapids,  their  pathway 
leads  alonjif  a  causewav  of  cedar  boards  connectino- 
several  projecting  points  overhanging  a  precipice;  t)b- 
viously  an  exceedingly  dangerous  walk.  Then  after 
crossing  a  stream  they  come  on  the  28th  to  the  first 
village  of  the  Sachincos,  where  afterward  the  fort  and 
town  of  Yale  were  placed.  After  a  hearty  breakfast 
next  morning,  on  fresh  salmon  and  potatoes  furnished 
by  the  natives,  in  hii-ed  canoes  they  pass  rapidly  down 
the  river  to  LariL  .v, , . 

Returning,  they  leave  Fort  Langley  the  1st  of 
Jul 


lie. 


having. 


in  addition  to  the  canoes  hired  from 
the  natives,  a  large  Northwest  Coast  canoe  in  which 
Anderson  proposes  to  attempt  the  ascent  of  the  rap- 

"Now,  more   appropriately  tlian   is   always   the   case",   called  Ainlersoii 
River, 


1«8 


ANDERSON'S  EXPLORATIONS. 


ids  to  Kequcloose,  wJiere  he  proposes  the  horse-port- 
age of  coumierce  by  proving  the  navigabihty  of  the 
Fraser  thus  far,  Tlie  ascent  of  the  rapids  is  begun 
on  the  4th  of  Juno,  a  rainy  day,  the  natives  offi- 
ciating with  the  boat.^'  Two  portages  are  made  with- 
out much  difficulty,  when  tlie  boat  is  liglitcucd,  and 
taker  by  a  hue  through  the  swollen  channel;  then 
crossing  to  the  opposite  side,  the  ascent  was  continued, 
one  Indian  being  in  the  boat  and  the  others  dragging 
by  the  line.  All  goes  well  until  tlie  middle  of  the  last 
rapid  is  about  reached,  when  the  line  parts,  and  the 
boat  swec})s  swiftly  down  the  current  while  a  wail  as- 
cends from  the  bank  over  the  perilous  position  of  the 
boatman.  Fortunately,  with  the  boat  but  half  full 
of  water,  he  succeeds  in  getting  it  into  an  eddy,  and 
so  comes  to  land.  But  he  cannot  bo  induced  to  enter 
it  au'ain :  so  the  canoe  is  carried  with  no  small  diffi- 
(iulty  to  the  head  of  the  falls,  where  they  encamp. 
After  paying  the  natives  for  their  important  assist- 
ance, they  continue  next  morning,  breakfast  at  Spuz- 
zuni,  and  reach  Kequoloose  at  eleven.  Leaving  the 
canoe  in  charge  of  Pahallok,  they  sot  out  over  the 
l)roposed  horse-portage  by  way  of  Lake  Nicola  to 
Kamloop,  clearing  the  way  with  their  axes  as  they 
go,  and  reaching  the  horse  rendezvous  tlie  8tli.  The 
last  day  they  had  merely  indicated  the  route  by  chip- 
ping the  trees,  the  natives  under  tlie  superintendence 
of  Pahallok  vmdertaking  to  finish  this  portion  of  the 
road  for  them.  The  natives  below  object  to  the  prt)- 
posed  change  of  route,  and  one  of  them  threatens  dis- 
turbance, but  is  soon  quieted.  On  the  10th,  Anderson 
leaves  the  party  in  charge  of  ^Montrose  McGillivray, 
with  orders  to  continue  the  opening  of  tiie  road  to 
Lake  Nicola,  and  tlien  to  proceed  to  Kandoop  in 
time  to  meet  with  the  horses  of  the  New  Caledonia 


'* '  Cross  to  tho  cilily  at  the  foot;  make  a  short  portage  anil  reiimbark , , . 
A  surica  of  eddies  conducts  to  a  socoml  porttagc  upon  tho  same  side,  right  as- 
cending. .  .Cross  iind  breakfast  at  the  foot  of  the  rapid  formed  like  tho  first 
by  a  rock  which  lies  near  the  left  shore.'  Andersons  Northioait  Cocmt,  MS., 
178. 


ANOTHER  ROUTE. 


IW 


brigade  at  Okanagan.  Anderson  then  presses  on  to 
McDonald  River  and  Kamloop,  and  thence  proceeds 
to  Alexandria. 


It  would  seem  from  these  facts,  taken  wholly  from 
Anderson's  journals  and  letters,  that  prior  to  these 
^'xpoditions  no  route  between  Langloy  and  New  Cale- 
donia was  open ;  uone  practicable  was  known  to  exist, 
the  nearest  approach  to  it  beinsj;'  that  p<jrtion  of  an 
Indian  or  horse  trail  fn)m  Siniilkamcen  to  Ketpie- 
loose,  a  point  on  Fraser  River  six  miles  above  8puz- 
zuni.  His  first  return  route,  by  the  defile  of  the 
('oquihalla  and  the  Vermilion  Fork  of  the  Similka- 
mecn,  Anderson  thouglit  presented  almost  insurmount- 
able obstacles;  the  snow  alone  preventing  tlie  road 
fn)m  being  open  for  more  tlian  a  brief  [)eriod  eacli 
year.  The  second  route,  by  way  of  Kecpieloose,  lie 
preferred,  provided  the  rapids  intervening  iould  be 
overcome.  Of  the  first  he  re})orts  to  the;  board  of 
management:  "I  ha\e  no  oi)inion  of  its  feasibility. 
It  is  difficult  to  realize  a  conception  of  the  ruggedness 
of  this  extraordinarv  res>-ion."  And  of  the  other  route : 
"Keeping  in  view  tlie  ol»vious  disadvantages  insepa- 
rable from  the  route  surveyed  by  me  last  sununt^r,  as 
being  availaltle  only  for  a  comparatively  brief  season 
of  tlie  year,  I  have  no  longer  any  hesitation  in  accord- 
ing a  decided  preference  to  tlie  route  r(>cently  exam- 
ined by  Avay  of  Kecpieloose.  The  series  of  raj)ids  in 
tlio  vicinity  of  tlio  tails,  extending  with  intcirvals  of 
smooth  water  in  all  from  two  to  three  miles,  presents 
no  insurmountable  impediment  to  our  pn^gress,  from 
the  facility  of  making  portiges  if  found  necessary,  as 
they  doubtless  will  be  at  the  higlier  stages  of  the 
water.  .  .  .  For  divers  reasons  I  would  suggest  that  the 
N^ew  Caledonia  party,  if  intending  to  pass  l)y  the  new 
route,  should  not  leave  Alexandria  Lefore  the  2oth 
May,  timing  their  departure  so  as  t^  reach  Langley 
about  the  20th  June,  to  admit  of  a  oolay  of  ten  days 
there,  and  to  depart  about  the  1st  Jmy,  a  day  or  two 


170 


ANDERSON'S  EXPLORATIONS. 


later  than  the  brigade  usually  leaves  Vancouver  by 
the  present  route."  We  shall  see  later  the  more 
definite  results  of  these  observations;  suffice  it  for 
the  present  to  say,  that  several  lines  were  ultimately 
opened,  and  tluit  Anderson  was  finally  led  to  modify 
his  first  marked  preference  for  the  route  by  way  of 
Kequeloose  and  Lake  Nicola. 

Understanding  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the 
board  of  management  to  open  the  new  route  the  fol- 
lowing spring,  that  is  to  say,  1848,  Anderson  coupleil 
witli  Ills  report  tlic  following  suggestions: 

A  sufficient  number  of  boats,  similar  to  those  used 
on  the  Columbia,  should  be  constructed  during  the 
winter,  either  at  Kequeloose  or  Langlcy,  and  if  built 
at  the  latter  place,  they  should  be  sent  to  the  ren- 
dezvous at  Kequeloose  before  the  river  was  swollen 
by  the  melting  snow.  A  gauge  at  Langlcy  would  at 
all  times  determine  the  state  of  things  above,  the  rise 
or  fall  of  one  foot  at  that  point  being  equivalent  to  a 
rise  or  fall  of  eight  or  ten  feet  in  the  confined  channels 
of  the  inferior  regions.  It  would  be  well  for  tlie 
brio;ade  to  time  its  return  with  the  ascent  of  tlie 
.salmon,  as  well  that  provisions  might  be  plenty  as 
that  navigation  would  be  easier,  owing  to  the  abating 
of  the  waters,  which  considerations  apply  to  all  the 
lines  of  intercommunication  as  far  north  as  Stuart 
Lake.  Likewise  by  making  the  annual  departure 
from  Alexandria  as  late  in  the  spring  as  possible,  agri- 
cultural opei-ations  would  be  less  interfered  with,  and 
horses  tlien  would  be  in  better  condition. 

Anderson  concludes  with  a  lengthy  discussion,  de- 
tailing regulations  which  should  govern  the  spring 
and  autumn  expresses  to  and  from  Hudson  Bay,  the 
use  of  boats  and  horses,  and  the  introduction,  where 
necessary,  of  sledges  and  snow-shoes,  an  Indian  mail 
system,  intercourse  between  posts,  protection  of  prop- 
erty, treatment  of  the  natives,  and  the  like,  all  emi- 
nently practical  and  interesting,  but  which  for  lack  of 
space  I  shall  not  be  able  here  to  introdutic. 


CHAPTER  X. 

YALE  AND  HOPE  ESTABLISHED. 
1848-1849. 


ESTAISLISIIMENT  ON  TIIK  FUASKR  AT  THE  LaNDIXI!  OF  THE   SaCIIINCOS — JaMI.S 
.\ri'llKAY   VaI.K — CaISKS  AViUCU  Lk»  Ti>  THE  BuiLDINT.  OF  FoilT  YaI.K 

Ohdeu.s  (tivE.v  Inteiuuk  Tkadeus  to  Break  tiieik  AVay  tiiuouoh  to 
LANiiLEV — Three    Bhkiaoes    Joi.v  for  That  rrRPosE — The  Roitk 

C'hOHEN'   not   SaTISFACTOBV — AnIJERSON'm  PrOI'O.SAI. — BriLDINli  OF   I'OliT 

Jloi'E— A  New  Route  Aitemited — It  Proves  Worse  than  tiik 
First — .Tosei'H  W,  McKay  ox  tiie  North  Coast — Sharp  PRACTrci; 
i;r.TWEE\  Enolish  ani>  Ri'ssia\  Traders — The  ' (  'oxstaxce  '  is  North- 
KRN  Waters — Kffecis  ]\  British  Cohmria  of  the  California  Ooi.k 
Discovery — Baos  of  (  Jolu-ucst  at  Fort  Vit-roRiA — The  ExcrrEMEM' 
IV  THE  Interior. 

Early  in  the  sprinj:^  of  1848  a  small  post  was 
erected  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  on  the  Eraser 
River  near  a  village  of  the  Sachincos,  and  just  below 
the  rapids  ascended  by  Anderson  the  year  previous. 
Tlie  establishment  was  called  Eort  Yale,  in  honor  of 
Chief  Eactor  Yale/  then  in  charge  of  Eort  Langley, 
and  was  the  only  point  on  the  wild,  weird  Eraser 
between  Langley  and  Alexandria,  a  distance  of  some 
three  hundred  miles,  then  occupied  by  white  men,  save 
only  the  salmon  fishery  established  below  the  Coqui- 
lialla  two  years  previous. 


'  James  Murray  Yale  entered  the  service  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company 
when  but  a  boy,  in  about  the  year  1815.  For  a  long  time  lie  remained  a  boy, 
not  receiving  any  promotion  until  fifteen  years  after  the  coalition,  or  twenty - 
<ine  years  after  entering  the  service;  and  to  the  day  of  his  death,  and  long 
afterward,  he  was  known  to  the  officers  of  the  company  only  as  Little  Yale. 
Though  small  of  statue  he  was  strongly  built,  wiry,  and  active,  and  as  coura- 
geous and  enduring  as  a  young  Hercules.  Indeed,  his  reckless  bravery  was 
for  a  time  rather  against  him  than  otliorwise,  as  it  rendered  him  in  a  measure 
untit  for  the  staider  duties  attending  promotion  and  partnership;  but  this 

.<  171  ^ 


II 


IT'i 


YALK  AND  HOPE  KSTABLLSHEl >. 


One  iniTiiediatc  cause  wliicli  led  to  this  establishment 
was  the  Waiilatpu  massacre,  which  occurred  iu  the 
autumn  of  1847,  and  the  hostiUties  which  followed. 
Anotlicr  was  the  conclusion  of  the  Oregon  treaty  of 
184G,  which  not  only  placed  the  boundary  hne  several 
degrees  north  of  the  lower  Columbia,  but  left  tlic 
matt^'T'  of  duties  on  foreign  goods  in  such  a  sliape  as 
almost  to  stop  business  at  Fort  Vancouver.  To  Brit- 
ish subjects  was  reserved  the  right  of  freely  navigating 
the  Columbia  and  passing  over  the  ])ortages  with  their 
goods,  upon  the  same  terms  accorded  citizens  of  the 


y;;;'; 


was  afterward  proved  a  grfiat  mistake,  or  eko  aa  the  i* i  advanced  in  year* 

111!  clianj;ed  materially,  tor  in  all  tlie  company's  Hi^rvivje  there  was  scarcely  a 
hetter  po.st-connnandcr  than  Little  Yale.  From  boyhood,  hardship  .seemed  to 
mark,  him  for  its  own;  his  young  hones  were  kneaded  iu  the  trough  of  expos- 
!U'e,  and  the  .sword  of  ]  )amoeles  Heemed  too  often  to  hang  from  llie  trees  oi 
the  forest  lie  threaded.  His  lirst  appearance  in  the  arena  of  savage  life  while 
yet  a  stri[iliMg  is  Kiguitlcant  of  the  mans  character  and  of  his  subsequent 
career.  It  was  at  a  time  when  feuds  waxed  warm  between  the  brother  skin- 
buyers,  each  fearful  lo.-:s  the  other  should  gain  advantage.  Tlie  old  adven- 
turers of  J''.nglanil  had  fully  awakened  to  the  fact  that  their  more  .shrewd  and. 
energetic  rivals  of  tlie  Is'orthwest  Company  v  ere  surrounding  them  iu  their 
operations,  and  if  they  would  secure  territory  e(pial  to  their  desires,  they  must 
leave  the  .sliores  of  Hudson's  Bay  and  take  possession  of  it.  S(»  jiosts  were 
planteil  along  the  Saskatchewan,  the  highest  of  which  was  then  ildmoiitoii; 
and  as  Ked  Jliver  blossomed  under  the  benign  smile  of  the  Eail  of  Selkirk, 
Ilia  a.ssociate.s  followed  their  more  adviinturous  opponents  through  I'oace  River 
I'as.s,  and  o[iened  their  eyes  toward  the  I'aeific. 

Just  about  the  time  Yale  entered  the  service,  John  Clarlc,  with  one  hun- 
ch'ed  men,  set  out  for  the  Koeky  Mountains,  and  beyond,  for  the  purpose  of 
idanting  new  posts  for  the  eircumventiou  of  the  Northwest  Company.  Cer- 
tain lisheries  in  the  beaver  country,  upon  whioh  they  had  depended  for  a  win- 
ter's food  supply,  failed  them,  ami  starvation  stared  them  iu  the  face.  Tiieir 
rivals  were  there  with  food,  and  W(mld  most  eharitably  have  supplied  them 
on  condition  of  tlieir  renouncing  allegiance  so  the  old  adventurers  and  joining 
the  Northwesters;  but  sooner  than  do  this  they  would  die. 

And  die  they  must  unless  relief  should  soon  come.  One  day  an  Indian  came 
into  their  camp  and  reported  that  his  people  had  been  successful  lishing,  and 
that  they  hud  food.  Though  the  Avay  was  long  and  perilous,  a  party,  one  <if 
whom  was  the  boy  Y'ale,  set  out  for  the  Indian  camp.  One  after  another  fell  by 
the  way,  overcome  by  starvation  and  fatigue,  and  laid  down  earth's  burden  in 
(h'spair.  At  length  Y'ale's  little  legs  began  to  fail  him.  A  long  tramp  through 
the  deej)  snow  took  him  greatly  at  disadvantage.  In  tiiis,  his  lirst  adventure, 
he  had  bix'ome  the  pet  and  'protajf  of  a  stah\art  old  voyageur,  who  was  as  a 
giant  to  this  Jack,  and  Avho  encouraged  him  by  every  means  iu  his  power  to 
keep  moving.  But  all  was  of  no  avail.  The  boy  finally  threw  himself  ontlio 
snow  and  told  his  old  friend  to  leave  him  there  and  to  save  himself.  The  French- 
man coutinned  a  few  paces,  calling  to  his  companion  to  eomo  on  and  keep  up 
his  courage.  But  finding  it  all  of  no  avail,  he  retraced  his  steps,  tearing  his 
hair,  and  swearing  aa  only  a  French  Canadian  can  swear,  meanwhile  his  big 
lieart  swelling,  and  as  he  came  up  to  his  now  insensible  little  friend,  bursting 
into  tears — the.so  villanoiis  voyageurs  could  sometimes  cry  like  women — he  ex- 
claimed iu  his  doggerel  French:   'Sacre!  miserel     C'est  trop  de  valeur!     Em- 


ICXPEDITION  UNDEll  MANSON, 


173 


United  Status.  But  this,  of  course,  did  not  permit  tlie 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  to  import  goods  free  of  duty. 
So  long  as  Fort  Vancouver  remained  the  distribut- 
ing depot,  imported  packages  must  there  be  broken 
and  parcelk^d  for  the  several  interior  and  coast  stations. 
To  pay  tlio  same  tarift'  on  goods  destined  for  British 
Columbia  traffic  which  citizens  of  the  United  States 
were  obliged  to  pay  on  goods  sold  in  Oregon,  was  not 
for  a  moment  to  be  thoujjht  of.  Less  was  said  in 
Oregon  about  tlie  terms  of  the  treaty,  as  the  cause  of 
hastening  a  change  of  base,  than  of  the  hostilities  fol- 
lowing: the  Whitman  massacre,  which  set  bristlini;  the 
savages  of  the  Columbia  as  far  up  as  Walla  Walla, 
but  the  former  rendered  the  opening  of  a  route  be- 
tween the  seaboard  and  the  interior  within  British 
territory  as  necessary  as  did  the  latter. 

The  building  of  Fort  Yale  had,  indeed,  been  i)ro- 
jccted  before  the  outbreak  of  hostilities;  the  terms  of 
the  treaty  were  amply  sufficient  to  warrant  the  move, 
as  well  as  to  hasten  the  opening  of  a  new  route,  but 
each  several  event  carried  its  d'  3  weight. 

However  all  this  might  have  been,  certain  it  is  that 
early  in  1848  orders  were  sent  by  express  fiom  Fort 
A^ancouver  to  the  officers  in  charge  of  the  interior 
posts  immediately  to  break  their  way  through  to 
Langley,  where  supplies  from  head-quarters  for  the 
several  districts  would  be  sent  this  year. 

Acting  on  these  instructions,  a  party,  consisting  of 
tlirce  briij^adcs,  namolv,  one  eacli  from  New  Caledonia, 

banjuc  !  EiMliarquu  !'  by  which  Littur  inarhio  exclamation  tlio  Canadians  woro 
Mout  to  t^ll  liti-lo  people  to  p;et  on  their  hack,  and  seizing  Yule  hy  llic  ar;n, 
1k!  swung  hi;n  over  hij  ahoulder  on  tol.ii  p:;ck,  and  sturdily  marched  forward. 
'I'liat  nijiifc  they  reached  the  Indian  canij),  where  an  alL'cting  scene  took  place. 
"vVe  generally  associate  in  our  minds  with  savages  o:dy  blood-thirstiness,  incr- 
cde.;.,:ie.:n,  and  cruelty".  To  many  native  •women  we;-c  given  by  the  creator 
lieartj  Hi  humane  and  tender  as  to  many  white-;;kin;ied  dames.  At  siglit  of 
tlie  afUoch'ss  youth,  says  Anderson,  to  who:n  the  tlj  was  told,  'thewr)inen 
of  the  ca::ip  lULLed  to  tcar3,  ruslieil  forward,  carried  Yale  into  their  encamp- 
ment, rub1)0  1  luj  limbs  to  restore  suspended  circulation,  fed  hi:n  with  choice 
brotlia,  and  in  every  way  treated  him  as  if  he  had  been  one  among  their  ov.ii 
children.'  Wo  may  bo  sure  the  boy  never  forgot  that  old  voyageur  or  thoic 
liiilian  wonic:i.  About  1870,  after  over  half  a  century  of  continuous  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company  service,  Yale  settled  near  Victoria,  and  died  there,  leav- 
ing auveral  childi-en. 


174 


YALE  AND  HOl'E  ESTABIJSHED, 


Thompson  River,  and  Colville,  after  due  preparation, 
set  out  toward  the  end  of  May,  selecting  as  their  way 
Anderson's  return  route  of  the  previous  summer. 
Fifty  men  with  four  hundred  horses,  many  of  tliem 
unbroken,  comprised  the  party,  wliich  was  under  the 
command  of  Donald  Manson  of  New  Caledonia,  he 
being  senior  officer  present,  Anderson,  in  charge  of 
the  Colville  district  to  which  he  had  been  recently 
appointed,  being  second. 

It  is  needless  t6  recite  the  difficulties  encountered 
by  the  three  brigades  united  under  Manson.  A  small 
party  can  often  manage  better  in  an  untrodden  wilder- 
ness than  a  large  one.  In  the  present  instance  a  large 
band  of  heavily  laden  horses  was  no  slight  encum- 
brance. Over  the  roughest  part  Anderson's  formei' 
journey  had  been  on  foot,  and  with  the  anxiety  and 
chacrrin  attending  the  discomforts  and  curses  of  his 
companions,  his  ardor  for  the  new  route  began  to 
abate. 

Nevertheless  Fort  Yale  was  in  due  time  reached ; 
and  leaving  there  the  horses,  the  party  passed  rapidly 
down  to  Langley  in  boats.  The  return,  which  was 
by  the  same  route,  was  if  possible  more  disastrous 
than  had  been  the  journey  down.  The  merchandise 
carried  back  was  more  bulky  and  perishable  than  was 
tJieir  former  cargo,  and  not  only  a  large  percentage 
of  the  property  was  destroyed,  but  many  of  the  horses 
M'ere  lost. 

Tlie  fact  is,  the  course  pursued  by  the  united  bri- 
gades was  over  neitlier  of  the  routes  explored  by  An- 
derson; or  at  all  events,  it  w.  ?  over  a  portion  only  of 
liis  favorite  road.  He  had  e  >ected  to  make  Keque- 
loosc  tlie  station  on  the  river  r  the  horses;  but  the 
rapids  had  interposed  objcctioi  too  formidable  in  the 
minds  of  the  management,  an(  heno  Fort  Yale  had 
been  built  below.  The  disasLrous  results  of  the  at- 
tempt of  the  united  brigades  to  open  a  road  back  from 
Fort  Yale  turned  attention  once  mcjve  to  Anderson's 
exploration  of  1 846,  and  to  his  return  route  of  that  year. 


ANDERSON  ON  KOUTEW. 


175 


After  their  return  to  Tlioinpsoii  River,  in  August 
1848,  Anderson  addressed  a  written  communication 
to  his  associates  there  })rescnt,  Donald  Alanson  and 
John  Tod,  which  was  subsequently  forwarded  to  the 
management,  setting  fortli  the  importance  of  adopt- 
ing innnediate  measures  for  the  opening  of  tlie  Simil- 
kamecn  route,  which  was  his  Coquihalla  route  of  184G 
with  certain  modifications  suggested  by  Okl  Blackeye, 
tlie  wise  and  scientific  savage  before  mentioned. 

It  appears  that  a  party  had  been  sent  by  Yale  from 
Langley  the  previous  year  to  take  a  second  look  at 
this  section,  more  particularly  to  ascer+iin  its  condi- 
tion in  regard  to  snow,  and  a  favorable  report  had 
been  made.  The  snow  was  not  an  insurmountable 
obstacle,  and  a  band  of  workmen  with  horses  in  ten 
or  fifteen  days  would  be  able  to  make  the  way  pass- 
able. 

As  to  the  route  over  which  they  had  just  passed, 
tliere  could  be  but  a  single  opinion,  and  that  a  condem- 
natory one.  "The  question  of  navigation,"  continues 
Anderson,  "as  far  as  Kequeloose,  where  I  last  year 
proposed  the  horse  transport  to  commence,  being 
negatived,  the  whole  scheme  of  connnunication  thence 
depending  necessarily  falls  to  the  ground.  The  pru- 
dence, not  to  say  possibility,  of  extending  our  horse 
transport  beyond  that  point  has  this  year  been  fully 
tested,  and  needs  no  comment  on  my  part.  As  re- 
gard.3  the  question  of  navigation,  my  opinions  have 
undergone  some  change;  for  though  as  before  I  tliink 
it  practicable  to  bring  up  Columbia  boats  by  making 
the  necessary  portages,  further  examination  teaches 
nie  that  it  must  be  by  Aery  arduous  degrees  at  the 
higher  stages  of  the  water,  and  therefore  unadvisalilc. 
At  low  water,  however,  the  rapids  have  beeri  [)rove(l 
to  be  safely  navigable  with  loaded  bateaux,  one  port- 
age only  intervening.  These  points  admitted,  1  am 
still  constrained,  however  reluctantly,  to  withdraw 
the  proposal  of  navigation  formerly  advanced  by  me. 
My  recent    experience  of  the  pass  in  question  con- 


176 


YALE  AND  HOPE  ESTABLISHED. 


vinces  me  that  no  portage  on  a  large  scale  could  with 
prudence  be  effected  there  during  the  summer  season, 
after  the  host  of  barbarians  among  whom  we  have 
recently  passed  are  congregated  at  the  fisheries.  The 
risks  of  sacrificing  both  life  and  property — for  it  is 
needless  to  attempt  to  cloak  the  matter — under  cir- 
cumstances where  neither  courage  nor  precaution 
could  avail  to  resist  surprise  or  guard  against  treach- 
ery, are  alone  sufficient  to  deter  us  from  the  attempt. 
The  losses  by  theft,  in  themselves  nowise  contempti- 
ble, which  have  already  taken  place,  are  but  the 
prelude  to  future  depredations  upon  a  larger  scale, 
should  the  present  system  of  operations  be  unfortu- 
nately persisted  in — depredations  which  it  is  to  be 
feared  will  be  difficult  either  to  discover  in  time  or  to 
prevent  effectually." 

Anderson  then  prO|^osed  that  Henry  Peers,  as- 
sisted by  Montigny  and  certain  natives,  should  be 
appointed  to  the  duty  of  making  ready  the  new 
route. 

In  view  of  all  which,  during  the  winter  of  1848-9 
another  post  was  established  a  short  distance  below 
Yale,  on  the  left  bank  of  tlie  Fraser  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Coquihalla,  to  which  was  given  the  name  Hope.'^ 


It  '■ 


^Better  fortune  was  expected  another  time.  The  Reverend  Mr  Good  ab- 
surdly dates  tlie  establishing  of  Fort  Hope  1840-1.  British  Columbia,  M8.,  45. 
It  is  a  jjurely  random  statement,  and  nnght  with  equal  propriety  have  been 
placed  a  hundred  years  earlier  or  later.  '  Fort  Hope, '  ho  says,  '  was  remarkablu 
for  the  extraordinary  beauty  and  grandeur  of  its  situation,  the  fort  being  a 
very  old  Hudson's  Bay  Company  station  erected  in  1840-1.  From  hence  the 
company's  brigade  carried  supplies,  and  communicated  for  trading  purposes 
with  stations  on  tlie  Columbia  and  other  parts  of  Oregon,  by  what  was  called 
the  Similkameen  Pass,  and  they  also  connected  with  Nicola,  Kamloop,  and 
Okanagan  l)y  the  olil  and  well-worn  brigade  trail.'  The  author  of  British 
North  America,  SS.*},  calls  it  in  ISGD  the  second  town  in  British  Colundiia, 
moaning  the  mainland,  and  'next  in  importance  to  the  capital,'  being  'about 
o:ie  hundred  miles  up  the  Fraser,  at  the  elbow  where  the  course  alters  from 
south  to  west.  Here  the  miners  stop  both  going  to  and  returning  from  t'.io 
upper  country  gold-diggings;  and  a  number  of  Cliinese  have  taken  up  their 
abode  in  the  town.  It  is  making  rapid  progress,  and  roatls  are  l)eing  pushed 
forward  north  and  east  of  it.'  See  al.->o  Grtii/'n  Or.,  43,  and  Barrett- Lcnnrd'x 
Trawls,  148-9,  which  latter  work  calls  the  river  the  Coquiklum,  and  tlie 
mountiiin  scenery  around  it  graiul  ..nd  beautiful,  while  adjacent  is  the  village 
of  the  Tumsioux  Indians,  though  where  he  obtains  such  a  name  it  is  difficult 
to  decipher,   i^m'  A)ii/irsnn's  X'^fli  •■I'f  CtHis/,  MS.,  ITT). 


A  NEW  TRAIL  CUT. 


177 


;ould  with 
er  season, 
L  we  have 
[•ies.     The 
—for  it  is 
-under  cir- 
precaution 
ist  treach- 
le  attempt, 
contempti- 
e  but  the 
,rger  scale, 
)e  unfortu- 
it  is  to  be 
L  time  or  to 

Peers,  as- 
,  should  bo 
V   the   new 


of  1848-9 
,.ince  below 
lie  mouth  of 

me  Hope.^ 

Liul  ISIr  Good  ab- 
\>litiiibia,  MS.,  45. 
hriety  have  bueii 
['  was  remarkablo 
the  fort  being  a 
From  hence  the 
trading  purposes 
I  what  was  called 
L  Kainloop,  and 
tuthor  of  JJrit:.'<li 
ritish  Columbia, 
h\,'  being  'about 
|)urso  altera  from 
turning  from  Vm 
[  taken  up  their 
ire  being  pushed 
iBarrett-Lcn'trd'-i 
liiklum,  and  the 
Tnt  is  the  village 
[me  it  is  difficult 


Yale  was  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Fraser,  while 
should  the  defile  of  the  Coquihalla  prov.e  the  most 
advantageous  passage  to  the  interior,  as  was  now  be- 
coming more  than  probable,  to  at  least  certain  parts 
of  it,  Hope  would  for  the  present  be  the  more  impor- 
tant post. 

In  1849  the  New  Caledonia  spring  brigade  followed 
the  route  of  the  previous  year  by  way  of  Yale  to 


Yale  and  Hope. 

Langley,  the  Hope  road  being  not  yet  read'y^,"^but, 
loturning,  disembarked  at  Hope,  determined  at  all 
hazard  to  attempt  the  defdc  of  the  Coquihalla.  With 
the  briirado  was  brought  a  number  of  men  from 
Langley,  and  the  whole  force  being  sot  to  work,  soon 
cut  a  trail  across  the  mountains,  which  dift'ered  in 
.some  respects  from  Anderson's  return  route  of  184G. 

IIWT.  Bnrr.  Col.    12 


178 


YALE  AND  HOPE  ESTABLISHED. 


l!---i 


And  this  was  the  main  route  followed  until  1860,  when 
the  government  road  was  made. 

To  Joseph  W.  McKay  now  in  1 84G  was  given  the  gen- 
eral supervision  of  the  north  coast  establishments,  up 
to  this  time  under  the  more  immediate  supervision  of 
James  Douglas.  Proceeding  northward  in  the  Beaver 
in  October,  as  was  usual  for  the  general  agent  to  do,  he 
stopped  at  the  several  stations,  and  made  such  changes 
and  left  such  instructions  as  seemed  to  him  best.  The 
Russians  he  found  aifable  and  polite,  but  tricky.  "  In 
August  1847,"  he  says,  "a  chief  of  the  Stakhine  Ind- 
ians, whom  I  knew  well  and  had  reason  to  believe 
perfectly  trustworthy,  told  me  that  he  had  been  ap- 
proached by  a  Russian  officer  with  presents  of  beads 
and  tobacco,  and  that  he  was  told  that  if  he  would 
get  up  a  war  with  the  English  in  that  vicinity,  and 
compel  them  to  withdraw,  he  should  receive  assistance 
in  the  shape  of  arms  and  ammunition,  and  in  case  of 
success  he  would  receive  a  medal  from  the  Russian 
emperor,  a  splendid  uniform,  and  anything  else  he 
might  desire,  while  his  people  slujuld  always  be  paid 
the  highest  prices  for  their  peltries." 

Taking  his  position  at  Fort  Simpson  in  1847,  Mc- 
Kay became  practically  dominator  of  that  region,  and 
so  remained  for  many  years,  although  his  duties  did 
not  confine  him  tli.cre  constantly.  Traffic  being  king, 
and  McKay  king,  we  are  prepared  to  learn  that  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Com])any  were  more  successful  in 
tliose  parts  than  the  Russian  American  company, 
that  the  former  secured  nine  tenths  of  all  tl\e  beaver 
and  land-otter  taken  in  the  country  drained  by  tlio 
Stikecn,  and  that  even  on  the  coast  north  of  the 
river,  and  toward  tlie  country  of  the  Chilkats  and 
Tungass,  all  strictly  Russian  domain,  no  small  pro- 
portion of  the  catch  fell  into  the  innnaculato  maw 
of  the  English  adventurers.  Armed  vessels  were 
sent  at  various  times  by  the  Russians  to  break  up 
this  traffic,  but  the  trading  canoes  sent  by  the  Eng- 


NORTH-COAST  AFFAIRS. 


170 


jwhen 


lie  gen- 
nts,  up 
ision  of 
!  Beaver 

0  do,  he 
3lianges 
b.  The 
y.     "In 

ine  Ind- 
believe 

)een  ap- 
3f  beads 
le  would 
lity,  and 
ssi  stance 

1  case  of 
Russian 

else  he 
be  paid 

|847,  Mo- 
rion, and 
uties  did 
tng  king', 
that  tlie 
lessful   in 
ompan  y . 
<c  beaver 
Id  by  the 
1  of  the 
kats  and 
nail  pro- 
ate  maw 
els   wore 
break  ui> 
the  Eng- 


lish company  into  the  intricate  channels  and  inlets 
easily  escaped  encounter  with  a  superior  force.  Even 
American  and  other  vessels  which  went  thither  to 
trade  on  their  own  account  were  brought  into  requisi- 
tion by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  in  turning  the 
tide  of  this  commerce  into  their  own  channels  and 
away  from  those  of  the  Russian  company. 

Toward  the  end  of  1847,  while  the  Chimsyans  and 
Tungass  were  indulging  in  hostilities,  Shcmelin,  on 
behalf  of  the  Russian  company,  made  a  visit  to 
McKay,  who  was  then  at  Bellabella,  with  the  object 
of  inducing  him,  if  possible,  to  use  his  influence  to 
stop  the  savage  feud  which  so  greatly  interfered  with 
trade.  For  while  fighting  not  only  were  the  belliger- 
ents diverted  from  hunting,  but  such  furs  as  they  did 
secure  fell  into  the  hands  of  foreign,  or,  as  the  great 
monopolists  designated  them,  contraband  traders  for 
arms  and  ammunition. 

While  Shemelin  was  thus  engaged  at  the  house  of 
McKay,  the  two  being  then  at  dinner,  a  native  re- 
tainer of  the  latter  appeared  at  the  door,  and  beckon- 
ing McKay  without,  informed  him  that  a  large  fleet 
of  his  canoes  heavily  laden  with  furs  surreptitiously 
obtained  in  Russian  teritory,  was  entering  the  port. 

What  was  to  be  done?  It  would  never  do  at  all  to 
let  Shemelin  know  how  his  company  had  been  robbed 
by  the  honorable  servants  of  the  honorable  English 
company,  and  to  parade  the  spoils  before  his  very 
eyes.  Surmise  was  one  thing,  positive  })roof  quite 
another.  In  his  dilenmia  McKay  bctliouijht  himself 
of  the  Muscovite  love  of  liquor,  and  iuwardh'  thanked 
Bacclius  for  the  suggestion.  Instantly  despatching  a 
messenger  to  the  approaching  canoes  to  await  his  signal 
outside  the  liarl)or,  he  returned  to  his  guest.  There 
was  loss  than  a  gallon  of  rum  in  the  storehouse,  and  it 
took  nearly  the  whole  of  it  to  stretch  the  enemy  hors 
de  combat.  But  it  was  done;  and  while  Shemelin  lay 
unconscious,  and  his  men  were  feasting  in  a  house  at 
some  distance  i'roni  the  scene  of  action,  the  expedition 


180 


YALE  AND  HOPE  ESTABLISHED. 


landed,  the  peltries  were  speedily  put  out  of  sight,  and 
the  canoes  hidden  in  an  adjacent  cove.'' 

After  the  arrival  of  the  frigate  Constance  at  Victoria, 
during  the  summer  of  1848,  she  sailed  northward,  call- 
ing at  the  company's  stations  along  the  coast.  The 
natives  everywhere  were  impressed  by  her  formidable 
appearance,  for  she  was  a  fine  ship,  well  manned  and 
appointed.  Some  time  after  licr  departure,  McKay 
was  informed  that  just  then  the  Chimsyans,  Tungass, 
and  Stikeens  were  conspiring  to  join  in  an  attack  on 
the  Europeans.  Russians  and  English  at  one  fell 
swoop  were  to  be  swept  from  their  shores.  But  after 
an  examination  of  the  death-dealing  mechanisms  of 
the  Comtaiice,  they  thought  bettor  of  it.  Howcvei- 
the  truth  of  it  may  be,  it  is  certain  that  all  through 
the  following  year  these  savages  were  restless  and  im- 
pudent, and  it  was  only  by  exercising  the  utmost  care 
and  patience  that  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  i)rc- 
vented  their  outbreak. 


;t;u.; 


There  was  little  diftei'encu  thus  far  Ijctwooii  tlie 
character  of  trade  at  Fort  Victoria  and  that  at  otlui' 
posts  of  tlie  C()m[)any  on  the  l.^acific,  the  general 
routine  of  affairs  becoming  more  and  more  similar  to 
business  at  Fort  Vancouver,  which  establishment  it 
was  destined  in  due  time  wholly  to  su^jersede. 

The  first  startling  innovation  arose  from  the  Califor- 
nia gold  discovery  of  18-18,  Mhich  during  the  following 
year  stirred  in  the  breastS  of  thousands  the  fires  of 
cupidity,  and  shook  with  monetary  ague  the  financial 
centres  of  the  world.  Fort  Mctoria  was  then  the 
nearest  and  most  accessible  point,  outside  of  San 
Francisco,  where  miners  could  obtain  their  outfits. 
True,  th<  y  might  have  gone  to  Fort  Vancouver,  and 


'The  officer'^  nf  tlu;  Huvlsoii's  Bay  Company,  not  l(^s.s  than  Wasliingtmi 
Irvinj,',  love  to  dwell  on  tlio  fonilnesH  ot  tlio  KusMiana  for  limior,  and  how  drunk 
thi-y  ubimI  to  gut  on  every  i)0SHil)lu  oeeasiou.  How  an  intelligent  and  pioniin'rit 
olUeer  like  ^IcKay  rceoneiles  hin  aecu.-iation  wlien  he  e.dl.-i  tlm  Russians  iin- 
U'iuciplcd  and  tricky  witli  this  tstcjry,  whieh  he  tells  vitli  unblushing  gusto, 
leave  the  reailer  to  judgv. 


\ 


CALIFORNIANS  IN  A'ICTORIA. 


181 


did  to  some  extent;  but  at  the  latter  post  the  goods 
had  been  raised  in  price  by  reason  of  United  States 
duties,  and  the  stock  was  hkcwiso  daily  diminishing 
there,  while  supplies  were  constantly  increasing  at 
Fort  Victoria.  The  custoin-houso  regulations  at  San 
Francisco  were  then  not  of  the  strictest,  especially  In 
regard  to  miners'  outfits.  While  at  that  point  articles 
not  innnedlately  desired  could  scarcely  be  sold  at  all, 
such  goods  as  were  In  dt^mand  and  of  limited  su[)ply 
bore  exorbitant  prices.  Hence  many  miners,  })articu- 
larly  during  the  winter,  when  tliey  could  not  work 
their  placers,  found  it  more  pi-ofitablo  to  take  a 
passage  on  a  sailing  vessel  for  the  north  coast,  ami 
there  lay  In  their  spring  supi)ly.  Instead  of  idling  the 
time  in  riotous  living  In  any  of  the  comfortless  and 
expensive  towns  of  California. 

It  was  a  strange  spectacle  thus  so  suddenly  pre- 
sented to  the  staid  officers  of  the  lionoral)lc  Hudson's 
Bay  Company,  these  curious  characters  on  their  sin- 
gular errand,  springing  from  so  miraculous  an  event — 
exceedingly  strange,  and  it  Is  no  wonder  that  the  simple- 
minded,  methodical  traders  wore  somewhat  confused 
by  it.  But  though  thus  Isolated,  knowing  little  of 
what  was  going  on  In  the  great  world  without,  and 
accustomed  to  traditionary  rote  In  their  business 
transactions,  their  instinctive  shrewdness  did  not  de- 
sert them. 

"These  rough-looking  minors,"  writes  Finlayson, 
"landed  here  from  their  vessels,  which  entered  tbe 
harbor  early  in  1841).  I  took  them  first  to  l)e  piiates, 
and  ordered  our  men  to  prepare  for  action.  1,  how- 
ever, entered  into  conversation  with  them,  and  finding 
who  they  were,  was  satisfied  as  to  their  friendship 
for  us.  They  had  leather  bags,  full  of  gold  nuggt^ts, 
which  they  offered  to  me  in  exchange  for  goods.  At 
this  time  I  had  never  seen  native  gold  in  my  life, 
and  was  doubtful  whether  to  take  It  or  not.  Having 
heard  about  pure  gold  being  malleable,  I  took  one  of 
the  pieces  to  our  blacksmith  shop,  ordered  the  smith 


182 


YALE  AND  HOPE  ESTABLISHED 


and  his  assistant  to  hammer  away  at  it  on  the  anvil,  and 
finding  that  it  answered  the  description  by  flattening 
out  as  thin  as  a  wafer,  I  offered  to  take  it  at  eleven 
dollars  per  ounce,  in  exchange  for  goods.  This  ofter 
was  accepted  readily,  and  as  I  could  not  go  back  from 
my  word,  the  trade  opened  on  this  basis.  I  would 
then  have  been  better  satisfied  had  they  complained 
of  the  low  rate,  but  no  complaints  were  made.  I 
therefore  tliought  I  had  made  a  mistake.  I  traded, 
however,  all  they  had,  and  was  doubtful  about  the  cor- 
rectness of  the  transaction  until  the  express  I  sent 
to  the  Columbia  River  to  head-quarters  came  back 
with  the  intelligence  that  the  gold  was  satisfactory, 
and  also  the  rate  at  which  I  had  traded  it.  Other 
factors  followed,  so  that  we  had  a  good  remittance  of 
gold  that  year  to  send  to  England,  in  addition  to  our 
furs." 

The  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  on  and  iu  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  lower  Columbia,  were  in  a  position  to  de- 
rive great  advantages  from  this  gold  discovery.  Not 
sr  great,  indeed,  as  if  they  had  held  their  post  at 
^crba  Buena,  yet  their  profits  were  very  greatly 
swelled  thereby.  Prior  to  1846,  they  had  placed  a 
post  at  Cape  Disajipointment,  consisting  of  a  dwelling 
and  a  storehouse,  with  which  they  claimed  one  mile 
square  of  land;  there  was  the  fishing-station  at  Pillar 
Rock,  where  salmon  in  large  quantities  were  cured; 
there  were  the  granaries  at  Coweeman,  where  the 
Cowlitz  enters  the  Columbia,  the  warehouses  and 
wharf  at  Champoeg,  and  the  mills  above  Fort  Van- 
couver; their  cattle  had  increased  abundantly,  and 
their  farming  lands  had  become  widely  extended ;  they 
had  their  own  ships  in  which  to  send  away  their  prod- 
uce, and  all  under  the  most  perfect  system  and  the 
strictest  control.* 

Anderson  was  appointed  to  the   Colville   district 

-   '')d  yet  Douglas  teatified  befoi-e  tlie  joint  commission  at  Victoria,  H.  B. 

O'-    !-       //.  B,  Co.  Claims,  59,  that  'the  dividends  on  the  general  profits  of 

^'  .^  in! son's  Bay  Company  were  not  apprccialdy  aflfected  bjr  the  discovery 

'•  i  ;.  ,;•'  -M  Tdlifornia; '  which,  if  triie,  showd  a  large  falling-off  in  the  fur  trade. 


iL'i 


dfl 


EFFECT  OF  GOLD  ON  MEN. 


183 


in  1848.  'It  was  there,"  he  writes,  "that  I  first  got 
notice  of  the  discovery  of  gold  in  CaHfornia  in  a  pri- 
vate letter  to  Mr  Douglas,  who  had  just  returned 
from  a  trip  to  the  Sandwicli  Islands.  Little  excite- 
ment, however,  arose  from  this  communication  on  the 
])art  of  any  one;  and  in  fact,  Mr  Douglas  himself 
seemed  half  incredulous  of  the  report.  A  few  months, 
however,  served  to  dissipate  this  belief,  and  before 
the  autumn  of  1849  the  whole  country  was  ablaze.  I 
myself  felt  fearful  on  my  return  from  Langley  in 
August  of  that  year,  lest  every  man  should  leave  me. 
By  prudent  management,  however,  and  possessing,  I 
flatter  myself,  the  confidence  of  my  men,  I  contrived 
to  confirm  them  in  their  allegiance,  and  retained  their 
services  until  their  contracts  were  fully  expired,  a 
period  of  some  two  years.  In  this  resjiect  I  was 
exceptionally  fortunate,  for  while  my  men,  some  thirty 
in  number,  adhered  to  me  faithfully,  the  other  posts 
lower  down  the  river,  including  Fort  Vancouver,  in 
which  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  had  been  sta- 
tioned, were  almost  deserted,  and  Indian  laborers  were 
hired  to  supply  the  deficiency. 

"It  is  almost  impossible  to  realize  to  the  mind  the 
intense  excitement  which  at  times  prevailed.  Gold 
appeared  to  be  almost,  as  it  were,  a  drug  in  the  mar- 
ket, and  more  than  one  of  the  French  Canadian  ser- 
vants who  had  left  Vancouver  under  the  circumstances 
mentioned,  returned  the  following  spring  with  aecu- 
nmlations  varying  from  $30,000  to  $40,000.  It  is 
needless,  however,  to  add  that  the  large  amounts  of 
treasure  thus  collected  with  so  nmeh  facility,  united 
with  the  habits  of  extravagance  which  the  unexpected 
possession  of  wealth  engendered,  speedily  disappeared. 
The  men  who  had  thus  dissipated  their  possessions, 
sanguine  of  their  capacity  to  replace  them  with  equal 
facility  as  before,  returned  to  California  only  to  find 
that  the  field  of  their  operations  was  fully  occupied 
by  others,  who,  in  the  mean  while,  had  flocked  in,  and 
that  their  chance  was  gone." 


184 


YALE  AND  HOPE  ESTABLISHLD 


M 


Mr  Anderson  would  have  been  yet  more  confounded 
had  he  known  that  at  that  moment,  in  the  very  dis- 
trict he  was  then  superintending,  this  precious  metal 
was  so  abundant  as  some  day  to  cause  a  stir  which 
should  rank  among  the  prominent  mining  excitements 
of  the  period. 

When  gold  was  found  at  Colvillc,  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company  had  on  Thompson  River  a  small  farm  and 
a  trading-fort.  As  Fort  Colvillc  was  situated  some 
twenty  miles  south  of  the  boundary,  that  establish- 
ment was  removed  northward  across  the  line,  in  order 
to  avoid  paying  United  States  duties  on  English 
goods.  It  was  still  called  Fort  Colville  after  its  re- 
moval. 


rii'ii 


■ '  I 


CHAPTER  XI. 


ESTABLISHING  FORTS  RUPERT  AND  NANAIMO. 
1849-1852. 


A  New  Factor,  Coal — The  Existence  of  This  Mineral  Known  from  the 
Earliest  Times — Pacific  Coal-fields — Discovery  at  Beaver  Har- 
noR — The  Quackolls  and  the  Fokt  McLoughlin  Blacksmith — Tol- 
mie  Api'eaiw — The  Notable  John  Dunn — Wakre  and  Vavasour 
Report  the  Discovery — Which  Attracts  the  Attention  ok  Govern- 
ment— Fort  Rupert  Built — Muir  and  his  Scotch  Miners  Arrive — 
Another  Arrival — Examinations  and  Tests — Failure  at  Fort 
Rupert— Discovery  of  Coal  at  Nanaimo  Harbor — Another  Black- 
sjiriH  SToitY — AIcKay to  the  Proof — Muik  Moves  from  Fort  Rupert 
—Fort  Nanalmo  Built — Visit  op  Douglas — Minor  Discoveries. 

And  now  appears  another  factor  in  that  progres- 
sioual  power  which  seems  destined  shortly  to  un- 
dermine the  sovereignty  of  the  fur-traders  in  the 
Northwest,  and  to  drive  thein  still  farther  back  toward 
the  inhospitable  Arctic — coal ;  a  factor  of  civilization, 
contributed  direct  by  mother  earth,  second  only  to 
agriculture,  and  although  not  so  immediate  or  demon- 
strative as  gold,  yet  in  truth  far  more  potential. 

The  officers  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  were 
intelligent  and  observant  men.  It  was  part  of  their 
profession  to  have  their  eyes  open  as  they  tramped 
tlie  forests,  and  the  resources  and  possibilities  of  the 
country  whose  sovereignty  they  swayed  was  never  a 
matter  of  indifference  to  them;  hence,  almost  from 
the  beginning,  they  were  aware  of  the  presence  of 
coal  in  certain  localities.  But  as  they  had  no  im- 
mediate use  for  it,  and  as  they  were  constitutionally 
•ind  corporately  reticent,  they  said  little  about  it. 

'1861 


186 


ESTABLISHING  FORTS  RUPERT  AND  NANAIMO. 


All  through  the  interior,  all  along  the  coast,  on 
both  sides  of  Johnson  and  Georgia  straits,  on  both 
sides  of  the  Columbia  from  the  Willamette  to  the 
ocean,  in  the  Willamette  and  Cowlitz  valleys,  on  the 
coast  and  in  the  mountains  of  southern  Oregon,  in 
eastern  Oregon,  on  Queen  Charh^tte  Islands  and  the 
mainland  district  of  Nass-Skeena  adjacent,  at  inter- 
vals in  large  or  insignificant  quantities,  coal  croppings 
were  seen. 

Wood  being  abundant  and  always  at  hand,  and 
charcoal  being  for  the  most  part  used  by  the  company's 
blacksmiths,  there  was  little  necessity  for  drawing 
from  the  deposits  around  them.  Indeed,  it  was  found 
easier  and  cheaper  for  such  posts  as  did  not  burn 
charcoal,  particularly  for  those  accessible  to  the  ocean, 
to  bring  from  England  the  small  quantity  required 
by  the  blacksmiths,  than  to  dig  for  it;  but  where  it 
was  known  to  be  convenient,  and  natives  could  be 
employed  to  bring  it  in,  it  was  obtained  upon  the 
spot. 

The  existence  of  coal  in  considerable  quantities  at 
Beaver  Harbor,  where  later  Fort  Rupert  was  estab- 
lished, was  made  known  to  the  officers  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  in  1835. 

It  happened  in  this  wise:  A  party  of  QuackoUs 
from  the  north  end  of  Vancouver  Island  were  at  Fort 
McLoughlin  trading,  when  one  day,  being  of  an  in- 
quiring turn  of  mind,  they  strolled  into  the  black- 
smith shop,  and  stood  watching  intently  the  movements 
of  the  smith,  as  he  drew  from  the  fire  the  incandescent 
metal  and  hammered  it  into  shape  upon  t*he  anvil. 
Presently  they  saw  him  take  from  a  little  pile  near 
by  some  hard  sooty  substance,  and  lay  it  on  the  fire, 
which  under  pressure  of  the  bellows  glowed  with 
intenser  satisfaction  over  its  crackling  food.  Their 
curiosity  was  more  than  ever  excited.  Crowding 
round  the  furnace,  they  saw  the  black  substance  trans- 
formed to  living  heat.     Then  they  went  to  the  pile. 


COAL  AT  BEAVER  HARBOR. 


187 


and  picking  up  some  of  the  lumps,  turned  them  over, 
rubbed  them  in  their  liands,  broke  them,  bit  them, 
then  threw  them  down  witli  a  questionable  grunt. 

"What  is  that?"  they  demanded. 

"Stuft'  to  make  the  fire  burn,"  answered  the  good- 
natured  smith. 

"What  do  you  call  it?" 

"Coal." 

"  How  is  it  made  ?  " 

"It  is  dug  out  of  the  ground." 

"Where  do  you  get  it  {  " 

"It  is  brought  over  from  the  other  side  of  the 
great  salt  sea;  a  six  months'  journey  and  more  it 
makes  before  it  gets  here." 

Another  more  prolonged  grunt,  as  of  relief  fol- 
lowed this  colloquy.  Falling  back  before  the  sparks 
which  again  flew  from  the  anvil,  they  were  sot)n  in 
warm  and  gesticulating  converse  among  themselves. 
Soon,  however,  their  voices  subsided.  Then  over 
their  sombre  Cyclopean  features  gradually  dawned  a 
smile,  which  soon  stretched  into  a  loud  guffaw,  abso- 
lutely startling  in  a  savage.  And  when  to  this  they 
added  their  former  antics,  now  redoubled,  the  black- 
smith stood  amazed,  and  wondered  if  indeed  they 
were  insane  or  drunk. 

"White  men  are  very  wise!"  they  cried,  in  uncouth 
irony.  "The  great  spirit  tells  them  everything,  and 
gives  them  strenssth  for  cunnings  contrivances.  The 
red  man  knows  nothing;  he  is  poor,  and  the  great 
spirit  is  ashamed  of  having  made  him ;  and  yet  he  is 
not  such  a  fool  as  to  bring  soft  black  stone  so  great  a 
distance  when  it  may  be  had  at  his  very  door." 

The  blacksmith  stopped  his  work  and  called  Tol- 
mie  and  other  officers  of  the  fort,  to  whom  the 
Quackolls  explained  themselves  more  fully,  telling- 
how  in  different  places  in  their  country  that  same  black 
stone  was  found  in  hillocks  at  or  near  the  surface,  and 
that  the  quantity  of  it  was  very  great. 

Word  was  sent  to  Fort  Vancouver,  and  in  due  time 


188 


ESTABLISHING  FORTS  RUPKRT  AND  NANALMO. 


McLou*^hliu  ordored  the  Beaver  to  stop  on  one  of 
her  U|)ward  voyages,  at  the  place  indicated  by  the 
Quackolls,  and  ascertain  the  truth  of  their  report, 
which  was  done.  Duncan  Finlayson  was  chief  factor- 
in  charj^e  at  tlie  time,  and  of  the  party  was  Jolm 
Dunn,  wlio  reports:  "Mr  Finlayson,  with  a  party  of 
the  crew,  went  on  shore,  leaving  me  in  the  shij)  t<> 
conduct  tlie  trade;  and  after  some  inquiries  and  a 
small  distribution  of  rewards,  found,  from  the  natives, 
that  the  original  account  given  at  Fort  McLough- 
lin  was  true.  The  coal  turned  out  to  be  of  excel- 
lent quality,  running  in  extensive  iiulds,  and  even  in 
clumpy  mounds,  and  most  easily  worked  all  along  that 
part  of  the  country."^  The  place  where  the  steamci 
anchored  was  first  called  McNeill  Harbor  in  lionoi 
of  her  captain,  and  afterward  Beaver  Harbor  after 
the  vessel  herself. 

Indeed,  the  first  use  the  company  found  for  coal, 
except  what  little  the  blacksmiths  required,  was  not 
until  after  the  arrival  of  the  steamer;  and  even  then 
the  necessity  was  not  actual ;  for  we  have  frequent 
and  abundant  proof  that  for  several  seasons  after  en- 
tering the  ser^/ice  wood  was  employed  for  her  furnac^u ; 


'  John  Dunn  was  a  stupid  observer,  and  an  exceedingly  desultory  writer. 
I  give  tliedato  as  nearly  as  1  can  decipher  it.  His  hook,  Jlintori/  of  the  Orcijon 
TerrUory,  was  puldiahed  in  London  in  1844.  The  information  given  is  thrfwii 
together  in  a  confused  mass,  with  but  little  regard  to  clironological  or  other 
(ir:ler.  The  preface  informs  us  that  the  writer  waa  eight  years  in  the  cmii- 
pauy's  service,  but  when  he  came  to  the  coast  and  when  he  left  it  we  are  not 
informed.  Tlio  Ganymede  brouglit  him,  and  he  remained  for  a  year  after  his 
arrival  at  Fort  Vancouver,  in  the  capacity  of  assistant  store-keeper.  AihUt- 
son  inform  us.  Hist.  Northwoit  Coast,  MS.,  17,  that  Dunn  was  of  the  party 
which  went  to  establish  Fort  McLoughlin  in  1833.  Thsi':  i?y  many  careful  coiii- 
parisons  with  reliable  authors  I  am  able  in  most  iustai>ces  *•.  >  determine  about 
tlie  date  of  his  several  events.  It  is  to  be  deplorii'J.  that  oii'-  who  should  sutler 
himself  to  write  a  book  at  all  should  perform  the  task  .so  y.>or\y.  '  Mr  Dunn's 
book  was  written  with  the  same  view  as  his  letters  to  liO  Times  newspripur, 
namely,  to  draw  the  attention  of  this  country  to  tiio  value  of  Oregon  and  the 
encroachments  which  the  Americans  made.  Neither  his  disi)osition  nor  his 
temperament  admitted  of  his  telling  the  Miiolo  truth.  Had  he  written  hi ; 
book  himself,  and  had  he  not  been  compelled,  according  to  his  own  statement, 
to  burn  liis  journal  at  Fort  Vancouver  by  a  regulation  of  the  company  prn- 
liibiting  their  serviuits  from  retaining  any  record  of  what  passes  iTi  the  country, 
liis  liistonj  of  Ore<jon  would  be  far  more  valuable  than  it  is.'  I'ariidiiifitt 
Papers,  3d  April  1849,  58.  'There  never  waa  any  such  regulation.'  «^^"' 
Georye  Siinpsoii,  iu  House  Commons  J.\-2)l.  H.  B.  Co.,  1857,  100. 


JOHN  DUNN. 


189 


and  oven  after  she  began  tluj  use  of  coal,  sucli  use 
was  only  partial.  It  was  the  custom  at  the  several 
stations  to  have  wood  in  readiness  on  tlie  an-ival  of 
tlie  steamer,  while  coal  was  not  ahvays  convenient. 
Thus  duiini^  her  first  nortliward  voyage  in  1830  Dunn 
writes :  "At  Fort  JMcLoughlin  we  took  on  hoard  about 
twenty-six  cords  of  wootl  for  fuel,  which  was  ready 
cut  for  us;  this  generally  lasted  us,  when  running  on, 
between  three  and  four  days."  ^Vnd  again  on  their 
return  trip  they  wooded  at  Milbank  Hound. - 

Lieutenants  Warre  and  Vavasour  report,  the  2(!th 
of  October  1845,  that  "there  is  coal  in  the  neiglibor- 
liood  of  Puget  Sound,  and  on  tlie  Cowlitz  lliver;  the 
specimens  used  by  the  Hudson's  ]]ny  Coni])any  were 
obtained  from  the  surface,  and  V\ere  i)robnl)ly  on  tluit 
account  not  found  good."^ 

Thus  the  attention  of  governiuent  was  directed  to  the 
coal  at  Vancouver  Island,  and  at  his  i-eijuest  a  report 
was  made  to  J.  A.  Duntr'e,  captain  of  the  shi])  Fi^'jctrd, 
l»y  Peter  Skeen  Ogden  and  James  Douglas.  Tlie 
re})ort  is  dated  at  Fort  Vancouver  tlie  7th  of  8eptem- 
l>er  1840,  and  iiiay  be  relied  ujion  as  containing  all 
luiowledgci  of  the  subject  up  to  that  time. 

Altliough  the  indications  were  that  important  strata 
existed  ah)ng  tlie  entire  north-eastei'ii  jtait  of  A'an- 
I'ouvei"  Island,  namely,  iVom  Cape  Scott,  its  northern 
extremitv,  southward  to  latitude  50"  od',  there  was 
niilv  one  spot  known  as  the  coal-mine,  and  this  was  in 
\rcXeill  Harl)or,  in  latitudt^  50°  IVf.' 

Tliere  tlie  beds,  wliicli  were  se])arated  l)y  layers  of 
sandstone,  v/ere  most  distinctly  visil)le  upon  the  beaeli. 
wliere,  for  a  mile  or  thereabouts,  the  waves  had  washed 


-'  Williiiiii  ri-;'.ser  Tolmie  claims  all  tl\e  credit  tUie  liini  in  this  coal  discov- 
1  ly  at  Beaver  Harbor  when  he  says,  (  aiinilioii  /'(tr'jlr  I'liilirui/  lloultx,  Int.: 
'At  the  11.  ]J.  post,  Fort  McLougliliii,  Mill)aiik  Soiiiul,  having  tor  two  yoai.-. 
'iiiiteil  the  natives  to  search  for  that  mineral,  lie  had  the  good  fortune  in  l.S.H.") 
to  ascertain  the  existence  on  *he  north-east  shore  of  Vancouver  Island  of  good 
'litiuiunous  coal,  which  w'as  tested  less  tliau  a  year  after  ou  board  the  coni- 
paiiy's  new  steamer,  Hearer,  just  out  from  London.' 

■  irn:iseCorii)»o}iH  hctiirus  to  T/iivr  A(/(l/'i'<si's,  7. 

'  This  according  to  the  report,  ard  not  in  accordance  with  the  facts. 


190 


i:oTABLI8HINCi  FORTS  RUPERT  AND  NANAIMO. 


! 


1^ 


away  the  incuuibeiit  mould,  leaving  the  seams  clearly 
exposed,  particularly  at  low  water.  Likewise  a  rivu- 
let runninof  eastward  across  the  bed  exposed  the 
strata  tor  three  quarters  of  t.  mile  back  from  the 
shore.  The  depth  of  the  bed  was  unknown,  as  it  had 
been  penetrated  but  three  feet.  Coal,  however,  had 
been  obtained  by  passing  vessels,  the  natives  for  a 
small  compensation  cheerfully  lending  their  assistance 
in  loading.^ 

There  were  a  few  men  employed  by  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  at  this  time  in  opening  this  mine,  hut 
from  lack  of  proper  implements  they  made  slow  prog- 
ress. The  quality  of  the  coal  was  not  highly  s[)oken 
of.  The  substrata,  however,  were  better  than  the  sur- 
face lumps,  which  exposure  had  deprived  of  their  bitu- 
men. None  which  they  had  been  able  thus  far  to 
obtain  could  be  used  in  the  company's  forges,  but  for 
steam-vessels  it  had  been  found  very  serviceable. 
Ogden  and  Douglas  concluded  their  letter  with  the 
suggestion  that  if  the  government  intended  making 
available  tliis  coal  for  its  navy,  it  would  be  necessary 
to  establish  works,  keep  on  hand  a  sup[)ly,  and  pro- 
tect operations  with  a  sufficient  force  from  dejireda- 
tions  by  the  natives,  who  were  there  numerous  and 
bold.  But  first  of  all,  the  directors  of  tiie  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  in  London  must  be  consulted,  after 
wliich  all  would  be  plain  and  easy  for  the  subordinate 
officers  on  this  coast. 

Upon  receipt  of  this  letter.  Captain  Duntze  dircctotl 
( 1.  T.  Gordon,  commander  of  her  majesty's  steam-sloop 
Cormorant,  to  proceed  to  McNeill  Harbor  and  inquire 
into  the  matter.  Arrived  at  the  mine.  Cordon  made 
known  his  wishes  to  the  natives  through  one  Saiig- 
ster,  who  informed  him  how  to  ju'oceed.  A  tub 
which  would   hold   abouc   six    hundred    pounds  was 

^ '  On  one  occasion  when  we  employed  them  for  that  purpose,  thoj  broii^'lit 
in  npwiirils  of  tK)  tons  in  a  few  day^,  which  they  dug  witli  hatchets  anil  otlni' 
inconvenient  inipU'inents,  and  there  in  no  doubt  that  with  propi-r  excavatiiiL; 
tools  they  would  have  done  the  work  nnich  more  expeditiously.'  Letter  <;/ 
Ogden  and  Doir/lii.i,  in  /fousc  of  Cniiivwus  Ixctiirn  to  T/inc  AddreKi'es,  6, 


GORDON  AT  McNEILL  HARBOR. 


181 


slung  from  the  foreyard.  Presently  canoes  laden  with 
coals  appeared,  which  hourly  increased  in  number 
during  the  several  days'  stay  of  the  vessel  at  that 
port.  As  the  canoes  came  alongside,  each  in  its  turn, 
the  tub  was  lowered  and  quickly  filled.  Each  tub 
was  paid  for  as  it  was  hauled  up,  in  trinkets  of  little 
value.  In  this  marner  sixty-two  tons,  at  a  cost  not  to 
exceed  four  shillings  a  ton,  including  presents  to 
chiefs,  were  taken  on  board  in  less  than  three  days. 

Gordon  then  went  ashore,  and  after  digging  a  little 
amongst  the  coal-beds,  fell  to  naming  things.  In 
lutnor  of  the  first  lord  of  the  admiralty,  the  peninsula 
forming  the  north-west  part  of  McNeill  Harbor  was 
called  Ellenborough ;  a  cove  eight  miles  to  the  north- 
westward he  named  Baillie  Hamilton's  Bay,  because 
the  secretary  of  the  admiralty  was  so  called,  and  had 
patronage.  A  fine  seam  of  coal  was  found  at  this 
last-mentioned  place,  which  Gordon  surmised  was  con- 
nected with  those  at  McNeill  Harbor.  The  quality 
was  pronounced  fair  for  steamer  purposes,  and  from 
the  appearance  of  the  country  the  seams  were  thought 
to  extend  well  inland.  All  which  information  m 
due  time  reaching  Sir  George  Seymour,  rear-admiral 
commanding  the  Collhtgirood,  it  was  by  him  for- 
warded from  Valparaiso  on  the  8th  of  January  1847  to 
the  admiralty.  As  the  Oregon  (juestion  was  now 
settled,  the  Cormorant  had  been  withdrawn  from  the 
north,  and  to  any  other  part  of  tliat  station  it  would 
l)c  cheaper  to  ship  coal  from  England.  Nevertheless, 
tlu'sc  mines  could  but  add  imj)ortance  to  the  isliind  of 
X'ancouver,  and  a  box  of  specimens  was  sent  forward 
liy  the  Frolic  lumieward  bound  about  that  time. 


lounds  was 


Miglit  it  not  be  better  for  the  fur-traders  to  tui-ii 
loal-miners  at  once  than  to  wait  for  otiier  i-esults  to  flow 
Irom  the  })ryings  of  government  ^  True,  they  had  but 
little  use  for  such  an  article  at  present;  but  California 
might  take  some  if  '.'  reports  jiroved  true  that  gold, 
in  paying  quantities,  had  been  found  there,  and  that 


192 


ESTABLISHING  FORTS  RUPERT  AND  NANAIMO. 


Ir" 


m 


r 


'  ^  r 


a  line  of  steamers  had  been  cstablislied  between  the 
east  and  west  coasts  by  way  of  Panamd.  Hence  it 
was  determined  in  due  time  to  open  operations  at  the 
northern  end  of  Vancouver  Island. 

William  McNeill"  was  sent  thither  in  his  steamer 
Beai  er,  with  orders  to  establish  a  post,  George  Blen- 
kinsop  being  second  in  command.  McNeill  had  often 
been  there,  and  knew  the  place  and  people  well.  Land- 


Ft^XsaiiiiboIn 
.1)1' ••-■'I 


vinspyr  Ho 


y    EJiiionto 


XoiiTUERN  Forts. 

iug  ;it  .MeXt'ill  Harbor,  which  I  shall  hereafter  call 
Jicavor  Jiarl)()r,  with  forty  men,  whites,  half-breed:-. 
and  Kanakas,  durnig  the  hiunmer  of  1849  work  wa  - 
vigorously  jjiosecuteil,  wliich  resulted  in  due  time  in 

"  Often  mentioned  in  my  lli'ilonj  of  the  Northwest  Coant  as  captain  of  the  lni^ 
Llama  and  tiic  steamer  Jlcufi  r.  He  was  a  native  of  Boston  dono  into  a  Briti.-^ii 
subjeet  and  Hndso  .',s  I'jiiy  Comimny  ollicer  on  the  Northwest  Coast.  Ho  once 
took  a  run  to  London  cuniniantling  the  conipany'd  ship  AVre/V,  and  was  for  a 
time  in  charge  of  Fort  Simpson.    fSee  Amhri-vn  s  Xorthwcst  Coctf^t,  MS.,  70. 


MICHEL  MUm. 


m 


a  quadrangular  stockade,  with  interior  gallery,  two 
bastions  mounting  four  nine -pounders,  and  the  usual 
storehouses,  workshops,  officers'  quarters,  and  laborers' 
cottages.  The  establishment  was  called  Fort  Rupert. 
A  smaller  stockade  protected  the  garden  and  out- 
buildings. Although  established  more  as  a  protection 
in  developing  coal-deposits,  Fort  Rupert  was  never- 
thclcr  ;  a  trading-post.  In  this  respect  it  was  made 
partially  to  take  the  place  of  Fort  McLoughliu  on 
Milbank  Sound,  whence,  although  as  we  have  seen 
the  latter  post  was  abandoned  in  1843,  certain  articles 
yet  remaining  were  transferred  to  Fort  Rupert.'' 

Fort-building  was  still  in  progress  when  in  Septem- 
ber 1849  the  Scotchman  Muir,  with  wife,  daughters, 
and  so',«,  arrived  at  Fort  Rupert.  Among  these  was 
]\Ii'  iicl  ')'  vn  at  Kilmarnock  in  1840,  to  whom  I  am 
porso;.ali\    udebted  for  this  account.^ 

The  cider  Muir,  with  his  family  and  a  party  of 
luiueis,  Wiis  brought  from  Scotland  by  tlie  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  for  the  purpose  of  opening  coal-mines 
at  this  point.  At  the  time  of  Muir's  arrival,  the  na- 
tives were  engaged  at  Saquash  cutting  out  surface 
coal  for  the  company.  So  inferior  was  the  quality,  of 
loose  and  open  structure  as  it  was,  and  interspersed 
with  slate,  that  no  remunerative  market  could  bo 
tbund  for  it.  A  shaft  to  the  depth  of  ninety  feet  was 
sunk  by  the  Muirs,  who,  after  further  examination, 
pronounced  the  seatM  too  small  to  be  workable. 

This  shaft  wa^   -ix  miles  from  Saquash,  and  half  a 

'  Either  Fort  ilr],  )U; Mi )  »:  in  never  wholly  abandoned, nltlioiigh  it  is  dis- 
tinctly so  staled  by  "Ctrii:  :;uf'iuii:  ic=,  or  else  it  was  abandoned  and  icoceupicd 
:-cverul  times.  Wiitii-^  cf  i:  tH,  F.' '.'..lyson, ,  '.J^  F. /.,  M.S,,'21,  says:  'At'tei- 
tlie  abandonment  of  I'ort  ?.l  "■<  -JiUn  on  Milbank  Sound,  tho  Jlcavcr,  with 
the  ollicers  and  men  at  that  jjlate,  with  those  fron>  the  fort  at  Tako,  proceeded 
to  tlio  south  poiutof  Vancouver  Island, 'and  built  Fort  Canioaun.  Anderson, 
Xort/nctst  Coiw',  MS,,  22,  atlirms  that  'the  post  at  Milbank  was  afterward 
abandoned;  or  rather  transfcn'cd  to  ita  present  position  at  Fort  Rupert, 
liiit  subsecjuentlv  tho  company  found  it  advisable  to  rei'st^iblish  a  small 
trading-post  on  tlio  old  site  of  Fort  McLoughlin,  which  continued  to  bo  oc- 
cupied in  1878.'  See  further  on  Fort  Rupert,  lkti-reH-Lennnv(Vs  Trarclx,  C7-8; 
dntiit,  in  Lnml.  Geocj.  Soc.,Jour.,  xxvii.  275;  Michd Muir,  in  lintish  Columbia 
iihli-hcs,  MS.,  20;  1)  ;«'«  lAUIement,  V.I.,  MS.,  10. 

"S^c  IJrlt.  Vol.  o  ■   -lirs,  MH,,  20-.'). 
Hist.  Br  i.      ...    i;i 


'Jwt' 


ESTABLISMrN^^-^  FORTS  ilUrKRT  AND  NANAIMO. 


mile  from  the  fort.  Troubles  aroi^e  with  the  native's, 
who  demanded  pay  for  the  land  or  its  product;  aud 
when  the  white  men  refused,  the  savages  surrounded 
the  pit,  threatening  to  kill  all  present  should  they 
persist  hi  their  robbery.  Other  c«)m}>]icarious  arose, 
in  wliich  Blenkinsop  was  unpleasantly  conspicuous, 
McNeill  having  departed,  leaving  him  in  charge." 
The  result  was  that,  excepting  the  elder  !Muir  and 
certain  members  of  his  family,  tlie  men  all  left  for 
California. 


Society  at  Fort  Kuport  at  this  time  was  a  little 
startling  to  European  crves.  The  day  after  the 
Muirs  arrived,  there  app. :  tn  the  harbor  sixteen 

war-canoes,  whose  occupant,  re  exceedingly  happy. 
Victory  had  crowned  ^leir  recent  efTorts  against  their 
enemies,  and  sweet  content  sat  on  every  barbaric  face 
there  present.  Not  that  the  white  new-comers  had 
never  heard  of  war,  nor  joined  in  shout  of  victory, 
but  the  American  way  was  a  trlHo  dinbrcnt  from  tlio 
European  way.  That  was  all ;  but  it  was  enough  to 
shock  the  sensitiveness  of  those  unaccustomed  to  e'ylvan 
slaughter.  For  instance,  after  landing  and  setting  on 
each  of  sixteen  poles  one  human  head,  taken  from 
each  canoe  as  a  specimen,  the  warriors  first  learned 
that  their  isle  was  honored  by  the  presence  of  a  wlii^e 
woman,  to  whom  it  was  the  custom  of  her  peopJo  to 
sliow  courtesy.  There  was  nothing  mean  about  them. 
Though  tlie  coal-diggers  had  refused  to  pay  for  wliat 
they  seemed  to  prize  so  highly,  tlie  elated  redslvins  would 
freely  give  this  female  stranger  of  their  spoils  of  war. 
Inviting  Mrs  IMuir  to  the  ghastly  display,  they  begged 
her  to  accept  her  choice  of  any  two.  Where  would 
be  found  in  any  primeval  centre  of  civilization  such 
delicate  attention,  such  marked  consideration  toward 

»  '  Young  Blenkinsop  w.-is  then  left  in  comnianil,  but  lie  caused  inuch  dis- 
satisfaction among  the  uiiner.s,  pui,U.;g  three  in  irons,  or  in  jail,  Ivcauao  tlicy 
would  not  Buhniit  to  liis  arliitrary  orders  and  unrcasonalde  re'^ulalious,  ■which 
he  endeavored  to  force  upon  them  wiUiout  authority.'  Mitlr,  in  Jir'U.  Col. 
Sketches,  MS.,  21. 


C'OAlr-MINING. 


105 


a  female  visitor,  from  savarjkm?  Their  latest,  best, 
most  higlil)  prized  possession,  tlic  bloody  tropliy  of 
tlieir  priceless  success,  tliey  freely  offered.  Doubtle;:s 
the  simple-] lera-ted  warriors,  accustomed  oidy  to  the 
restricted  killing  of  their  foes,  would  have  been  as 
overwhelmin'rly  fhoclced  on  v/itnessin'^  the  slaughtered 
thousands  of  a  European  battle-field  as  was  J^.Trs 
!Muir  on  beholding  these  poor  sixteen  tropjiies  of 
aboriginal  prov/ess. 

Mr  Gilmour  continued  t!ie  first  llmr  shaft  to  tlie 
depth  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet.  Ho  lihew;.  e 
instituted  a  thorough  examination  of  the  surface,  and 
finally  arrived  at  the  same  co  ^!u,;i;m,  namely,  that 
co:d-minIng  at  Fort  Rupert  was  a  iliilure.^'^ 

Governor  Elanshard  visited  the  place  in  !Marcli 
ISjO.  He  reported  the  mines  a  failure,  and  said  th;:t 
the  men  could  scarcely  be  induced  ^.o  work  at  r.ll, 
being  dissatisfied  with  tlie'r  employers,  and  liaving  f  w 
proper  tools."  Nevertheless,  the  ship  England  loaded 
here  this  year.'" 

It  was  well  known  that  if  at  Fort  Rupert  coal-mining 
could  not  be  successfully  c^iri'Icd  on,  tliere  were  otiK  r 
])laces  to  try;  or  even  here  something  mi[jht  yet  be 
done.  During  the  year  1851  more  and  better  coal- 
mining machinery,  with  some  twenty-five  practical 
men,  were  brought  from  England  in  the  ship  Tory, 
chartered  by  the  company  for  that  purpose,  and  landed 
at  Fort  Rupert/'     But  this   had    been  t)rdered  and 


'"  '  jViiotnor  bore  was  siuik  directly  at  the  hack  of  Fort  Rupert  to  a  (lej)tli 
of  47.J  f.ii,honi3.  Two  otlur  boro  j  were  sunk.  I)ehiml  Fort  Rupert,  towards  llio 
interior:  one,  sonic  four  niilas  to  I'.io  north-west,  where  the  borers  were  8topj)cd 
by  loose  quicksand  at  a  depth  of  liO  fathoms;  another,  two  niiU's  to  the  soiith- 
wcst,  totV  depth  of  4v)  fathoms;  again,  ten  miles  from  Fort  Rupert,  along  tho 
BKi-ciKist,  two  bores  were  sunk  tlirou;^!!  sandstone  to  depths  of  47  ami  47 \ 
fiithoms  respectively,  without  any  signs  of  worliablo  coal;  these  were  sunk 
at  some  di.stance  back  from  tho  shore.  Close  totlie  shore  two  pits  wore  8u:ik, 
one  seventeen,  tho  other  3  J  fathoms.  Tho  thickest  vein  struck  did  not  exceed 
nix  laches.'  (irdiit,  in  Loudon  Geotj.  Soc,  Jour,,  xxvii.  270. 

"  lilanshanVs  Dvirpntches,  2. 

^■"Muir,  in  Brit.  VoL  Sl-vtchcs,  MS.,  22. 

"  Au  oliicer  on  board  this  vessel  was  Herbert  Georgo  Lewis,  who  gave  mo 
tlio  infonnation,  this  being  bis  second  voyage  from  ]On;jland  in  tlio  company's 
Kcrvicc.     Scei/>-t<.  Col.  Sketches,  MS.,  1,  2. 


19G 


ESTABLISHING  FORTS  RUPERT  AND  XANAIMO. 


\\ii  : 


the  men  brought  out  Ijcforc  it  was  settled  that  there 
were  no  seams  worth  wor];ing  in  the  region  around 
Fort  Rupert.  The  arrival  of  this  reenforcement,  how- 
ever, was  not  inopportune,  as  we  shall  presently  sec. 
Prospectw  were  better  at  Nanalmo;  and  thitlior  in  tht; 
spring  of  1851  Muir  proceeded  with  all  his  men  and 
mining  machinery,  leaving  Fort  Rupert  in  possession 
of  traders  only.  ^^ 

The  incidents  attending  the  discovery  of  coal  at 
Nanaimo  are  not  unHke  those  at  Beaver  Bay.'"' 

One  morning  in  December  1849,  wliile  Joseph  \Y. 
McKay,  then  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Com]Dany  on  the  Northwest  Coast,  was  en- 
gaged in  the  office  at  Fort  Victoria,  he  was  called 
aside  by  the  foreman  of  the  blacksmith  shop,  wlu> 
informed  him  that  an  old  Nanaimo  chief,  from  the 
vicinity  of  v.diat  was  then  called  Protection  Island, 
had  entered  the  shoo  a  short  time  previous  to  lunt; 
his  gun  rcpau'ed.  Vvliile  ^raiting,  and  watching  oper- 
ations, he  noticed  the  men  replenishhig  the  fire  wdtli 
coal.  Pickhig  up  some  of  the  lumps,  he  observed 
them  closely,  and  finally  remarked  that  there  was 
plenty  of  such  stone  where  lie  lived.  Proceeding" 
innnediately  to  the  shop,  McKay  entered  into  con- 
versation with  the  Indian  who  reiterated  Avhat  lie 
had  said  to  the  blacksmith,  giving  further  particulars 
and  with  more  exactnes;^.  ^IcKay  then  said  that  if 
he  would  bring  liini  some  of  the  pieces  of  tlie  stuff, 
he  should  have  a  bottle  of  rum,  and  his  gun  repaired 
for  nothing,  wliich  magnanimous  offer  the  Nanainn) 
accepted.  He  was  poor  and  feeble;  the  gun  would 
help  to  procure  him  food,  and  the  rum  would  warm 
his  stiffened  jouits,  and  dispel  liis  misery  for  a  moment. 

**  'There  are  now  no  miners  at  Fort  Rupert,'  writes  Orant,  London  Oc^n- 
Soc,  Jour.,  xxvii.  'J7t),  in  R;r4,  'ami  the  estalilishuieut  cousista  of  twenty 
oliiours  aiitl  men,'  Hva  aho  JMtiix'  ScUloiieut  V.  I.,  MS.,  19. 

i^That  ono  is  uot  taken  from  the  other,  I  am  satisfied.  Jt)lm  Dunn  tell-* 
his  story,  not  without  due  regard  to  tlramatio  effect  it  is  true,  but  in  a  numiur 
wliolly  original.  Mr  McKay  states  his  facts  clearly,  concisely,  and  I  am  very 
sure,  truthfully;  nor  is  it  likely  that  ho  wa^  f '.miliar  with  Dunn's  story. 


ANOTHER  DISCOVERY. 


197 


Wliat  (lid  it  matter  if  there  were  millions  in  it  for 
the  white  man ;  civilization  would  soon  get  it  in  any 
ovent,  as  it  was  getting  everything  else,  and  upon 
terms  equivalent,  namely,  a  bottle  of  rum  and  a  gun 
repaired  in  return  for  a  coal-mine. 

The  ancient  aboriginal  went  his  way,  and  the  fur- 
trader  went  his;  and  as  nothhig  further  was  seen  or 
h(>ard  of  the  chief  at  the  fort,  little  more  was  thought 
of  the  Nanaimo  coal  discovery.  But  the  old  savage 
had  not  forgt)tten  his  promise.  All  during  t]\o  cold 
w  inter  he  had  lain  sick,  very  near  death's  door,  think- 
ing of  the  rum,  which  did  not  greatly  comfort  him. 
Reviving  from  his  illness  with  returning  spring,  he 
went  to  work,  and  surely  enough  one  day  early  in 
April  he  appeared  in  Victoria  Harbor  with  liis  canoe 
loaded  with  coal. 

It  was  hnmediately  taken  to  the  forge,  and  ex- 
amined with  no  small  cuilosity  by  all  present.  On 
heiiig  tested  by  the  smith,  it  was  pronounet^d  of  ex- 
cellent quality.  Then  McKay  remembered  his  prom- 
ise. A  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  officer  always  keeps 
his  word.  The  bottle  of  rum  was  given  to  the  na- 
tive. 

A  prospecting  party  was  fitted  out  at  once;  and 
placing  himself  at  the  head  of  it,  McKay  landed 
near  where  the  town  of  Xanaimo  now  stands,  about 
tiie  1st  of  May  1850.^"  Several  days  were  then  spent 
in  a  careful  examination  of  the  country  for  miles 
around  After  which,  on  the  8th  day  of  !May,  the 
Douglas  vein,  which  is  still  being  worked  at  this 
writing,  was  located  by  !McKay.  And  it  was  from 
this  very  spot  that  was  loaded  the  canoe  of  the  old 

""Tlio  coal  at  Nanaimo  was  firat  discovered  liy  Mr  Joseph  McKay  in 
May  ]Sr)0,  wlio  M^as  directed  to  it  by  tlio  Imliaiis  of  tliu  iieif,'lil>()rhooil.'  (Iniiil, 
ill  Liviihii  OciKj.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxvii.  'J77.  Tho  |)artieuliirs  of  tlio  discovery  are 
from  Mr  McKay  liimself,  furnished  through  Mr  I'etrotf  while  on  his  expedi- 
tion in  my  behalf  to  Alaska  in  1878.  Tho  dictation  was  taken  at  Fort  himii- 
•son,  and  is  entitled  liccoUectiom  of  a  Chief  Tmilcr  in  the,  l/uil.ion's  limj  ( 'oiii- 
V'liiy,  hij  Joxriih  WiUiam  McKay.  Tho  manuscript  is  exceedingly  well  written, 
clear,  concise,  and  very  interesting  and  iniportant.  Mr  McKay  is  remarka- 
hly  intelligent,  anil  besides,  a  most  courteous  gentlemen.  A  brief  bio;jraph- 
ical  sketch  is  given  elsewhere. 


198 


ESTABLISHINa  FORTS  RUPERT  AND  XANAIMO. 


chief  who  carried  the  first  intelhfjence  and  the  first 
specimens  of  this  famous  mine  to  Fort  Victoria. 

On  his  return  to  Victoria,  McKay  made  a  circum- 
stantial and  favorable  report,  and  it  was  forthwith 
determined  to  make  practical  avail  of  the  important 
discovery ;  but  owing  to  other  business,  the  mine  was 
for  a  time  neglected.  It  appears  that  the  natives  had 
first  discovered  a  small  seam  al)out  eight  inches  in 
thickness,  on  the  undulating  sandstone  surface  af  New- 
castle Island;  then  on  the  opposite  shore  of  Com- 
niericial  Inlet  they  noticed  more  of  the  black  stuff, 
whicli  proved  to  be  an  outcrop  of  the  same  seam,  wliich 
at  this  latter  point  was  but  three  and  a  half  feet  tliick, 
though  its  general  thickness  was  six  or  seven  foet.^' 

The  natives  took  two  hundred  tons  from  Newcastle 
Island  by  the  15tli  of  September.  On  tlie  17th, 
Gilmour  with  ten  experienced  miners  began  a  pif* 
at  tlie  north-wx'st  extremity  of  Nanaimo  Harbor. 
Another  spot  where  the  seam  was  six  or  seven  feet 
thick  was  struck,  which  was  afterward  worked  in 
several  parallel  galleries.^" 

Muir  arrived  v.ith  the  men  and  machinery  from 
Fort  Kupert  in  the  spring  of  1851,  as  I  have  before 
related.  The  steamer  Otter  brought  them  thither,  and 
Douglas  met  them  there.  The  machinery  was  landed 
and  set  up,  and  temporary  measures  adopted  for  de- 
fence. Muir's  force  was  small,  and  should  the  natives 
grow  jealous  or  mercenary,  as  at  Fort  Rupert,  they 
could  do  little  tliot  year;  ne\'ertheless  they  prospected 
and  dug  heartily,  wasting  no  time. 


20 


But  it  was  not  until  1852  that  work  was 


begun  in 


•^h  1 


i'i- 


'iir 


^'  Eight  or  ton  inches  of  fire-clay  ran  through  the  centre.  The  dircctiou 
of  tlie  seam  was  to  the  south-west,  and  tlie  dip  45°. 

"'A  shaft  of  50  feet  passed  throu)i;h  12  feet  of  alluvium,  8  feet  of  sand- 
stone, and  30  feet  of  slate.  Grant  is  loose  in  regard  to  dates.  McKay,  Ha'., 
MS.,  11,  says  'the  mine  was  not  actually  opened  until  August  1852.' 

'■•* '  The  scam  hero  runs  nearly  level,  with  a  dip  of  only  some  seven  degree.? 
to  the  south-west;  the  greatest  quantity  of  coal  that  has  been  raised  from  it 
was  at  the  rate  of  I'JO  tons  per  week  with  ten  regular  miners.'  Grant,  in 
London  Clcoij.  Sac,  Jour.,  x.wii.  277.     This  was  prior  to  1854. 

'^•'  'About  1851  Mr  Muir  staitod  the  Nanaimo  coal-mines,  which  were  suc- 
cessful.' Muir,  in  Brit.  Col.  Skptcli<:<<,  MS.,  24. 


THE  DOUGLAS  ON  THE  GROUND. 


199 


tamest  at  Nanaiino.  Arriving  on  the  19th  of  August, 
after  diligent  search  with  pick  and  shovel,  McKay 
found  the  Douglas  seam  on  a  peninsula  at  the  northern 
end  of  tlie  harbor,  and  the  men  were  put  at  digging, 
tills  making  the  fourth  place ^^  at  which  work  was  done 
iit  an  early  day.  Satisfied  with  his  investigations,  Mc- 
Kay erected  a  fortress,  with  all  the  necessary  build- 
ings, and  called  the  place  Fort  Nanaimo.""  Thus  was 
tlic  new  industry  of  coal-mining  taken  in  hand  at 
Nanaimo  by  the  fur  company,  ^^  d  pressed  forward 
with  uncommon  energy.  Before  the  expiration  of 
1853  two  thousand  tons  were  shipped  from  this  i)oint, 
half  of  which  was  taken  out  by  the  natives.  The  first 
sent  hence  to  San  Francisco  was  in  May  of  that  year 
by  the  sliip  WiUiam.  The  company's  price  at  Nanaimo 
was  then  eleven  dollars;  at  San  Francisco  the  coal 
brought  twenty-eight  dollars  a  ton.'^ 

Ill  18o-'5  James  Douijlas  visits  this  mine  in  state. 
Lea^•ing  Victoria  in  the  propeller  Otter,  with  the 
Mary  Dan  in  tow,  on  the  18th  of  August  he  anchors 
before  Fort  Nanaimo  at  precisely  twenty  minutes 
jiast  eight  the  same  day.'*  Early  next  morning  he  is 
out  examining  the  mine  and  buildings  about  the 
fort.  McKay  and  his  men  are  highly  complimented 
by  the  chief  "A  prodigious  quantity  of  work,  for 
the  hands  employed,"  he  writes,  "  has  been  accom- 
plished here;  the  place  has  quite  the  appearance  of 
a  little  village.  The  mines  have  cost  a  great  deal 
or  labor  and  other  outlay.     The  mine-shaft   is  now 


I  The  directiou 


lich  were  buc- 


'■"' These  were  all  the  same  scam  of  coal,  which  is  called  the  Douglas  ' 
Grant,  in  London  Gco;i.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxvii.  278. 

'■'•'See  Douglas'  Primte  Payers,  AI.S.,  ser.  ii.  50.  Though  not  as  pretentious 
as  some  other  cstahlishments,  it  is  dignilicd  by  Douglas  with  the  name  of  fort. 
It  might,  perhaps,  more  properly  he  called  a  hastion, 

^■"For  general  description  of  mines  at  Nanaimo,  aoo  A^noltcrry's  Geol.  Jh'pl., 
fi.">-7,  in  Parijic  li.  R.  licpt,  vi.;  llorctzky'a  Canada  on  the  Pacific,  170;  Itav- 
linijs'  Confederation  of  Brit.  N.  A.  Provinces,  l'J'2. 

^*It  was  with  just  such  ponderous  particularities  that  Douglas  did  evory- 
tliing.  After  a  detailed  description  of  an  msignilicant  trip,  ho  conclutles  in 
tliese  words:  'Made  Lighthouse  Point  at  .lusk,  and  came  to  an  anchor  off  the 
Fort  of  Nanaimo  at  8:20  in  the  evening,  having  been  9  hours  and  40  miautes 
under  weigh, '  Douijlas'  Private  Paiiers,  M'.-i.,  sur.  ii.  50. 


sod 


ESTABLlSHlXei  FOltTS  RUPERT  AND  NANAIMO. 


full  of  water;  that  called  McGreggor's  headings  and 
north  galler}'' give  the  miners  employment  at  present." 
Thence  he  is  pulled  to  Newcastle  Island,  and  visits 
the  outcroppings,  observes  the  perpendicular  cliffs  and 
fine  white  sandstone  in  rescular  beds  and  on  edjje 
underlying  beds  of  conglomerate.  The  20th  he  ex- 
amines with  much  interest  a  salt-spring  which  rises 
in  the  bed  of  a  fresh-water  brook,  now  nearly  dry.''' 
"The  coal-field  between  Chase  River  and  Newcastle 
Island,"  he  writes,  "has  been  proved,  it  being  Mr 
Gilmour's  opinion,  founded  on  the  trials  he  has  made, 
that  coal  may  be  found  anywhere  in  that  district." 
The  22d,  "walked  from  the  establishment  to  the 
coal  crop  at  the  head  of  Commercial  Inlet,  into  which 
a  gallery  sixty  feet  long  has  been  cut."  Thence  to 
Chase  Kiver,  where  is  a  gallery  of  forty  feet;  and  so 
on.  Leaving  Nanaiuio  on  the  24th,  he  surveys  the 
coast  to  Valdes  Inlet,  and  then  returns  to  Victoria. 

About  this  time,  1852-3,  coal  was  discovered  at 
Bellingham  Bay  by  two  axemen,  who  were  cutting- 
logs  for  a  saw-mill.  In  the  up-toni  roots  of  a  fallen 
trees,  on  the  side  of  a  bank,  they  first  saw  })iecos 
which  led  to  an  examination  of  the  grt)und  and  the 
finding  of  a  seam  several  feet  thick.  A  claim  Avas 
entered,  and  shortly  after  sold  at  San  Francisco  for 
$10,000.^^  Several  companies  were  formed  to  work 
this  and  adjoining  claims,  among  which  the  Puget 
Sound  Mining  Company  and  the  Mamoosie  Mine 
were  consj^icuous."" 

Other  coal   deposits  attracting   attention  prior  to 


"'  ■  The  spring  yields  about  two  gallons  of  water  per  minute,  or  2,880  gallons 
in  twenty-four  hours.  It  yields  about  a  pound  of  salt  to  a  gallon,  which,  at 
sixty  pounds  to  the  bushel,  would  make  a  daily  yield  of  forty-eight  bushels  of 
salt.'  JhtKjUts'  Private  Papers,  MS.,  ser.  n.  52. 

"*  '  Altogether  about  140  tons  of  coal  had  been  exported  from  Bellinghaiu 
Bay  up  to  1st  January  1854.'  Grant,  in  Lomlon  Oeog.  Soc.,  Jour.,  xxvii.  3irj. 

^'  'Another  bed  a  little  to  the  north  of  this,  belonging  to  Captain  Fauutle- 
roy  and  others,  presented  much  better  indications.  Its  thickness  is  sixteen 
feeb  four  inches,  and  the  coal  brighter  and  freer  from  impurities  than  the 
other.  A  small  qiiantity  got  out  here  sold  in  Francisco  tor  $23  jier  ton. ' 
Oibbs,  in  Stevens'  Pac.  11.  P.  Pept.,  i.  473. 


OTHER  COAL  DEPOSITS. 


Ml 


1854  wore  those  between  Port  San  Juan  and  Cape 
Bonilla;-**  in  the  country  back  of  Barclay  Sound  ;^  near 
the  coast  west  of  Soke  Inlet  i^"  at  several  points  on 
tl;  western  shore  of  Vancouver  Island,^^  and  on  the 
mainland  opposite.^^  The  deposits  on  Queen  Char- 
lotte Islands  attracted  attention  at  various  times. ''■^ 


''** '  It  is,  however,  almost  worthless,  as,  though  it  croi)s  out  on  tlie  sea- 
(■oast,  there  is  no  shelter  for  vessels  near  it.'  (irntd,  in  Loud.  Geoij.  Soc.,  Jour., 
xxvii.  285. 

'•""  There  is  no  truth  in  the  reports  which  have  been  circulated  of  there 
licing  coal  on  Barclay  Sound;  tlio  Indians,  however,  dcscrihe  some  coal  as 
existing  iit  Munahtah,  in  the  country  of  the  Cojueklesatuch,  some  three  days' 
journey  into  the  interior,  at  the  back  of  Barclay  Sound.'  Grant,  in  Loml. 
(Icoij.  iSof.,  Jour.,  xxvii.  287. 

•^  '  Traces  of  coal  have  been  found  on  a  small  river  called  by  the  natives 
(^tuaachuka,  which  here  discharges  itself  into  the  straits.'  (Irnnf,  in  Loml. 
(tcoij.  (S'oc,  Jour.,  xxvii.  284.  Few  of  the  seams  were  more  than  one  inch  in 
thickness. 

^' '  At  Nespod,  a  little  north  of  Nootka,  coal  is  reported  by  the  Indians. 
Ncspod  is  called  Port  Brooks  on  the  charts.  At  Koskcemo,  north  of  Ncspful 
,111(1  opposite  to  Beaver  Harbor,  a  seam  of  coal  two  feet  in  thickness  has  also 
liecii  discovered.'  Oront,  in  Loml.  Geo;/.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxvii.  28S.  (traiit's  Kos- 
kcemo is  Quatsino  Sound.     See  Jiichnrdnon,  in  Gcol.  Sur.  Cunada,  1S7I-2,  70. 

"■^  'Between  Burrard  Canal  and  Home  Sound,  i.  c,  on  the  southern  shore 
of  Homo  Sound,  close  to  the  entrance,  a  small  seam  of  coal  lias  been  found.' 
Grout,  in  Loml.  Geoij.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxvii.  314. 

"^'As  early  as  18.52  the  brig  Ilccovery,  Captain  Mitchell,  the  vessel  that 
was  once  the  Orbit,  was  there  for  coal.'  Olipwpia  Vluh  Cour.i.,  AIS.,  3—1.  'An- 
tliracite  is  known  to  exist  at  ''kidcgate  Island,  Queen  Charlotte  Islands,  and 
a  seam  of  tlie  same  kind  of  coal  is  seen  cropping  out  on  the  mainland  opnosite, 
;iliout  forty  miles  distant.  The  extent  of  these  deposits  is  not  known,  but 
siiccimens  have  been  sent  to  San  Francisco  wliich  were  of  good  quality,  and 
in  1871  there  were  505  tons  of  it  imxiorted.'  MarJ'urluiw's  Coal  Hcgioiis  oj 
Aiinricn,  574. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

CROWN   PxRANT   OF   VANCOUVER    ISLAND   TO   THE    HUDSON'S 

BAY  COMPANY 

1849. 

Spirit  op  MoxoroLT — The  AttVENTtTREUs  of  Enciland  More  JEALOca  of 
British  Sdujeits  than  of  FoREKiNEu.s— Colonization  to  be  Retarded 
BY  Favorino  rather  THAN  liv  OrposiNO  If— The  Grant  Solicited  as 
Early  as  1837 — Woes  of  the  Monopoly— F  ..i^ure  to  Outain  tiih 
Grant  at  This  Time — FrR-HUNriNG  awd  settlement  Antaoonistic — 
The  Liquor  Traffic — The  Company  Apply  for  the  (!  rant — Startlino 
Proposal — Influence  of  United  Stated  Acquisitions  on  British 
Pacific  Territory — Piety  a  Plea  for  Power — The  Fur-tuade  and 
Colonization  AciAiN— The  Drafc  Perfected — The  Mainland — Pre- 
amble AND  Grant — Conditions  of  Grant — Differences  of  Opinion 
respecting  the  Wisdom  of  the  Measure. 

Now  that  the  Northwest  Coast  between  Fuca 
Strait  and  the  Russian  possessions  was  wholly  and 
Indisputably  their  own,  a  vast  territory  without  a 
government,  too  vast  and  too  important  to  be  held 
absolutely  by  a  commercial  corporation,  while  the 
near  south  under  the  liberal  policy  of  the  United 
States  government  was  so  rapidly  being  settled  by 
enterprising  emigrants  of  their  own  Anglo-Saxon  race, 
it  behooved  the  ligislators  and  rulers  of  England  and 
of  England's  colonies  to  cast  a  parental  eye  toward 
this  very  far  away  and  very  wild  and  very  little 
Britain. 

The  history  of  the  treaty  of  1846,  which  determined 
the  dividing  line  between  the  possessions  of  Great 
Britain  and  those  of  the  United  States  on  the  Pa- 
cific coast,  having  been  given  at  length  elsewhere  in 
ihis  work,^  it  would  be  superfluous  to  repeat  it  here. 

^Jlisiortf  of  the.  Northwest  Coast. 


X 


SERIOUS  QUESTIONS. 


203 


HUDSON'S 


T'  ^t  event  safely  over,  soon  we  see  the  hand  of  the 
]  ler  country  again  moving  in  Northwest  Coast 
ai.airs;  this  time,  however,  confining  her  interest  to 
her  own  pecuhar  case,  and  in  the  capacity  of  patron 
ratlier  than  that  of  champion. 

Tlie  question  was  what  to  do  next.  The  country 
north  of  the  lately  defined  United  States  boundary 
wafi  a  wilderness  held  by  an  association  of  British  sub- 
jects under  sanction  of  the  British  government,  which 
had  gone  so  far  as  to  grant  the  occupants  the  privilege 
of  exclusive  trade  with  the  natives  for  a  period  ex- 
piring in  1859.  The  question  now  was,  Shall  anything 
1)0  done  toward  colonizing  or  settling  the  country,  or 
any  part  of  it,  before  the  expiration  of  the  fur  com- 
pany's present  privilege  of  exclusive  trade,  and  if  so, 
what  ? 

It  so  happened  that  about  this  time,  namely,  in  1 84G 
and  1847,  the  directors  of  the  fur  monopoly  presented 
themselves  before  Lord  Grey,  quaking  with  fear  lesi 
American  marauders  should  pursue  them  beyond  tlic 
->cw  boundary,  and  spoil  their  traffic  in  British  Co- 

ubia,  as  they  had  already  done  in  Oregon.    Lord 

.i3y  lent  a  favorable  ear;  and  from  this  beginning 
arose  important  negotiations.^ 

Since  the  charter  of  Charles  11.  to  Prince  Rupert 
in  1G70,  the  policy  of  the  adventurers  of  England 
trading  into  Hudson's  Bay  had  been,  to  say  the  least, 
exclusive.  Not  alone  had  they  been  fearful  of  the 
intrusion  of  foreigners,  but  most  of  all  were  they 
jealous  of  their  own  countrymen. 

During  the  first  half-century  of  their  occupancy  of 
those  hyperborean  shores,  they  had  been  forced  to 
battle  French  soldiery  invading  by  sea;  some  of  their 
forts  had  even  been  taken  from  them  during  these 
encounters.  And  later  they  had  frequently  been 
called  upon  to  resist  the  encroachments  of  French 
iur-hunters  from  Canada.    Wars  with  hereditary  foes, 


^  Compare  IlansanTa  Parliamentary  Debates  and  Levi's  Aniiah  of  British 
Legislation,  passim. 


»1  ■! '' 


204 


GRANT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


m 


however,  were  never  to  be  compared  in  point  of  hatred 
and  disastrous  results  with  tho  rivalry  between  them 
and  tlie  Northwest  Company. 

So  ill  regard  to  settlement.  The  occupation  of  Ore- 
gon by  emigrants  from  the  United  States  had  given 
them  nmch  anxiety,  and  they  had  exercised  every 
means,  but  always  within  the  bounds  of  justice  and 
humanity,  to  stop  this  tide  of  population  which  would 
prove  the  total  destruction  of  their  traffic  in  those 
parts.  Yet  as  in  former  encroachments  and  opposi- 
tion, the  government  and  the  people  of  the  eastern 
American  states  gave  them  less  serious  concern  than 
their  own.  The  cause  was  obvious.  The  dividing  line 
between  the  North  American  possessions  of  Great 
Britain  and  those  of  the  United  States  thciy  well 
knew  their  government  would  see  })roperly  (Uawn 
witliout  assistance  from  them.  The  bounds  oi'  thoii- 
dominion  fixed  they  could  easilv  loijulatc  their  Imsi- 
ness  accordingly.  They  entertained  no  serious  feai' 
of  being  cramped  for  territory.  J  hit  wlieii  iMiglaiui 
herself  should  attempt  colonization  on  the  Pacilir. 
well  misTfht  Eno'lish  fur-hunters  look  to  their  interests. 

It  was  now  considered  certain  thiit  United  States 
territory  on  tlie  western  ocean  would  be  speedily 
settled;  that  there  would  be  within  the  limits  ofsucli 
territory,  and  as  the  result  of  such  settlement,  one  oi' 
more  large  commercial  towns  con<lucting  trade  direct 
with  the  coast  above  and  below,  with  the  Hawaiian 
Islands,  and  with  China;  and  that  between  the  eastern 
and  western  seaboards  there  would  be  safe  ami  lre< 
intercommunication.  Witli  so  powerful  and  pro- 
gressive a  people  as  neighbors,  and  with  an  over- 
crowded population  at  home,  it  was  clearly  evident 
that  so  broad  and  valuable  a  rooion  as  the  British 
Pacific  possessions  could  not  always  be  kept  solitary  as 
the  game-preserve  of  a  conmiercial  monopoly.  And 
none  saw  this  clearer  than  the  monopolists  themselves. 

Yet  it  was  not  by  opposing  colonization   by  any 
means,  but  rather  by  eiuM)urj.ging  it,  that  the  company 


ill 


BEFORE  PAllLIAMENT. 


2M 


would  attempt  to  control  affairs  for  a  time  longer. 
If  they  could  be  constituted  England's  colonizers  on 
tlie  Pacific,  then  miglit  tliey  colonize  after  their  own 
tasliion,  quickly  or  slowly — very  slowly  indeed,  if  such 
sliould  prove  their  interest.  Such  advantage,  indeed, 
had  not  Ix^en  overlooked  in  arranging  the  terms  of 
the  last  license  of  exclusive  trade,  the  grant  of  1838. 
When  in  1837  the  company  petitioned  for  a  renewal 
of  that  grant,  they  sought  extended  privileges.  In 
addition  to  a  license  of  exclusive  trade,  they  asked  title 
to  the  land  for  purposes  of  colonization,  urging  their 
services  in  excluding  settlers  of  other  nations  as  a 
reason  whv  they  sliould  have  the  management  of  set- 
tiers  of  their  own  nation. 

J^oth  Sir  J.  II.  Pelly,  governor  of  the  Hudson's 
liay  Company  in  England,  and  Sir  George  Simpson, 
governor  of  the  company's  afl'airs  in  America,  after 
magnifying  tJie  hazardous  eflorts  of  the  company  to 
enrich  itself,  after  lamenting  the  lieavy  losses  sus- 
tained in  keeping  the  country  clear,  alike  of  British 
subjects  and  foreigners,  after  gently  chiding  their  be- 
nignant mother  for  neglecting  tliat  probx'tion  which 
it  was  tlu>ir  chief  joy  to  see  withheld,  begged  a  fresh 
continuance  of  their  misfortune,  together  with  such 
liold  upon  the  soil  as  should  in^rpetuate  them.  The* 
profits  arising  from  the  business,  said  they  to  parlia- 
iiieut,  are  no  more  than  a  fair  return  for  the  ca})i- 
tal  employed;  and  the  services  rendered  the  motiur 
country  in  securing  her  this  connnertH>,  which  other- 
wise  would  fall  to  forel-'uers,  demand  further  favors. 
Hesides  their  twenty-two  trading-dej)ots  on  the  west- 
<rn  sloiKV  thev  liave  in  tlie  nein['h[)orhood  of  the 
('olundtia  large  pastures  fdlod  M'ith  stock,  and  grain 
farms  aftbrding  abuiuhint  supplies  of  every  kind  of 
agricultural  product,  and  it  is  their  intention  to  aug- 
ment such  establishments  so  as  to  export  n'ool,  tal- 
low, and  hides,  and  at  the  sanje  time  to  all'ord  a  quiit 
home  for  retired  servants  of  the  company.  Climate 
and  sod  are  all  that  could  be  desirijd,  they  continued, 


»;„■■ 


200 


GRANT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


but  in  order  to  justify  the  outlay  necessary  to  the 
full  furtherance  of  the  company's  plans,  protection, 
that  is  to  say,  nioncjpoly,  must  be  secured  them;  the 
natives,  body  and  soul,  nmst  be  theirs,  likewise  the 
soil,  and  every  subject  of  Great  Britain  who  dare  in- 
trust his  keeninsx  to  their  arbitrarv  will. 

Cunningly  as  these  projwsals  were  advanced,  in  so 
far  as  they  related  to  proprietorship  in  the  soil  they  at 
this  time  failed.  It  was  now  pretty  well  understood 
by  England,  after  dreaming  over  it  for  nearly  two  cen- 
turies, that  the  adv(mturers  trading  into  Hudson's 
Bay  were  not  unduly  anxious  to  make  settlements 
anywhere.  In  one  instance  only  had  they  attempted 
or  permitted  such  a  measure,  and  that  was  employed 
as  the  deadliest  engine  f  )r  the  breaking-up  of  a  pow- 
erful rival.  The  Ked  liivcr  difficulties  had  opened 
the  eyes  of  statesmin  to  the  fatal  effects  of  coloniza- 
tion on  hunting-grounds.  It  was  becoming  a  pretty 
well  established  fact  that  foxes,  beavers,  and  native 
liunters  do  not  dwell  long  in  apple-orchards.  Savagisni 
is  essciutial  to  a  game-j)rc serve  a  thousand  miles  square, 
and  settlement  ;)f  any  kind  is  directly  antagonistic  to 
savagisni.  In  a  word,  it  was  against  the  company's 
interests  to  have  their  forests  cleared,  and  their  Indian 
hunters  demoralized  by  drink  and  civilized  diseases. 
This  they  had  well  known  from  the  first,  and  had 
managed  their  bushiess  accordingly.  Nor  are  they  to 
be  specially  blamed  for  adopting  a  self-protective  pol- 
icy, which  is  no  less  the  first  law  of  corporations  than 
of  governments  and  individuals. 

Notwithstanding  the  very  n.atural  desire  to  post- 
])one  the  day  of  their  downfall  as  far  as  possible,  tlie 
Hudson's  Hay  Company  were  liot  blind  to  the  fact 
that  the  ultimate  destiny,  indeed,  the  near  destiny  of 
their  I'acific  coast,  was  colonization.  It  would  soon 
prove  as  vitally  important  to  them  as  to  the  British 
nation  at  large,  in  or  out  of  Britisli  America.  Tlieir 
very   existence,  the   preservation   of  their   liunting- 


:'  'i 


ARDENT  SPIRITS. 


207 


grounds  to  the  northward,  and  between  the  ocean  and 
the  mountains,  would  soon  depend  upon  their  ability 
to  guard  their  coast  against  the  inroads  of  foreign 
traders,  who  had  always  caused  them  much  annoyance, 
and  were  now  becoming  more  troublesome.  By  these 
lawless  traders,  many  of  whom  were  from  New  Eng- 
land ports,  the  accursed  taste  for  strong  drink  was 
kept  alive  among  the  natives.  So  long  as  there  was  a 
possibility  of  obtaining  intoxicating  liquor  the  Indians 
would  trade  for  little  else.  They  were  wild  for  it, 
almost  as  insane  in  the  desire  as  in  the  gratification. 
From  hundreds  of  miles  inland  past  the  doors  of  the 
company's  forts,  they  would  bring  their  best  skins 
down  to  the  sea-shore,  and  there  hold  savage  saturnalia 
as  lojig  as  they  lasted.  There  was  no  controlling  thciii 
or  conu'olling  business  so  long  as  rum  was  sold  upon 
the  coast.  It  was  as  clearly  to  the  interests  of  tlie 
monopolists,  or  license-holders,  to  prevent  this  de- 
moralizing traffic,  as  it  was  to  the  pecuniary  profit 
of  transient  traders  visiting  the  coast  to  iiKkilijfe 
ill  it. 

Not  alone  were  traders  from  the  United  States 
accused  of  selling  liquors  to  tribes  inhabiting  British 
American  territory,  but  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company 
were  charged  with  the  like  ofl'ence  in  disposing  of 
strong  drink  to  the  Indians  of  the  United  States.'* 
However  fatal  the  result  to  the  poor  Indian,  the  fur- 
trading  policy  of  the  time  w^as  essentially  retaliatory, 
and  although  the  truth  of  these  charges  was  flatly 

'The  question  in  1849  was  mado  one  of  official  correspondence.  On  the 
8th  of  December  Henry  W.  Sibley  writes  Mr  Clayton,  asking  a  remonstrance 
to  1(0  laid  before  the  British  govornnK'nt,  to  prevent  the  introduetion  of 
anient  spirits  into  tlio  Indian  country.  iT>,  ^•••""ounces  it  'a  fact  wliieli  can  be 
"«t;il)lished  by  incontestable  tes'iniony.'  This  letter  was  forwarded  to 
Ali))()tt  i^aw icn':'»>.  United  States  minister  to  Great  Britain,  who  laid  tiieconi- 
pliiint  before  Lord  Palniurston.  Tiio  matter  was  referred  to  the  secretary  of 
state  for  the  colonies.  Finally  Earl  Clicy  roccived  ii  tlat  denial  from  Sir  John 
I'i'lly,  and  tiiero  the  subject  rested.  Since  tiie  IStli  of  Mny  184'J,  v  hen  Sir 
Cniirge  Simpson  and  Adolplius  Ktholin,  governor  of  the  Icusoi^in  Aiuerican 
i.iionies,  signed  at  Sitka  un  agreement  prohibiting  the  use  of  niiiiituous 
lii|uors  in  the  Indian  trade  of  their  respective  territories,  that  region  liad  in  a 
iiu.'iiHure  been  free  from  this  curse.  But  this  agrcoment  did  not  prevent  resort 
til  the  forbidden  tiaiilo  when  competition  with  traders  of  o^her  nationalities 
rendered  it  necessary. 


208 


GRANT  OB'  VANCOUVER  ISLAND 


denied  on  both  sides,  there  is  no  doubt  that  both  were 
guilty.  ^ 

Again  in  184G,  when  the  much-agitated  question  of 
boundary  was  being  settled,  the  subject  of  coloniza 
tiou  was  brouijht  forward.  As  the  right  honorable 
Edward  Ehice,  M.  P.,  remarked  to  a  select  commit- 
tee of  the  house  of  commons — "Being  in  possession 
of  the  trade  of  the  adjacent  country  under  the  license 
. .  .  tlie  company  applied  to  Lord  Grey  for  protection 
in  Vancouver  Island,  for  fear  of  American  marauders 
disturbing  their  possessions  there."  Earl  Grey  replied 
that  the  distance  round  Cape  Horn  was  too  far  for 
even  tlie  long  arm  of  his  government  conveniently  to 
reacli,  and  that  the  company  nmst  protect  themselves. 
On  tlie  7th  of  September  a  letter  was  addressed  by 
the  company  to  Earl  Grey,  stating  that  their  estab 
lislimcnt  on  the  south  point  of  the  island  was  annu 
ally  enlarging,  and  asking  a  grant  of  land.  A  lou^ 
correspondence  followed,  and  negotiations  were  begun. 
Then  for  nearly  a  year,  that  is,  from  March  1847  to 
February  1848,  the  matter  rested.  From  the  modest 
first  request,  which  was  to  be  confirmed  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  island  only,  the  ideas  of  the  company 
had  gradually  enlarged,  until,  as  Sir  J.  H.  Peliy  ex- 
pressed himself  in  a  letter  to  Earl  Grey,  the  5th  ol 
^larch  1847,  the  company  were  "willing  to  undertake 
the  <;overnnient  and  colonization  of  all  the  territories 
belonging  to  the  crown  in  North  America,  and  receive 
a  grant  accordingly." 

It  was  this  startling  proposal,  opening  the  eyes  of 
the  government  to  the  real  designs  of  the  conq)any. 
which  temporarily  suspended  negotiations.  In  Feb- 
ruary 1848,  with  more  modest  mein,  they  again  caiiir 
forward  with  the  assurance  that  "placing  tlie  whole 
territory  north  of  the  41)th  degree  under  one  governiiij^ 
power  would  have  simplified  arrangements,  but  the 
company  was  willing  to  accept  that  part  of  the  ter- 
ritory west  of  the  Ilocky  Mountains,  or  even  Van- 
couver Island  alone;  in  fact,  to  give  every  assistance 


INEXORABLE  NECESSITY. 


209 


in  its  power  to  promote  colonization."  In  a  subsequent 
letter  of  the  4th  of  March  the  same  writer  goes  still 
further,  and  says:  "In  every  negotiation  that  may 
take  place  on  this  subject,  I  have  only  to  observe 
that  tlic  company  expect  no  pecuniary  advantage 
from  colonizing  the  territory  in  question.  All  moneys 
received  for  lands  or  minerals  would  be  applied  to 
purposes  connected  with  the  improvement  of  the 
country. 

Accompanying  this  truly  disinterested  offer  was  a 
private  letter  of  a  somewhat  differci.^t  nature,  which  was 
nothing  less  than  a  request  that  the  privileges  possessed 
under  the  original  giant  of  Rupert  Land,  giving  the 
adventurers  of  England  power  to  establish  colonies, 
courts,  and  governments  should  l:>e  extended  over  the 
entire  Xortlnvest  and  Pacific  territories.  The  magni- 
tude of  the  proposal  at  tliis  juncture  was  alone  enough 
to  insure  its  defeat.  It  was  ut  once  decided  by  the 
government  that  if  a  grant  were  made  at  all,  it  should 
be  confined  to  Vancouver  Island. 

Besides  the  tide  of  emijjration  which  since  the 
treaty  of  184G  was  pouring  into  Oregon,  the  United 
States  had  lately  acquired  California,  and  this  alone 
was  more  than  sufficient  to  make  that  nation  the 
dominant  power  upon  the  Pacific,  even  should  there 
he  no  foundation  in  the  reported  gold  discovery,  rumors 
of  which  were  now  reaching  British  Columbia  and 
England.  .\nd  if  gold  was  plentiful  in  the  Sierra 
Foothills,  might  it  not  be  found  north  of  the  49th 
parallel?  Indeed,  there  had  already  been  indica- 
tions of  the  precious  metal  in  this  region.  Where 
tlien  AtHild  be  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  with 
its  lar<'c  and  widelv  extended  interests,  should  the 
I'aeilic  coast  bo  brought  into  sudden  prommence 
before  the  world,  as  in  truth  it  was  even  now  being 
brought? 


*  All  thia  was  purely  for  effect,  anil  was,  moreover,  so  palpably  opposed  to 
the  character  and  policy  of  the  company,  that  none  but  the  most  simple  minded 
were  for  a  moment  deceived  by  it. 
But.  Bun.  Col.    U 


210 


<;RANT  of  VANCOUVER  ISLAND 


It  was  well,  as  cautious  and  prudent  business  men,  to 
think  of  these  things  and  to  provide  for  them.  And 
the  officers  of  the  company  did  so  think  and  so  pro- 
vide, for  they  wore  shrewd,  far-seeing  men.  For  their 
subsequent  policy  as  well  as  for  their  past  deeds,  many 
writers  attempt  to  bring  odium  upon  them.  I  see 
no  special  cause  for  praise  or  blame  in  the  premises. 
They  were  not  professional  patriots  like  our  congress- 
men and  state  politicians;  they  were  a  conmiercial 
corporation  seeking  to  make  money  by  every  lawful 
means,  and  I  ha^'c  failed  to  discover  anything  more 
dishonorable  in  their  dealings  than  in  those  of  mer- 
chants and  monopolists  generally.  When  a  man  or  an 
association  of  men  raise  the  signal  of  money-making, 
the  less  they  talk  of  piety  or  patriotism  hi  connection 
with  their  commercial  efforts,  the  less  they  will  be 
regarded  as  hypocrites.^ 


"  It  is  in  exceedingly  bad  taste,  to  say  the  least,  for  Mr  Martin,  who  writes 
as  special  advocate  for  tlic-  company,  to  devote  one  of  tlie  five  parts  of  which 
his  work  is  composed  to  expatiating  on  the  'Christian  conduct  and  beneficent 
policy  of  the  H  udsoii's  Bay  Company. '  Tlic  fact  is,  tliere  was  not  tlie  slight- 
est Clhristian  conduct  or  beneficent  policy  about  their  business.  Their  occu- 
pation was  neither  proselytism  nor  benevolence,  but  the  fur-trade.  As  a 
matter  of  course,  there  were  religious  and  humane  men  among  them— humane 
I  think  they  almost  all  were,  and  remarkably  so;  but  in  orthodox  Christianity 
tliey  numbered  many  sceptics.  Their  lives  were  sucli  as  to  engender  thought, 
and  thought  is  unfavorable  to  faith.  Away  from  the  influences  of  form  and 
example,  spending  much  of  their  time  alone  with  nature,  constant  witnesses 
of  the  diversity  of  beliefs  in  the  surrounding  nations,  the  servants  of  tlie  com- 
pany were  apt  to  fall  into  an  independent  train  of  reasoning  which  led  them 
far  away  from  the  teachings  of  their  childhood.  So  that  I  say  for  that  time, 
and  as  a  class,  the  olticers  and  servants  of  the  company  were  remarkably  scep- 
tical. In  this  part  of  Mr  Martin's  work  the  company  itself  can  scarcely  take 
pride.  It  is  made  of  prolix  testimonials  from  church  people  who  have  received 
favors  from  the  corporation,  and  which  a  night's  lodging  would  buy.  Now,  no 
one  has  ever  denied,  tliat  I  am  aware,  that  the  officers  of  tlie  Hudson's  Bay 
("ompany  were  composed  of  high-minded,  courteous  gentlemen.  I  should  call 
them  exceedingly  liberal,  both  in  money-matters  and  in  ideas.  Their  respect 
for  the  opinion  of  others,  whatever  might  be  their  own,  and  their  kindness  to 
missionaries  of  wliatever  faitli  or  nationality,  were  proverbial.  Thercfon; 
when  Mr  Martin  cites  instances  of  courtesy  extended  to  bishops  and  others  as 
examples  of  piety,  he  renders  himself  ridiculous.  One  of  his  first  assertions 
here  is  that  the  company  'have  well  fulfilled  the  objects  for  which  their 
charter  was  granted  in  1G70,'  which,  if  I  read  the  record  correctly,  is  simply 
not  true.  Exploration  was  made  only  as  they  were  driven  to  it,  and  then 
more  to  conceal  knowle<lge  tlian  to  reveal  it;  settlement  was  absurd  on  the 
face  of  it;  and  altliough  profoundly  iudid'erent  as  to  the  belief  the  savages  en- 
tertained regardhig  the  future  state,  and  altliough  missionary  establishments 
interfered  in  some  degree  with  their  traffic,  tliey  were  not  insane  enough, 
while  dependent  upon  public  opinion  for  their  very  existence,  to  bring  down 


FUR-TRADERS  AS  COLONIZERS. 


mi 


A  fur  company  is  a  bad  colonizer.  The  adventurer 
of  England  never  professed  to  be  a  colonizing  com- 
pany. Before  this  they  had  never  specially  opposed 
colonization,  for,  except  in  the  affairs  at  Red  lliver, 
the  question  had  never  arisen,  and  that  settlement 
was  made,  as  before  remarked,  not  so  much  for  the 
sake  of  colonizing  as  for  retaliation.  Tlie  company 
liad  never  refused  an  application  for  land  for  purposes 
of  colonization,  because  none  had  ever  been  made. 

Land  held  under  license  to  trade,  tlie  company  did 
not  ]>rctcnd  to  have  the  right  to  sell ;  but  Rupert  Lan<l, 
held  under  cliarter  of  Charles  II.,  they  did  claim  as 
theirs  absolutely,  to  hold  or  to  sell  as  they  should 
elect.  A  portion  of  tlic  territory  west  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  miglit  be  colonized  without  interfering 
with  the  fur-trade;  lands  suitable  for  agriculture  are 
not  fur-bearing. 

In  all  parts  habitable  to  progressive  man,  the  fur- 
trade,  from  its  very  nature,  was  from  the  beginning 
destined  to  diminish.  In  the  United  States  and  in 
the  southern  parts  of  Britisli  America,  it  is  already 
comparatively  extinct.  During  the  present  century 
tlie  trade  in  North  America  has  diminished  three 
fourths.  The  Hudson's  Bay  Company  by  restricting 
tlie  slaughter  have,  for  a  time,  and  in  certain  localities, 
caused  the  game,  instead  of  diminishing,  actually  to 
increase,  but  it  is  only  in  latitudes  too  cold  for  civilized 
man  that  we  may  expect  the  peltry  trade  to  be  perma- 
nent. All  this  the  company  had  long  understood,  and 
therefore  were  well  aware  that  Vancouver  Island  could 
not  lonof  remain  untenanted. 

Again,  though  constitutionally  opposed  to  settle- 
ment, it  was  interference  with  the  fur-trade  that  tlie 
company  feared  more  than  the  mere  segregation  of 


upon  their  heads  the  indignation  o{  the  religious  world  l)y  throwing  obstacles 
iu  the  way  of  heathen  conversion,  or  of  trt^ating  with  coldness  or  indiB'er- 
eiico  the  messengers  of  the  gospel.  They  even  had  their  own  paid  chuulaiiis 
at  many  of  tlieir  posts,  but  this  was  rather  for  form's  sake.  Evidently  Mr 
Martin  in  his  extraordinary  ardor  has  here  given  the  corporation  credit  for  a 
virtue  which  they  themselves  never  claimed. 


•212 


flRANT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


M  f 


:U.I.. 


any  small  part  of  thoir  vast  tlomain  for  purposes 
of  cultivation.  Could  colonial  operations  bo  strictly 
confined  to  the  Island,  the  Mainland  meanwhile  being 
under  the  absolute  dominion  of  the  company,  more 
particularly  if  there  was  money  in  it,  the  adventurers 
of  England  would  scarcely  remain  long  averse  to 
doing  good  in  that  way.  Tliroughout  their  long  and 
eventful  career,  never  had  they  for  a  moment  hesi- 
tated to  serve  their  country  when  the  largest  profit 
was  to  be  realized  in  so  doing." 

In  1847  certain  complaints  were  made  at  the  colo- 
nial office  ill  London  against  tlie  Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany by  Mr  Isbister,  lately  returned  fn^u  a  visit  to 
the  territories  of  the  company.  The  answers  given  by 
the  company  to  these  complaints  not  being  satisfactory, 
the  matter  was  r-efcrred  to  Lord  Elgin,  governor-gen- 
eral of  Canada,  whose  opinion  as  rendered  seemed  not 
adverse  to  the  gfovernment  of  the  fur-traders. 

The  Hudson's  Bay  Company  were  now  emboldened 
to  present  their  request  in  due  form,  and  the  following 
year,  the  draft  of  a  charter  granting  them  the  Island  of 
Vancouver  was  laid  before  parliament.  Mr  Gladstone 
spoke  against  the  measure,  believing  the  corporation 
uiuiualified  for  the  undertaking.  Likewise  the  public 
journals,  as  a  rule,  were  against  investing  the  company 
with  these  privileges,  and  the  chamber  of  commerce 
of  Manchester  sent  up  a  remonstrance  against  the 
proposition. 

Two  principal  objections  were  urged:  first,  that  the 
colonization  of  the  Island  at  the  present  time  was  an 
unwise  movement;  and  secondly,  were  it  not  so,  the 
officers  of  the  fur  comj;any  were  not  the  proper  per 
sons  to  undertake  it.  (Objections  were  made  to  certain 
features  of  the  pro[)osed  grant.     F'.)r  example,  it  was 

*  '  I  eupposo  tlio  Iludaon'a  Bay  Company  discourage  liaviiig  any  snttlonient 
as  far  as  tliey  can,  within  their  torntory?'  asked  the  chairman  ot  the  house 
of  commons  committee  of  Mr  KUico.  'The  Hudson's  Bay,  like  all  otliur 
]ieo])le,  would  like  very  much  to  h:  vc  any  settlement  that  was  protitablc, '  was 
the  reply. 


w:  \ 


COMPLAINTS  OF  SETTLERS. 


218 


the  intention  to  vest  in  the  company  tlie  fisheries  of 
the  Island,  and  it  was  said  to  be  tlio  purpose  of  Earl 
Grey  to  let  the  provisions  of  act  1  and  2,  George 
IV.,  cap  GG,  regulate  the  administration  of  justice. 
By  this  act,  felony  and  civil  cases  involving  over  two 
hundred  pounds  must  be  tried  in  the  courts  of  Canada. 
One  of  the  chief  arguments  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany, in  their  effort  to  make  it  appear  to  the  interest 
of  the  British  Government  to  continue  the  license  of 
exclusive  trade  in  their  hands,  was  that  by  so  doing 
tiie  country  might  be  kept  in  peace.  It  was  not  alone 
to  prevent  competition  with  Canada  that  an  act  of 
parliament  was  about  this  time  pro])oscd,  which  should 
enable  the  crown  to  grant  the  company  a  license  of 
exclusive  trade,  while  the  jMainland  should  be  opened 
to  colonization,  but  also  to  hold  the  country  from  the 
inroads  of  people  from  the  United  States.  Unless  a 
monopoly  was  given  to  a  particular  class  of  British 
subjects,  citizens  of  the  United  States  might  trade 
with  the  Indians  the  same  as  Britisli  subjects.  Ter- 
minate our  monopoly,  they  said,  and  you  open  the 
country  to  the  world. 

In  the  house  of  commons  on  the  I7th  of  July  1848, 
the  earl  of  Lincoln  asked  if  the  government  intended 
to  make  to  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  a  furtlier 
grant,  giving  tliem  powers  over  Vancouv(!r  Island 
similar  to  these  enjoyed  over  their  other  territories. 
The  under-secretary  for  the  colonies  replied  that  such 
a  measure  had  been  talked  of,  but  not  yet  determiniHl, 
It  was  understood  that  tlie  inquiry  had  been  insti- 
tuted through  the  instrumentality  of  the  governor- 
general  of  Canada,  and,  Lord  Linccjln  thought,  merited 
due  deliberation.  J^ord  John  liussell  answered  that 
otlusr  persons  besides  the  Hudson's  ]3ay  (Company 
were  desirous  of  colonizing  Vancouver  Island,  and  he 
did  not  deem  expedient  at  that  time  such  investiga- 
tion as  would  lead  to  long  delay. 

A  month  later  ISIr  Christy  remarked  that  he  be- 
lieved the  complaints  of  those  who  had  hitherto  settled 


Ml 


I 


214 


GRANT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


on  lands  ruled  by  the  fur  monopoly  at  Red  River  and 
elsewhere  to  be  well  founded.  The  system  of  this  cor- 
poration was  utterly  opposed  to  colonization,  and  he 
hoped  this  valuable  island  would  not  be  given  them. 
Mr  Hawcs  replied  that  none  of  the  many  persons 
wlio  had  expressed  a  desire  to  colonize,  had  offered  any 
security  to  settlers,  as  did  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company, 
wliich  already  had  a  flourishiiiii;  post  on  the  Island, 
with  the  exclusive  right  of  trading  with  tlic  natives. 
The  distance  was  groat,  the  climate  and  soil  were  not 
attractive,  and  the  expense  of  colonizing  was  beyond 
the  purse  of  any  private  individual;  the  scheme  would 
likely  prove  disastrous  to  all  engaged  in  it  unless 
backed  by  some  strong  power.  ]\Ioreover,  the  pro- 
posed grant  was  only  a  grant  of  territory,  not  carry- 
ing with  it  any  right  to  rule.  The  government  of  the 
Island  was  a  matter  totally  distinct  from  this  grant  of 
land ;  it  should  be  perfectly  free,  with  a  governor  and 
an  assembly  making  and  executing  their  own  laws,  and 
collecting  and  disbursing  their  revenues,  wholly  inde- 
pendent of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  But  for  all 
this,  the  proposed  grant  should  not  be  made  until  the 
complaints  of  the  Red  River  settlers  had  been  in- 
quired into. 

The  world  had  already  had  experience  in  colonization 
by  companies,  said  Mr  Gladstone.  The  Hudson's  Bay 
Company  was  at  once  a  trading  and  a  land  company, 
exclusive  and  secret  in  the  strictest  sense,  all  their 
affairs  being  conducted  in  a  spirit  of  absolutism  wholly 
inconsistent  with  imperial  concerns,  which  throughout 
the  vast  British  empire  were  everywhere  open  and 
public.  If  he  read  the  thoughts  of  the  company 
rightly,  they  would  say,  "  Colonization  is  undoubtedly 
a  great  evil;  but  if  it  is  to  be,  it  will  be  better  in  our 
hands  than  in  the  hands  of  anybody  else,  for  so  we 
shall  be  able  to  keep  it  down  to  the  minimum."  And  to 
this  same  end  they  had  first  asked  for  all  the  queen's 
dominions  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Although  Mr  Howard  believed  it  most  unwise  to 


PELLY  AND  EAUL  GREY, 


216 


confer  the  extensive  powers  proposed  on  a  fur-trading 
company,  yet  as  California  had  lately  been  ceded  to 
the  United  States,  it  a[)peared  to  him  a  matter  of 
the  highest  importance  that  a  flourishing  British 
colony  should  be  established  on  the  western  Ameri- 
can coast,  in  order  to  balance  the  increased  maritime 
strength  of  tlie  United  States  in  that  quarter.  Lord 
John  Russell  explained  that  the  company  already  held 
exclusive  privileges  which  did  not  ex})ire  until  18f)9, 
that  they  now  held  these  western  lands  by  a  crown 
grant  dated  the  13th  of  May  1838,  confirming  their 
possession  for  twenty-one  years  from  tliat  date,  that 
these  privileges  could  not  be  taken  from  them  witli- 
out  breach  of  principle,  and  that  if  colonization  were 
delayed  until  the  expiration  of  this  term,  American 
sfjuatters  might  step  in  and  possess  tiiemselves  of  the 
island,  but  Goldburn  did  not  think  the  last-mentioned 
event  possible. 

Earl  (JJrey  saw  two  reasons  for  making  this  arrange- 
ment with  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company:  no  other 
j)erHons  were  ready  with  the  necessary  cajjital  for  the 
undertaking,  and  the  fur  conijiaiiy  already  possessed 
the  exclusive  right  of  trade  for  a  further  period  of 
tleven  years.  The  company  were  willing  to  vest  the 
appointment  of  governor  in  the  crown." 

When  Sir  John  Pelly  again  brought  the  subject  of 
the  grant  to  the  attention  of  Earl  Grey,  proceeding 
on  the  principle  that  he  or  his  associates  would  not 
derive  any  pecuniary  benefit  therefrom,  but  would 
a[)])ly  all  funds  accruing  from  the  sale  of  lands  or  min- 
erals toward  the  colonization  and  im[)rovement  of  the 
Island,  his  astute  lordship  suggested  that  it  might  be 
well  to  insert  those  terms  in  the  grant,  as  they  had 
been  wholly  omitted  in  the  original  draft.  The  earl 
himself,  in  a  letter  to  Mr  Hawes  dated  the  4th  of 
September  1848,  would  not  hesitate  to  take  the  com- 


*Tlie  discuasion  of  this  subject  In  parliament  was  very  cxtendeil,  and  in 
.ably  reported  in  Jfansard'a  Pariiamenii'ry  Debates,  ser.  3,  c.  510-12;  ci.  203- 
305,  315,  and  4G5-9 


I' 


HidI  PWHI 

HKiy  'i 

■1 

ire 


GRANT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


pany's  word  for  it,  but  "in  order  not  to  leave  any 
grounds  for  thc^  jealousy  of  their  intentions,  which  it 
appears  from  recent  parliamentary  discussions  is  en- 
tertained in  other  quarters,  he  thought  it  as  well  to 
introduce  all  these  now  well  understood  conditions 
formally  into  the  grant  "^  The  Hudson's  liay  Com- 
pany could  do  no  less  tlian  to  admit  these  stipulations 
mto  the  grant,  since  they  had  originally  proposed  tlieni 
in  the  former  petition  which  the  government  had 
denied.  Hence  on  the  Uth  of  September  Sir  John 
Pelly  wrote  Earl  Grey  according  to  liis  suggestion. 

On  the  30th  of  October  1848,  the  privy  council 
conunittee  for  trade  and  plantations,  to  whom  the  mat- 
ter had  been  referred  the  4th  of  Se[)ti.'nd)er,  reported 
to  the  court  at  Windsor  on  the  grant  of  Vancouver 
Island,  that  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee  certain 
amendments  and  further  conchtions  sliould  be  inserted 
into  the  original  draft;  as,  I'or  exann)lc,  the  com})any 
should  not  have  the  lish  about  the  Island,  and  should 
not  retain  more  than  ten  [)er  cent,  and  so  on,  which 
report  was  duly  a})proved  by  luirMojesty.  Alth  ugh 
there  was  nothing  embo(Hed  in  the  charter  to  cliangc 
the  administration  of  justice,  yot  in  tlie  proposed 
scheme  of  government  now  made  public,  a  guaranty 
was  given  that  application  should  he  made  to  parlia- 
ment to  vest  in  local  tribunals  the  power  of  adminis- 
tering English  law,  tlius  removing  from  this  colony 
the  restrictions  of  the  act  named. 

*In  regard  to  tlie  reinuncration  of  tln^  company  for  tlioir  services — frr 
although  they  liatl  expressed  the  intention  of  rei:eiving  no  pay,  it  was  well 
understood  that  in  some  shape  they  woidd  certainly  reeeivo  pay — Karl  (Jny 
named  ten  pi  r  cent  of  the  gross  receipts  from  lands  and  minerals  as  a  fair 
conipensati(jn.  The  remainder  he  suggesteil  'should  l)c  expendeil  cither  in 
sending  out  emigrants,  or  in  providing  for  the  cost  of  roails,  and  hiiildinus 
and  other  necessary  charges  for  the  settlement  of  the  Island.  As  the  mIioIc 
of  these  charges,  and  eveiy  other  expense  connected  with  the  occupation  of 
the  Island  is  to  lie  provided  for  by  the  comjiany,  according  to  the  original 
understanding  that  no  pecuniary  demand  of  any  kind  wiis  to  he  made  upon 
her  Majesty's  government,  it  is  ohvioiis  that  the  company  coidd  not  expect 
under  any  circumstances  to  realize  as  profit  a  larger  proportion  of  the  i)ni 
ceeds  of  the  laud  sales  than  I  have  mentioned,  and  that  therefore  the  intro- 
duction of  an  express  stipulation  to  the  above  effect  into  the  grant  would  he 
attended  with  no  real  sacrifice  of  their  interest.'  Letter  from  li.  Ilawen  to  Sir 
John  Pelhj,  4th  Sept.  1S48,  in  lloiine  Cuminoita  Jtetunm  to  Three  Adtlresscit,  17. 


ISLAND  AND  MAINLAND. 


217 


There  was  no  provisicjii  in  the  original  draft  that 
any  iH)rtion  of  the  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  lands,  or 
of  the  royalty  reoeived  from  settlers  for  working 
mines,  should  be  expended  for  the  beiu  fit  of  tlie 
settlers,  Honce  it  threw  upon  the  project  quite  a  dif 
f(;rent  aspect  when  in  addition  to  the  restriction  con- 
cerning fisheries  the  grantees  wore  required  t<J  V  xpend 
nine  tenths  of  all  money  so  received  in  public  im- 
provements, reserving  for  themselves  oidy  one  tenth 
for  tlieir  trouble. 

It  was  not  at  this  time  deemed  advisable  by  tht* 
govermnent  to  include  the  Mainland  in  this  coloniza- 
tion scluMue.  There  was  work  enough  to  do  for  tlu- 
present  upon  the  Island,  and  until  a  secure  footing 
should  be  established  here,  it  was  folly  attempting 
more  difficult  tasks.  Upon  the  Island  tin;  natives 
could  be  easily  controlled;  upon  the  adjacent  coasts 
colonists  would  be  at  their  mercy.  When  all  goes 
well  with  tlie  savage,  he  is  indeju'iident  and  arrogant. 
With  a  plentiful  supply  of  fish  for  food,  with  fire-arms 
and  occasi<  'i.il  copious  supplies  of  spirituous  liquoi's,  the 
natives  .f  II  o  Mainland  would  })rove  very  difficult  of 
management  by  colonists.  The  fur-hunters  if  left  to 
themselves  could  manage  them.  Tlu-y  alone  under- 
stood tliem  and  were  accustomed  to  their  ways.  It 
Would  be  time  enough  to  take  the  country  out  of  their 
hands  when  it  was  actually  needed  for  settlement. 

We  liave  already  seen  how  in  the  forty-third  year 
of  the  reign  of  George  II  [.  parliament  j)asse(l  an  act 
ext(jnding  the  jurisdiction  of  the  provincial  courts  of 
Canada  over  the  British  American  territory  adjoin- 
ing, so  that  crimes  committed  in  the  Indian  ti'rvi- 
tories  should  be  deemed  offences  of  the  same  nature, 
to  be  tried  in  like  manner,  and  subject  to  the  same 
penalties,  as  if  committed  within  the  provinces  of 
ITppcr  or  Lower  Canada.  We  have  seen  how  upon 
thu  amalgamation  of  the  Northwest  and  Hudson's  Bay 
companies  in  1821,  m  order  to  secure  to  the  utmost 


*-iJ 


i 


218 


GRANT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


such  favors  as  the  united  interests  of  two  such  power- 
ful associations  could  conuiiand,  in  order  to  obtain 
ofttcial  i(>cojj;iiition,  a  renewal  of  rights,  more  clearly 
defined  territorial  houndaries,  and  power  more  abso- 
lute and  determined,  jiretence  was  made  that  tlie 
terms  of  tlu;  former  act  were  ambiguous;  in  fact, 
that  deubts  were  enti'rtained  whether  the  provisions 
of  the  act  of  the  forty-third  of  George  III.  extended 
over  all  the  territory  granted  by  the  charter,  and  it 
was  expedient  tl>-it  such  doubts  should  be  removed. 

W'liei'e  tlie  power  was  not  wanting,  it  Mas  easy 
enough  to  make  out  a  jilausible  case,  and  to  have  a 
new  act  })assed.  The  act  of  1H21  was  entitled  "An 
act  for  regulating  the  fur-tro.de,  and  for  establishing 
a  criininal  and  civil  juiisdiction  within  ceitain  parts 
of  North  America."  Jiy  tliis  act  it  was  made  lawful 
ibr  the  crown  to  make*  grants  or  givi'  royal  license  to 
any  pers(»n  or  c()nij)any  for  exclusive  traflic  with  the 
natives  in  any  pai't  of  North  America  specified,  other 
than  in  d<»m;iin  before  granted,  or  not  a  })art  of  Brit- 
ish North  American  ])ossessions.  At  the  same  time, 
the  provisions  of  the  act  of  the  forty-third  of  George 
111.  were  declaied  extended  over  all  the  territories 
before  granted  to  the  governor  and  com[)any  of  ad- 
venturers trading  into  Hudson's  B;iy. 

We  have  see!i  how  on  the  loth  day  of  May  18;>H, 
t\w  time  tlu'ii  drawing  nigh  when  the  liciiise  of  1H21 
should  terminate,  ai)]»lication  was  made  lor  a  renewal 
of  that  license  on  the  ground  that  large  sums  of 
money  were  being  expentled  in  the  trade  which,  if  it 
was  to  l»e  abandon(>d  so  shortly,  the  c()m|)any  were  not 
justified  in  <'ontinuing;  and  that  the  license  was  re- 
newed, as  asked  for,  another  term  of  twenty-one  year-, 
making  it  ex|)irc  in  1851).  We  have  seen  how  on 
the  15th  of  June  184<l  the  41)th  parallel  was  made 
the  dividing  line  between  the  United  States  and  the 
liritish  American  possessions,  thus  causing  the  com- 
pany to  move  their  operations  back  to  the  north  of 
that  lino. 


TERMS  OF  GRANT. 


219 


Finally,  with  all  this  as  a  preamble,  and  in  view  of 
the  fiict  that  the  letters-patent  of  Charles  II.  as  ap- 
plied to  Rupert  Land  had  been  extended  over  the 
western  territories,  so  far  as  exclusive  trade  was  con- 
oorned,  and  the  adventurers  of  England  had  built 
i'oits  at  various  points  within  that  territory,  and  on 
the  Pacific  slope,  and  on  Vancouver  Island;  and  be- 
rauso  it  would  conduce  to  the  maintenance  of  justice 
ami  good  order,  and  the  encouragement  of  trade  and 
tlu!  ])rotection  of  the  natives,"  it  vras  determined  to 
vest  in  the  company  the  property  ii,  the  land  of  Yan- 
eouvor  Island  for  purposes  of  colonization,  and  on  the 
llJlh  of  Januar}'  1849  the  grant  was  consuuimatcd. 

liy  the  terms  of  this  instrument  the  governor 
and  company  of  adventurers  of  England  trading  into 
lludsf)n's  Bay,  and  their  successors,  were  given  th' 
Island,  with  the  royalties  of  its  seas,  and  all  mines  b'> 
1miimIiio-  to  it.  They  were  made  Inrds  and  jjrop.ri'.'trr.s 
nf  tli(j  land  forever,  tubject  only  to  the  domin  .lion 
of  ilie  ].)ritish  crown,  and  to  a  yearly  rent  of  seven 
shillings,  payable  on  the  first  day  of  every  year. 
VI ley  were  to  settle  upon  the  Island  within  live  years 
a  colony  of  British  subjects,  for  to  this  end  alone  was 
the  gilt  made;  and  to  dispose  of  land  for  purposes  of 
colonization  at  reasonable  prices,  retaining  of  all  the 
inonej-s  recei^'ed  from  such  source  as  well  as  from  coal 
or  other  minerals,  ten  per  cent,  and  applying  toward 
[luhlic  improvement  upon  the  Island  the  remaining 
nine  tenths.  Such  lands  as  might  be  necessary  for 
a  naval  station,  and  for  otlier  government  estal'lish- 
nients,  were  to  be  reserved;  and  the  con<j)any  should 
every  two  years  report  to  the  govermnent  the  number 


•'It  Moulil  have  been  hotter  for  the  in.njcsty  of  I'In'Tlnnd  to  li.ivi'  said  iioth- 
ill"  ;iliiiut  the  |)i'()tcction  (if  tlie  natives  in  tiiis  toniu'i'tion.  It  slmulil  [uiva 
I'll  II  liy  this  time  will  iinderstiKxl,  tlie  si;,'nilic!iiico  of  tiie  term  jiiotertion,  as 
iil'l'liril  liy  livilization  to  Havagism.  Spain  had  f;ivi'ii  full  example.  'J'heonly 
!-'ilit,iiy  instance  in  all  the  two  Americas,  where  the  natives  li:\d  Keen  uni- 
I'lrriily  and  p<  rnianently  troatt'd  with  kindness,  was  hy  the  lliidsnn's  l!ay 
''uiiipany  themselves,  and  no  further  eonnnent  on  the  eomparativo  lieiuHits 
whiih  were  to  How  in  n|H)n  them  hy  reason  of  colonization  is  necessary  thuii 
to  refer  tlio  rcmlor  to  the  inigcs  which  follow  upon  the  subject. 


i" 


220 


(;IIANT  01'  VAXCOUVllK  IfSLAND. 


of  coldiiists  settled  in  the  Island,  and  the  land«  sold. 
If  at  the  expiration  of  five  years  no  settlement  should 
have  been  made,  the  s^^rant  should  bo  forfeited;  and  if 
at  the  expiration  of  the  company's  license  of  exclusive 
trade  with  the  Indiana  in  IH51)  the  i^overnment 
should  so  elect,  it  mij^ht  recover  from  the  company 
the  Island,  on  payment  of  such  sums  of  money  as 
had  been  actually  expended  by  them  in  colonization. 
That  is  to  say,  the  crown  reserved  tlu;  riijht  to  recall 
the  grant  at  the  end  of  five  years  should  the  coiii- 
[lany,  eithei-  from  lack  of  ability  (»r  will,  fail  to  coiu- 
nize,  and  to  buy  it  back  at  the  end  often  \'e;irs  by  th*^ 
payment  of  whatever  sum  the  company  should  have 
in  the  nu-an  time  ex])end(.d.  Kxcept  <lurint»'  hostili- 
ties between  (Jreat  Jiritain  and  any  ftreign  power, 
the  conij)any  should  ({(^fray  all  exjUMises  of  all  civil 
and  military  establishnuMits  for  tlu;  government  and 
protection  of  tlu;  Island.'" 

X*)  small  difh-rencc^  of  opinion  arose  as  to  the  wis- 
dom oPth(!  grant,  and  the  act  was  consummated  in  tlu- 
t'acf  of  strong  ojiposition.  The  friends  and  tin;  ein' 
Miics  of  the  measure  arrayed  themselves  on  either  side , 
and  a  war  of  words  follow(;d.  As  a  matter  of  course, 
there  was  much  exaggi'ration,  and  many  missta<( - 
UHMits,  wilful  or  otherwis(>,  wen;  madi;  on  both  sides. 
Ihit  out  of  thef///*r/.s'  brt)Ught  down  by  the  cond)ataids 


"Ainnn^;  ollu  i  ]ilafes,  a  cpiiy  i>f  tliiMnnint.  may  In-  louml  in //oh.vc  h/ C'rn- 
wnii.'i  liitiiniii  /()  'I  hrif  AililfiyKi  <,  i;{"l(i.  'llio  (iri^^iiial  ilral't  in  in  Miirlint 
//ii)/si,ii'.i  Jiini,  l(iS.  IJivsiilcs  :i  iii|iy  of  llw;  royal  grant  ot  N'aiicouvcr  l-Liinl, 
llu^  lliiKsi  III  ( 'iiiiumii,.i  /'ihiriii/n  '/'/irri-  .\i/i/rix.^iH,  ilatid  n'.'<]itH;tivi'ly  llu!  Illth 
of  AiigiiNt  IS4S  ami  till'  (illi  ol  I'fliiii.iry  inil  Uii^'  l-^t  <it  Mar*  li  IS-l'.t,  conuiiin 
(opici  ;)i  ailiiiiralty  Ictti  rx  aiwl  <ic.-<|)ati:liis;  oui;  from  Sir  (>i(ii:,'c  Sfyiii'iur;  niic 
troiii  f.iptaiii  ,1.  .V  iMmt/i!  ol  (Ik;  .sliip  i'liijunl,  ti;  Coii.iiiaiiili'r  (ioriloli  ot'  tlii' 
'loo[t  r.);-(/i()/v(i,/,  dated  7tli  of  OclolnT  isiti;  KatiT  from  I'ctcr  Sk'cii  e;,'ili'ii 
•mil  .)aiiii;s  l>oii;j[las  to  ('a|il.iiii  l>iir'^/.i'-,  ri|iort  of  liculoiiaiitH  ^\'arn•  ami 
\'avaM)iii,  Manli  iSJli,  n!s|K'itiii.i^  h.iiI,  ilimatf,  miiU'raU,  ami  liarliors,  ail- 
ilri'.-i.sfil  to  llio  -orritary  ot  statu  tor  tin-  coloiurs;  ri.'|iort  liy  X'.ivasoiir, 
Marcli  INKt,  aiMi'.'^si'cl  to  (41I0110I  llolloway,  Caiiaili;  iii>.tnt(  lions  of  tliu 
ailinirai'y  r»'.s|ic(|iii(,'  tin;  coal  of  Vancouver  ]-.lari(l;  corrisiioiHlciico  lirtwii'U 
llu;  '.'oloiiial  otlico  ami  tin;  admii-altv;  leUi'r.<  from  15,  llawis  to  Mr  .loiiu 
IVily:  from  Sii  .lohu  I'dly  to  Kiil  (Ir.'j,  the  Kth  ami  l.'itli  Si-pt.  ISJS;  trom 
UawtM  to  r.Hv  the  'JTlii  of  S,  |.t,  ami  tlu;  2ritl'  of  Oct.  1S4S;  ami  from  A.  lUr- 
clay  to  \\  llawi's  ;{il  Nov  ISJS.  AIho  rcjiort  from  pfivy  oouiicil  tommittfu 
for  traile  ami  iilaiiiatioiiH  on  tliu  grant  of  Vanuoiivcr  l.sl:iiid,  daUsd  !ilstO>'t. 
"MS 


MARTIN  ASU  FITZGERALD 


221 


2  lands  sold, 
nieiit  should 
sited ;  and  i  f 

of  (.'xclusivi' 
crovornineiit 
lie  company 
)f  money  as 
colonization. 
!4lit  to  recall 
Id  the  coin- 
fail  to  coio 
ve:irs  l>v  the 
should  have 
rinii^  hostili- 
eijii^n   powei', 

of  all  civil 
rnment  and 

i  To  the  wis- 
inated  in  the 
,nd  the  em' 
1  either  side, 
^r  of  coui'sc, 
ly  misstafe- 

hoth  sides. 

conihatanls 


in  Ildiixi'  nf  ('lim- 
it \a  ill  Miirtin't 
mcoiivcr  l.^liiiiii, 
iciitivcly  tho  Kith 
li  1S41I,  coia.iiui 
,'i'  Scyiii'Uir;  imc 
■r  (l.inloii  (il  tlic 
U  T  Skicii  0;j;(k'n 
ants  W'iirrc  ami 
ml  liailiiirs.  aii- 
t   liy    \',ivas(>nr, 
tiiic  lion.s  (if   tliu 

illllclH'l.'    Ill  tWil'U 

ivis  to  Sir  .liiliii 
i|it.  ISJS;  Irom 
1(1  Irom  A.  liiir- 

Illicit  coiiimittco 
tlaUul  olst  Oct. 


there  is  no  diflieulty  in  irrivinLy  at  the  truth,  which 
wiis  .--iniply  that  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  desired 
to  control  colonization  on  the  ]\icific  coast;  to  press 
or  letard  it  as  they  should  find  it  to  their  interest, 
uiiicli  persons  interested  in  the  settlement  of  the 
countrv  iH'eferred  should  be  dom^  by  those  havm*^  no 
idterioi'  end  to  serve." 

In  the  7Vmcs'  of  the  27th  of  January   1841),  a  fort- 
iiiylit  after  the  ^rant  was  made,  appeared  an  adver- 


ViiKiiic;   tlio  iiifiss  of  "latter  iiulili.Hlied    in   Ixiok.s  and 


1" 


iilicalu,  two 


aiitlinr.s  .stand  ])iv(  iiiiiu'ii,.  ■  cliaiiipuiiis,  oikj  oii  citiicl  Hid(;,  K  .\I(;:iti;(iiiu!ry 
il.irtiii,  riif  //iii/iiiii's  liity  'i'lrrltonr.siiiiil  I'ninouri'r.s  f.-ilnii't,  for  tiio '•■  imiany, 
■mil  .laiiii's  K.  I'itzm'rald,  An  Krainiinttioii  of  Ihi'  C/inrti'i'  ami  /'ninii/iiiifi  of  I  he. 
Ilu'l.t'iti'.i  11(11/  ('i):ii]unij/,  iri/.'i  /'I'/in-iire.  to  thi'  (1,-niit  of  I'ini'-oiinr's  hlmul 
iiiiiii^t  it.  .Sir  Martin  writes  €avow<!dly  to  eiilij,diteii  tlio  world  on  Hir,lsiiii8 
Kiy  ('iiiniiauy  atl'air.s.  He  K'^'cs,  Hr.st,  tins  physioul  fo.itiircs  ./f  the  tcrntory; 
liccdii.l,  tlu!  i'onstitutioii  and  workiiif^s  of  the  coriioratioii;  tliiid,  tlnir  ticat- 
niL'iit   (if   iln!    almrigiiics;  fourth,   tho  conduct   and  jiolicy  of    tliii  '  .iiini.iny ; 


fifth, 


•I" 


ililications  of  tilt;  conipany  for  coloniziiiL;  Van 


•r  I. 


d      'II; 


liivt  ]iart  is  made  up  lar^'idy  of  quotations;  in  fact,  Mr  .Martin  iii.ikcs  the 
kuis.-iors  do  duty  throughout  the  entire  M'ork.  In  limf,  the  cimiitry  is  }4'M)d, 
the  system  perfeet,  the  natives  well  treated,  the  conduct  of  tlie  c'iiii|iaiiy 
hciielie-.'Mt  and  <  'hri.-stian,  ten  thousand  h.ilf  lireeils  testifyiiij;  to  *httir  morality, 
.Tnd  to  pn>V(!  their  (|ualilie.itions  for  colonizing  N'aneouver  l:^land,  lie  ijuotcs 
ten  lia;,'is  from  Wilkes,  with  scarcely  a  hreak — this,  and  to  the  lioinc  nothing 
more.  Wilkes'  testiinony  goes  to  show  that  the  ollicers  of  the  lludscin's  Hay 
Ciinipaiiy  were;  intelligent,  eiiteriirising,  and  liospitaMu  gentlemen,  w  l;ii  li  ,is  I 
tiav(!  Iiifore  remarked  no  one  has  (.•ver  denu-il  With  Martin's  hocl.  licfore 
tiiiii,  which  M  .supposed   to  lie  all   tho  iiifoi illation  and  ai  Liinncnts  all  alih' ad- 


viicate   enjoying    the    ]iatr(Uiage 


.f    t,l 


10   companv  an 


1    lia\'iiig   at   h.'nd   all 


laterial  extant  for  writing  a  good  hook  upon  the  suliject  could  ihimIhc", 
Fitzgerald  writes  ( lladstoiK^  that  there  is  little  in  the  wmk  t>  iepl\  tn,  ainl 
what  tlieic  is,  is  'neitlur  fair  or  triu!.'  lli.s  repl.V  is  arranged  in  tlie  follow- 
ing order:  First,  he  states  .some  n.'eent  occurrences  in  connection  wilh  tho 


suhjcct.     Next  III!  examines  th(!  validity  of  the  maiits  made  to  tl 


lo  ((.nipany 


lit  various  times,  which  he  pronounces  from  the  lirst  invalid.  Then  he  .speaks 
ct  till'  iiiliiieiice  of  the  charter  on  I'.ngland  and  America,  and  on  eoloiiizatini'. 
Until  these  writers  are  extremists  Mr  Fitzger.ald  leans  .is  iniicli  too  t.ir 
toward  one  side  as  Mr  Martin  llol^s  toward  the  othci.     It  i*  lictucen  the  tvo 


I'lat  the  truth  lies.     Tin 


i^'inal  grant  of  (liailcs  II.  was  undoiililcdly  in 


;did;  liiit  (piict  occupation  for  om^  or  two  centuries  was  siiielv  .siitlicienl  to 


give  tiie  iiiisiicssor 


titk 


e  as  claimed,  which  was  owiicishi|i  in  tlies( 


111,  liilt  .ilwaN  s 


siilijcct  to  the  crown  of  Fiiiiland  .Mr  Fitzgenild's  work  is  tai  the  ahh  r  of 
till'  two.  AN'ith  ungloved  hands  he  strips  the  suliject  o!  its  falsities;  c.xiio.dng 
die  siiliterfiiges  of  special  pleaders  with  nicreiless  scveritv  ;  and  W'.'r(^  In^  not; 
a  special  [ilcider  himself,  his  work  would  iviiry  iniicli  widght.  The  ditl'irciicc 
hel'\',;(Mi  these  two  writers  was  this:  While  Fit/jerald  stood  up  to  a  sipi:ire, 
taaioy  light,  .Martin  played  the  juililic  fniil,  not  only  endeavoring  to  iiiaki'  oik; 
tliiii'_'  appcii-  another,  liiit  'isserting  unliliishinuly  that  one  Ihi  ig  was  aiiother 
A  just  caiisi'  mcds  no  such  'itcrary  tiukiiy  as  that  employed  hy  .Mr  Martin 
I  ilo  Hot  say  his  '.Miise  was  not  i>  pist  one  1  do  not  think  the  llii  .  .'ii  s  Bay 
eiiiiipaiiy  werv,  specially  to  Ik!  Iil  lined  lop  .nlitaining  the  grant  or  lot  what 
tdllnwcd  F.iilti'vy  made  .■loiiiu  mistaliesas  well  as  tlii!  coiiipany.  I  only  say 
with  respect  to  .Mr  Slartin  and  his  liook,  that  ri;,dit  or  wrong  liu  injured  lint 
'.■iiii.io  liy  resorting  to  bold  deuuit. 


U\  I 


222 


CRANT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


tiscment  stating  the  reason  why  this  act  should  not 
have  been  consuniniated,  or  at  all  events,  not  until 
the  charges  then  stantlinf^  ajj;ainst  the  company  hail 
been  tliorouirhly  investigated  and  the  matter  decided 
whether  f.dditional  power  would  be  safe  in  their 
hand 


s. 


12 


"  Mr  Finlayson  says,  V.  Land  Xorf/mr^f  ('uttui,  M.S.,  26,  tliat  it  was  only  aftci 
Uritisli  iiieii-<)t'-w;irlia<l  visiti'il  K.s(|uiiiuilt  liar'M)riliiriiH:j  the  Oregon  (lin[mtt:.siii' 
liSKJ,  tliat  the  gDViTiiinoiit  lid'aine  alivo  to  tlio  iiiiportiiiife  of  tlie  I.slaml,  'iiml 
in  ortlur  to  eiialile  tliciii  to  estaMisIi  courts  of  jii»tici',  oU'ori'il  tin;  Lslainl  of  V  in- 
t'ouvor  to  the  Huil.soii's  Hay  CVmipany,  in  foe-tiiii|>lo,  on  fomlitioii  of  cohmi/iiii^ 
it  at  (irst  for  ten  years  from  1849,  reserving  to  themselves  tiie  riijlit  of  aiJiioint- 
iiig  tlie  governor.'  Si'C  also  liritixh  Xurth  Ainerim,  'J'.'.S,  wliero  the  grant 
is  ealk'il  a  lease;  Mtifl'n!«  llmhinni*  Boil,  jiassiiti;  W'lK/iliini/nn't  Frasir  JlhuK, 
30;  (I'nnit's  /)(■,«•/•'";>.  V.  I.,  in  Lonilim  diiyj.  Snr.,  Jour.,  x.w  ii.  27-  .'<;  //o/.c 
Cotiiiiioii.1  L'tjil.  J,''i'\  i>ar.  l)48-.51;  Soiijmhi^  l'2s:i A,  ]li:!."i  41.  l(;C)(i-74,  IS-IT-S; 
Mayi"n-il,  41.J4;;  liliin.luird,  5102,  f)14y-.")."i;  EliUr,  r)S:U-(!7,  rjlK)(>-:5;i;  <*//////■ 
]na  Clii'i  Cours,,  M.S.,  1-IS);  Lawirnn'x  I'i'jif.,  1;  Cooyers  Maritime  JiliUltrn. 
MS.,  :i,  4;  Tod's  Jlitt.  New  Cakdonia,  MS.,  21-2 


'   1|    ! 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

THE  COLONY  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND  UNDER  HUDSON'S  BAY 

COMrANY  REGIME. 

184!)-1859. 


TnosrEiTrs  and  Advkutiskmknt  idi:  Colonists— Qualifications  of  the 
Company  for  Colonizing  —  Ohjkitions  Raiskp  —  Tiif.v  were  Fi;r- 
ti:aiii:i;'<-  Amj  YET  TiiKV  had  Ships  and  Money — The  I'i-cet  Socnd 

I'OMIANY  WOILD   HAVE  A  SlIAKE — No  EasY    MaTTEII  TO   I'l.EASE   AlL — 

Land,  One  Pound  am  Acue — The  Scheme  a  Fokeokdained  Faih  he 
— I'liii  E  OF  Land  Too  Ihcn-  The  (ioi.D  i-iei.ds  ok  Cai.h'oisnia  One 
Cause  OK  THE  Faih  i;e— Vancouvek  Island  in  rAiii.iAMENi-  TheEaih, 
OF  Lincoln,  Lokd  Eloin,  and  Mu  (Jladstone  on  tuk  Situation— New 
Attitude  of  the  Hudson's  Ray  (  'omi'any  in  Relation  iothe  Natives. 

Upon  the  sii,'nin«^  of  their  j^raiit,  tlie  company  pul*- 
li.^hed  a  pro.sJ)cctu^■.,  aiid  advertised  for  colonists.*  In 
the  prospectus  tlio  })rico  of  land  to  settlers  was  fixed 
at  one  pound  an  acre,  and  for  every  luuulred  acres 
bouncht  at  this  rate  the  [)urchaser  \vas  obliged  to  con- 
vey at  his  own  expense  three  families  or  six  single 
men." 

The  qualifications  for  the  colonization  of  Vancouver 
Island  posse,  .sed  hy  the  adventurers  of  England  over  all 
other  pir.sons  or  powers — if  indeed  they  possessed  any 
sueh  advantiigis  as  before  intimated — may  be  bric;Hy 
suninu;d  up  as  follows :  First,  capital.  AToney  was  rc- 
(juired  from  some  source  to  convey  colonists  thither, 

'This  tlieir  enemies  said  was  doiio  more  for  display  than  with  honi'st  iii- 
toiit.  In  any  event,  it  woiilil  ho  a  lonvi'iiiiMit  arj;iini(.iit  to  liavo  at  hand  fur 
tliL  ]iiii()ose  of  provHig  nt,  any  time  that  tiio  fiiihiro  of  the  Hclu'inc  was  thnuifih 
no  fiiiilt  of  tlieirs. 

- '  It  is  needless  to ofTirconHnent  on  tlieso  itn]i(i1itiuand  auiciilal  n'giilations, 
wiiinat  tiioHaniu  tiniehoth  in  Oregon  ami  (  ahiornia,  Mhi-regoM  was  itliuiidant, 
l.uid  was  {luri'hascd  at  six  shillings  per  acre.  The  fai't  was,  tlm  Hudson's  Riy 
Ciimiiiiiiy  wanted  to  keep  ha<'k  emigration  for  tlie  sa'ie  of  the  furs  and  other 
pi'tty  traflic  with  the  natives;  and  so  far  as  aiiti-eiv!li/ers  they  Huei'eedeil.' 
CiinimitlM  Xeir  FA  Ihriulo,  35.  S»!o  also  Fiiiltii/snii's  Hint.  V,  I.,  MS.,  'JO; 
Ciioju-r,  Mar.  Maltern,  MS.,  3-4,  ealls  the  prospectus  a  nuTo  sliani. 

( •.'•ja ) 


224 


UNDKll  HUDSON'S  BAY  fOMl'^VNV'S  KlXilMK. 


Ir' 


to  protect  tlicin  from  the  savai^cs,  and  to  provide 
slu'lttr  and  the  moans  of  subsistence  until  they  should 
be  able  to  provide  for  themselves.  This  capital  the 
corporation  liad  at  its  command,  and  were  willing  to 
employ  it  for  that  purpose.  It  is  true,  the  crown  could 
have  supplied  tlie  means;  but  if  with  relief  from  the 
res[)onsibilit3'^  and  care  of  the  settlement,  the  expendi- 
ture of  ])ul)lic  money  might  l>e  avoided  while  the  oh- 
ject  was  attained,  it  was  surely  an  argument  in  favor 
of  the  persons  willing  to  undertake  the  scheme  on 
these  terms.  Second,  organization.  The  Hudson's 
Bay  ( 'om})any  W(>re  there  upon  the  ground  with  ono 
of  the  most  complete  connniTcial  systems  in  the  world. 
Third,  experience.  For  more  than  a  century  and  a 
half  they  had  occupied  tliese  northern  realms.  Tliey 
were  familiar  with  the  country  adjacent  and  its 
ca|)abi]ities;  with  tin*  natives,  ami  how  to  control 
them.^ 

On  till!  other  hand,  it  was  claimed  that  the  company 
liad  been  recreant  in  former  trusts,  that  they  had  maii- 
age<l  their  affairs  so  as  to  return  to  them  the  greatest 
profit  without  regard  to  tlieir  ].!()niises,  and  that  tho 
additional  power  now  given  them  was  of  a  nature  to 
tenii)t  tlu'ir  cupidity  beyond  the  stittch  of  average 
commercial  integrity. 

Already  was  tlieir  grasping,  overreaching  disposi- 
tion manifest  in  jnitting  forward  a  draft  Avitii  scarcely 
a  binding  jMovision  in  it,  except  that  which  niadi;  tho 
land  their  own.  They  were  fur-traders,  and  fur-trad- 
ing was  directly  oi)posed  to  coloni/ation.  Tliey  were 
monojxilists,  and  monopoly  is  but  a  species  of  tyr- 
anny.     It  is   to  that   very  end  that   monopolies  are 


'Mr  Martin's  lino  of  arguniPiit  in  attoniptinjr  to  prove  tlio  superior  fltiic-^n 
of  tlio  H\iiU<iir.s  ]liiy  (."(Hiipiiiiy  ti.r  tiii.s  tni.st  in  uiii(pic.  In  the  tirst  placi'.  In' 
((iiott's  tlio  iiioncy  tlicy  liiul  inaile,  twenty  millions  sterling,  in  somewhat  li-< 
than  two  centuries,  which  poeket-stulling  lie  ealls  cnrieliiiig  Knglaiul.  Tin  n 
lie  (juotes  tho  Keil  Uiver  colony,  which  was  not  eonduetetl  hy  the  eoiii]i,iiiy, 
and  which  was  a  failure,  iiml  tlie  I'uget  Sound  Company,  which  was  nut  tin- 
Hudson's  H:iy  Company,  and  also  a  failure.  Next  ho  (|uotes  what  \N"illi''.i 
says  of  tliu  forts  and  fort  life,  missionaries,  McLoughlin  and  Diniglas,  tlu'  f.in" 
at  Fort  Vaneouver,  California  hor.ses,  the  Cowlitz  farm,  all  interesting  in  tluir 
wny,  Imt  having  little,  so  far  ai  I  can  see,  to  do  with  tho  suhjeet. 


ADVANTAGES  AND  DISADVANTAGES. 


)  provide 
icy  should 
ipital  the 
willing  to 
own  could 
•  from  the 
c  cxpeiuli- 
ile  tlie  ob- 
it in  favor 
schome  on 

Hudson's 
J  with  one 
t  the  world, 
tury  and  u 
ms.  Tlu-y 
it    and    itji 

to    control 

ho  company 
•y  had  nian- 
IlIio  ijjreatcsl 
nd  that  tlu^ 
I  nature  to 
)f  avoran'u 

iuiT  disposi- 
th  scan-ely 
I  made  tlie 
(1  i"ur-trad- 
They  were 
ies  of  tyr- 
lopolies  are 

o  HUiieriiir  (Uiu'-^h 
he  tirst  l'l:i»'>'.  1'" 
I)  soiiii'wiuit  l"--* 
Kiiglrtixl.  Tliiii 
l)y  tlic  coini'iiiiy. 
hich  was  not  ih^- 
,t.'sw\iat\V>ll<''^ 
Donglas,  tlu'  {•"■m 
toresting  i»  "»'"" 

lljt-'Ot. 


m 


made,  that  a  few  may  reap  advantage  to  the  exclusion 
of  the  jnany. 

Further  than  this,  by  the  terms  of  the  grant  as  it 
now  stood,  a  premium  was  offered  to  mismanagement 
and  rascality.  There  was  probably  never  made  so 
irrational  an  agreement  by  an  English  minister  pn>- 
tlissing  to  have  his  wits  about  him.*  It  was  well 
niuK-rstood  at  that  time  that  the  com}>any  were  ojt- 
posed  on  general  principles  to  have  their  business 
broken  in  upon  by  settlers.  Tlio  grant  would  enable 
them  to  suppress  settlement  ad  lihiftnii.  Again,  the 
government  might  buy  the  Island  liaek  in  five  or  ten 
years,  by  refunding  to  the  company  what  had  ])een 
expended. 

Xow  the  company  had  at  command  shi})s,  forts, 
servants,  and  all  the  appliances  of  <'olonization.  Any 
business  man  will  readily  uncK-rstand  that  the  company 
fould  make  a  feint  of  coloni/ation,  or  begin  settlement 
in  ai>})arent  good  faith,  to  the  best  of  their  ability,  and 
in  so  doing,  in  transmitting  passengers,  and  in  j>ro- 
viding  for  the  wants  of  the  colony,  could  easily  charn'e 
to  acct)unt  a  hundred  thousand  pounds  for  that  which 
did  not  cost  them  twenty  thousaiwl  ]>ounds,  and 
which,  indeed,  NNould  have  cost  the  governmiMit  under 
its  own  management  all  that  the  company  might  so 
charge.  With  shijts  of  their  own  in  regular  com- 
munication with  England,  and  an  abundance  of  land 
at  their  c«)ntrol,  the  additional  ex])enses  of  coloniza- 
tion would  1)0  insignificant,  and  scarcely  felt  by  them. 
This  was  the  advantage  the  c.  mpany  had  by  being 
on  the  ground  with  an  ohl  I'stablished  l»usine.ss  and 
cx[)crienced  servants.  It  is  a  well-known  fact  that 
private  individuals  or  corporations  will  do  almost 
anvthint'-  more  economicallv  than  i»ublic  officials.  It 
IS  now  a  pretty  generally  settled  }>rinciple  that  the 

'Of  Earl  Grey 'h  iniNnianagi'iiiciit  Mr  Fit/geraM  and  dtlirr.s  Hjioak  in  tin 
Ntrmigi'st  turniM.  'The  minister  lias  imMii'ly  iluelaroil  liy  this  edmliict  that 
III'  IS  iKmscssed  of  no  tlistiiiet  guiding  iirinci]iles  in  respect  to  coloni/.atinn. 
I.t't  the  i>ul>lie  judge  whether  sueh  a  minister  is  tit  to  preside  over  the  vast 
ntloiiiiil  interests  of  this  enii)ire.'  FUziji'iuiliI'!)  V.  /.,  'JOO-7 
Hist  UltlT  Coi..    l"i 


220 


UNDER  HUDSON'S  BAY  COMPANY'S  REGIME. 


ii! 


m 


III. 


public  is  a  thing  to  be  fleeced,  and  that  no  stain  of 
dishonor  attaches  to  a  wasteful  expenditure  of  the 
people's  money;  so  that  the  company  had  but  to 
make  a  pretence  of  colonization,  write  down  large 
sums  against  the  colonization  account,  and  impose 
upon  the  colonists  until  their  situation  should  be  un- 
endurable, and  so  force  the  government  to  take  the 
Island  oft'  tlieir  hands,  and  pay  the  money  charged  in 
the  account;  most  of  which  would  be  profit;  the  re- 
mainder having  been  faithfully  employed  to  the  best 
ability  of  the  monopolists  in  retarding  settlement. 
Here  wns  apparent  the  far-sighted  wisdom  of  Earl 
Grey.'^ 

There  was  yet  another  reason  wliy  the  colonization 
of  Vancouver  Island  might  pcrhai)s  bo  better  per- 
formed by  other  hands.  The  Puget  Sound  Agricul- 
tural Company,  though  not  identical  with  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company,  was  closely  allied  to  it.  The  former 
was  simply  a  distinct  association  of  some  of  the  nitiii- 
bers  of  the  latter.  The  ofticers  ^>r  the  fur  company 
were  the  persons  j)rincipally  interested  in  the  agricul- 
tural company;  the  Puget  Sound  Company  being 
rather  a  farm  than  a  colony.  There  remained  only 
the  lied  River  settlement  as  a  sample  of  fur-company 
colonization,  and  this  was  a  failure.  Serious  charges 
were  preferred  by  the  settlers  at  Red  River  against 
the  governor  and  rule  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company, 
and  the  imperial  government  was  begged  to  interfere. 
The  ]Iudson's  Bay  Company  I'rankly  admitted  that" 
the  Red  River  colony  was  a  failure,  but  claimed  that 
it  was  none  of  their  doings,  but  the  private  scheme  ol' 
Lord  Selkirk,  and  never  should  have  been  undertaken. 
The  colonists  there   were  sujj'onntlrd  liv  a  wilderness, 


•'''Then;  is  sti-onj,'  ie;i.';on  to  Huspcct,'  says  Fitzgerald,  'that  the  company 
iicvor  dill  iiituiid  to  coloni/o  any  ]iart  of  their  territories.  They  never  ino- 
posed  to  do  so  until  it  Mas  inevitable  that  it  must  lie  done  by  s-omo  one;  and 
tlieir  whole  conduct  Ku;.'i,'ests  the  itiea  of  a  deisiro  to  j^et  jiossessioii  <>f  the 
countiy  only  for  the  purpose  of  keepin;,'  otheis  out.  1  )riveu  out  of  this  de.sipi 
by  public  opinion,  they  havi;  iindi  rtaken  to  colonize  or  to  give  back  the 
island  to  the  crown,  to  be  <li.spo.sed  of  to  those  who  will  do  so.'  This  was 
Avritten  ininndiatcly  after  the  grant  was  made. 


A  TRYING  POSITION. 


>  stain  of 
B  of  the 
1  but  to 
ft'ii  large 
1   impose 
Id  be  uii- 
takc  the 
luirgcd  in 
t;  the  rc- 
3  the  best 
ittlcment. 
n  of  Earl 

(Ionization 
letter  per- 
il Agrieiil- 
3  Hudson's 
'he  former 
'  the  nieiii- 
r  company 
he  agricui- 
)any  beini;' 
[lined  only 
r-company 
as  ohar!;t-s 
er  against 
Company, 
interfere, 
litted  that' 
limed  that 
schemo  of 
mlertaken. 
Iwilderness, 

it  tho  company 
['hoy  never  rio- 
boiuc  one ;  iiml 
|)ssession  <it'  <^1"' 
lit  of  tlu«  'l''''''r''' 
mvc  IuhU  the 
so.'    Thia  vaa 


with  difficult  communication  with  the  world  without, 
and  little  market  for  their  produce.  The  colonization 
(»f  Vancouver  Island  would  be  a  totally  different 
matter.  Already  there  was  no  inconsiderable  trade 
between  the  Northwest  and  Russian  American  coasts 
and  the  islands  of,the  South  Sea  and  Asia.  Moreover, 
the  lands  of  the  Puget  Sound  Company,  since  the 
treaty  of  184G,  were  within  the  territory  of  the  United 
States.  The  affairs  of  the  association  were  not  in  a 
vcrv  flourishinjx  condition.  Now  if  with  one  stroke 
they  might  dispose  of  their  lands  and  improvements 
;it  a  good  price  to  the  United  States,  and  at  the  same 
time  secure  a  good  footing  in  the  most  favorable  })art 
of  an  island  set  apart  for  colonization,  thus  forcing 
settlers,  should  any  come,  to  subdue  wild  lands  adja- 
cent and  beyond  their  limits,  thus  greatly  enhancing 
the  value  of  their  own,  it  might  surely  be  a  good  thing. 

It  was  a  difficult  undertaking,  this  of  the  fur-traders, 
exceedingly  difficult,  at  once  to  please  England,  to 
please  the  settlers,  and  to  please  themselves.  England 
would  wish  to  see  this  rod:- bound,  forested  isle 
speedily  converted  into  fertile  fields  and  flourishing 
settlements,  where  her  prolific  poor  might  find  hap[)y 
homes  and  her  manufacturers  good  customers.  Tlie 
settlers  would  like  each  the  best  and  largest  piece  of 
l.nid  upon  tho  Island.  If  their  farm  was  not  upon  the 
main  street  of  the  metropolis  it  should  be  at  least  in 
the  suburl).  They  should  be  furnished  for  little  or 
nothing  with  everything  they  re(|uired;  they  should 
not  l)e  expected  to  perl'orm  much  labor,  for  they  could 
have  lived  at  home  if  they  had  labored  hard;  the 
climate  should  not  be  allowed  to  breed  diseases;  i\iv 
land  with  sliijht  tillac^e  shoidd  vield  abundantly,  and 
a  really  market  should  be  always  at  hand.  .Vs  ini-  the 
coin[)any — those  who  had  been  lords  of  the  wilderness, 
would  now  be  nothing  less  than  dominators  of  the  new 
suhjugation  society.  Again,  while  there  were  many 
iinj)lied  obligations  which  the  conijmny  were  expected 


UNDKK  HUDSON'S  BAY  COMrANV'S  KK(iIME. 


t'aitlifully  to  perforin,  the  govorniiiciit  did  r.ot  hesitate 
to  impose  duties  which  were  not  found  written  in  the 
ii^rant.  As  a  matter  of  course,  the  crown  would  ajv 
point  the  j^overnor.  It  liad  been  stipulated  that  the 
land  should  be  sold  at  a  fair  price;  but  what  would 
be  a  fair  j)ricc  a  shillinj^  an  acre,  or  two  guineas  an 
acre  ?  The  company  made  known  their  ideas,  and  then 
it  was  that  Earl  Grey  thought  a  pound  an  acre  about 
the  rinht  fiLCure,  thouirh  on  what  ground  is  not  statctl. 
That  Mould  be  assuredly  cheaj)  as  compared  with  tin 
price  of  land  in  England,  but  it  might  be  called  dcai' 
in  a  country  where  five  bottles  of  rum  would  buy  a 
s(j[uare  mile.  It  might  lie  thought  high  considerin;^ 
its  cost,  which  was  simply  the  taking  of  it. 

The  fur-traders  knew  well  enough  that  this  alone 
was  sufficient  to  kill  the  scheme.  As  they  were  iiow 
situated,  it  really  made  little  difference  to  them 
whether  it  should  prove  a  success  or  a  failure;  l)ut  it 
the  latter,  it  would  be  as  well  for  the  fault  to  lie  at  his 
lordship's  door  as  at  their  own.  The  company  claimed 
that  the  .scheme,  from  the  very  nature  of  things,  was 
a  foreordained  failure  It  was  a  fine  thing  for  tlie 
government  io  thr(>w  the  expense  of  settlement  ujton 
them,  but  in  due  time  they  began  to  realize  that  tiny 
never  should  have  accepted  the  charge.  There  weic 
other  restrictions  imposed  l)y  Lord  (irey  e(jUidly 
fatal  to  success.  Not  only  was  a  coh)nist  recjuired  tc 
jiurehase  the  land  at  a  high  prict^  l)ut  he  was  obliged 
to  ci'eate  other  colonists.  To  obtain  a  footing  in  A'an- 
couver  Island,  the  emigrant  nuist  be  comparatively 
a  rich  man,  and  rich  men  preferred  to  remain  in  I'^ng- 
land.  Besides  the  heavy  cx})ense  of  bringing  out  liim- 
self  and  his  family,  if  he  had  one,  hi  order  to  obtain 
a  title  to  the  waste  lands  of  this  far-away  island,  1m 
must  bring  out  other  men  or  other  families."     Another 


IIUI 


" FitZjjerald  8a}'3  'three  fainilius  or  six  single  men.'    fJrant  says  five  siiiL'l 
II,  '  being  at  the  rate  of  emo  man  for  every  twenty  acres; 


tial  ci)niing_  out  was  alloweil  to  imrchase  more  than  twenty  acres. '  yM<'-n;i- 

Si»\,  Jniir.,  X  ' 


tion  V.  1.,  in  London  Giruj. 


txvu. 


no  single  iiidiviil 

y  acres. '  J>ixrri]> 

Hlauslianl,  in  Ifounr  Cimi 


mona  Uf\it.,  287,  says  tliat  ti\\;  1  itmiiT-i  must  he  lirought  out  from  K.iigl:i 


A  POUND  PER  iiCRE. 


229 


serious  drawback  was  the  anomalous  condition  of  polit- 
ical ati'airs,  cngondered  by  impolitic  admixtures  of  in- 
tei  -^sts,  wherein  the  antagonisms  of  monopoly  and  free 
1(1  islation  were  constantly  being  brought  face  to  face, 
which  will  more  fully  appear  as  the  history  pro- 
ceeds. 

The  charge  of  a  pound  an  acre  as  the  price  of  the 
liiiid,  not  to  mention  the  condition  coupled  to  it  of  rc- 
•  [uiring  the  buyer  of  every  one  hundred  acres  to  place 
upon  tlu!  Island  five  men  or  three  families,  was  ab- 
surd. In  the  first  place,  the  Island  did  not  otter  the 
finest  attractions  in  the  world  as  a  place  of  settlement. 
It  was  far  removed  from  the  mother  country,  and  t]\v. 
time  and  expense  of  reaching  it  were  great.  Thougli 
no  farther  north  tlian  England,  it  was  off  the  main 
lines  of  circunmavigation.  The  surface  was  rocky, 
ami  in  places  heavily  wooded,  there  being  compara- 
tively little  good  agricultural  land.  The  market  for 
[iniduce  was  neither  present  nor  secured.  The  pio- 
n(  tr  would  have  difficulties  enough  to  contend  with, 
were  the  land  given  him  together  with  a  bonus  of  a 
pound  an  acre  for  preparing  it  for  cultivation.  Indeed, 
tar  better  land  at  that  very  moment  was  being  given 
away  in  Oregon,  where  the  climate  was  warmer,  the 
market  nearer,  and  the  government  as  free  and  as 
favorable.  Without  impediment  and  without  restric- 
tion, upon  exactly  the  same  footing  as  a  native  of  the 
Lnited  States,  by  simply  declaring  his  intentions  of 
becoming  an  American  citizen,  a  subject  of  Great 
Britain  might  settle  upf)n  any  unoccupied  lands  south 
of  the  49th  parallel.     Insteatl  of  five  hundred  dollars 


lor  every  one  hundred  acres  purchased.  '  For  every  one  hundred  acres  tlic 
imrchaaer  Wiis  lM)und  to  import  four  persons.'  Coojut'h  Mtir.  Matters,  MS.,  ;i. 
A  story  is  told  of  J.  M.  Swan,  who,  it  is  sJiid,  ou  consulting  with  Dougliis, 
('ciIvIUl',  and  Finlaysou,  iu  relation  to  the  terms  of  settlement,  M'as  informed 
tlwit  for  every  twenty  acres  purchaaed  cue  male  a<lult  must  settle  on  the 
"ground;  to  secure  one  hundred  acres,  a  man  nuist  have  four  male  servants,  or 
tlirco  marrietl  couples.  'But  I  have  neither  servants  nor  wives,'  said  Swan. 
'  I  hen  get  natives,  was  the  reply; '  tliree  Siwash  men  ami  three  Si  wash  women. ' 
I'liis  report,  tliough  unreliable,  was  circulated  south  of  the  border  to  the  no 
^iiiall  amusement  of  those  who  were  securing  their  land  without  money  and 
iliiiost  without  stipulation.  Oli/mpia  Club  Cmvs.,  MS.,  1-19. 


[  i 


UNDER  HUDSON'S  BAY  lO.MPANYS  REUIMK. 

Ill  money,  and  the  trouble  of  bringing  six  or  more 
])ursons  to  the  coast  for  cvtjry  hundred  acres  secured, 
tliree  hundred  and  twenty  acres  were  given  liini,  or 
if  he  could  boast  a  wife,  to  the  two  were  donated 
aljHolutely  and  for  nothing  tlie  magnificent  area  of 
six  hundred  and  f(>rty  acres.  Strong,  ind«H'd,  must 
be  the  patriotism  «)f  the  pioneer  to  deny  himself  thesi* 
advantages  in  order  to  maintain  allegiance  to  the 
mother  country.^ 

Nine  tenths  of  the  pound  per  acre,  it  is  true,  went 
to  puldic  improvements,  and  so  add(>d  to  the  value  of 
the  land;  but  seed,  stock,  and  the  implements  of  and 
aids  to  husbandry  are  of  far  in(»re  impoi-tance  to  tlie 
struggling  frontiersman  than  governnii'nt  instituti»)ns. 
Almost  all  the  pioneering  in  the  United  States  has 
been  done  beyond  the  pale  of  goverinnent.  It  is  true 
that  settlers  upon  the  public  d(»main  of  the  United 
States  have  suffered  from  outrajjfesand  lawlessness  far 
more  than  settlers  upon  ]^ritish  American  soil;  but 
unlike  the  latter,  the  former  svhile  clearing  their 
lands  and  strui^ijling  for  subsistence  have  not  l)eeii 
Iturdeni'd  in  building  institutions  or  supporting  gov- 
ernment."* 

Failure  to  colonize,  among  other  things,  was  charged 
to  the  gold-fiekis  of  California.  Finlayson,  Anderson. 
and  others  complain  of  the  rush  from  the  ranks  oi 
both  agriculturists  and  traders.  Grant  says,  of  four 
hundred  men  l)rought  out  by  the  company  during  the 
first  five  years  two  fifths  deserted,  one  fifth  were  sent 

'  Says  Mr  Ellice,  referring  to  Lord  ( Irey's  restrictions:  '  Any  perso*.  accu.s- 
tniiicil  to  the  settlement  of  land  must  know  that  if  you  take  a  pou^id  from  :i 
man  wlio  comes  to  settle  in  a  wild  country,  you  take  from  him  all  the  little 
capital  which  he  wants  to  establish  himself  on  the  land.  The  laud  is  uf  no 
value  to  auylMnly  until  it  is  c\iltivated.'  Jloune  Coihiiioiih  Ji'^t.,  3.'{4. 

"  'Of  the  money  arising  from  the  proceeda  of  the  sales  of  thatlu::<V  l^-  '>''■ 
in  every  pound  sterlinjj  was  to  be  applied  to  the  benefit  of  tiie  colony,  ;«idy 
].'<.  G(l.  in  the  pound  being  reserved  to  the  company  to  rcmuucrato  them,  as  it 
were,  for  their  undertaking  the  agency  of  the  disposal  of  the  land.  ColoiitHti 
were  to  be  allowed  to  work  any  coal  they  might  And,  on  paying  to  the  company 
a  duty  of  28.  dd.  per  ton,  and  a  duty  ot  lOJ  per  load  wag  to  be  paid  on  all 
timber  exported  Grant's  Descrtnt.  V.  /.,  in  Loml.  Oeog.  Sor.,  Jour.,  xxvii. 
272-3.  '  A  settler  was  restrictetl  in  various  ways  in  his  operations,  whicli  also 
tended  to  keep  back  the  progress  of  the  settlement.'  Finlayaonn  V.  I.  ond 
Northwest  Codxl,  MS.,  26 


;:!..') 


EFFECT  OF  THE  COLD  MINES. 


to  other  posts,  and  the  rcniaimler  W(»re  employed  on 
the  Island.  Adniittinj^  this,  which  I  do  not  doubt,  I 
cannot  regard  the  excuse  as  a  valid  one.  The  onmipo- 
tt  lit  magnet  of  the  Sierra  Foothills  drew  settlers  from 
Oregon,  hut  in  due  time  they  returned,  bringing  with 
thini  newlv  found  friends.  So  would  it  have  been 
with  regard  to  Vancouver  Island,  iiad  general  relations 
thtit'  hi'cn  happy.  The  love  of  nationality  within  the 
linust  of  an  Knglishman  is  strong  and  enduring,  and 
many,  williiig  for  a  tiniu  to  ci'.dure  foreign  rule,  would 
not  for  twice  what  they  might  make  renounce  tlieir 
native  allegiance,  or  live  long  under  any  government 
liut  their  own.  After  the  first  flush  of  yfold-y;atherin<>- 
liad  passed  it  was  supposed  the  mines  wen^  exhausted, 
and  when  the  miners  were  returning  to  their  homes 
tlien,  had  the  attractions  been  strong  enough,  maiiv 
wlio  had  learned  to  love  the  excittiments  of  pioneering, 
and  who  still  would  chcjose  to  remain  British,  would 
liavc  taken  ]tassage  tf)  Victoria  with  their  little  ca})ital, 
and  there  have  ^nade  themselves  homes;  so  that  in 
tlie  end  California  would  have  proved  a  great  gatherer 
of  settlers  for  Vancouver  Island,  as  she  did  for  other 
parts  of  the  north  Pacific  "oast. 

Several  did  go  from  California,  and  returned  disaj)- 
]K)inted ;  among  others  a  Mr  Chancellor,  sent  by  a  com- 
pany of  Englishmen  whom  he  left  still  digging  while 
awaiting  his  return.  His  report  being  unfavorable, 
they  abandoned  the  project  which  they  had  formed  of 
settling  in  the  Island.  It  was  as  early  as  December 
1849,  while  the  mines  were  flooded  and  mining  was 
regarded  as  an  extremely  hazardous  business,  that 
J.  31.  Swan  visited  Victoria  and  would  have  secured 
places  for  himself  and  others  as  colonists  had  the  terms 
been  regarded  as  favorable."  Probably  Blanshard 
himself  did  as  much  as  any  other  one  man  in  prevent- 
ing emigration  from  England,  for  being  dissatisfied 


I   19, 


•Seo  Blanshard,  in  Houne  Commona  Rept.,  289;  Oli/mpia  Club  Convn.,  MS., 
9._    '  Tliere  are  thousands  of  penplo  in  tho  nuigliborhood  of  San  BVancisco 


Jind  in  California  who  would  gladly  go  to  a  Britisli  colony,  provided  it  was 
under  a  new  administration.'  CoojHr,  i;i  Jloiisi-  ComtiioiiK  llejit.,  191. 


2:tt 


UXDKR  IIUUSOS'S  UAY  COMPANV'S  RKdIMK 


m^ 


w 

liV 


II 


I    ■ 


with  liis  rcrt'})ti()U  and  treati'iont  there,  naturally  his 
reports  and  lottors  home  were  colored  accordhijjfly. 

T(»  sum  up  the  case,  we  see  that  colonization  under 
the  crown  j^runt  of  X'aneouver  Island  t«)  the  Jludsons 
I^ay  Company  was  u  failure.  The  causes,  we  have 
likewise  seen,  were  several.  Stripjted  of  the  cant  and 
cunnini^  in  which  lcL:^islatois,  fur-traders,  and  settlers 
alike  inwrap[»ed  the  subject,  the  naked  truth  presents 
itse'lf  in  the  forms  followiiiiic.  The  primary  object  of 
the  impiTial  government  was  to  save  itself  trouble 
and  exi)ense;  the  field  was  n<»t  sufficiently  enticinn;-  to 
excite  either  the  cupidity  or  the  ambition  of  politicians. 
There  wei'o  no  spoils.  While  tlu^  settlers  had  abuu- 
dant  cause  of  eomplaint,  and  as  a  cla-;s  such  peojiK 
complain  with  or  without  cau.se,  the  fur-traders  de- 
sired, first  of  all,  to  hold  the  country  in  their  own 
hands  as  hitherto.  They  preferred  no  C(»lonization  at 
prt'.seut.  When  it  nmst  come  they  j)refen»-'d  to  con- 
trol it.  Could  settlement  be  confined  to  the  Island, 
and  the  Mainland  still  be  kept  by  them  iiitact  as  a 
Lcame-preserve,  it  would  make  but  little  ditlerence  witli 
them;  but  they  well  knew  that  for  many  years  the 
Island  would  not  support  a  lar^'e  population,  and  when 
once  the  limited  agricultural  fields  were  tilled  it  would 
>pe<'dily  overflow  on  to  the  Mainland. 

And  almost  innnediately  the  grant  was  nm(h'  tin- 
crown  npentt'd  it.  Jii'fore  the  end  of  the  year  J^oid 
KIgiu  had  instituted  further  investigations  into  the 
complaints  made  by  the  Ked  Kiver  settlers,  to  the 
dis})aragement  ttf  the  t)fficers  of  the  Hudson's  Jiay 
('omjiany;  and  on  the  Gth  of  February  1841)  the 
Earl  (»f  Jiincoln  asked  in  parliament  that  the  new 
charter  or  grant  of  Vanc()uver  Island  might  be  laid 
on  the  table.  The  attorney-general  and  solicitor-gen - 
•  ral  were  asked  their  ojtinion  whether  the  company 
could  hohl  land  at  all  as  a  crown  grant. 

In  the  house  of  conmions  the  22d  of  February  ^Ir 
Hume  remarked,  that  since  the  occupation  of  Cali- 


i 


(.'OKl'OliATlON  COLON  IZATION. 


foniia  by  the  United  States  Vancouver  Island  lin.d 
htconiu  more  valuable  than  ever,  far  too  valuaolo 
t<»  tiiiii;  away  on  a  fur  conii)any,  winch  would  do 
Il..tlau!,^"' 

In  till'  house  of  commons,  the  earl  of  Lincoln,  on 
the  lUth  of  June  184D,  made  a  lenuftliy  speech  which 
sliowed  that  tlie  hostility  manifested  from  the  first 
tDWiird  the  jLJfrant  of  A'ancouver  Island  had  in  no  wise 
(Hiuinished.  J  le  believed  the  measure  a  national  <hs- 
aster,  and  the  jiarties  to  it  culpable  in  a  hi<,di  de<;ree. 
The  course  ])ursued  l)y  the  j^'overiinient  was  wholly 
informal,  and  what  was  done  should  be  revoked,  C<  •<>- 
iii/ation  l»y  absentee  proprietary  cr)mj)anies  had  always 
|in>ved  a  failure,  and  were  liively  always  so  to  ])rove. 
Witness  the  colonies  of  Virj^inia,  Massachusetts,  (  ai- 
olina,  South  Australia,  and  otiiers,  l*enn,  as  a  »nr- 
|Mnation  sole,  managed  well  enough  so  hm;:,'  as  he 
wiis  on  the  i;round,  l>ut  disaster  followed  closely  on 
liis  absenee.  The  superintendinif  power  of  colonies 
should  rest  only  in  the  imperial  «jf(^vernment.  These 
fur-traders  were  not  oidy  eomnuu'cial  monopolists, 
I  lit  in  their  transactions  were  despotic  and  secret,  {iinl 
tlierefore  the  very  worst  persons  to  whose  care  to  in- 
trust a  tender  infant  colony. 

in  short,  the  leii^ality  (►f  the  powers  of  the  fur  eoni- 
|>aiiy  in  the  matter  of  colonization  occu]>ii'<l  the  atteii- 
lii'ti  of  liritish  statesmen  durin«4  the  jL,'ri'at(;r  part  ot" 
the  year  184U.  The  company  presented  no  objections 
to  the  fullest  inouiry,  thou^^h  t!>ey  ooi<  rare  tiiat  the 
(lecisicjn  should  ue  ultimately  in  their  favor.  In  the 
house  of  commons,  the  oth  of  July,  wluin  the  sub- 
ject was  aijain  opened  for  discussioii,  ]V[r  (Gladstone 
remarked  that  for  Sir  J«)hn  IVily  and  other  ottieers 
'•t'  tlie  company  he  entertained  tiie  hiii^hest  ri\speet. 
hut  that  he  was  opposed  to  the  system  as  ai){tlied  to 
«t>l()iii/atio!i.  Aj^am,  on  the  1st  of  Aui^ust  1850, 
-Ml'  (Jhulstone  demanded  an  iiujuiry  into  the  rijjfhts  of 
the  company  over  its  territory  in  America.     And  so 

" /A KM. (/•./%  r.trl.   D<k,  3.1  H.T.  oii.  30.1,  704,   11  CO  71. 


II  r  Hi 


984 


UNDKU  HUDSON'S  BAY  COMrANVS  KKtilMK. 


'il 


iiiattt;rs  went  on;    the  sottlers  complained,  tlie  states- 
men talked,  and  the  fur  conn)any  ruled." 

On  the  whole,  aflairs  in  Vancouver  Island,  under 
fur-tradini^  colonization  rule,  and  up  to  tlie  time  (»t' 
the  <>(>1(1  diaeoverv,  were  jnanatjed  ahout  as  mitflit  have 
lucii  ex})ecti'd.  There  were  no  Hajj^rant  otienci's,  no 
<»utra<'i'ous  wronj»s,  and  there  was  much  kindness  and 
liunuinit}'. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  tlie  settlers  and  the  fur- 
traders  ((uaii'elled.  They  had  not  hetni  human,  else. 
'I'he  id  .a  of  vestiiiL,^  in  a  connnercial  company  suprenK- 
power,  makm)^  it  l<>rd  of  the  soil  and  of  the  lives  <»f' 
men.  and  then  expectinjj^  fret;  and  intellii^ent  suhjects 
of  a  liheral  and  enlii^litened  L^^overmni'iit  to  place  theii- 
necks  volnniarilv  under  the  yoke  as  colonists,  would 
never  for  a  moment  haNc!  heen  entertained  hy  a  wise 
and  thouij^htful  statesman.'" 

The  ]iudson's  Hay  CVtmpany  were  sound  enou<,di 
and  content  cnou<di  t]irou<;hout.  Fur-trudin«j  was 
their  ciiief  ohject.  They  did  not  care  to  colonizi-, 
unless  there  was  nuniey  in  it.  Whatever  the  result, 
they  kncnv  as  husiness  men  that  they  had  driven  a 
l^ood  har^ain  with  the  crown,  and,  notwithstiindin^"  thi' 
assertions  of  Edward  EHic(>  to  the  contrary  hefore  the 
select  conmiittee,  whichever  turn  atlairs  took,  they 
could  make  it  profitahle. 

Sh<»uld  coloni/ation  succeed,  they  wouhl  find  thrii- 
reward,  as  1  have  said,  in  hrint^inj;-  out  settlers,  in 
furnishini^'  them  su|»|>lies,  in  securin<^  the  hest  hinds, 
an<l  in  developinij;'  the  coal-nnnes.  80  far  as  the  Island 
alone  was  concerned,  they  could  undoubtedly  make 
ni<»re  out  of  it  in  this  way  than  in  holdinjjf  it  as  a  hir 
jircserve.  On  the  other  hand,  should  colonization  ful, 
th<'y  W(»uld  not  oidy  have  the  country  all  quietly  to 
themselves  a<^ain,   hut  they  might  collect  from  the 

" //<fHXfnv/'/i  Purl.  D<h.,  M  8or.  ciii.  .140-04;  cvii.  1.1155-62;  cxii.  fl.M7-H. 
SiWi'  h'lyiMtir,  Ixxii.  Vf74,  201:  Ixxiv    l.'iT.  U77;   I'olywmnn,  v.  110;  vi.  1'-''-'. 

'-  '  Miiftt  KiigliHli  j>cii|p1i'  (ilijci't  to  Im  uiiiliT  iiiiy  >{<>vi'riiini'iil  i'X<'ci)t  tli« 
rottl  trdu  HritiHli  gnvonimont.'  Cimyrr,  in  lli»i>»>  Coiiiinoni  l'')'l.,  iSH). 


THE  UfSUAL  COMMEKCIAL  POLICY, 


235 


ciowii  wollnij^h  whatever  sum  tlieir  consciences  would 
pciinit  tlieni  to  charjjjo  as  expenses  of  tlio  failure. 

True  to  their  princi[)les,  nioro  Machiavellian  tliaii 
patriotic,  the  company  continued  business  nuieh  att(  r 
tlit^  usual  way,  and  nmcli  a5  most  other  shrewd  and 
rt'spt'ctahle  merchants  would  have  done,  careful  to 
tultil  tlieir  obligatitms,  in  the  letter  at  least,  to  the 
MONcnunent  and  to  settlers. 

Xor  weie  tliey  sj)ecially  tyrannical  in  their  treat- 
iiitiit  of  settlers,  or  disposed,  as  a  rule,  to  take  undue 
advantaiic  of  their  necessities.  Their  own  interests 
uiidouhtedly  commanded  the  company's  first  att«'nti(»n  ; 
tlure  were  indiviiluals  always  to  ()e  found  in  new  and 
small  societies  who  rendeied  themselves  ])arti<'ulai'ly 
i»linoxious,  whose  chief  delight  was  to  hreed  trouble 
and  stir  up  si.rlle,  on  whom  the  corporation,  in  self- 
defence,  was  oblio'od  to  lay  its  stroniL,'  lian<ls;  but  thi'st! 
(■(tiitiny;encies  satisfied,  tiio  fur-traders  were  disposed 
til  treat  al'  '*>on  justly  and  liumanely,  to  walk  circum- 
^pecti}'  Im;!'!'  the  world,  uphoKling  the  di«^nitv  of 
their  government,  with  all  its  time-honored  institu- 
tions, and  commanding  the  respect  and  confi«lence  of 
all  good  men. 

The  lot  of  the  setth'rs,  however,  was  by  no  means  a 
hap[»y  one.  Obliged  to  pay  a  high  price  for  land  foi- 
the  most  ])art  difficult  of  cultivation,  and  far  removed 
I'min  the  protection  of  the  fort,  they  were  exposed  to 
privations,  disease,  and  dangers. 


As  setth^rs  scattered  themselves  about  tlm  Island, 
the  Jludson's  Bay  Comjiany  felt  obliged  to  modify 
their  treatment  of  the  Indians.  Not  that  they  were 
more  strict  with  them,  i)ut  h'ss  so,  more  conciliatory 
I  ntil  the  wliite  po[)ulation  became  stronger  it  was 
lint  eonside!i'd  wife  to  arrest  and  punish  a  native 
ollender;  else  tfien;  would  sundy  be  retiiliation,  and  a 
liloody  and  disiistrous  stiito  of  things,  akin  to  tiiat 
then  priivailing  over  the  United  Stiites  l)order. 

And  here  again  the  company  displayed  their  consum- 


•230 


UNDKii  HUDSON'S  BAY  COMPANY'S  HF^iilMK. 


■  i 


mate  knowledge  of  Indian  character,  and  their  cool- 
ness and  discretion.  The  native  offender  was  by  no 
means  passed  unnoticed,  but  instead  of  general  butcli- 
ury  the  tribe  was  prevailed  upon  to  send  in  the  crimi- 
nal, who  would  usually  escape  with  a  reprimand  or 
even  after  being  won  over  as  the  white  man's  friend, 
would  carry  home  with  him  a  present.  This  tlie  set- 
tlers called  bribery,  or  premium  on  crime;  yet  the  re- 
sult shows  the  wisdom  of  the  policy,  for  though  the 
nations  of  this  region  were  as  tierce  as  any  describe*! 
ill  all  this  history,  tlure  are  no  massacres  or  outra<j^('s 
to  record.  "Many  sleepless  nights  have  I  spent," 
said  Mr  Douglas,  "in  my  anxiety  for  the  safety  ot 
the  colony." 

This  forbearing  policy,  which  effectually  dissipated 
the  clouds  of  contention  which  now  and  then  menaced 
the  Island,  was  quite  marked.  For  examjile,  when  in 
the  spring  of  1853  a  shepherd  was  killed  by  a  native, 
the  captani  of  the  Theiif  found  the  governor  in  no  wis(; 
disposed  to  turn  the  ship's  guns  on  innocentand  guilty 
alike.>=« 

In  185G  an  Indian  who  fired  at  a  white  man  evi- 
dently with  intent  to  kill,  woundhig  the  man,  but  not 
mortally,  was  tried  by  a  jury,  the  governor  acting  as 
judge,  found  guilty  and  hanged.  The  offender  was 
apprehended  by  the  assistance  of  a  force  sent  from 
the  Trincomalce. 


Should  the  question  be  nsked,  whether  on  tlu; 
whole  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  had  been  a  bl«>ss- 
ing  or  a  curse  to  the  country,  the  reply  would  depend 
upon  the  view  taken.  Undoubtedly  the  lives  of  the 
iiativ(>8  have  been  pn)longed  by  the  guardianship  and 
<'are  of  the  company.  The  seeds  of  destruction  have 
not  been  so  rapidly  sown  by  civilization.  The  country 
has  l>een  kept  longer  a  wilderness;  development  has 
l)ocn  retarded. 

'* '  Captain  Kupor,  wlin  woh  in  ci)ininan<l,  hail  to  write  soverol  lottcni  Ix!* 
fi>ro  ho  could  prevail  on  DotiglaH  to  not.'  Cooper,  in  Jloitse  Connnonn  Hiyt,,  I !•■'•. 


•«    T 


liOT   OVER -ANXIOUS. 

If  it  is  better  to  keep  the  savages  in  their  original 
state  as  long  as  possible,  to  preserve  for  them  their 
forests  and  their  game,  to  place  in  their  hands  the 
incans  of  obtaining  food  with  greater  ease  and  safety, 
if  it  is  better  to  keep  back  settlement,  to  keep  out 
white  men,  and  use  the  domain  only  as  a  preserve 
ibr  iiir-bearing  animals,  and  as  a  hunting-ground  for 
savages,  then  the  c'oinj)aiiy  has  been  a  blessin"-.  If 
it  is  better  to  send  the  natives  more  swiftly  To  de- 
struction, to  let  in  upon  them  the  dogs  of  dovelop- 
luont,  rapine,  disease,  and  speedy  externiiuutioii,  in  a 
word,  to  throw  open  more  rapidly  the  land  to  settle- 
iiitiit,  then  the  monopolists  have  been  a  drawback. 


■J  u 


<    1 1 


1    :  t  '  1" 


\i  i  is ! 


CIIArTER   XIV. 

TWO  OIUCIN'AL  ClIAKACTERS. 
Tub  DocTOit  and  tiik  Divink    UonKKT  J.  Stainks— A  Man  of  Fkills— 

Ills  InTKUVIKW  with  TIIK    KiMi   ol'TIIK  If WVAIIAV    ISLANDS — TlIK  Man 

Mista!:kn  ,'•<  II  riii:  M.\srr.i:     Ills  Ai;i;ivai.  vr  \utoki  \— Men — pAiisfis 

AM>  .SciKiOl,-TKA<HKU— Miss  SlA  INKS  A  MiiST  i;STIMAllLK  LaIA— QUAUUKL 

WITH  Tin:  CoMi'ANY— Jdins  thi)  .Skitlkus'  Faitiun— Hk  CL'LTIVATKS 
SwiNK— Tin;  Skiti.i.ks  Stkai.  his  l'ius~ll(ir  Lirn:  viKiss— His  Sah 
Fnd— TiiK  Docrou  (."ou'XisT — .Ioiin  iSkdasiian  1Ii:i,mc'ki  n — IIis  I'liv- 
siQi  u  AND  CiiAUAcrKu — KiTKUH  roi.rncfl— AciKi'Ts  Oi'Kici-:  UNi)i;u  nil. 
(•iiVEPNou— L)k,covKiis  Ills  Mistake— Amj  Ukoo.mks  a  Sn'ronri-.k  oi 

Tin:   MoNOI'OLISTS. 

WiiH.E  yet  the  colony  v/hh  youni;',  there  appeiUid 
tipon  the  ;<ceno  two  iiu;n  (4'  uiarkod  iiidivichuUity,  a 
(loetur  arid  a  divhic.  Oiu^  uiulertttok  to  cure  uicuV 
bodies,  and  the  other  (heir  , souls;  both  dealt  in  (ho 
unseen  and  unknowabK  ;  hence,  tho  ideas  and  ethics 
of  neither  could  be  di.s|)id(d.  And  each  carried  () 
ci)n.<istent  «-onclusions,  more  nearly  than  is  generally 
the  case,  the  tenor  of  his  own  teai'hin<^s;  ("or  the  di- 
vine died,  and  so  perhaps  nii^hi  sei  how  much  at'  all 
he  had  been  sayin^T  ^^"^•'^  true,  whi!    iiie  doctor  lived. 

The  namo  «'l'  the  cK'rijyman  was  Robert  J.  Staini's: 
lie  siLjned  himsell' of  I'rinity  I  lall,  ( 'ambriilj^e;  and  Ik- 
came  ti>  till'  country  in  IS  ll*.  in  tic  b.iik  C't'/u.  hi'n, 
us  clia{)lain  fur  the  comjjany  at  Fort  ^  ictoria. 

"lie  was  a  man  fidl  ol'  fiills,"  says  Finlayaon,  \\h<> 
ei»«jlwavo'  d  (  '  ree  ivi  him  politely  and  treat  him 
kindly,  kmi  vvlitsr  jMtience  was  sorely  tried  by  hiiu 
Hi  wa^'  insutl  rably  conecited.  without  briuLj  at  ali 
shall.. w -pal-  .1.  H'-  well  ku'W  tin-  diHereiic"'  between 
liiniself  iuid  tki!   i\»uim<»u  human  herd,  aud  he  wa^ 


THE  REVEREND  STAINES. 


239 


(letcnnined  that  others  should  know  it.  Ho  was  not, 
indeed,  tho  first  clergyman  to  make  the  mistake  of 
attempting  to  browbeat  the  company's  officers  in  the 
name  of  his  master,  and  to  his  own  disccmifiture. 

Barbarians,  ho  thought,  should  know  him  at  a 
glance,  even  barbarian  kings  should  delight  to  do  him 
hoiiiago.  On  the  way  out  from  London  tho  shi[» 
tniuliod  at  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  and  Staines  wrote 
tlif  king,  intimating  that  he  should  bo  [)leased  to  <lo 
Ills  lurgid-bloodcd  majesty  the  honor  to  call  on  him. 
The  king  replied  tiiat  ho  should  be  glad  to  see  him. 
Staims  ilelightc'd  in  display,  and  here  was  a  rare  oj)- 
|nirtunity.  Unfortunately  that  glitter  which  cajtti- 
vatt's  the  barbaric  mind,  liis  profession  would  not 
|irnnit  him  to  sport  ui)on  his  own  ]>erson.  IJut  there 
was  a  ])oor  lellow  wliom  lii-  called  Iiis  servant,  and 
lie  might  b(!  madc^  to  bear  tlu;  master's  burden  o!' 
priile.  Hence,  aii'ayliig  himself  in  the  sombre  robes 
I'f  religion,  he  illuminated  his  man  in  gorgeou.-.  livery, 
and  so  presented  himself  in  tho  royal  apartments  of 
his  ILiwalian  majesty.  On  entering  the  room  wiiere 
waited  his  visitor,  the  king's  eye  x  .ught  ihc  da//,ling 
vestui'e  (»f  the  at t eiulaiit ,  and  rushing  past  the  master, 
lie  seized  the  hand  of  the  servant,  and  sh(»ok  it  with 
warm,  pathetii'  resjuct. 

^^r  Staines  was  a  m.wiied  man.  and  ]ii>  wile  was 
with  him:  and  hii\\>  \er  he  may  have  felt  callc<l  upon 

a  "'ood 


.  o- 


t  >  tight  e\  il  a>  I'oiind  in  fur-traders,  he  wa^ 
liu:<han(l,  and  Mrs  Staln<  >  stood  true  t<t  him. 
,i;cther  (hey  labored,  for  they  W(>re  l>oth  hard-worUers, 
teaching,  preaching, and  linishingg«'nei'ally  what  tin  ir 
creator  had  leftundonein  tin  ir  litiK>  world.     TogetlK  r 


Vict 


o 


na,  t 


lev  taiiLrht.  1  he  tirs(  si 


■hool 


in  t  11   coll iiiv 


'))    the  liud.->on's   l>av  servan' >  wer»-' s.ld»)i.i  without 


children. 


At  this  time  there  were  no  streets 


(•CM 


tuute 


Ml 


linlayson;  "tin'  traliic  cut  up  the  thoroughfares  so 
that  evny  oiH  had  to  wear  sea-boots  to  v  ade  through 
till'  mud  and  mire.     Jt  was  mv  duty  to  riei'i\»'  the 


240 


TWO  ORIGINAL  CHARACTERS. 


clergyman,  wliich  I  did,  but  I'elt  ashamed  to  see  the 
lady  fomi'  ashoro.  We  had  to  lay  planks  through  t\\v 
mud  in  order  to  got  them  safely  to  the  foi-t.  They 
looked  around  wonderingly  at  the  bare  walls  of  the 
Iniilding,  and  expressed  deep  surprise,^  stating  that  the 
<om[)any  in  England  had  told  them  this  and  that,  and 
had  promised  them  such  and  such.  At  all  events  the. 
n t( >n)s  Wire  litted  up  as  best  could  bo  done.  Mr  Staines 
had  bi-en  guaranteed  .t'.j40  a  year  for  keeping  a  board- 
ing-school, iind  .£200  as  chaplain.  The  services  were 
<'arri('d  on  in  the  mess-room  of  the  fort,  which  was 
made  to  serve  for  almost  every  purpose.  Jlere  also 
was  erected  a  temporary  ])ulpit,  and  })rayers  wen^  heltl 
every  Sunday.  At  tliis  time  Staines  ])urcliased  som.' 
huid  on  the  same  conditions  ;is  othei's.  But  he  ion 
b(>came  nmch  dissatisfied  with  tilings,  with  J)ougla> 
and  his  administration  as  governor  of  tlu'  colony.'"' 

Like  manv  others  with  whom  the  eompanv  had 
to  deal  in  those  days,  and  by  whom  they  were  ofttMi 
severely  and  unjustly  censured,  Mr  Staines  wa 
possessed  of  qualities  more  angular  than  aniiali!'/. 
liidoubtedly,  he  in  his  turn  had  much  to  try  hi- 
|iatience;  all  pioneers  have.  He  would  not  whollv 
ignore  the  powers  of  darkness,  nor  even  attem[)t  to 
overcome  them,  but  rather  on  occasion  allied  himselt 
with  them,  glad  of  a.ssistanec  from  any  quarter. 

He  (>arly  quairelled  with  the  company,  accusing 
them  of  failure  to  keep  their  promises  with  him,  more 
particularly  in  the  matter  of  prices  of  goods,  which, 
he  had  been  assured  before  leaving  London,  should  ho 
lurnished  him  at  servants'  rates,  that  is,  at  fifty  jht 
cent  on  cost,  instead  of  which,  he  was  in  realit}'  charged 
in  some  instances  two  thousand  per  cent  profit."  Ilenee 
Mr  Staines  found  it  hard  to  ask  a  blessinjjf  on  their 

'  I'idiisly  Hwenrini:;  nt  I'inlnjson  in  their  hearts,  ax  travellers  sometimes 
awi'iir  lit  a  way-side  iiini{i'cp<!r. 

-  l-'iiil'ittnoii'x  Ili/it.  r.  /.,  MS.,  5'2-;{;  Aiidernoti's  Hist.  NorthotU  Coast,  MS., 
lO'-';  Vooiter'K  Mm:  Md'hr-^,  MS.,  8. 

' For  exiiiiiiile,  lifty  oiiitH  for  ii  sahnoii  wliieh  tlio  company  would  obtain 
from  the  IndianH  for  iv  peimyworth  of  trinkets  out  of  their  shop.  Coo^'er'n 
.'..'.».  .'•.(r/frv,  MS..  S 


THE  CLERGYMaJTS  PIOS. 


241 


mercenary  souls;  and  although  obliged  to  do  so  twice 
or  thrice  every  week,  or  forfeit  his  pay,  inwardly  he 
cursed  them.  But  to  the  company  his  blessing  and 
his  curse  were  one.  It  was  out  of  regard  for  public 
sentiment,  to  which  even  the  most  powerful  monopoly 
cannot  aftbrd  to  be  wholly  indifferent,  that  the  fur- 
traders  tolerated  gospel  ministers,  rather  than  in  the 
expectation  that  the  arm  of  omnipotence  would  be 
through  such  means  swayed  more  especially  in  their 
interests. 

At  an  early  day  Mr  Staines  joined  the  settlers' 
faction,  and  waged  open  war  upon  the  company,  still 
continuing,  however,  his  heavenly  ministrations.  But 
with  his  own  people  he  was  not  always  at  penect 
peace. 

Though  brought  hither  as  a  bird  of  paradise,  his 
phunage  was  never  wholly  unruffled.  His  learning, 
acquired  at  Cambridge  at  no  small  cost  of  time  and 
money,  was  given  him  in  order  that  he  might  do 
good.  Now  to  the  fur-traders  he  had  no  disposition 
to  do  good,  but  rather  evil;  the  settlers  were  not 
much  better,  but  he  must  begin  his  work  somewhere. 
The  savafjcs  needed  cleansinjx  within  and  without  as 
much  as  any,  but  that  was  not  exactly  in  his  line; 
besides  they  were  so  like  swine. 

All !  swine — pigs — pork.  Hero  was  an  idea.  There 
was  ah'cady  a  sufficient  number  at  work  improving 
the  savages,  and  his  own  race  was  cultivated  too 
niiuli  already;  every  white  man  he  met  there  carried 
too  keen  un  edge,  so  sharp,  indeed,  as  to  be  dangerous. 
Improved  hogs  might  tend  to  nullify  the  effect  of 
human  greed. 

So  tlic  Reverend  Staines  affected  swine.  Throw- 
ing to  the  winds  all  scruple,  all  the  refined  sensibility 
o{'  which  ho  so  lately  made  parade,  he  gathered  from 
every  quarter  the  finest  breed,  and  prided  himself  on 
his  piggery.  He  strove  to  interest  ship-masters  in 
I'ork,  and  brought  the  subject  to  the  attention  of  his 
larishioncrs.     Success  crowned  his  efforts.     In  less 

Hut.  Ubit.  Ool.     16 


H 


i:  r 


212 


TWO  ORIOINAL  CHARACTERS. 


than  two  years  tlie  Island  was  well  stocked  with  a  fint' 
breed  of  pigs. 

But  as  riches  increased  so  also  did  the  good  man's 
troubles.  His  swine  would  stray  into  by-ways  und  for- 
bidden j)ath.s,  and  the  settlers  regarded  tlieir  visits 
with  no  inward  displeasure.  They  rather  liked  the 
parson's  pork.  As  now  and  again  a  fat  favorite  dis- 
appeared, the  anger  of  the  chaplain  rose  within  him, 
for  ho  knew  his  pigs  were  sure  to  come  home  unless 
they  were  roasted. 

IVocuring  from  a  neighboring  justice  a  lettre  de 
cac/xl,  he  saddled  his  Rosinante,  the  beast  on  which 
it  was  his  custom  to  make  his  round  of  visits,  and 
sallied  forth  armed  for  the  right.  Not  only  would  ho 
gather  into  the  fold  his  stray  pigs,  but  he  would  pun- 
ish severely  those  whom  he  suspected  of  enticing  them 
from  paths  of  rectitude.  Endless  litigation  followed. 
On  C)ne  occasic^n  the  parson  himself  narrowly  escaped 
prosecution  and  imprisonment  by  an  enraged  parish- 
ioner, whom  he  had  accused  of  stealing  his  pigs.* 

Finally  matters  with  the  settlers  grew  dady  worse, 
and  it  was  resolved  to  send  Mr  Staines  to  England, 
to  remonstrate  with  imperial  powers  upon  the  injus- 
tice of  so  tyrannical  a  rule.  It  was  easier  to  obtain  a 
promise  from  the  reverend  gentleman  to  go  than  to 
get  him  started.  His  habit  of  procrastination  in  this 
instance  cost  him  dear,  not  to  mention  the  loss  to  the 
(!olonists  thereby. 

The  vessel  which  he  was  to  have  talcen,  and  which 
would  have  carried  him  safely  to  San  Francisco,  sailed 
from  Soke  without  him,  as  his  pigs  were  not  yet  all 
provided  for.  A  lumber-laden  craft,  however,  left  the 
same  port  shortly  afterward,  and  on  this  Mr  Staines 
embarked.  But  scarcely  had  the  ship  left  the  strait, 
when  off  Cape  Flattery  a  storm  struck  her,  throwing 

*Thi9  character  is  not  in  tlio  least  ovenlrawn.  These  facts  and  othors 
for  wliich  I  liave  not  space  wero  given  mo  by  FinlaysoD  and  Anderson,  and  jmr- 
ticuliirly  hy  Caj>tuin  Cooiut,  who  kiiuw  Uie  eccentric  parson  well,  having  com- 
mand of  tiiu  siiip  wliii-'h  brought  liini  to  this  country,  and  who  lived  near  him 
un  terma  of  intimacy  during  his  stay  in  the  island. 


DEATH  OF  STAINES. 


'243 


lier  on  her  beam  ends.  In.staiitly  she  was  water- 
loggi'fl  and  at  the  mercy  of  tlie  waves.  Most  of  the 
crew  were  at  once  swept  overboard.  Mr  Staines,  who 
was  below,  cut  his  way  tlirough  the  side  of  the  ship. 
1  [is  cabin  was  flooded,  and  without  was  the  wild  waste 
of  tumultuous  waters.  And  there  the  poor  man  re- 
mained, between  the  lowering  sky  and  the  lowering 
sea;  there  he  remained  till  he  died.  So  the  only  sur- 
vivor of  the  wreck  reported  when  rescued  by  a  passing 
ship,  and  then  himself  expired. 

Thus  much  for  the  unfortunate  divine ;  the  doctor 
is  of  quite  another  species.  His  name  is  John  Sebas- 
tian ITelmcken,  and  he  turns  up  first  among  the  coal- 
iiiiners  at  Fort  Rupert  in  1849.  He  differs  from  his 
friend  the  Reverend  Stuines  in  many  respects;  and 
first  of  all  he  can  in  no  sense  be  called  divine,  even  by 
tlie  widest  stretch  of  irony.  He  had  not  been  long 
upon  the  Island  before  he  found  his  bread  buttered 
on  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  side  of  the  disputes 
then  raging,  while  Staines  was  the  ciiampion  of  the 
indei)endent  settlers. 

In  l)ody  no  less  than  in  mind  the  doctor  was  one  to 
command  attention.  Short  and  slightly  built,  with  a 
huge  head,  always  having  on  it  a  huge  hat,  balancing 
itself  upon  his  shoulders;  with  deep,  clear,  intelligent 
eyes,  in  which  there  was  self-confidence  and  critical 
discrimination,  but  no  malice;  with  a  wide-spreadinj 
and  wi'll-projccting  m(jutli,  holding  in  it  the  ever 
presctit  cigar,  and  given  to  much  laughter;  with  a 
kind  heart  that  gave  the  lie  to  many  of  his  words  and 
actions — there  has  never  been  a  man  in  British  Co- 
hunl)ia  who,  with  an  exterior  so  impenetrable  by  a 
stranger,  has  for  so  many  years  maintained  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  the  community,  who  has  made  more 
friends,  or  performed  more  acts  of  unparaded  charity, 
than  John  Sebastian  Helmckcn.  In  more  paths  than 
one — in  the  pursuit  of  politics  and  medicme,  in  the 
[uirKuit  of  wealth,  honor,  and  distinction — he  won  the 
success  he  so  richly  deserved. 


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244 


TWO  ORIGINAL  CHARACTERS. 


At  a  very  tender  age  Helmcken  had  harbored  in 
his  breast  political  aspirations.  In  boyhood  he  had 
thought  of  himself  as  born  to  something,  and  he  had 
not  long  been  among  the  savages  and  miners  of  Fort 
Rupert  before  he  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  he 
was  born  to  rule.  He  was  sure  he  could  rule,  for  if 
his  subjects  would  not  obey  him  he  would  punish 
them  with  physic.  In  such  society  he  surely  might 
aspire  to  shine  as  a  great  medicine;  in  a  government 
so  Utopian  as  to  have  an  office  for  every  citizen,  surely 
he  might  obtain  one.  Time  with  him  was  no  object; 
he  had  little  to  do ;  eight  coal-miners  thus  far  were  all 
who  could  be  legally  compelled  to  take  his  drugs,  and 
the  natives  had  no  confidence  in  him,  preferring  their 
own  physicians,  whom  they  might  righteously  kill 
when  they  failed  to  cure.  He  had  time  enough;  he 
could  attend  to  the  affairs  of  her  Majesty's  govern- 
ment in  those  parts  as  well  as  not,  and  he  thought  he 
should  like  to  do  it. 

As  Helmcken,  unlike  Staines,  declined  to  leave  the 
Island  under  any  consideration,  as  he  declined  to  die 
in  the  service  of  his  country  or  in  any  other  service, 
and  as  we  shall  meet  him  occasionally  in  the  course 
of  this  narrative,  it  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  dispose 
of  him  Anally  in  this  place.  We  shall  see  how  he  be- 
haves in  office,  for  office  he  obtained — office,  the  delight 
of  his  heart.  The  tidings  of  his  first  appointment 
pleased  him  hugely.  His  commission  came  to  him  in 
the  form  of  a  letter  from  the  colonial  governor,  of 
which  ho  immediately  broke  the  seal  and  read.  It 
was  enough  to  win  him  to  the  cause  of  the  corporation 
for  life.  Here,  indeed,  was  a  new  future  opening  up 
to  him,  with  endless  and  brilliant  possibilities,  the 
thoughts  of  which  engendered  high  aspirations,  and 
were  attended  with  such  thrilling  satisfaction  as  those 
only  can  appreciate  who  have  themselves  been  thrown 
upon  the  border-land  of  civilization,  and  have  seen  the 
light  of  liberation  thus  breaking  in  upon  them  through 
the  wilderness.  To  one  who  has  buried  himself  in  a 
new  country,  resolved  there  to  remain,  the  develop- 


JOHN  SEBASTIAN. 


245 


ment  of  himself  and  his  resources  depending  upon  the 
development  of  the  country,  it  is  a  great  satisfaction 
to  him  when  he  is  first  made  aware  that  ho  is  not 
always  to  remain  buried.  Thousands  and  hundreds 
of  thousands,  during  the  pioneer  periods  of  American 
settlement,  have  thus  gone  down  into  their  graves, 
lost  to  themselves  and  to  their  friends,  lost  to  time 
and  to  eternity. 

Now,  in  the  incipiency  of  colonial  government  on 
Vancouver  Island,  Helmckcn  was  the  devoted  parti- 
san of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  And  though  he 
was  not  exactly  the  kind  of  a  man  that  they  had  im- 
agined him  to  be,  in  reality  he  was  of  much  higher 
and  more  lasting  benefit  to  them  than  if  ho  had  been. 
What  they  thought  they  wanted,  and  did  not  want, 
was  a  gnarled  knot  of  human  nature  of  so  coarse  and 
unpleasing  a  texture  as  to  be  oppugnant  to  every  feel- 
ing of  refinement,  egotistical,  boorish,  never  suspect- 
ing the  low  order  of  his  cunning,  affecting  irony,  but 
achieving  only  buffoonery,  fit  to  wait  on  Aristophanes 
or  Rabelais  though  Juvenal  or  Lucian  would  none  of 
him,  making  up  at  table  in  wine  and  loud  laughter 
what  he  lacked  in  wit — such  was  the  kind  of  instru- 
ment on  which  the  fur-traders  would  like  to  play  their 
new  tune  of  colonization. 

All  the  better  was  it  for  their  purpose  that  he 
should  practice  a  profession,  a  business  that  was 
neither  law,  divinity,  nor  commerce,  but  one  which 
would  bring  him  in  contact  with  people  everywhere, 
with  those  of  both  factions,  when  factions  should 
come.  Luckily  for  them,  ho  had  been  taught  to  mix 
and  administer  physic,  in  which  he  now  succeeded  well 
enough;  for,  having  no  competitor,  whether  he  killed 
or  cured  his  proceedings  were  deemed  regular,  and  his 
patients  lived  or  died  by  the  book. 

A  short  time  sufticed  to  show  him  that  office  under 
the  colonial  governor  was  not  his  element.  Though 
openly  friendly,  the  representatives  of  Fonchurch 
street  and  of  Downing  street  were  secretly  opposed. 
And  volatile  as  might  be  John  Sebastian  by  nature, 


246 


TWO  OBIOINAL  GHABAC7IEBS. 


he  could  not  serve  and  satisfy  these  two  masters. 
Love,  avarice,  and  ambition  all  beckoned  him  away 
from  imperial  affairs,  fleeting  and  fading  as  they  were. 
Therefore,  as  her  majesty's  presence  on  Vancouver 
Island  was  at  this  appeal  ing  a  somewhat  shabby  affair, 
the  little  doctor  returned  to  his  origiral  allegiance, 
and  soon  turned  himself  out  of  oflSce. 


It  so  happened,  as  we  have  seen,  that  both  of  these 
men,  the  doctor  and  the  divine,  were  brought  hither 
by  the  monopoly,  whose  servants  they  were;  only  the 
clergyman  would  not  wholly  renounce  his  master  in 
heaven,  would  not  at  all  renounce  himself  for  them,  he 
who  was  inferior  to  no  being  of  whatsoever  caste  or 
cahbre  on  this  or  any  other  planet.  And  so  he  went 
his  way,  and  was  swallowed  by  great  waves  of  ad- 
versity. The  doctor,  on  the  other  hand,  after  a  brief 
departure  from  the  traditional  paths  of  fur-trading 
rectitude,  returned  to  the  easier  pursuit,  and  to  his 
pursuit  proved  faithful  to  the  end,  receiving  to  wife 
a  governor's  daughter,  with  all  attendant  honors  and 
emoluments. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SETTLEMENT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 
1849-1857. 

What  ark  Settlkr.s? — Not  Fur-traders — NciR  Coal-mixers — Nor  yet 

THE  NOOTKA  DIPLOMATISTS — TllE  ^L\lNLANlt  .SOT  lN(.'Lr:)ElJ  I.V  THE  COL- 
ONIZATION Scheme — The  ^[okmons  Cast  an  P'vk  iroN  the  Island — 
Woman,  Red  and  White — Tue  Monopolists  Seize  McKenzie,  Skin- 
ner, McAuley,  AND  Parsons— Bona  Fide  SETTLEsts  Oblioed  to  Taki-; 
What  They  can  Get — W.  Coh^uhoun  Grant— J[is  Skttlement  ap 
Soke  Harmok — Lease  to  Thomas  Monroe — Grant  Sells  Soke  jo 
the  MriRS — James  Cooper,  Sailor,  Trader,  and  Aorici'lturist— 
Builds  One  of  the  Many  First  Vessels — He  Takes  t  p  Land  at  Met- 
chosin — Thomas Blenkhorn — The  '  Harpooner,'  '  Norman  Morrison,' 
AND  the  'Tory  '  Bring  Setplers — The  Town  of  Vkioiuv  Laid  oi  r — 
Wails  from  Fokp  Victoria — James  Deans  Arrives — Baillie  and 
Lanuford — Prooress  of  Settlement, 


The  first  white  men  in  British  Columbia  were  not 
settlers.  To  win  the  favor  of  the  savages,  and  not  to 
exterminate  them,  was  their  object.  In  obfainino' 
the  skins  of  fur-bearing  beasts  their  profit  lay;  and 
tliat  this  source  of  profit  might  continue,  it  was  to 
their  interest,  while  drawing  as  largely  from  the  for- 
ests as  possible,  to  preserve  tlie  country  in  a  state  of 
nature,  and  nurse  the  game  when'  it  Ix'gan  to  fail. 
Tims  the  fur-traders  were  diametrically  oppcjsed  t(» 
settlement,  as  I  have  said  before. 

Nor  could  the  coal-miners  properly  be  called  set- 
tlers. Their  purpose  was  solely  to  disembowel  the 
cartli  of  its  wealth,  not  to  colonize  the  country.  It 
is  only  when  men  appropriate  to  themselves  a  portion 
of  the  soil  with  the  view  of  subduing,  imj»roving,  and 
I'crmanently  cultivating  it  for  the  benefit  of 'themselves 


iur 


9iS 


SETTLEMENT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


■i  li 


and  their  successors,  tliat  settlement  in  tlie  true  sig- 
nification of  the  term  begins. 

There  was  thouglit  of  colonization  at  Nootka,  but, 
it  was  transient.  Astor  entertained  visions  of  settle- 
ment at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  keeping  the  sur- 
rounding country  meanwhile  as  a  hunting-ground. 
Wyeth  thought  to  settle,  trade,  and  build  a  city, 
beginning  operations  by  establishing  Fort  William  on 
Sauvd  Island.  The  originators  of  these  and  other 
like  schemes  were  doomed  to  disappointment.  Tlu; 
hour  of  permanent  occupation  had  not  ja^t  como. 
The  opposers  of  settlement  were  too  strong  for  sucli 
efforts.  It  was  only  when  the  stomach  of  tlie  great 
monopoly  began  to  feel  cravings  for  something  ilsc 
than  purely  animal  food,  began  to  see  profit  in  feed- 
ing their  fur-hunting  brethren  of  Russian  America, 
that  they  allowed  their  hunting-fields  to  be  in  any 
degree  marred,  and  their  servants  to  reclaim  a  few 
fertile  patches  of  ground  for  their  own  more  proper 
feeding.  Thus  settlement  was  permitted  to  begin  in 
a  small  and  primitive  way  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sev- 
eral forts,  and  by  the  French  Canadian  servants  of 
the  company  in  the  Willamette,  Columbia,  and  Cow- 
litz valleys. 

Nor,  from  their  own,  and  from  a  commercial  stand- 
point, were  the  fur-traders  wrong  in  opposing  to  tl 
latest  possible  moment  the  inroads  of  agriculture  upc 
their  fur-bearing  domain.  Their  protestations  of  in- 
difference, in  political  circles,  as  to  the  progress  of 
settlement,  their  denials  of  harboring  any  desire  to 
retard  the  permanent  occupation  of  the  country,  might 
be  taken  at  their  worth.  Years  before  the  consunniin- 
tion  of  their  fears  tlu^y  saw  that  their  traffic  on  tlic 
lower  Columbia,  and  south  of  it,  was  doomed.  And 
when  finally  by  the  infiux  into  Oregon  of  emigrants 
from  the  United  States  they  were  driven  back  beyond 
the  49th  parallel,  only  what  they  had  long  known  to 
be  the  inevitable  was  upon  them. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  with  the  removal  «»f 


10 


EUROPEAN  MARITAL  FASHIONS. 


249 


head-quarters  to  Fort  Victoria  the  transport  for  the 
j\Iainland  interior  was  established  by  way  of  Fraser 
River,  furs  being  brought  on  horses  down  to  Hope, 
and  thence  by  boat  to  Fort  Victoria.  Outfits  for  New 
Caledonia  and  the  other  interior  districts  went  out  by 
the  same  route.  Yet  in  1847  there  was  not  a  single 
white  man  on  the  Fraser  between  Langley  and  Alex- 
andria, save  at  the  salmon  fishery  below  Hope.  For 
some  time  yet  the  Mainland  was  destined  to  be  kept 
solemnly  aboriginal. 

As  early  as  1845  the  Mormons  had  their  eyes  on 
Vancouver  Island  as  a  haven  of  rest,  Nootka  being 
their  objective  point.  Even  before  the  homely  hard- 
ships of  agricultural  ventures,  the  Island  began  to  look 
upward,  began  to  put  off  that  conventional  prostitu- 
tion which  had  so  long  been  pronounced  respectable 
by  commercial  considerations,  and  to  array  marital 
matters  in  the  white  robes  of  Christian  purity.  Mc- 
Loughlin  had  been  reviled  by  Beaver  for  living  in 
open  adultery.  Mrs  Beaver  would  not  permit  her 
petticoats  to  come  in  contact  with  those  of  Mrs  Mc- 
Loughlin  for  fear  of  defilement ;  so  after  soundly  cud- 
gelling the  clergyman  for  his  impudence,  to  make  up 
for  past  defects  the  chief  factor  had  himself  married 
to  his  wife ;  was,  in  fact,  married  to  her  two  or  three 
times  over. 

And  as  the  light  of  parliament  now  dawned  upon 
this  dark  western  wilderness  with  ever  increasing 
lustre,  at  the  heels  of  many  another  officer  of  the  fur 
monopoly  dangled  the  tawdry  vestments  of  aboriginal 
love  unsanctified  by  any  European  formula.  All  this 
must  now  be  changed,  and  the  Island  must  put  on  con- 
nubial purity.  Those  who  had  incased  the  polluted 
lilood  of  their  ofispring  in  dusky  coverings  must  re- 
pent and  be  baptized,  then  sit  in  social  sackcloth  all 
their  days.  But  for  those  who  had  overcome,  white 
wives  should  be  the  reward. 

From  the  Hawaiian  Islands  in  1848  came  Mrs  Gov- 


m 


m  ■• 


'         .1     ; 


\M 


m 


m 


2S0 


SETTLEMENT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


ington,  of  blood  pure  and  etiolated  skin,  the  aurora 
borealis  of  feminity,  who  reigned  resplendent  for  forty 
years  and  more.  Others  from  England  followed;  there 
were  the  Langfords,  the  Skinners,  Mrs  Staines,  and 
Mrs  McKenzie;  and  so  aboriginal  wife-taking  went 
out  of  fashion  forever.  Miss  Burnie,  Anderson's 
wife's  aunt,  arrived  from  Scotland  in  1851.^ 

Among  the  first  acts  of  the  company  was  to  work 
out  for  themselves  a  tract  of  land  comprising  ten 
square  miles^  round  Fort  Victoria,  and  to  have  it  sur- 
veyed. The  whole  Island  had  been  granted  them,  but 
for  purposes  of  sale  and  colonization.  This  ten-mile 
tract  they  desired  to  reserve;  this  they  would  hold 
and  not  sell. 

Not  that  the  company  entertained  the  purpose  of 
paying  at  once  into  the  colonial  exchequer  the  pound 
per  acre  to  make  good  their  title,  unless  it  should  be- 
come necessary  for  them  to  do  so,  and  unless  they 
should  clearly  see  profit  in  it  at  that  price.  However 
it  should  turn  out  in  the  end,  they  had  the  power  at 
this  time  to  hold  it,  and  to  refuse  to  sell  it  at  any 
price.  And  this  they  did.  When  Mr  Blanshard 
returned  to  England  in  1851  there  were  two  or  three 
of  the  company's  former  servants  located  within  the 
tract;  not  more. 

Great  indeed  were  the  monopolists  in  whatsoever 
direction  greatness  was  the  fashion;  if  in  fur-trading, 
half  the  world  was  too  small  for  them;  if  in  farming, 
they  would  be  the  largest  farmers  in  British  Colum- 
bia.    All  the  Island  and  Mainland  were  theirs,  and 

•  'Rev  Mr  Staines,  who  was  also  school-master  aa  well  as  chaplain  to  the 
company,  arrived  at  Fort  Victoria  from  England  about  1849,  and  remained 
until  ahovit  1853.  Mrs  Staines,  his  wife,  was  probably  tlio  first  English  lady 
who  landed  on  Vancouver  Island.'  Anderson's  Hist.  Northwest  Coast,  MS., 
102.  'Mrs  Covington,  now  in  Victoria,  was  the  first  white  lady  here.'  Fin- 
laysoii's  Hist.,  V.  /.,  MS.,  90.  Grant,  Lond.  Geofj.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxvii.  281, 
says  that  Mr  and  Mrs  Staines  were  there  in  1854.  'Mrs  Annie  Muir,  wife 
of  John  Muir  of  Solse,  died  Feb.  18,  1875,  aged  73  years.  She  came  to  thi  ■. 
country  in  1848,  being  the  second  white  woman  who  landed  in  the  province 
of  British  Columbia.'  Olympia  Traitscript,  !M;u'cli  C,  1875. 

"This  according  to  Blanshard,  House  Commona  liept.,  sel.  com.,  1857,  207. 
Grant  including  the  Puget  Sound  Company  makes  the  quantity  much  larger. 


THE  rU(4KT  SOUNP  COMPANY'S  TRACTS 


I'll 


all  the  j)(>wcr;  were  they  idiots  that  they  should  not 
liave  a  door-yard  to  Victoria  Harbor  and  fort?  By 
no  uieans.^  On  thu  most  fertile  spots  the  two  great 
coiiipanios  planted  farms,  one  at  Craigflower,  one  at 
Lake  Hill,  and  so  on,  and  brought  out  men  from 
England  to  work  them.  In  1853  the  Puget  Sound 
Company  had  under  cultivation  and  in  charge  of  three 
hailiiis,  twenty-five  acres  of  their  open  patch  of  two 
liundred  acres  lying  bctwct'u  Yii-toria  and  Esquimalt. 

Skinner's  fai'm,  McKenzie's  fai'in  at  Craigflower, 
AEcAuley's  farm,  and  Langford's,  were  settlements 
made  under  the  auspices  of  the  Puget  Sound  Com- 
[»any.  Parsons'  bridge  was  built,  and  there  a  saw 
and  grist  mill  was  erected  for  the  company,  Parsons 
superintending  the  saw-mill  part  of  the  structure,  and 
George  McKenzie  the  grist-mill  part/  The  remains 
of  the  mill  were  visible  in  1878;  by  the  freshet  of 
1854-5  the  wheel  was  washed  out,  and  the  property 
was  otherwise  badly  damaged.  Two  or  three  families 
besides  several  single  men  lived  at  Parsons'  Bridge. 

And  because  the  company  was  great,  if  for  no  other 
reason,  the  settlers  early  threw  themselves  into  an 
attitude  of  antagonism.  They  seemed  to  understand 
from  the  first  that  they  had  the  monopoly  to  fight, 
and  if  no  wrongs  had  already  been  committed,  they 
would  do  battle  for  those  which  were  sure  sooner  or 
later  to  be  perpetrated. 

Their  standard  complaints  were  the  original  terms 


"Ou  my  arrival  in  thi!  Island  all  the  laud  in  the  neighborhood  of  Victoria 
.iimI  Esquimau,  which  comprised  some  40  square  miles,  and  contaiueil  nearly 
nil  ,the  available  land  then  known,  was  reserved  1)>  tlie  Hudson's  IJay  and 
I'uget  iSoiind  companies.'  Oraiit,  in  Loud.  (ko<j,  Sor.,  Jour.,  xxvii.  '273. 
Writing  to  Lord  (Jrey,  tlie  loth  of  June  18.10,  (fovernor  Ulausharil  says:  'The 
lludsou's  Bay  Company  have  commenced  a  survey  of  tlie  land  reserved  to 
themselves,  which  is  bounded  l)y  a  line  drawn  nearly  <hie  north  from  the  lu;ad 
iif  Victoria  Harbour  to  a  liill  marked  on  the  chart  as  Cedar  Hill  or  Mount 
l>ougla3,  and  thence  ruiniing  due  east  to  the  Canal  de  Arro.  Tlie  extent  is 
Intimated  at  about  ten  miles  square,  A  tract  adjoining  of  similar  extent  is 
reserved  for  the  Puget  Sound  Agricultural  Association.  .  .This  last  contains 
tlie  liarbour  of  lilsrpumalt. .  .Tliere  is  no  water  near;  the  water  reipiireil  for 
tlie  servants  ;>i  the  Hudson's  Ray  Company  is  brought  from  a  distance  of  two 
miles,  and  during  summer  and  autumn  they  are  kept  on  allowance  as  at  sea.' 
Hf'hithiird's  Dexjinfchen,  2. 

'  Di„n.i'  kifUkiutiil  V.  I.,  MS.,  19;  Brit.  Col  Sketches,  MS.,  25. 


252 


SETTLEMENT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


'  f  1 


'i!  n  K 


of  colonization,  the  grasping  disposition  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  and  Puget  Sound  companies  in  appropriat- 
ing all  the  best  lands,  the  fear  of  the  Indians,  the 
absence  of  properly  constituted  courts,  the  withering 
influence  of  monopoly  on  colonization,  and  the  failure 
to  have  been  admitted  into  the  Canadian  reciprocity 
treaty.  These  were  the  permanent  troubles,  besides 
which  was  a  multitude  of  near  and  transient  woes 
which  well  nigh  overshadowed  all  the  rest.  They  ob- 
jected to  the  "truck  system"  as  they  stigmatized  the 
company's  time-honored  mode  of  barter;  laborers  or 
any  who  had  dealings  with  the  monopolists  being 
obliged  to  receive  pay  in  goods  in  lieu  of  money, 
and  at  whatever  prices  the  company  should  choose 
to  fix.** 

There  was  one  vessel  belonging  to  the  company 
which  made  voyages  between  Victoria  and  the  Ha- 
waiian Islands  several  times  a  year.  This  ship  would 
take  freight  from  Victoria  hence,  but  would  not  as 
a  rule  bring  goods  for  settlers  from  abroad  to  Vic- 
toria. The  open  land  was  first  appropriated,  where 
neither  milling  nor  shipping  facilities  were  required, 
this  being  less  expensive  to  prepare  for  cultivation 
than  timber  land.  The  open  land  was  usually  fertile, 
and  capable  of  producing  from  twenty-five  to  forty 
bushels  of  wheat  to  the  acre.  Wheat  was  sown  in 
October,  and  among  the  best  fields  in  1856  were  Old 
Bay  Farm  and  the  farm  of  Mr  Ross.  The  price  of 
wheat  depended  on  the  will  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company.  They  might  give  for  it  a  shilling  a  bushel, 
or  ten  shillings  if  they  pleased,  or  they  might  not  take 
it  at  all." 


The  first  and  only  bonajide  settlement  for  several 
years  under  the  crown  grant,  and  independent  of  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  or  not  an  offshoot  from  it, 

^Deana'  Settlement,  V.  I.,  MS.,  3. 

•  Mr  Grogan  asked  what  was  done  with  the  wheat  in  caae  the  company  re- 
fused to  buy  it.  'A  great  deal  of  it  ia  in  stacks  to  this  day,'  Mr  Cooper  replied, 
'there being  no  market  fur  it.'  Home  Commons  RepL,  203. 


GRANT  AT  SOKE  HARBOR. 


'253 


f  the  Hud- 

appropriat- 

ndians,  the 

e  withering 

the  failure 

reciprocity 

)les,  besides 

iisient  woes 

.    They  ob- 

matized  the 

laborers  or 

olists  being 

L  of  money, 

ould  choose 

tie  company 
md  the  Ha- 
s  ship  would 
rould  not  as 
•oad  to  Vic- 
iated,  where 
ire  required, 
r  cultivation 
,ually  fertile, 
ive  to  forty 
was  sown  in 
56  were  Old 
The  price  of 
udson's  Bay 
ing  a  bushel, 
ght  not  take 


t  for  several 
ndent  of  the 
oot  from  it, 


;e  the  company  rc- 
Ir  Cooper  replied, 


was  made  in  1849  by  W.  C.  Grant.'  Hearing  of  the 
new  colonization  project,  he  sold  his  commission  as 
captain  in  an  English  cavalry  regiment,  and  fitting 
out  a  small  colony  consisting  of  eight  persons,  he 
placed  them  with  all  his  effects  on  board  the  ship 
ILirpooner  for  Vancouver  Island,  by  way  of  Cape 
Horn,  coming  out  himself  by  way  of  Panamd.  The 
Ilarpooner  arrived  in  June  1849,**  and  the  eight  agri- 
culturists and  colonists  with  all  their  belongings  were 
brought  wholly  at  Grant's  expense.  After  a  careful 
examination  of  the  country  in  the  vicinity,  he  chose 
wliat  he  regarded  as  the  most  favorable  spot  avail- 
able, which  was  at  Soke  Harbor,  at  the  head  of  Soke 
Inlet,  distant  from  Fort  Victoria,  south-westerly,  some 
twenty  miles.® 

Grant  would  have  preferred  settling  nearer  the  fort, 
where  his  little  colony  would  have  been  less  isolated, 
less  open  to  attack  from  the  savages,  and  nearer  the 
source  of  supplies;   but  by  the  outspreading  of  the 

'W.  Colquhoun  Grant  was  a  captain  of  tlie  Scota  Greys,  2d  Dragoon 
Guards,  and  lieutenant-colonel  of  Turkish  cavalry  contingent.  Ho  waa  a 
nuiii  of  no  ordinary  natural  ability,  to  which  were  added  high  intellectual  at- 
tniuinents,  as  is  clearly  sll0^vn  by  a  Description  of  Vancouver  Island,  w 'itten 
ill  18.14,  read  before  the  London  Geographical  Society  the  22d  of  Juno  ,'857, 
and  printed  in  vol.  xxvii.  of  the  society's  Journal,  2G8-320.  This  article,  which 
is  accompanied  by  an  excellent  map,  I  have  often  had  occasion  to  quote  in 
tliis  history.  As  I  have  before  remarked,  it  covers  the  whole  field  of  gec;.'ra- 
pliy,  geology,  ethnology,  and  natural  history,  with  a  masterly  applicati(  n  of 
science  to  an  entirely  new  domain.  In  describing  a  trip  around  tho  Island, 
ho  gives  particulars  of  the  prominent  features  coming  under  his  observation, 
describing  the  harbors,  their  natural  advantages,  tho  amount  of  available 
Laid,  with  statistics  touching  climate,  resources,  and  coal  and  trade  prospects, 
and  an  account  of  the  natives.  This  statement  of  Grant,  printed  by  so  re- 
spectable a  body  as  the  Geographical  Society,  carried  great  weight  in  England, 
and  influenced  in  no  small  degree  the  subsequent  investigations  of  parliament. 

"Finlayson,  Hist.,  V.  I.,  MS.,  48,  says  that  the  fii.st  colonists  arrived  in 
1S51,  but  ho  makes  the  statement  erroneously  from  memory,  (irant  makes  it 
indisputable  when  he  states,  Lond.  Geo;/,  ilor..  Jour.,  xxvii.  27.3:  'In  June 
I  H4',t,  the  first  batch  of  colonists  under  tliis  system  arrived,  and  they  consisted 
of  oiglit  men  brought  out  by  myself;  and  from  that  day  to  tliis' — he  was 
w  riting  in  1854 — 'not  a  suigle  other  independent  colonist  has  come  out  from 
tlu;  (jld  country  to  settle  in  the  Island;  all  the  other  individuals  who  have 
taken  up  land  having  been  in  the  employ  of  the  company,  and  brought  out 
to  1  he  country  at  its  expense.' 

'■'I  i rant's  distances  were  greater  than  those  of  later  measurers.  He  says, 
London  Geog.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxvii.  273,  that  'Matchousin,  distant  eleven  milea 
Ironi  Victoria,  was  pointed  out  to  me  as  the  nearest  imclaimed  spot  on  which 
I  rould  settle;  not  approving  of  which,  as  there  was  neither  a  harbour  nor 
mill-power  there,  I  was  recommended  to  proceed  to  Soke,  distant  20  milea.' 


ri 


254 


SKTTJJ'-MKNT  OF  VANCOUVKlt  ISLAND. 


tiifri' 


mil 


skirts  of  till.'  fur  monopoly,  and  of  those  of  its  sister 
association  wliilom  of  Puget  Soiiiul,  ho  was  obhgtd 
to  butaku  himself  to  the  wilderness  beyond  their 
sacred  precincts. 

Soke  Harbor  was  large,  larger  than  either  Victoria 
or  Es(iuinialt  liarbor.  It  was  well  shciltered;  and 
though  the  entrance  was  intricate,  vessels  could  waip 
in  and  out,  or  having  a  south-west  wind  they  could 
enter  without  difficulty.^"  The  soil  was  good,  capable 
of  producing  any  tiring  grown  in  England  or  Scotland, 
and  the  a])original  occupants,  sixty  nrale  adults  in 
number,  were  peaceful.  On  the  whole  it  was  the  best 
he  could  do.  Accordingly  he  selected  there  a  tract  of 
land,  built  farm-houses  and  barn,  and  erected  a  saw- 
mill at  the  mouth  of  a  small  stream  flowing  into  the 
harbor  frorrr  the  north-east.  Thirty-five  acres  wcri! 
soon  under  cultivatioir,  and  a  snrall  stock  of  cattle, 
horses,  pigs,  and  poultry  rejoiced  over  that  act  of  the 
British  parliament  which  resulted  in  giving  them  so 
much  to  eat  with  so  little  effort  in  obtaining  it. 

There  ff)r  two  years  resided  the  retired  captaiir,  a 
solitary  coloirist;  he  who  lately  figured  so  conspicuously 
in  the  drawirrg-room  and  on  parade,  now  reduced  to 
the  abject  rulership  in  a  solitary  wilderness  of  eight 
farm-hands  with  their  attendrut  pigs  and  poultry. 
"Being  a  patriotic  Highlander,  says  Finlaysorr,  "he 
had  formed  the  idea  of  establishing  a  Scotch  colony, 
and  intended  bringing  out  a  Gaelic  school-master  arrd 
a  Scotch  piper."  Becoming  tired  of  such  a  life,  in 
1851  he  leased  his  farm  to  some  of  his  men,  Thonras 
Munroe  and  others,  and  took  his  departure  from  the 
Island.  The  laborers  left  to  themselves  speedily  be- 
came demoralized,  so  that  returning  after  a  time  to 
find  his  farm  neglected,  the  land  lying  uncultivated. 
and   most  of  the   property  destroyed,  the  disgusted 


'•Tlie  ship  Lord  Weiiter7i,  drawing  nineteen  feet  of  water,  loaded  there  in 
the  Slimmer  of  1853,  litfore  f4rant's  article  was  written.  This  vessel  was 
w  recked  shortly  afterward  at  Achosat  a  little  north  of  Clayoquot. 


THE  MUIRS,  McKAY,  AND  COOl'EU. 


869 


ciiptain  sold  the  establishment  for  what  lie  could  get, 
and  abandoned  tlie  country." 

The  purchasers  of  Grant's  establishments  at  Soke 
wore  the  Muirs,  Michel  Muir  behig  still  there  when 
1  visited  V^ancouver  Island  in  1878,  at  which  time 
the  original  sixty  natives  had  been  reduced  by  civili- 
zation, disease,  and  rum,  to  five.^" 

])uring  the  summer  of  1850,  Joseph  W.  McKay 
Wiis  commissioned  to  explore  that  part  of  the  island 
lyiiii;'  between  Victoria  and  the  newly  discovered  coal- 
uiiiies  at  Nanaimo,  with  a  view  of  o])enin|L*'  the  country 
to  settlers.  Several  tracts  w^ere  designated;  but  if 
tlio  monopolists  could  not  occupy  a  single  ])oint  on 
Island  or  MamJand  without  the  protection  of  j)alisa(!rs 
ill  1(1  armed  bastions,  how  was  the  solitary  agriculturist 
to  ])lough  his  field  and  defend  his  family? 

James  Cooper,'^  in  1851.  brought  out  from  England 
in  sections  a  si.  all  iron  vessel,  which,  on  arrival,  lie 
])ut  together  in  \'ictoria.  Many  call  this  the  first 
vessel    11  any  manner  constructed  or  'aunched  from 


"  Saiiuiul  Hancock,  Thirteen  Years' JiesUknce  oit  the  ^^orihwc.tt  Co'ix(,  MS., 
'J17-)S,  wild,  I)y  stress  of  weather,  was  thrown  iipon  (Jrant  in  his  iierniitago 
liufdi-e  his  departure  in  187)1,  reports  him  'a  most  generous  gentleman.... 
iiavim;  around  him  three  or  four  servants,  and  amusing  himself  as  liest  he 
cdidil.'  In  ISoO,  besides  Fort  Victoria,  there  was  but  one  small  settlement 
at  Soke,  jfoii.sc  Cotittiioiis  ]'<]>t.  Set.  Com.,  18")7,  '204. 

'-'Sookewas  the  first  place  from  which  piles  and  spars  were  exported. 
(San  Francisco,  Shanghai,  Australia,  Hong  Kong,  Sandwich  Islands,  South 
America,  and  England,  wer<>  points  of  oxportation. '  Mirlicl  Mnir,  in  Brit. 
Col.  Sh'/rh,:^,  MS.,  •_'-!. 

'■'Mr  Cooper  entered  the  service  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  in  184-1, 
as  master  in  command  of  a  vessel  sailing  between  London  and  Fort  Vancou- 
ver. In  1849  he  was  captain  of  the  bark  ('olniiihln.  At  the  time  I  met  him 
ill  1878,  he  impressed  me  as  a  pleavuit  Fii^ilish  gintleiuen,  with  a  mind  more 
tlian  ordinarily  subject  to  the  war|>  of  fintuiie;  consistent  in  his  dislikes, 
Mhicli  Were  lasting,  harboring  from  year  to  year  liis  hatred  of  the  Hudson's 
bay  (/dinpany  with  unwavering  persistency.  He  soon  left  the  service  of  the 
('uiii[)aiiy  and  became  a  .settler  on  Vancouver  Island.  Visiting  England  in 
]Sr)7  lie  gave  evidence  against  the  company  before  the  house  of  eomnions' 
silict  committee.  'Notwithstanding  over  twcnty-tive  years  have  passed,'  ho 
saiil  to  nie,  'and  any  harsh  feeling  on  my  part  may  fairly  be  consitlered  to 
liavu  vanished,  I  state  with  all  candor  that  ditUeiilties  experienced  by  myself 
ill  the  early  struggles  of  settlement  in  this  country  may  be  attributed  to  the 
iiidiiopoly  and  adverse  interests  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.'  A  plain 
man,  Captain  Cooper  told  me  a  plain,  unvarnished  tale,  but  his  amanuensis, 
a  young  person  of  more  pretensions  than  parts,  .so  cloudc'.  it  with  high-sound- 
ing worda  as  greatly  to  obscure  the  blunt  old  sailor's  inea..uig. 


2S6 


SETTLEMENT  OP  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


the  Island,  but  they  forget  Nootka."  It  was  employed 
during  the  seaso.;  of  1852  in  trade  at  Fraser  River, 
where  the  owner  bought  cranberries  and  potatoes 
from  the  natives  for  the  San  Francisco  market.  The 
Indians  gathered  cranberries,  which  grew  in  large 
quantities  on  the  delta  at  the  mouth  of  the  Fraser 
River,  supplying  the  vessel  at  the  rate  of  seventy-five 
cents  a  barrel.  These  berries  were  sold  in  San  Fran- 
cisco at  a  dollar  a  gallon. 

It  was  a  new  industry,  and  was  not  regarded  with 
any  degree  of  favor  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company, 
which  still  held  a  license  of  exclusive  trade  with  the 
Indians  on  the  Mainland.  It  is  true  that  this  license 
referred  more  particularly  to  the  peltry  traflfic,  but 
the  company  were  jealous  of  any  interference  in  that 
quarter,  and  threw  every  obstacle  in  the  way  of  any 
kind  of  commercial  intercourse  with  the  natives  of 
the  Mainland.  ^^  Soon  after  Captain  Cooper  had  opened 
this  traffic,  Douglas  sent  instructions  to  the  officer  in 
charge  at  Fort  Langley,  to  buy  all  the  cranberries  the 
Indians  could  gather,  and  pay  such  a  price  for  them 
as  would  keep  other  traders  away. 

Cooper  took  up  land  at  Metchosin,  seven  miles 
from  the  fort,  and  became  a  settler  under  the  crown 
grant,  being  the  first  defection  from  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company's  service  in  that  direction.  He  farmed 
three  hundred  acres,  and  called  himself  a  colonist  from 


"  The  owner,  indeed,  says  it  waa  tho  first  on  the  Pacific  coast.  Cooper's 
Mar.  Matters,  MS.,  5.  But  we  may  surely  count  half  a  dozen  before  this,  as 
at  Neah  Bay,  Astoria,  and  elsewhere  on  tho  Columbia,  and  on  the  north  coast. 
It  is  unsafe  to  call  a  thing  first  unless  one  is  sure  that  nothing  was  before  it. 

>*  *  To  show  how  entirely  dependent  settlers  were  upon  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company:  I  found  it  necessary  to  apply  to  the  company  for  the  purchase  of 
barrels,  originally  intended  as  salmon-barrels,  for  tho  purpose  of  holding  the 
cranberries  traded  for  on  the  Fraser  River.  Should  I  fail  to  secure  such  barrels, 
the  time,  labor,  and  expense  I  had  been  put  to,  to  collect  such  cargo,  would 
be  lost.  I  had  no  thouglit,  however,  that  a  refusal  would  be  made,  coiisiiioi - 
ing  that  to  speak  within  bounds,  the  company  had  at  that  time  at  least  a 
thousand  barrels  on  hand,  the  prime  cost  of  which  to  them  would  not  cer- 
tainly exceed  thirty  cents  each. . .  .No  barrels  could  be  bouj^ht  elsewhere 

I  therefore  applied  to  the  company  to  sell  me  one  liundred  barrels. .  .when, 
after  much  apparent  concession,  the  favor  was  accorded  to  mo  of  being  allowed 
to  purchase  one  hundred  barrels  at  three  dollars  each  cash.'  Cooper's  Mar. 
Matters,  MS.,  5-6. 


GRANT  AND  BLENKHORN. 


257 


1851  to  1857,  by  which  latter  date  he  had  arrived  at 
the  conclusion  that  the  term  signified  little.  High  as 
ran  his  expectations,  he  was  doomed  to  disappoint- 
ment as  an  agriculturist.  Unlike  Grant,  he  did 
not  run  away  and  rail,  but  railed  and  remained,  and 
when  last  I  saw  him  was  still  reviling  the  monopolists 
who  had  tricked  him  in  the  cranberry  trade,  and  had, 
by  their  baneful  breath,  stifled  his  attempts  at  Met- 
chosin.^" 

Cooper's  partner  at  Metchosin  as  well  as  at  the 
Fraser  Delta  was  Thomas  Blenkhom,  pronounced  by 
Fitzwilliam  before  the  select  committee  to  be  one 
of  the  most  energetic  settlers  on  the  Island.  Before 
coming  hither  he  had  been  up  and  down  the  world 
somewhat,  had  lived  some  time  in  Australia,  possessed 
a  mind  of  wide  range,  and  well  tried  by  experience. 
Blcnkhorn  also  carried  on  a  lumber  trade  with  San 
Francisco,  and  was  in  most  ways  an  estimable  man. 

Besides  Grant's  agriculturists,  the  Harpooner, 
which  arrived  in  June  1849,  brought  out  eight  coal- 
ininers  to  work  the  company's  property  at  Fort 
Rupert.  There  were  also  on  board  two  laborers  for 
the  fort  farm.  In  1850  the  bark  Norman  Morrison 
arrived,  bringing  eighty  immigrants;  in  June  1851, 
the  Tory  came  into  port  with  one  hundred  and  twenty 
hired  laborers,  about  one  quarter  of  whom,  with  some 
coal-mining  machinery  the  vessel  brought,  were  sent 
to  Fort  Rupert."  The  Tory  returned  by  way  of 
Honolulu  and  Shanghai,  carrying  tea  to  England. 

Mr  Blanshard,  the  first  governor,  states  that  when 


'"After Grant cameCooper.'BaysFinlayson.  Hist.,  V. I., "MS.,  iB.  'Hetoo 
liad  sanguine  hopes. .  .These  two  settlers  who  might  be  said  to  have  complied 
wilh  the  first  conditions,  spent  all  their  means,  and  the  venture  proved  en- 
tirely unsuccessful.'  See  also  Cooper,  in  House  Commons  liept.  sel.  com.  if.  li. 
AfairK,  IS')?,  190.  Fitzwilliam,  in  ib.,  119,  states  that  ho  purchased  the  land 
from  the  Hudson's  Bay  Compajiy. 

'' '  Some  have  already  been  sent  to  Oregon,  and  some  toother  posts  of  the 
company.  No  preparation  had  been  made  hero  for  their  reception,  beyond 
erecting  a  couple  of  log-houses,  or  rather  sheds.  In  these  the  renainder  are 
luKldlcd  together  like  cattle,  as  I  have  seen  myself,  to  the  number  of  thirty 
111'  thirty-five  in  each  shed,  men  and  women,  married  and  single,  without  any 
kiiid  of  screen  or  partition  to  separate  them.'  Jilamhard's  Dexpatches,  12, 
Hut.  Bbis.  Col.    17  i 


258 


SETTLEMKNT  OF  VAXCOUN'KK  ISLAND. 


r;  II 


lie  retiiriu'd  to  England  in  18G1,  besides  the  officers 
and  servants  of  tlie  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  tlieri' 
were  about  thirty  settlers  on  the  Island.  Of  these, 
some  had  formerly  been  in  the  service  of  the  com- 
pan}^  but  had  withdrawn  their  connection,  bought 
land,  and  haO.  become  agriculturists  or  stock-raisers. 
Januis  Deans  says  that  m  1852  there  were  in  the 
vicinity  of  Fort  Victoria  but  st!ven  independent  set- 
tlers, three  of  whom  had  formerly  been  in  the  com- 
j)any's  service.^"* 

The  town  of  Victoria  was  laid  out  in  streets  in 
1852,  the  western  boundary  being  the  harbor,  the 
eastern,  the  present  Government  street,  the  southern 
the  fort,  and  the  northern,  the  present  Johnst(jn 
street.^^  Two  trails  led  from  the  fort;  one  to  the 
Songhies'  camp,  and  on  to  McAuley  Point,  and 
through  McKenzie  Plains  to  CraigHowcr  and  Colwood. 
the  other  connecting  with  the  town  and  also  with  Col- 
wood, but  })assi ng  round  the  north  sides  of  Victoria 
and  Esquimalt  arms,  and  ci-ossing  the  former  at  Qua- 
niassin,  that  is  to  say,  Seatangle,  at  the  present  bridge. 
When  James  Deans  arrived,  early  the  following  year, 
where  the  city  now  stands  was  thick  brush,  with 
intervening  cultivated  patches.  Besides  the  fort  then' 
were  but  twelve  houses  witliin  the  pn^sent  city  limits. 

Again,  on  tlie  KJtli  of  January,  185.S,  appeared  the 
Norma))  Morrison,  with  two  hundnxl  additional  colo- 
nists, who  had  iMigaged  themselves  to  the  company  for 
five  years,  the  reward  for  such  .service  being  land  te 
the  regal  extent  of  twenty-five  acres  to  laborers,  and 
fifty  acrt^s  to  tradesmen,  payable  at  the  expiration  of 
the  term.      It  was  a  noble  enterprise,  well  worthy  the 

'" Their  nainea  were  .hinu's  Yates,  Jiiiues  Cooper,  R.  Anderson,  R.  Scott, 
James  M.  Ri'iil,  W .  'J'lKmipson,  and  (uutrge  Deans.  Iham  Settlement,  V.  /., 
MS.,  4.  See  also  liril.  <  \<l.  Shtehex,  MS.,  'J.  Resides  tlieahuve,  we  find  sigiuvl 
to  a  settlers'  ju'titiipii  t<i  (ioveriKir  Hlansluird  the  names  f(f  the  Miiirs,  at  Soke, 
Mieliel,  Arehihahl,  Andrew,  Robert,  and  .Tohn,  senior  and  junior;  Thomas 
Blenkhorn,  "letelio^-in;  'J'liomas  Munroe,  .lames  Sanjjster,  K.  J.  Staiin'^, 
William  Fraser,  .John  Mdire^or,  and  William  MeDonald.  In  his  estimate  of 
thirty,  Blanshard  was  as  nsual  vague  and  undeeided,  though  there  may  have 
huen  laborers  enough  to  make  up  the  number. 

^^' FhtUiyiion's  Letter.'*,  MS,,  l.Sih  Oet.  1871). 


JAMES  DEANS. 


269 


the  officers 
)aiiy,  there 
Of  these, 
f  the  coiii- 
on,  bought 
,ock-raisers. 
vere  in  the 
eiideiit  set- 
11  the  eom- 

11  streets  in 
harbor,  the 
he  soutlierii 
it   Johnston 
one  to  the 
Point,    and 
lid  Col  wood, 
iso  with  Col- 
,  of  Victoria 
iiier  at  Qua- 
isent  brido-e. 
lowing  year, 
brush,  with 
he  fort  there 
t  city  limits, 
ippeared  the 
litional  eolo- 
eoinpany  for 
eing  land  to 
aborers,  aiul 
xpiration  of 
worthy  the 

Icrsoii,  It.  Scott, 
Sdlli-mcuf,  I'.  /•. 
ve,  wo  liiiil  si^Tioil 
;  Mu'.rs,  iit  Sivku. 
1  junior;  Tliom;i.s 
'H.  J.  Staiiii^ 
la  his  cstimuti'  ot 
h  there  may  have 


(!onception  of  honest  merchants  and  the  management 
of  parliament,  this  seizing  lands  without  pay,  expel- 
ling the  natives,  then  putting  men  to  subdue  it  who 
should  take  as  pay  an  infinitesimal  part  of  the  land 
which  their  own  hands  had  made  of  value. 

zVmong  these  arrivals  was  James  Deans,  before  men- 
tioned, who  came  out  as  laborer,  and  after  a  few^  weeks* 


./"(Ill  rl,-  Frli'd  .s(r.\v 


South  End  op  Vancoi'ver  Island,  1853. 

service  in  the  company's  store  was  .s  jt  to  work  on  their 
larm  at  Craigflower,  where  he  remained  half  liis  term, 
serving  the  remainder  among  the  sheep  at  the  Lake 
Hill  station. 

T.  F.  McElroy  visiting  Victoria  in  September  1853 
in  company  with  Captain  Reid  and  daughter,  of  the 
Island,  was  met  on   lanchng  by    .Viuh-ew  ^Inir,  who 


260 


SETTLEMKXT  OF  VANCOUVKll  ISLAND. 


■\  rn 


introduced  hiiii  to  Mr  Finlayson  aiul  WiHiain  Atkin- 
son, after  which  lie  proceeded  to  Esquiiiialt,  where 
the  United  States  surveying  steamer  Active,  Captain 
Alden,  was  anchored.  McElroy  states  that  James 
C'oo})er  was  residing  there  at  the  time,  though  Michel 
Muir  affirms  that  there  were  no  settlers  at  Esquimalt 
m  1855,  and  that  the  first  houses  were  built  where  the 
navy-yard  was  subsequently  placed.  McElroy,  an 
American,  was  delighted  with  Staines,  who  scourged 
hift  own  countrymen  more  thoroughly  than  any  for- 
eigner could  have  done.  Next,  the  colonial  academy, 
conducted  by  Robert  Barr,  was  visited;  afterward 
Thomas  Baillie,  whose  residence  was  five  miles  from 
the  fort. 

At  the  end  of  1853,  besides  the  17,000  natives'" 
there  were  on  the  Island,  men,  women,  and  children, 
white  and  mixed,  450  persons,  300  of  whom  were  at 
and  between  Victoria  and  Soke,  125  at  Nanaimo,  and 
the  rest  at  Fort  Rupert.  Up  to  this  time,  in  all,  19,807 
acres  and  16  perches  of  land  had  been  applicrl  for 
under  tl^'i  grant,  10,172  acres  being  claimed  by  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  2,374  acres  by  the  Puget 
Sound  Company,  and  the  remainder  by  private  per- 
sons."' At  first  a  deposit  of  only  one  dollar  an  acre 
was  required  from  purchasers,  but  that  system  was 
soon  abolished,  and  settlers  were  required  to  pay  the 
full  price  of  the  land,  one  pound  per  acre,  before 
occupying.  At  the  beginning  of  1854  not  more  than 
500  acres  in  all  were  under  cultivation;  and  of  this 
all  but  30  acres  at  Boke  and  10  acres  at  Metchosin 
was  worked  by  the  monopolists."  Three  miles  distant 
from  the  fort,  Baillie  farmed  for  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company,  while  the  lands  of  the  Puget  Sound  Com- 

'"' Adopting  <; rant's  estimate.     Sen  also  linttrnys  V.  I.,  8. 

''  Sixteen  settlers  occupied  1,C1)G  acres,  two  roods,  and  sixteen  perches; 
KTH  unoccupic<l  acres  were  claimed  l)y  absentees.  '  Altogether,"  says  (Irant., 
'  including  the  fiir  and  farming  numopolists,  there  are  5;}  different  claimants 
of  land,  about  .SO  of  whom  may  bo  said  to  be  bona  Jide,  occupying  and  im- 
proving their  land.' 

"This  is  (^.rant's  statement,  and  reduces  to  iusiguiticaaou  the  oflforts  of 
Cuuper  with  liil*  300  acres  ^laintv)d. 


CAPTAIN  LANGFORD. 


261 


canco  the  efforts  of 


pany  were  worked  under  four  bailiffs.  The  fur  com- 
pany had  upon  the  Island  2,000  sheep,  1,700  of  which 
in  1858  were  at  Lake  Hill  farm.^' 

Langford,  after  whom  Langford  Pl-.ins  and  Lang- 
ford  Lake  were  named,  was  a  Kentish  fanner  and 
whilom  English  army  officer,  who  had  been  induced 
to  enlist  as  he  supposed  in  the  service  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company,  which  treated  its  servants  with 
some  kind  of  decency,  and  besides  was  reliable  in 
money  or  rather  trafficking  matters,  for  there  was  no 
such  thing  there  as  money.  He  was  to  open  a  farm 
for  them  on  Vancouver  Island;''*  but  on  arrival,  to 
his  infinite  disgust,  he  found  himself  a  servant  of  the 
Pugct  Sound  Company,  and  for  his  quarters  two  log- 
huts  of  one  room  each,  one  for  himself  and  family,  and 
the  other  for  his  men. 

A  petition  from  the  settlers  was  presented  in  the 
house  of  commons,  the  9th  of  March  1854,  by  Sir 
John  Packington,  who  stated  that  the  same  was 
signed  by  residents  of  the  Island,  each  of  whom  gave 
his  place  of  abode  and  professioa,  and  that  he  enter- 
tained no  doubt  that  it  had  issued  from  the  greater 
part  of  the  respectable  inhabitants  of  the  Island. 
After  reciting  the  contents  of  the  petition,  which 
stated  that  the  five-years'  grant  to  the  fur-traders  was 
about  to  expire,  that  the  high  price  at  which  land 
was  held,  and  the  unsettled  form  of  government,  re- 
tarded progress,  and  which  concluded  by  praying  par- 
liament to  provide  a  remedy,  Mr  Packington  asked 
whether  the  connection  of  the  company  with  the 
Island  was  about  to  cease,  and  whether  it  was  the 
intention  of  lier  Majesty's  ministers  to  establish  a  new 
form  ol  f., . /ernment  for  Vancouver  Island.  To  tliis 
Mr  Peel  replied  that  the  connection  was  not  about  to 
terminate,  and  that  the  government  had  no  power  t<» 
remove  the  company  unless  it  could  be  shown  that 

"Deans'  SeUlemetit,  V.  I.,  MS.,  24. 

"So  Captain  Langford  aaaerted,  House  Commons  Rept.  .lel.  com.  H.  B.  Co. 
.Ijl'iiirs,  1857,  '290-7;  Imt  it  would  socm  that  such  stupidity  on  Ids  part 
iiiurited  but  littlo  better  treatment  tlinii  ho  received. 


tl 
i 


SETTLEMENT  OF  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


W  \ 


I' 


no  settlement  was  establislictl  on  tlie  Island,  which 
hypothesis  the  petition  itself  disproved.  The  com- 
pany were  simply  proprietors  of  the  Island  in  trust 
for  the  settlers,  and  there  need  not  necessarily  be  any 
connection  between  the  company  and  the  governor  of 
tlie  Island.  It  was  true  that  the  commission  of  gov- 
ernor was  now  held  by  an  agent  of  the  company,  but 
it  was  open  to  the  imperial  government  to  appoint  an 
officer  independent  of  the  company,  at  any  time  they 
sliould  so  please. 

Earl  Fitzwilliam  urged  the  same  measure  in  the 
house  of  lords  on  the  12tli  of  June.  The  Duke  of 
Newcastle  said  that  the  government  would  bear  it  in 
mind,  and  advanced  the  now  somewhat  stale  argu- 
ment that  it  was  the  gold  excitement  in  California 
which  liad  prevented  speedier  settlement;  and  so  the 
petition  was  laid  on  the  table. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

GOVERNMENT  ESTABLISHED. 

1850-1852. 

James  Douglas  Nominated  by  Sir  John  Pelly  foii  Governor — Earl  Grey 
Refuses  to  Appoint  IIim— Richard  BlansiiardCuosen — ITis  Arrival 
AT  Victoria — Reaiks  his  CoMJitssioN — Visits  Fokt  Rupeut — Relative 
Attitudes  of  the  Governor  and  the  Fur  Oompanv— Rhlkii  of  the 
Queen's  Wilderness — Settlers  and  Subjects — No  Material  for  a 
Council — Nomination   of   Coitn(;il   Postponed      John    Sebastl\n 

HeLMCKEN  Al'POINTED    MAGISTRATE  AT  FoRT  Rl  PERI— TuE  MuRDERED 

Deserters— Character  of  BL.VNSHARD--nis  Unpleasant  Positiun  — 
Heavv  Expenses  and  Ill-health— What  the  Settlers  Think  of  it — 
Blanshard  Appoints  a  Council,  Resigns,  Shakes  the  Dust  from  his 
Feet,  and  Departs  from  the  Island — James  Douglas  Appointed 
Governor. 


While  yet  the  grauting  of  Vancouver  Island  to  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  for  the  purposes  of  coloniza- 
tion was  in  progress,  six  months  and  more  prior  to  the 
consummation  of  the  act,  the  draft  of  a  governor's 
commission  with  instructions  was  made  out,  tlie  only 
things  lacking  for  a  fresh  departure  in  the  much-loved 
line  of  domineering  being  a  governoi-  and  a  govern- 
ment. 

In  a  letter  to  Sir  John  Pelly,  dated  the  31st  of 
July  1848,  Earl  Grey  intimated  that  the  chief  oflicer 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  might  now,  were  he  so 
disposed,  express  Jiis  opinion  as  to  the  proper  person 
to  be  recommended  for  the  office  of  governor  which  was 
his  privilege  under  the  grant.  Sir  John  i\id  not  hesi- 
tate to  avail  himself  of  his  lordship's  perniission,  and 
nominated  for  that  office  James  Douglas,  whoso  name 
appeared  in  a  late  report  among  certain  papeis  laid 

(2C3  ) 


264 


GOVERNMENT  ESTABLISHED. 


I     '' 


before  parliament,  relative  to  the  Island.  The  reasons 
given  by  Pelly  for  nominatin*^  Douj^las  were  that  he 
was  a  man  of  property,  a  chief  factor  of  the  fur  com- 
pany, and  a  member  of  the  board  at  Fort  Vancouvei' 
for  the  management  of  the  company's  affairs  west  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains.  This  appointment  Sir  JoJui 
did  not  intend  should  be  permanent,  but  merely  an 
expedient  to  bridge  the  time  until  the  colony  could 
afford  to  pay  a  governor  not  connected  with  the  com- 
pany. Meanwhile  the  writer  availed  himself  of  the 
opportunity  to  submit  to  his  lordship  the  names  of 
certain  persons  qualified  to  hold  commissions  of  tlu' 
peace  under  act  1  and  2  George  IV.,  cap.  06.  His 
list  comprised  about  all  the  officers  of  the  company 
there  at  that  time.' 

In  reply  to  this  letter,  Earl  Grey  saw  no  objection 
to  the  appointment  of  a  chief  factor  of  the  company 
to  act  as  governor  as  a  temporary  arrangement,  a) 
though  he  apprehended   that  the   issuing  of  a  tern 
porary  commission  would  be  attended  with  additional 
expense. 

This  idea  of  Earl  Grey,  like  others  of  colonization 
conceptions,  was,  to  say  the  least,  singular.  A  man 
upon  the  ground,  with  no  additional  expenses,  no  es- 
tablishment to  keep  up,  would,  according  to  his  economy, 
cost  more  than  would  suffice  to  send  out  and  support 
one  specially  appointed  for  that  purpose.  And  if  there 
should  be  additional  expense,  it  would  not  fall  upon 
the  crown,  but  upon  the  fur  company.  The  fact  is, 
Earl  Grey  never  for  a  moment  intended  that  Douglas 
should  then  be  made  governor.  He  had  other  ends 
in  view.  It  suited  his  purpose,  however,  to  give  tliis 
answer.  As  regarded  the  names  proposed  for  com- 
missions of  the  peace,  he  had  no  objections  to  them, 
and  promised  to  take  the  necessary  steps  for  their  ap- 
pointment. 

'Their  names  were  A.  C.  Anderson,  John  Tod,  W.  F.  Tolmie,  John  Work, 
•fames  Douglas,  R.  J.  Staines,  P.  S.  Ogdeii,  A.  McKinlay,  J.  M.  Yale,  RiehanI 
(rrant,  Donald  Manson,  (!.  T.  Allan,  John  Kennedy,  and  Dugald  McTavisli. 


RICHARD  BLANSHARD, 


265 


colonization 


It  was  a  most  politic  provision  on  the  part  of  the 
oompany,  their  right  under  the  new  charter  or  grant 
to  nominate  the  governor,  leaving  it  with  the  imperial 
i^rovernmcnt  only  to  accept  or  to  reject  their  choice. 
Xaturally  the  first  consideration  in  such  selection  was 
a  willing  instrument,  not  too  wise,  nor  yet  wholly  a 
fool,  for  some  fools  are  exceedingly  stubborn. 

Earl  Grey  certainly  did  well  to  decline  Douglas;  it 
would  have  been  a  most  impolitic  measure,  and  one 
by  means  of  which  his  enemies  might  have  made  him 
nmch  trouble.  What  then  should  be  the  next  move? 
Tlie  earl  at  length  intimated  to  his  friends  of  Fen- 
church  street  that,  as  there  were  many  members  of 
parliament  opposed  to  the  grant,  and  who  would  do 
uU  in  their  power  to  frustrate  the  harmonious  work- 
ings of  colonial  affairs  under  the  fur  company,  it  might 
1)0  as  well  in  this  instance  for  tlie  crown  to  nominate 
as  well  as  to  appoint ;  at  all  events,  the  company  would 
lose  nothing  in  the  end  by  waiving  their  right  under 
the  grant,  in  this  first  instance. 

The  fur  magnates  expressed  their  unbounded  confi- 
dence in  the  good  judgment  and  fair  intention  of  their 
noble  friend  of  the  government  office,  as  well  they 
might.  If  they  could  not  have  Douglas,  if  some  noodle 
was  required  for  a  figure-head — for  they  knew  that 
no  very  able  or  sensible  man  would  assume  the  office 
nnder  the  circumstances — they  could  easily,  even  under 
the  cloak  of  courteous  consideration,  make  it  so  unct)m- 
fortuble  for  him  that  he  would  not  long  remain.  So, 
when  the  name  of  Richard  Blanshard  was  suggested 
l)y  Earl  Grey,  never  having  heard  ill  of  him,  never 
having  heard  of  him  at  all,  Sir  John  Pelly  offered 
no  objection.  The  friends  of  his  lordship's  friend« 
knew  him,  and  that  was  sufficient. 

In  his  subsequent  intercourse  with  the  fur-traders, 
Blanshard  was  very  precise  on  this  point;  he  gavt; 
tliem  constantly  to  understand  that  he  did  not  belong 
tr»  them,  but  to  England.  To  her  majesty  alone  he 
owed  his  appointment,  and  to  her  he  should  do  his 


,11 


OOVKKNMKNT  KSTABUSHKD. 

duty.  His  relations  with  the  fur  company  ditTerciI  in 
no  wise  from  his  relations  with  any  other  inliabitants 
of  the  Island ;  he  had  no  special  relations  with  them. 

Governor  Blanshard  arrived  at  Victoria  on  the  10th 
of  March  1850.  From  Panamd,  tlie  December  pre- 
vious, he  had  written  Earl  Grey  of  his  arrival  at  tliat 
port,  of  tlie  non-appearance  of  Admiral  Hornby,  com- 
mander of  the  Pacific  squadron,  and  of  the  absenci' 
<»f  any  means  of  conveyance  in  his  long  coastwise 
journey.  And  now  having  reached  his  destination,  lie 
miglit  as  well  have  never  come.  Except  tlic  paHsadcd 
square,  which  shut  out  more  welcome  tlian  it  enclosed, 
there  was  little  to  govei.i  but  seals  and  savag(>s, 
abundantly  able  these  many  centuries  to  manage  their 
afl'airs  without  the  aid  of  her  majesty's  deputy. 

But  faithful  to  his  trust,  Blanshard  would  do  what 
he  could.  He  had  been  sent  tliither  to  rule,  and  tlie 
rocks  and  the  sea  or  whatsoever  had  ears  should  hear 
from  him. 

Landing,  he  read  his  commission  and  proclamation. 
And  that  he  might  not  be  wholly  dependent  upon  tlio 
almost  tenantless  isle  for  an  audience,  he  begged  Jolm- 
son,  captain  of  the  government  vessel  Driver,  which 
had  carried  him  there,  to  listen  to  him.  The  captain 
kindly  consented;  likewise  Gordon  of  the  Cormorant, 
with  his  officers  in  full  uniform;  the  officers  and  ser- 
vants of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  also  lent  their 
presence.  The  reading  was  in  the  mess-hall  of  tlio 
fort;  and  the  sterile  ceremony  over,  those  present  gave 
three  cheers.  The  newly  installed  governor  of  this 
wilderness  then  returned  to  the  vessel,  there  being  no 
government  house,  inn,  or  other  lodgings  upon  the 
land  to  receive  him.  Douglas  was  on  the  ground, 
ready  to  nullify  with  his  superior  powers  any  unfavor- 
able influence  arising  from  the  antagonism  of  Lord 
Grey's  governor. 

For  some  time  thereafter  the  government  head- 
quarters of  Vancouver  Island  were  migratory.     Being 


A  FLOATING  GOVEENMENT. 


267 


(111  hoard  the  Driver,  wherever  that  vessel  went  the 
government  was  obliged  to  go.  The  Driver  set  out 
to  coast  the  Island,  to  visit  Fort  Rupert  and  many 
other  points  of  interest.  Thereupon  the  government 
concluded  that  its  first  duty  was  to  survey  its  domain 
tind  minister  to  the  benighted  of  distant  parts  accord- 
ins:  to  their  new  necessities.  At  Beaver  Harbor  the 
"ovcrnor  looked  into  the  workinjj  of  coal,  which  was 
tluTi  attracting  the  attention  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company,  but  he  seems  to  have  entertained  no  ver}^ 
high  opinion  as  to  the  quantity  or  quality.  He  insti- 
tuted a  searching  examination  into  the  condition  and 
wants  of  his  subjects  at  this  point,  who,  besides  the 
savages  and  the  eight  miners,  consisted  of  the  oddity 
doctor  and  the  mine-manager.  Then  he  returned  to 
Ills  capital.    And  yet  he  was  not  happy. 

Blanshard  was  to  serve  without  pay.  Had  Doug- 
las been  confirmed,  no  expense  wquld  have  been  laid 
on  the  government;  and  this  was  used  as  an  argu- 
ment why  another  should  so  serve.  This  of  itself 
shows  that  neither  Blanshard  nor  any  one  else  enter- 
tained a  very  high  opinion  of  Blanshard's  worth,  else  he 
would  never  have  been  ais.ied  to  serve  his  country  for 
nothing,  or  if  so  asked  he  would  certainly  have  de- 
clined. A  thousand  acres  of  land  had  been  promised 
him  before  leaving  London,  which  promise  the  com- 
pany construed  into  the  use  of  a  thousand  acres,  and 
not  a  full  title  in  fee-simple.  Now  we  all  of  us  know  of 
what  value  the  use  of  a  tract  of  wild  land  in  a  far-off 
out-of-the-way  region  might  be  to  a  penniless  poli- 
tician, and  who  would  be  eventually  the  gainer  were 
he  so  foolish  as  to  attempt  to  improve  such  land. 
Such  recompense  was  worse  than  no  pay  at  all. 

His  peregrinations  over,  the  governor  deigned  to 
accept  a  bunk  in  the  fort  while  a  small  house,  offices, 
tuid  garden  were  being  prepared  for  him  outside  tht; 
palisades.*^     Then  he  desired  to  know  where  were  his 

" '  The  piece  of  ground  whereon  now  .itand  the  buildings  known  as  the 
Bank  of  British  North  America,  Barnard's  Express  office,  the  Adelphi  sidoou, 


268 


OOVKRNMICNT  ESTABLISH KI  >. 


thousand  acres  of  land;  whereupon  a  rocky  eminence 
two  or  three  miles  away  was  pointed  out  to  him,  wliero 
a  tract  had  been  set  apai"t  for  govermnent  use  in  that 
vicinity  wher-  the  government  house  now  stands. 
Thousands  of  pounds  would  bo  necessary  to  make  tin- 
place  respectal)ly  habitable,  and  it  was  no  wonder  th» 
governor's  heart  should  quail,  or  that  a  huge  disgust, 
should  take  possession  of  hhn. 

In  April  1851,  the  governor  was  notified  by  tlie 
managers  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  and  Puget  Sound 
companies,  that  they  were  about  to  oc-cupy  some  land 
on  the  Island,  and  tliat  the  sum  of  four  thousand 
pounds  sterling  was  to  be  expended  on  public  build- 
ings under  the  governor's  direction,  but  subject  to  tlie 
approval  of  the  monoi)oly  management.  Tlie  build- 
ings were  to  be  erected  near  the  fort.  "Unless  tlie 
colony  is  intended  to  be  merely  an  enlarged  depot  of 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,"  writes  the  governor, 
"which  I  do  not  conceive  was  the  intention  of  her 
majesty's  government  in  making  the  grant  of  tlie 
Island,  it  will  be  a  waste  of  public  money  to  expend  it 
in  the  way  they  indicate,  as  the  buildings  will  then 
bo  surrounded  l^y  their  reserves,  which  they  are  neither 
prepared  to  use  nor  sell." 

The  governor  recognized  no  relation  to  the  Hud- 
son's  Bay  Company  other  tlvan  that  usually  existing 
between  ruler  and  subject.  That  the  company  held 
the  contract  for  colonization,  together  with  a  monopoly 
of  the  soil,  was  nothing  to  him  politically.  It  miglit 
aftect  appointuK^nts  and  freedom  of  legislation,  but  it 
could  not  change  the  natural  attitude^j  of  crown  gov- 
ernor, crown  colou  ,  and  fur  corporation. 

On  the  other  ha  (  1,  the  company  cared  nothing  for 
the  governor.  As  heir  noble  friend  Lord  Grey  had 
taken  the  trouble  t     appoint  him,  and  the  appointee 

and  the  Colonist  office  becav  '  the  site  of  the  government  buildings.  Tlic 
well  in  front  of  the  Colonist  o  .ce  is  still  known  as  Governor  Blanshard's  well, 
having  been  dug  for  his  excellency's  accommodation.  Bril.  ColonM,  Aug.  S, 
1877. 


THAT  THOUSAND  ACRES. 


had  taken  the  trouble  to  come  so  far  over  the  two 
iricat  oceans,  they  would  treat  him  politely,  that  is  if 
1 10  would  be  humble  and  behave  himself;  but  as  for 
liis  governing  them,  that  was  simply  ridiculous.  He 
might  issue  all  the  mandates  he  pleased,  but  ho  would 
give  little  force  to  his  authority  without  appeal  to  the 
chief  factor,  to  Douglas,  to  the  very  man  who  had 
opposed  him  for  the  office,  and  who  even  now  was  in 
fact,  if  not  in  name,  governor  of  the  Island. 

Great  indeed  must  have  been  his  desire  of  ruling 
this  wild  island  of  the  north-west  when  he  was  willing 
to  accept  the  commission  as  governor,  without  salary, 
and  pay  his  own  expenses.  True,  there  was  the  prom- 
ise of  Sir  John  Pelly,  of  a  thousand  acres  of  land, 
such  as  he  should  anywhere  seh^c.  This,  at  a  pound 
an  acre,  was  a  thc!usand  pounds  to  begin  with,  and 
when  settlers  should  flock  thither,  as  he  was  sure  they 
would,  and  a  civil  list  should  be  formed,  and  fat  colo- 
nial revenue  should  roll  in  from  land  sales  and  royal- 
ties on  coal,  then  the  whilom  liberalityand  disinterested 
services  of  the  first  governor  would  be  remembered, 
and  a  comfortable  consideration  would  be  awarded 
hiui,  and  he  would  be  the  father  of  his  country  for 
many  years  to  come.  Moreover,  his  thousand  acres 
of  land,  from  ono  thousand  pounds  in  value,  might 
increase  to  twenty  thousand.  Then  who  should  say 
that  honor  was  not  profitable? 

But  alas !  for  human  hopes.  Sir  John  Pelly  was 
t,'overiior  only  of  the  London  part  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company.  Mr  Douglas,  who  acted  as  agent  for 
the  sale  of  the  land  on  Vancouver  Island,  knew  noth- 
ing of  Sir  John's  promise,  which  Mr  Blanshard  had 
failed  to  secure  in  writing,  knew  nothing  of  thousand- 
acre  gifts,  and  referred  the  simple-minded  governor 
to  England  for  the  fulfilment  of  the  promise.  Mr 
Blanshard  then  begged  one  hundred  of  the  promised 
thousand  acres,  that  he  might  occupy  them  as  a  settler, 
if  they  should  not  be  given  him  as  governor.  But  no. 
The  promised  thousand  acres,  he  was  finally  told,  were 


if' I -Ml 


•  ij 


•270  GOVERNMENT  ESTABLISHED. 

intended  for  the  nae  of  the  governor  only  while  he 
was  upon  the  Island.  He  might  select,  subdue,  and 
beautify  the  tract  for  his  successor,  should  he  so 
please,  but  he  could  not  sell  nor  pocket  any  of  the 
proceeds  of  it. 

This  is  Mr  Blanshard's  side  of  the  story.  The  gov- 
ernor might  easily  have  misunderstood  Sir  John,  or 
the  latter  may  wilfully  have  deceived  him.  However 
that  may  have  been,  the  company  assuredly  had  no 
right  to  give  land  to  the  governor,  or  to  any  one 
else,  unless  they  chose  to  pay  for  it  themselves,  and 
that  in  this  instance  they  were  not  likely  to  do,  as 
Blanshard  was  not  their  choice  for  the  office,  and  they 
were  evidently  not  disposed  to  go  far  out  of  their  way 
to  make  his  stay  in  their  isle  pleasant. 

This  we  shall  see  amply  demonstrated  as  we  pro- 
ceed. The  Q-overnor's  passage  out  cost  him  three 
hundred  pou  ids.  Of  this  the  company  paid  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  pounds;  and  this  was  all  he 
ever  received  from  them.  When  he  returned,  a  Brit- 
ish sloop  of  war  carried  him  to  San  Francisco,  and 
thence  he  paid  his  own  passage  to  London.  During 
the  time  he  spent  upon  the  Island  his  living  cost  him 
eleven  hundred  pounds  a  year,  and  for  such  articles  as 
he  was  obliged  to  purchase  from  the  company  he  paid 
what  was  called  the  cash  price,  which  was  the  price 
charged  to  strangers,  and  about  three  hundred  per 
cent  over  London  cost.^ 

Nor  did  the  governor's  troubles  end  here.  In- 
deed, they  had  only  just  begun.  He  liad  been  in- 
structed before  sailing  for  this  region,  upon  his  arrival 
to  nominate  a  council.     But  whom  should  he  nomi- 

• '  The  price  of  everything  waa  reflated  by  that  in  California;  uuil  as  the 
gold  fever  was  then  at  its  height,  living  there  was  of  coursiMxtremely  oxiioii- 
aive. .  .They  had  three  several  prices  in  the  Hudson 'r  IJay  Company's  storrs 
;\t  that  time,  one  for  the  superior  officers  of  the  cotniiany,  another  for  the  scv- 
Mints,  and  a  third,  which  they  called  thuir  ca.sli  |iiiri\  ,it  whicli  tliey  so].!  tho 
goods  to  settlers.  .  .The  olficers  received  their  goods  at  thii'ty-threc  per  cent 
incrwiso  upon  the  cost  price;  the  .servants  and  inferior  ollicers,  varying  from 
fifty  to  one  hundred.'  liUinshard,  in  House  Commons  Hepl.,  '288. 


AT  BEAVER  HARBOR. 


271 


>nly  while  he 
i,  subdue,  and 
should  he  so 
3t  any  of  the 

>ry.  The  gov- 
Su"  John,  or 
m.  However 
iredly  had  no 
r  to  any  one 
emselves,  and 
cely  to  do,  as 
ffice,  and  they 
b  of  their  way 

id  as  we  pro- 
st  him  three 
paid  one  hun- 
ts was  all  he 
irned,  a  Brit- 
^rancisco,  and 
Ion.  Durinty 
ving  cost  him 
ich  articles  as 
ipany  he  paid 
vas  the  price 
hundred  per 


here.     In- 

lad  been  in- 

on  his  arrival 

iild  he  nomi- 

ifomia;  and  as  tlio 
extremely  oxihmi- 
/  Company's  stoics 
iiotlier  foi'  the  sei  - 
liich  tliey  soM  the 
rty-threc  per  cent 
ccrs,  varying  from 
'288. 


iiate?  At  Beaver  Harbor  McNeill  had  informed  him 
tliat  there  were  ten  thousand  natives  thereabout,  who 
were  fast  disappearing,  notwithstanding  the  sale  of 
spirituous  liquors  had  been  prohibited,  and  the  pro- 
liibition  for  some  time  past  enforced.  These  might 
do,  for  lack  of  better  material,  as  subjects,  but  they 
were  hardly  fit  to  take  part  in  regulating  the  affairs 
of  a  highly  civilized  colony.  The  council  should  be 
selected  from  settlers,  but  as  yet  there  were  no  set- 
tlers there.  Few  of  the  fur-hunting  fraternity  pos- 
sessed the  landed  property  qualification  necessary  to 
entitle  them  to  vote  for  members  of  assembly;  and 
even  had  they  possessed  the  requisite  qualifications, 
the  council  so  chosen  must  have  been  wholly  drawn 
from  the  ranks  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  whom 
it  was  the  governor's  determined  purpose  to  control, 
instead  of  being  controlled  by  them. 

His  position  was  certainly  anomalous.  Made  gov- 
e)'nor  of  a  colony  which  was  no  colony,  ho  was  sent 
to  a  wilderness  to  control  settlers  not  yet  arrived, 
and  who,  should  they  ever  be  so  unfortunate  as  to 
reach  that  shore,  would,  in  his  opinion,  find  pre- 
carious subsistence.*  Nor  was  an  immediate  arrival 
of  settlers  at  all  likely.  In  his  dilemma  he  concluded 
to  ask  further  instructions  of  his  government.  The 
material  interests  of  his  empire  would  scarcely  suffer 
in  the  mean  time. 

For  the  colliers  at  Beaver  Harbor,  who  had  mani- 
fested a  bias  toward  lawlessness,  the  governor  thought 
l>(>st  to  appoint  a  magistrate,  and,  as  there  was  no  one 
else  available,  ho  named  for  that  office  Jolin  Sebastian 
llclmcken,  the  newly  arrived  doctor,  tov.honi  I  have 
taken  occasion  to  dlude  before,  then  domiciled  at  Fort 
Rupert. 

In  vain  the  governor  had  hoped  tliat  one  coming 

'  'Tlu!  quantity  of  uriiblc  land,  or  land  tliut  can  bo  made  arable,"  he  writes  to 
Karlftny,  the  Stli  of  April  JS.IO,  'is,  so  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  exceedingly 
I'miteil  throiK.'liout  the  Island,  wliicli  consist.')  almost  entirely  of  broken  ranges 
(if  rocky  hills  intersected  by  ravines  and  valleys  so  narow  as  to  render  them 
useless  for  cultivation.'   Blawhard's  Ihapiitchea,  '2. 


II  i , 

ill 

I 


1     I 


272  (lOVEKNMENT  ESTABLISHED. 

fresh  from  the  mother-country,  "a  atranger,"  as  ho 
expresses  it,  "to  the  petty  brawls  that  have  occurred 
and  the  ill-feehngs  they  have  occasioned  between  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  and  their  servants,"  would 
be  free  from  the  contaminating  influences  of  selfisli 
interests/  But  this  was,  perhaps,  too  much  to  expect 
of  any  man.  In  the  evolution  of  civilization,  even- 
handed  justice  never  flies  west.  At  all  eventt;,  the 
governor  soon  repented  of  his  choice.  He  had  made 
the  appointment  contrary  to  his  better  judgment,  being 
impelled  thereto  by  the  necessities  of  the  case.° 

Meanwhile,  time  hung  heavily  on  Blanshard's  hands. 
Set  down  upon  the  bare  roclis  of  this  mist-enveloped 
isle,  with  the  only  white  people  on  it,  those  on  whom 
he  was  dependent  for  everything,  for  subjects,  foi' 
society,  and  for  creature  comforts,  opposed  to  his  rule 
in  all  their  interests,  he  felt  himself  to  be  utterly 
powerless  and  forlorn,  and  could  scarcely  realize  that 
he  was  governor  except  by  taking  out  his  commission 
and  reading  it  to  himself  occasionally. 

During  the  summer  of  1850,  a  case  occurred  at 
Fort  Rupert,  while  yet  John  Sebastian  wore  ermine, 
which  casts  dark  reproach,  both  upon  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  and  the  officers  of  tlie  imperial  gov- 
ernment, and  which  tended  in  no  wise  to  reconcile 
Blanshard  to  his  anomalous  position. 

*The  governor  promptly  acknowledged  his  mistake.  Writing  of  limi 
from  Fort  Rupert,  on  the  l!)th  of  October  ISilO,  he  says:  '  Tiie  only  causes 
are  between  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  and  their  servants;  and,  as  being  a 
paid  servant  of  the  former,  he  cannot  be  considered  an  impartial  person.' 
Again,  on  the  '20th  of  March  1851,  being  then  at  Victoria,  he  states  tliat  Mr 
Helmoken  having  been  called  upon  since  his  arrival  here,  '  to  give  up,  or 
furnish  copies  of,  his  official  correspondence  wlnle  magistrate,  to  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company's  agent,  who  thus  used  his  authority  over  Mr  Helmckon  ns 
chief  factor  in  tlie  company's  service,  has  quite  confirmed  me  in  my  opiiiinii 
of  the  impro})riety  of  making  appointments  among  the  company's  servants.' 
Blaushitnl's  iMfpatrhfiS,  4,  9. 

"  '  As  there  are  no  independent  settlers,  all  cases  that  can  occur  requiring 
nuif^isterial  interference  are  disputes  between  th'^  representatives  of  the  Hiul- 
soa  s  Biiy  Company  and  their  servants.  To  appoint  the  former  magistrates, 
would  be  to  make  them  judges  in  their  own  causes,  and  to  arm  tliein  with 
additional  power,  which  few  of  them  would  exert  discreetly.'  Blanshanl'a 
Deapaiclua,  3. 


CALIFOKNIA  GOLD. 


S7S 


i 


gcr,"  as  ho 
ve  occurred 
jctwecn  tlie 
,nts,"  would 
;s  of  selfish 
3I1  to  expect 
ation,  eveu- 
evontb,  the 
[e  had  made 
^uient,  beinji' 
case." 

liard's  hands, 
st-enveloped 
)se  on  whom 
subjects,  lot' 
;d  to  his  rule 
o  be  utterly 
Y  realize  that 
s  commission 


occurred  at 

wore  ermine, 

le  Hudson's 

mperial  gov- 

to  reconcile 


Writing  of  liuii 
'  Tlie  only  causes 
„s;  antl,  aa  bciiij;  a 
impartial  person.' 
hostatoathat  Mr 
_),  •  to  give  up,  <;!• 
«,  to  the  Hudson  s 
Mr  Helmcken  as 
me  in  my  opinio" 
mpany'a  servants.' 

an  occur  requiring 
atives  of  the  liuil- 
)rnu'r  magistrates, 
to  arm  them  witl> 
jetly.'  BUm^hard's 


The  sHip  England,  on  her  way  from  the  southern 
coast  to  Fort  Rupert  for  coals,  stopped  at  Victoria  foi- 
sailors,  the  vessel  being  short  of  hands.  The  Cali- 
fornia gold  excitement  was  everywhere  raging,  and 
sailors  willingly  risked  their  lives  to  free  themselves 
from  service.  From  one  of  the  company's  vessels 
then  lying  at  Victoria,  three  men  deserted  to  the  Eng- 
land, which  then  continued  her  way  to  Fort  Rupert, 
Meanwhile  notice  was  sent  to  Rupert  of  the  deserters, 
who  thereupon  became  frightened,  left  the  England, 
and  took  to  the  woods,  intending  to  join  the  vessel 
at  another  port.  Indians  were  sent  in  pursuit  with 
orders  from  Blenkinsop,  then  acting  for  the  company 
at  Fort  Rupert,  to  bring  in  the  deserters  dead  or 
iilive.  Four  days  afterward  the  Indians  returned  and 
claimed  the  reward,  saying  that  they  had  killed  them 
all.  It  was  true.  The  sailors  had  been  shot  down  in 
till'  forest  by  savages  set  upon  them  by  an  oflficer  of 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.^  Blenkinsop  gave  direc- 
tions to  have  buried  the  bodies  of  the  murdered  men 
where  they  lay,  and  let  the  matter  be  hushed,  but 
^luir  insisted  that  they  should  be  interred  at  the 
fort,  and  it  was  done.  Very  naturally  the  colliers 
were  furious.  They  did  not  hesitate  to  charge  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  with  having  instigated  the 
murder,  and  they  refused  any  obedience  to  the  officers 
of  the  company  or  to  Helmcken  as  magistrate.  The 
governor  had  no  force  whatever  with  which  to  appre- 
hend the  murderers,  and  no  people  from  whom  to  draw 
a  force.  Says  Blanshard,  *  the  only  safeguard  of 
the  colony,"  by  which  term  the  governor  dignifies  the 
revolted  colliers — for  of  a  surety  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company  were  always  their  own  safeguard — "consists 
in  the  occasional  visits  of  the  cruisers  of  the  Pacific 


"Two  conflicting  stories  were  in  circulation  at  once,  which,  being  traced 
to  the  same  source,  raised  suspicions  of  foul  play,  and  caused  the  report  that 
1  have  previously  mentioned,  viz.:  that  the  unfortunate  men  had  been  mur- 
(It'ied  by  order  of  the  Hudson's  Hay  Company.'  Letter,  Governor  lUavahiird  to 
tliivl  Orel/,  10th  Oct.  1850.  Michel  Muir,  who  was  at  Fort  Rupert  at  the 
time,  contirtn.s  what  (loveruor  Blonsliard  said.  /Ml.  Col.  Sketclies,  MS.,  15,  10, 
Hut.  Kbit.  Ool.    18 


(GOVERNMENT  ESTABLISHED. 


i*';^! 


.squadron,  wliicli  only  occur  at  rare  intervals,  and  for 
short  calls." 

Fortunately  for  the  governor's  desires,  on  the  2 2d 
of  September  1850,  about  a  month  after  the  murderous 
affair,  H.  M.  S.  Dsedalus,  Captain  Wellesky,  arrived 
at  Victoria,  when  the  governor  went  on  board  and 
l)roceeded  at  once  to  Rupert. 

Now  mark  the  course  of  justice  pursued  by  the 
officers  of  the  imperial  government.  Instead  of  pro- 
ceeding against  the  instigators  of  the  nmrder,  and 
iuresting  the  officers  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company. 
as  they  should  have  done,  they  direct  the  lull  force 
of  their  vengeance  against  the  natives.  Helmckcii, 
the  newly -fledged  magistrate,  cognizant  of  the  whole 
affliir,  and  well  knowing  who  were  the  guilty  i)ersons, 
and  what  hand  he  himself  had  had  in  it,  goes  to  the 
Xewittee  camp,  twelve  miles  distant,  and  loudly  de- 
mands the  surrender  of  the  murderers.  The  savages 
acknowledge  the  nmrder,  but  plead  that  they  were 
only  executing  orders.  Truer  to  themselves  and  to 
the  right  than  were  the  white  men,  they  refused  to 
give  up  the  perpetrators  of  the  deed,  but  offered  to  gi\e 
up  the  pro}>erty  paid  them  by  the  white  men  for  the 
commission  t)f  the  crime.  This  did  not  satisfy  the 
European  justice-dealers.  Servants  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  had  been  slain  by  order  of  the  officers 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  Some  one  nmst  be 
punished ;  and  as  thc}'^  did  not  wish  to  hang  themselves, 
they  nmst  find  victims  among  their  instruments.  As 
the  magistrate  was  unable  to  accomplish  their  purpose, 
VVellesley  sent  a  force  under  Lieutenant  Burton,  in 
three  boats  of  the  Dwdalus,  against  the  Newittees. 
Finding  their  camp  deserted,  Burton  destroyed  the 
Aillage,  and  made  a  bonfire  of  all  the  property  he  coukl 
find.  The  following  summer,  H.  M.  S.  Daphne,  Cap- 
tain Fanshawe,  arrived.  Meanwhile  the  Newittees 
liad  rebuilt  their  village,  supposing  the  white  moti 
satisfied  with  the  injury  already  inflicted.  One  day 
while  holding  a  potlacli,  and  being  at  peace,  as  they 


DISMAL  <;UBKKNATC)RIAL  PROSPECTS. 


'J75 


hrlieved,  with  the  white  men,  the  Daphne's  boats, 
under  Lieutenant  Lacy,  crept  into  their  harbor,  and 
announced  their  arrival  by  a  discharge  of  musketr}-. 
Men,  women,  and  children  were  mercilessly  cut  down, 
persons  innocent  of  any  thought  of  wrong  against 
tlieir  murderers,  and  their  village  again  destroyed. 
Then  tlie  Z)ap^7<e  sailed  away.  Justice  was  satisfied; 
and  Blenkinsop  and  the  rest  of  them  went  about  their 
work  as  usual. 


By  this  time  the  reader  can  judge  pretty  well  the 
cluiraoter  of  the  colonial  governor.  First  we  cannot 
hut  regard  him  as  a  good,  honest  man,  but  assuredly 
not  a  very  shrewd  one.  In  fact  he  did  not  claim  worldly 
wisdom  or  any  special  clearness  of  intellect.  Name 
and  position  were  primary  considerations  witli  him. 
I  f  slielter  and  food  came  with  them,  well;  if  not,  there 
would  still  be  greatness  to  feed  on.  Befoi-e  the  house 
1)1'  connnons  select  committee,  five  years  after  his 
ivturn  from  the  Northwest  Coast,  the  ex-governor 
could  not  tell  whether  the  grant  of  the  Ish.nd  had 
hcen  made  in  1848  or  in  1849,  he  thought  during  tlie 
former  year.  On  his  way  out  he  lost  his  commission 
jiapers  in  the  Chagres  River,  and  seemed  every  way 
the  son  of  misfortune. 

Yet  he  was  very  nmch  of  a  gentleman,  and  a  strictly 
conscientious  man.  His  position  at  Vancouver  Island 
was  a  most  trying  one.  The  ill-feeling  of  the  com- 
jiany  toward  him,  added  to  ill-health  and  lack  of  funds, 
stripped  his  position  of  its  dignity,  and  degraded  him 
to  the  level  of  a  conmion  practitioner  in  arbitrating 
the  disputes  brought  before  him.  . Vs  he  had  been 
called  to  the  bar,  he  was  coijnizant  of  the  law  and 
itumliar  with  the  practice.  As  there  were  no  means 
of  paying  a  recorder,  he  was  obliged  to  administer  jus- 
tice himself,  and  when  he  wanted  a  constable  ho  swort; 
one  in. 

Ncnv  he  could  but  ask  himself  why  he  had  accepted 
this  miseral)le  ])ost.      He  had  had  experience  as  a  colo- 


27ti 


GOVERNMENT  ESTABLISHE1>. 


W  I 


m 


nizer  in  the  West  India  Islands,  in  British  Honduras, 
and  in  India,  and  ho  saw  no  reason  why  he  should  not 
succeed  in  the  newly  granted  isle.  But  he  soon  learned 
to  his  cost  and  sorrow  that  1  o  was  not  wanted.  A 
governor  was  sadly  out  of  place  there  at  that  time, 
worse  than  a  supernunierar3\  There  was  nothing  for 
him  to  do  but  to  act  as  ordinary  magistrate,  and  de- 
cide disputes  between  the  company  and  their  servants. 

This  was  exactly  wdiat  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company 
did  not  desire.  Of  all  things  they  abhorred  interfer- 
ence. They  were  not  accustomed  to  it.  Absolute 
obedience  on  the  part  of  subordinates  had  been  the 
basis  of  their  internal  economy  for  the  past  century  or 
two,  and  to  have  now  a  magistrate  come  between 
them  and  their  servants,  w'ho  seemed  suddenly  to  find 
themselves  surrounded  by  discomforts,  and  the  vic- 
tims of  alleged  impositions  which  they  had  never  be- 
fore thought  cf,  was  unendurable.^ 

Hitherto  he  had  regarded  himself  as  a  man  oi  .jonic 
pret-'nsions,  and  under  ordinary  circumstances  would 
not  be  likely  to  forget  himself  or  his  mission.  To  be 
governor  of  a  crown  colony,  though  his  domain  were 
barren  rocks,  and  tenantless,  was  to  snuff  the  atmos- 
phere of  royalty,  and  dwell  beneath  the  shadow  of 
the  crown.  It  is  sweet  to  rule,  to  dominate  oui- 
fellows,  to  walk  as  gods  among  men,  to  s' j  the  object 
of  even  the  hollow  forms  we  know  their  adoration  to 
be,  and  our  governor  was  by  no  means  above  tlu^ 
average  man  in  this  respect.  He  had  come  far  from 
home  and  friends  for  the  poor  privilege  of  being  called 
ruler  of  this  wilderness;  but  never  in  his  life  was  his 
presence  so  insignificant,  or  his  infiuence  less  felt.  Hi' 
was  here  a  nonentity,  and  of  all  his  liege  subjects  the 
least. 

It  was  the  irony  of  delegated  rule,  this  planting  of 

*  '  Were  there  many  of  those  disputes  ? '  aoked  Viscount  Goderich  of  Mr 
Blanshard.  '  A  great  many, '  was  the  reply.  '  On  wliat  ground  ? '  '  Discon- 
tent among  the  servants.'  '  At  being  ill-treated  by  the  company  ? '  'Tliev 
considered  themselves  ill-treated;  tliat  they  had  been  brought  out  there  umlrr 
a  dt'lusidii,  and  had  been  j)roiniaed  many  things  which  vcro  not  fidlillcil. 
BUiiishard,  in  J fotue  Commons  Ji<2>t-j  i28U. 


AWFUL  IRREGULABiTT, 


277 


a  poor  man  upon  these  distant  and  inhospitable  rocks, 
with  dominion  over  them.  Though  backed  by  the 
greatest  nation  on  earth,  he  was  more  helpless  than 
the  seventh  wife  of  a  savage.  Nature  was  there, 
whence  man  draws  all  his  arts  of  governing,  but  he 
was  least  of  nature's  subjects. 

Yet  in  all  things  Blanshard  was  as  straightforward 
as  the  historiographer  Yu,  of  whom  Confucius  wrote 
that  when  good  government  prevailed  in  his  state  he 
was  like  an  arrow,  and  when  bad  government  pre- 
vailed he  was  like  an  arrow.  The  qualities  of  mind 
and  heart  he  might  have  displayed  had  opportunity 
been  his,  it  is  useless  for  us  to  speculate  upon.  There 
was  absolutely  nothing  here  for  him  to  do,  and  like 
a  sensible  man  he  saw  it  and  determined  to  resign. 
There  was  no  glory  to  be  obtained  in  so  inglorious  a 
situation.  The  months  passed  by  and  no  settlers  ar- 
rived, no  sales  of  land  were  effected,  and  no  coal  had 
been  found  which  promised  profitable  returns.  A  line 
of  steamers  had  been  put  on  between  San  Francisco 
and  the  Oregon  country,  else  the  facilities  for  com- 
munication with  home  and  the  busy  world  were  of 
the  most  meagre  and  unreliable  description.  To  add 
to  the  governor's  unhappy  forebodings,  gold  had  been 
discovered  on  the  Spokane  River,  and  there  was  now 
every  indication  that  the  Scotch  colliers  and  fur-hunt- 
ers would  hasten  thither  en  masse,  leaving  him  with- 
out a  solitary  subject. 

Although  the  temper  of  the  governor  was  kept 
continually  stirred  by  petty  slights  and  innuendoes, 
there  was  but  one  open  rupture  between  him  and  the 
head  of  the  fur  company,  which,  considering  the  irri- 
tating circumstances  under  which  they  were  placed, 
speaks  well  for  both  these  gentlemen  sides 

The  circumstance  I  allude  to  was  the  illegal  sign- 
ing of  a  ship-register  upon  a  change  of  masters.  It 
appears  to  have  been  the  custom  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company,  and  admitted  under  the  navigation 


278 


GOVEiiNMENT  EST.VBLISHED. 


<fft?'' 


I  If  I 


iKi: 


act,  in  tlie  absence  of  a  crown  officer,  for   the  chief 
factor  to  sign  the  registers  of  sea-going  vessels. 

One  day  tlie  newly  appointed  master  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Coiupany's  schooner  Cad^oro brought  Blan- 
shard  the  register  of  the  vessel,  remarking  that  he  was 
not  at  all  satisfied  with  some  alterations  which  had 
been  made,  and  asked  if  the  company's  servants  pos- 
sessed the  right  to  make  such  alterations.  The  gov- 
ernor replied  tliat  they  did  not,  at  the  same  tiiii-! 
telling  him  that  if  he  would  bring  him  the  register  liu 
would  sign  it. 

Next  day  the  Cadboro  put  to  sea,  the  master  not 
having  again  seen  the  governor,  and  the  register  haviiii; 
been  signed  1  )y  Douglas.  On  the  return  of  the  schooner, 
the  oovernor  summoned  the  master  and  Dou<das  into 
his  presence.  Botli  promptly  appeared.  The  mastci' 
was  then  ordered  to  produce  the  register,  which  he 
did,  whereupon  the  governor  pointed  out  to  him  tliat 
it  had  been  illegally  signed.  With  this  admonition  tlu; 
governor  bound  them  in  their  own  personal  secui'ity 
to  appear  again  if  called  upon,  and  then  discharged 
them.  As  Blanshard  left  the  Island  shortly  afterwarc I 
this  was  tlie  last  of  the  affair. 

On  the  18th  of  Xovember  1850,  Blanshard  wrotc^ 
Earl  Grey  tMo  letters,  in  the  first  of  which  he  askrd 
leave  to  visit  England  to  attend  to  private  affairs;  in 
the  second  he  tendered  his  resignation,  and  solicited 
an  immediate  recall  from  the  colony,  on  the  ground 
of  continued  attacks  of  ague,  remarking,  also,  tliat  his 
private  fortune  was  "utterly  insufficient  for  the  nieic 
cost  of  living  here,  so  high  have  prices  been  run  up 
by  tJie  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  as  there  are  iin 
independent  settlers,  every  requisite  must  l)e  obtaiut  d 
from  them." 

His  next  despatch  under  date  February  3,  1851. 
embodies  a  report  of  occurrences  on  the  Island  siiur 
his  arrival.  The  only  real  land  sale  was  that  to  Grant 
at  Soke,  and  lie  had  assigned  his  title  to  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company.      Tod,  a  servant  of  the  company,  had 


BLANSHARD  RESKJNS. 


•-•Tfl 


ploughed  a  few  acres  near  the  ft)rt,  but  fearful  lest 
his  title,  held  only  by  verl);il  agreement  with  Douglas, 
should  nevor  be  secured  to  him,  he  became  alarmed, 
and  ceased  operations,  leaving  unfinished  a  house  that 
he  was  buildhig.  "With  the  exception  of  a  Canadian 
who  has  squatted  near  Rocky  Point,  then^  is  not 
another  cultiv-ator  on  the  Island."  He  had  written 
fSir  John  J?elly  requesting  information  concijrning 
the  Puget  Sound  Company  reserve,  but  had  received 
no  reply.^ 

In  his  despatch  of  the  12th  of  Fel)ruary,  lie  ro- 
ports  on  an  account  <jf  the  Hudson's  Bay  C'ompany 
against  the  colony  i)resented  for  his  approval,  and 
which  he  signed  with  a  protest/"     The  public   seal 


1  discharged 


" '  This  traot  contains,  I  am  iuforuieil,  nearly  thirty  scjuare  niilos  of  the  bust 
jjiirt  of  the  Island,  and  tlify  aro  already  attempting  to  sell  small  lots  to  their 
nun  servants  at  {greatly  advaneed  rates.  I  consider  this  an  extremely  iint'air 
iiidceedinj^.  The  terms  of  the  grant  of  the  Island  exiinjssly  .state  th  it  "all 
l;inils  shall  be  sold  except  such  as  are  reserved  for  pnlilic  purposes,"  and  in 
c(iiisideration  of  the  trouble  ami  expense  tliey  may  incur,  tlie  Hudson's  Bav 
Cdiiipaiiy  arc  allowed  the  very  handsome  remuneration  of  ten  per  cent  on  all 
Sides  they  may  effect,  and  on  all  royalties.  Not  satistied  with  thi.s,  they  are 
•grasping  at  the  whole  price  of  the  land,  by  monopolizing  tliis  vast  diotrici,, 
iiiu'.  iiig  it  a  fn!e  gift  to  tliemselvcs,  and  then  selling  it  for  tlieir  own  j)ri)tit,  a.s 
tlii^y  aro  attempting  to  do.  In  proof  of  tlii.s,  I  may  mention  that  an  Englisli- 
iiiuu  of  the  name  of  Chancellor  arrived  here  from  California  a  few  weeks  ago, 
with  tlio  intention  of  settling.  The  agent  oflfercd  to  sell  him  land  on  tlu? 
"company's  reserve,"  which  he  declined,  as  he  preferred  another  i)art  of  the 
Island,  but  found  so  many  dili'culties  thrown  in  tiie  May  that  he  at  last  pro- 
iKiiiiced  tlie  purchase  im])racticable,  and  is  leaving  the  colony  in  <lis','ust.  Ho 
tolil  me  that  lie  was  the  forerunner  of  a  party  of  several  liritish  sulijects 
at  present  in  California,  who  were  merely  waiting  for  his  rcjiMrt  to  dec'dc! 
whither  they  would  settle  in  Vancouver  Island  or  the  UnittMl  Stati's.'  Jilnii- 

'"  '  The  account  asserts  that  they  have.expended  ^'J,?.?!),  of  whicli  ^'2, 1. SO  are 
tiir  j;.i(i(',s  paid  to  Indians  to  extinguish  tiieir  title  to  the  laml  about  Victori;i 
and  Soke  harliours,  the  remainder  also  for  goods  paid  to  Indians  for  work 
diini'  for  the  colony,  provisions  ami  amnnmition  for  the  same  Tnilians.  The 
receipts  amount  to  .^1.489,  from  which  ten  per  cent  is  to  be  deducted,  accord- 
ing to  the  ciiarter  of  grant  to  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  consists  en- 
tirely of  royalties  on  coal  for  the  last  two  ye.irs;  land  sales  there  are  none,  as 
I  liavepreviou.sly  informeil  your  lordsliip.  ()n  examining  the  account,  1  fomnl 
that  tor  the  goods  paid  to  the  Indiini;  a  price  wa.s  cliarged  three  tini'  .s  a  ;  great 
as  wliat  they  are  in  the  haliit  of  paying  the#i  at  for  thi-ir  own  work;  respect- 
ing this,  and  some  inaccuracies  I  detected  in  tlie  account,  1  adilres.sed  a  lettiT 
to  tlie  agent;  he  corrected  the  error.*,  but  made  no  alteration  in  the  piices, 
ami  in  the  course  of  the  conversation  gave  me  to  understand  tliat  tlieydid  not 
ex]iect  the  charter  of  grant  to  im  renewed  at  the  expiration  oi  the  live  years, 
•1  uiii.iry  KSr)4,  and  that  they  would  be  entitled  toa  reimbursement  of  their  e\- 
piaditure.  At  this  rate,  they  may  continue  for  the  next  three  years,  payinu: 
away  a  few  goods  to  Indians  to  extinguish  their  claims  to  the  soil,  a  i  I  liy  at- 


280 


GOVERNMENT  ESTABLISHED. 


!,  1 


of  the  colony  of  Vancouver  Island,  and  her  majesty's 
warrant  and  sign-manual  authorizing  and  directing 
its  use,  were  transmitted  by  Earl  Grey  to  Governor 
Blanshard,  arriving  in  midsummer  1851. 

Before  sending  in  his  resignation,  Blanshard  recom- 
mended the  home  government  to  impose  duty  on  the 
importation  and  manufacture  of  ardent  spirits,  the 
dangerous  tendency  of  whose  introduction  was  just 
then  freshly  appearing  in  the  demoralization  of  the 
natives  about  Fort  Rupert,  and  the  riotous  tendencies 
of  the  colliers  at  Beaver  Harbor.  This  liquor  was 
not  supplied  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  which 
treated  the  natives  with  every  consideration,  better, 
some  said,  than  their  own  servants.  But  being  brought 
thither  by  merchant  vessels  visiting  the  coast,  it  was 
impossible  to  prevent  the  inhabitants  of  the  Island 
from  obtaining  it.  Nor,  indeed,  could  the  government 
have  prevented  it  had  the  suggestion  of  the  governor 
been  promptly  acted  upon. 

Blanshard  had  suffered  much  from  ill -health,  as 
well  as  from  poverty;  else,  perhaps,  he  might  have 
fought  his  fate  longer,  if  he  had  thought  the  place 
worth  fighting  for.  There  had  never  been  the  slight- 
est chance  for  him  from  the  day  of  his  appointment. 
Being  strong  in  London,  being  absolute  upon  the 
Island,  the  monopolists  were  sure  to  prevail.  And 
they  knew  it  from  the  first.  Earl  Grey  might  pre- 
tend to  drive,  and  Blanshard  might  amuse  himself  at 
playing  governor,  but  all  this  time  the  fur-traders 
were  manoeuvring  for  their  man,  and  before  Blanshard 
had  resigned,  although  Douglas  had  not  then  his  ap- 
pointment, yet  he  had  received  a  letter  from  the  Lon- 
don office  stating  that  he  had  been  recommended,  and 
would  undoubtedly  re^jeive  the  appointment. 

On  the  3d  of  April  1851,  Earl  Grey  wrote  Gov- 
ernor Blanshard,  saying  that  her  Majesty  had  been 

taching  an  ideal  value  to  their  goods,  they  will  at  the  end  of  that  time  appear 
as  creditors  of  the  colony  to  an  overwhelming  amount,  so  that  the  foundatiou 
will  be  laid  of  a  colonial  debt,  w  hich  will  forever  prove  a  burden. '  Blanshard'^ 
Despatches,  8. 


PROVISIONAL  (  OUNt '  I T. 


m 


•^rarumsly  pleased  to  accept  liis  resiijf nation  as  gov- 
ernor of  tlio  colony  of  Vancouver  Island.  Whereat 
Ulanshard  was  also  graciously  pleased,  and  tlie  now 
tlioroughly  fagged  officers  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  C'oni- 
waiiy  were  most  of  all  graciously  pleased. 

Blanshard  received  this  welcome  intelligence  in 
August.  His  successor  had  not  yet  heeu  ap])ointed, 
l)ut  it  was  now  well  understood  that  ])ouglas  would 
1k'  the  next  governor.  As  lie  deemed  it  necessary  to 
leave  the  little  authority  he  had  swayed  in  official 
liands,  on  the  27tli  of  August  Blanshard  nominated 
a  })rovisional  council,  subject  to  the  confirmation  of 
tlic  imperial  government,  consisting  of  three  members, 
.Fanies  ])ouglas,  James  Cooper,  and  John  Tod,  to 
Nvhom  he  administered  the  usual  oath.  Then  in  the 
slii})  J)(q)hne,  on  the  1st  of  September  1851,  he  turned 
liis  hack  forever  on  what  had  proved  to  him  a  most 
uiifurtunate  isle." 


"  ^\'lu'Il  the  settlers  learned  what  hail  been  done,  they  <lirected  the  follow- 
ing' iduiinunication  to  tlie  governor: 
■  'I'd  /ii.<  E.nrllt'iirif  liirliitril  Bliitinhnvil,  EMjiiire,  Gori'rnor  of  Vnwouvfr  IhUhkL 

'  M.iy  it  please  your  excellency:  We,  tlie  undersigned,  iidiahitants  of 
\'an(.ouver's  Island,  having  learnecl  with  regret  that  your  excellency  has  re- 
higiii'd  the  government  of  this  colony,  and  understanding  tiiat  the  goveru- 
iiuiit  liiis  been  coinnutted  to  a  chief  factor  of  the  Hudson's  Biiy  (."onipany, 
cuiinot  hut  express  our  unfeigned  surprise  and  deep  concern  at  such  an  ap- 
piiiutnient.  The  Hudson's  Biiy  Company  being  as  it  is  a  great  trading 
'"Illy,  nnist  necessarily  have  interests  clashing  with  those  of  independent 
colonists.  Most  matters  of  a  political  nature  will  cause  a  contest  between 
tiie  agents  of  the  company  and  the  colonists.  Many  matters  of  a  judicial 
nature  also  will  undoubtedly  arise,  in  which  the  colonists  and  the  company 
or  its  servants  will  be  conteiuling  parties,  or  the  uppi^r  servants  aiul  the  lower 
stTvants  of  the  company  will  1)e  arrayed  against  each  other.  We  l)eg  to  ex- 
jiri'ss  in  the  most  emphatical  and  plainest  manner  our  assurance  that  impar- 
tial decisions  cannot  be  expected  from  a  governor  who  is  not  only  a  inember 
of  the  company,  sharing  its  profits,  his  share  of  such  profits  rising  and  falling 
as  they  rise  and  fall,  but  is  also  charged  as  their  chief  agent  with  tlie  sole 
representation  of  their  trading  interests  in  this  Island  and  the  adjacent 
coasts. 

'  Furthermore,  thus  situated,  the  cf)lony  will  liave  no  security  that  its 
public  funds  will  be  duly  disposed  of  solely  for  the  benefit  of  the  colony  in 
gi'iicral,  and  not  turned  aside  in  any  degree  to  be  .ipplieil  to  the  private  pur- 
\Hisus  of  the  company,  by  disproportionate  sums  being  devoted  to  the  im- 
provement of  that  tract  of  land  held  l)y  them,  or  otherwise  unduly  employed. 
Under  these  circumstances,  we  b^g  to  acrpiaint  your  excellency  with  our  deep 
sense  of  the  absolute  necessity  there  is,  for  tlie  real  good  and  welfare  of  the 
colouy,  that  a  council  should  be  immediately  appointed,  in  order  to  provide 
some  security  that  the  interests  of  tlie  Hudson's  Bay  Company  shall  not  be 


28'2 


GOVKKNMENT  KSTAHLISHKD. 


fe" 


For  twenty  years  subsequcJit  to  18"J4,  John  Mc- 
Loughliii,  as  fliiL'f  factor  of  the  irutlson's  Bay  Coiu- 
auy,  residing  at  Fort  Vaiifouvor  on  tlie  Ct)luiiil)ia 
"iver,  was  sole  tloiiiiuator  of  the  Northwest  Coast. 
Then,  as  I  liave  elsewhere  said,  because  of  Jiis  human- 
ity toward  distressed  emigrants,  or  as  the  Loiuhtn 
management  might  ex})ress  it,  because  of  his  undut; 
familiarity  with    United  States  settlers,  and  in  order 

lloweil  to  outweigh  aiicl  niiii  those  of  the  cohiny  in  gciiera.l  We,  who  jdiu 
I  expressing  these  sentiments  to  your  excellenoy,  are  unfortunately  liut  a 
ery  small  number,  but  we  resiieetfuUy  beg  your  execUoncy  to  eousitler  tliat 
we,  and  wo  alone,  rciircsent  tlie  interr  ts  of  t\w  Island  iis  ii  fr  'o  anil  imlc- 
penilent  British  eolouy,  for  we  eoustituie  the  wliole  body  ot  the  independent 
Hittlers,  all  tlie  other  inliabitants  being  in  some  way  or  other  so  eonnectiMl 
with  and  eontrollccl  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  (Company  as  to  be  deprived  of  free- 
dom of  aetion  in  all  matters  relating  to  the  publie  afl'airs  of  the  eolimy,  smiie 
iudeed  by  their  own  confession,  as  may  be  proved  if  necessarj'.  And  we  fur- 
ther allege  our  firm  persuasion,  tjiat  the  untoward  inlluences  to  wliieli  we 
have  adverted  above  are  likely,  if  entirely  unguarded  against  not  only  to 
prevent  any  increase  of  free  ami  indejiendeut  colonists  in  tlie  Island,  but  pos- 
itively to  diuiinish  their  present  numl)ers. 

'  We  therefore  hundjly  request  your  excellency  to  take  into  your  gracious 
consideration  the  propriety  of  appointing  a  council  befoi'e  your  excellency's 
<leparture;  bucIi  being  the  most  anxious  and  earnest  desire  of  your  excellency  s 
most  obedient  and  liumblo  serviuits,  and  her  nuijesty's  most  devoteil  and  loyal 
subjects. 

'  James  Yates,  Robert  John  Staines,  James  Cooper,  Thomas  Monroe,  Wil- 
liam McDonald,  James  Sangster, 'John  Muir,  senior,  William  Fraser,  Andrew 
Muir,  John  Mcdregor,  John  Muir  junior,  Michel  Muir,  Robert  Muir,  Archi- 
bald Muir,  Thomas  Blenkhorn.' 

The  comnuinderof  the  Dapline,  in  return  for  the  hospitality  extended  him 
at  Fort  Victoria,  charged  the  company,  an  behalf  of  the  imperial  government, 
with  Blanshard's  passage  to  Panama,  the  governor,  as  before  stated,  paying 
out  of  his  own  pocket  his  expenses  from  that  point  to  England.  A  hill 
amounting  to  £47  15«.  had  likewise  been  presented  to  Blansluird  for  the  ex- 
j)enses  of  the  DmdaliiK  in  lier  trip  to  Fort  Rupert. 

Cooper,  Maj;  Mnftcrx,  MS.,  4,  states  tliat  Blanshard  remained  on  tlie 
Island  eighteen  or  twenty  months.  Grant,  LoiiiL  ilroij.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxvii.  .'^-'O, 
says  he  remained  'little  more  than  a  year.'  Blanshard  liimsclf  calls  it,  //mi.^t' 
Commons  licvt.,  II.  Ii.  Co.  Affitirs,  ISoT,  'nearly  two  jears. '  It  is  safe  enough 
to  date  his  departure  about  September  or  October  l.'i.")l ;  his  last  letter  Avritteu 
Karl  (rrey  from  the  Island  was  dated  the  ;>(}th  of  .\ugust.  Fiiildi/doH'i  1114. 
r.  /.,  MS,,  47  et  passim.  Finlaysonwas  on  tht  ground  during  the  entire  resi- 
dence of  ( rovernor  Blan-shard  in  the  l.<laml.  i  ooper,  M"i:  Matters,  MS.,  4, 
says  'the  expense  of  living  was  so  cnormims]-,  in  excess  of  tlie  Huds(m's  Hay 
Company's  representations,  and  eveiy  i,»'>,v.'.lc  difticulty  being  thrown  in  liis 
way, . .  .he  was  forced  to  resign.'  The  sutuers  naturally  sympathized  with  the 
discomfited  governor.  Says  Grant,  Loml.  Geo;/.  Sor.,  Jour.,  xxvii.  320.  'His 
loss  was  very  much  to  bo  regretted,  as  he  was  a  gentleman  in  every  way 
•jualitied  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  his  position  with  credit  to  himself,  and  with 
prosperous  results  to  the  country. '  The  Dexpatc/iv.i  of  Governor  Blannlutrd  to 
the  Secretary  of  State,  2('»th  Decendier  1849  to  30th  August  1851,  subsocpiently 
printed  at  the  government  office,  New  Westminster,  contains  all  the  letters 
sent  to  Earl  Grey  ])y  the  governor  during  his  stay  upon  the  Island. 


DOUOLAH  APPOINTED  GOVERNOR. 


'2h:\ 


,  John  Mc- 
i  Bay  Com- 
i(j  Coluuiltia 
iwfst  Coast, 
f  liirt  hunuui- 
tlic  Loiuloii 
»f'  Ills  undue 
uid  in  order 


i.l  Wc,  who  jciiii 
iforttiniitt'ly  Imt  ii 
y  to  cdiisitlur  tliat 
i-(  a  fr  e  ami  iinlc- 
tl  tho  iiidepfiitliMit 
othur  so  counuctiil 
e  iloprivuil  of  fnc- 
f  tlio  colony,  solium 
ary.  And  wu  lur- 
eiicea  to  whioli  wo 
i^aiust  not  only  to 
he  Islantl,  but  \>os- 

iuto  your  gracious 
u  your  excellt'iu  y's 
jCyourexeelU'iify's 
t  ilevoteil  anil  loyal 

Hiias  Monroe,  Wil- 
ini  Frastr,  Aiiilnw 
o1>ert  Muir,  Ardii- 

lity  extended  him 
perial  fioveruiiRut, 
'ore  stated,  paying 
Euj^land.  A  hill 
iluird  for  the  ex- 

remained  ou  tliu 

Jour.,  xxvii.  H'iOt 
i:lf  calls  it,  //""«'• 

It  is  safe  euougli 
!  last  letter  writtou 
..  /''//(/",'/«"'  "■  ^/''(• 
ring  the  entire  risi- 
. .  M'ltti-rn,  M.S.,  4, 
■  the  Hudson's  Bay 
jiug  thrown  in  his 
npathized  with  the 

xxvii.  320.  'His 
nan  iu  every  v>ay 

himself,  and  with 
iK'nior  Bloiixlici'l  'o 
1851,  suhs^iuently 
aius  all  the  letttis 

Islaml. 


to  weaken  him  in  liis  jjositionand  pave  the  way  toward 
liis  final  overtlirow,  the  supreme  power  on  the  Pacific 
was  vested  in  a  board  of  maua«^oment,  consisting  of 
(I  lief  factors  McLoughlin,  Douglas,  and  Ogden.  After 
tlie  retirement  of  McLouglilin,  Douglas  and  Ogden 
niutinued  tt>  manage  matters  as  a  board,  with  their 
111  ad -quarters  still  at  Fort  Vancouver,  Finlayson 
nicanwhilc  remaining  in  charge  at  Fort  Victoria. 

Ill  midsummer  1849,  nhie  months  prior  to  the  ar- 
rival of  Governor  Blanshard,  Douglas  comi)leted  the 
removal  o^  the  company's  head-quarters  to  Fort  Vic- 
toria, ami  took  up  his  permanent  residence  on  the 
Island.  '^  Subsequently  he  erected  for  his  family  a  com- 
modious dwelling  on  the  south  side  of  James  Bay. 
Dugald  McTavish  was  k^ft  in  charge  at  Fort  Vancou- 
vir,  Finlayson  assumed  the  position  of  chief  acc(juntant 
at  Fort  Victoria,  and  the  affairs  of  the  company  still 
continued  to  be  administered  by  chief  factors  Douglas 
and  Ogden,  who  constituted  the  board  of  management 
the  Pacific. '•'' 


on  ine 


Thus  under  this  mighty  pressure  of  gnat-straining 
and  camel-swallowing  passed  the  first  two  years  of 
attempts  at  colonial  rule  on  Vancouver  Island.  In 
Sei)tomber  1851,  James  Douglas  was  made  governor 
of  the  colony,  and  took  the  oath  of  office  the  fol- 
lowing November.  Thus  at  last  were  united  in  one 
person  the  authority  and  interests  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  and  the  authority  and  interests  of  the 
folonial  government.  Wiser  iu  his  day  than  Blan- 
shard Doutjlas  succeeded  in  securinjif  to  himself  a 
salary  of  eight  hundred  pounds  a  year  as  gcwcrnor  of 
tlic  colony  in  addition  to  his  emoluments  as  chief  fac- 


'-It  was  about  the  middle  of  June  that  Douglas  with  his  family  reniovt.l 
til  Victoria.  An  obituary  notice  in  the  Rrit'mh  ColonUl,  of  8th  Aug.  1877, 
places  the  elate  of  his  arrival  '  a  few  months  after  '  that  of  ( loveruor  lilanshard, 
and  others  give  other  dates.  But  Michel  Muir,  M'ho  lauded  in  June  1849, 
status  that  Douglas  ".ame  from  Fort  Vancouver  with  Ins  family  four  ilays 
after  his  arrival.      Brit.  Vol.  Sketr/ics,  MS.,  21. 

'■'''/v(^f,  iu  //.  B.  Co.  Er.,  If.  B.  Co.  <'hbih->,  107-9;  Fiiiiiys.mK  Hist.  V.  I., 
M.S.,  ;«;  Bi-it.  ColoiM,  Aug.  8,  1SG7;  JlcKinlay'-i  A'kc,  MS.,  8. 


-Ill 


284 


OOVKUNMENT  E.STABUSHED. 


tor  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.     From  tliis  tiiiu' 
up  to  1859  he  continued  to  fill  both  positions. 

And  now  all  is  serene  a«;ain  throuffhout  this  rejrioii, 
The  fur-traders  have  triumphed.  They  have  obtaim d 
not  only  a  crown  grant,  but  a  crown  government.  On 
Vancouver  Island  thoy  are  the  crown;  and  until  tlic 
settlers  sliall  become  stronger  than  the  ^  ompany,  tlieii' 
absolutism  is  assured.  The  next  chapter  I  devote  to 
the  life  and  character  of  James  Douglas. 


UW'iTI 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

JAMES  DOUGLAS. 

>iiKTH  ANTt  FnrrATiov — Entkks  TiiR  Skkviok  of  tiik  Northwest  Comvany 
—  FiaENusHip  OK  McLomiHLiN — Opvortunitv  —  What  Hk  hhoi'i.k 
Know — His  Likk  in  Nkw  Calkdoma — Ovkimome  bv  Love — Meets  am> 
AUuKiES  Neua  Connolly — Establishes  Fokt  Connolly — His  Atien- 
TioN  TO  Business  and  HIS  Strict  Obeijience — ■RFfOMEs  Chief  Tkahek 
—Then"  Chief  Faotor — Visits  California — Ait'oitntant  and  (Jen- 

EUAl.    SrPERINTENUENT    OF    FoRTS — AcTlVE    IN    THE    EsTABLISllINO    OF 

FouT  Victoria — His  Coldness  toward  Emigrants — Quarrels  ^VITH 
McLoitiHLiN — Removes  to  Victoria  —  Is  Made  Goveunor  —  And 
Knidiited  -Visits  Eukopk  -I'liYsigiUP.  and  Character  —  Douulas 
and  McLoughlin  Compared. 

James  J3ou(iLAs  was  born  in  1803  at  Jamaica.  His 
latlicii'  M-as  a  descendant  of  the  earl  of  Angus,  the 
lilack  Douiilas  of  Scottish  historv:  his  mother  was  a 
Creole.  At  an  early  age  he  was  taken  by  his  father 
to  ]janark,  Scotland,  where  he  was  educated.  He 
was  scarcely  seventeen  years  okP  when  he  entered 
tlie  service  of  the  Northw.'st  Company  as  apprenticed 
clerk,  and  was  sent  to  ]^^)rt  William,  on  Lake  Supe- 
rior, where  IVIcLoughlin  was  then  stationed. 

Upon  the  coalition  the  following  year,  Douglas  was 
about  to  retire  to  Scotland  in  (  unpany  with  two  dis- 
satisfied brothers  then  leaving  t!..  s«'rvici>;  but  he  was 
jxi'suaded  by  McLoughlin,  who  had  taken  a  fancy  to 
liiui^  to  remain. 


'Tills  aeooriling  to  Mrs  llarvpy,  L{fi'  McTiomjUtn,  MS,,  37.  Waddington, 
FruMT  Milieu,  33,  says  lie  was  only  fourttuui  yoars  of  ago  wlion  ho  left  Kii>.'- 
l.iiiil.  Imt  this  authority  is  not  relialile.  Aitioiig  tho  many  iiotices  ami  testi- 
iiiciiiials  extant  of  locul  M-riters  ami  speakers,  one  would  c.\])c('t  to  tinil 
Miiiii'tliing  conccriiintr  the  early  careor  of  such  a  man;  eveu  the  family  aruhivea 
MX  singularly  sil    .      i  this  regard. 

(285^ 


JAMES  DOUGLAS. 


*l: 


"Stay  with  nie,  iny  lad,"  he  said,  "and  you  shall  he 
to  1110  as  a  son." 

&o  when  McLoughlin  was  appointed  to  what  was 
thtni  termed  the  Ct)lunil)ia  Department,  he  wrote  tl  it- 
directory  requesting  that  Douglas  might  accompany 
him,  which  request  was  granted,^  an  J  young  Douglas 
made  ready  to  cross  his  Alps. 

Here,  indeed,  was  opportunity.  Look  at  it.  Xiiic- 
tcen  years  of  age,  full  of  youthful  vigor  and  enthusiasm, 
the  friend  and  companion  of  the  chief  factor  in  com- 
mand upon  the  Northwest  Coast.  In  such  a  countr} , 
at  such  an  age,  and  under  such  conditions,  we  shall 
see  in  due  time  how  he  availed  himself  of  tli em. 

McLoughlin  was  determined  his  ]^rotccje  should  en- 
joy every  advantage,  consistent  with  his  duty  to  tlic 
service,  which  might  tend  to  his  advancement.  And 
this  might  best  he  accomplished,  not  by  confining  tlio 
young  man  too  closely  to  office  and  warehouse  work, 
or  to  one  particular  or  permanent  thing,  but  by  giving 
him  a  succession  of  duties  which  should  finally  makci 
him  proficient  in  all. 

He  was  already  a  good  accountant,  one  of  the  l)est 
in  the  service,  and  thoroughly  familiar  with  tlie 
French  Canadian  idiom.  It  was  now  for  him  to  be- 
come familiar,  in  all  its  minutest  detail,  with  the  pon- 
derous and  most  perfect  machinery  of  the  united 
companies.  He  should  know  not  onlj  the  kinds  and 
cost  of  trading  goods  and  fort  supplies  in  London,  and 
the  expenses  of  transportation  to  the  distributing  post 
on  the  Columbia,  and  thence  to  the  several  interior 
stations;  the  kinds,  and  qualities,  and  prices  of  furs; 
the  rules  of  the  company  in  regard  io  traffic,  presents, 
and  credit  with  the  natives;  the  wages  and  duties  of 
the  men,  and  the  allowances  due  them :  but  he  should 
become  familiar  with  the  vast  country  over  which  his 

*My  very  good  friend,  John  Tod,  .AV?m  Cakdonin,  MS.,  4(5-7,  who  toll  iin! 
all  he  knew,  aiul  somewhat  more,  respecting  lii.s  former  a.s»ociiito  ami  oliirl, 
liriiiga  Douglas  to  America  in  or  before  1811,  at  wliich  time  he  was  ciglit 
year^  old;  and  this  assertion  he  backs  by  the  remark,  '  Mr  Douglas  rcmaiiHil 
east  <>t'  the  mountains  at  Fort  Eel;',  Athabasca  l)istrict,  for  live  or  six  years,' 
bringing  liini  across  the  niountaiuij  in  1824. 


CONNOLLYS  UAUOUTER 


287 


(lilef  held  sovereign  sway;  he  should  kiiow  its  config- 
uration and  climate ;  its  mountains,  plains,  and  valleys ; 
its  forests  and  prairies;  its  lakes  and  rivers;  its  fruits 
and  animals,  and  plants,  and  all  its  possibilities.  Most 
of  Jill,  he  should  study  well  the  aborigines,  witli  whom 
]iis  predecessors  and  superiors  had  taken  so  mucli 
trouble  to  establi,s]i  conurercial  intercourse.  Some- 
tliiug  of  their  languages  he  should  know,  that  he 
niiglit  personally  converse  witli  them.  Of  the  bent 
of  tlieir  minds  and  passions,  tlieir  present  wants  and 
future  hopes,  their  intellectual  endowments,  and,  so  far 
;..>  possible,  of  their  several  idiosyncrasies  he  should 
make  careful  analysis. 

To  this  end  it  was  expedient  he  should  spend  scv- 
onil  seasons  in  the  field;  and  first  of  all  in  New 
Ciludonia,  then  tlie  Siberia  of  the  company,  and  the 
i'i>  st  distant  department  of  McLoughlin's  dominion, 
1 '  lorth-coast  establishments  not  having  yet  been 
f"U:id(M].  Therefore,  instead  of  taking  him  at  once 
to  licad-quarters  at  Astoria,  he  gave  him  in  charge  of 
Jiuncs  Connolly,  a  jolly  Irishman,  who  with  his  family 
iiiid  twenty-four  men  crossed  the  mountains  from  York 
Factory  in  the  autumn  of  1824,  with  sup[)lies  for  New 
Caledonia.  Mr  Connolly  succeeded  John  Stuart  in 
tliese  parts 

The  young  Scot  was  by  no  means  averse  to  this 
iiiTangoment;  for  while  studying  life  under  now  con- 
ditions, ho  might  study  lov(!,  which  was  likewise  new 
to  Mm,  and  exceedingly  comforting.  James  Con- 
nolly had  ii  aaughter,  a  blushing  half-breed  beauty, 
tlic.i  SOU":  tirt  on  years  of  age.^  How  should  a  bold, 
J!';.;]i^|  ri'  '(]  'handsome  j^oung  man  but  find  favor  in 
li'Toyi^?  1,  .w  '•■.b)uld  a  warm-Iicarted,  lovely,  an«l 
modest  malu.^r'  but  find  favor  in  his?  Her  pnjsoncu 
^woetened  toil;  Ills  presence  made  smooth  to  lier  the 

How  many  tliousands  of 


luggedest  mountain-trail 


■^Tlii'so  ])articulnrH  I  got  from  Mr  Tod,  Xnr  ('itlihmin,  !N[S.,  jtaHsiiu,  wlm, 
i  h'.i  iiu'iiiory  innvo.s  not  trt^iiclicroiu — for  lio  wii.s  very  old  wlicii  Iio  yiivo  inn 
liH  ilictiitinn — muy  ho  couuti'd  correct,  for  lio  \v;i8  tliero  at  tin  time,  anil  re- 
I'itud  onlv  ihat  came  under  liio  own  oliservation. 


288 


JAMES  DOUGLAS 


■  -l 


volumes  of  uuwritteu  romance  are  there  in  the  early 
doings  upon  this  weetern  slope;  tales  of  love  as  dee|i 
and  true  as  ever  mailed  knight  carried  beneath  his 
armor,  true  tales  of  daring  venture,  with  mingled 
failure  and  success,  more  thrilling,  more  noble,  more 
difficult  and  self-sacrificing  than  any  fiction  cudgelled 
from  prolific  biain/ 

John  Tod  was  then  at  McLeod  Lake,  having 
crossed  the  mountains  in  1823,  and  was  in  charge  of 
McLeod  Fort  for  a  period  of  nine  years.  Connolly 
and  Douglas  went  first  to  I'ort  St  James  on  Stuart 
Lake,  and  the  following  year  the  latter  was  left  for 
a  time  in  charge  of  the  post.  It  was  here,  and  at 
this  time,  that  Douglas  played  his  first  bloody  tragedy 
in  which  the  i  'thn  was  the  murderer  of  certain  of 
Yale's  men,  yoj  'onnolly  and  Douglas  the  execu- 

tioners, the  latti  i  nishing  the  performance  by  1)0- 
coming  priibtner — all  of  which  I  have  fully  given  in  a 
previous  volume.^  The  courage  and  coolness  displayed 
in  this  encounter  with  the  savages  brough  i  the  young 
man  fame  and  favor  not  only  among  hi-  associates, 
but  among  the  natives  themselves. 

Connolly  as  well  as  Douglas  had  much  to  learn 
about  the  natives ;  first  ot  all,  that  there  was  as  much 
difterence  ui  their  individual  and  tribal  character  as 
IS  found  among  the  civilized  nations  of  Europe;  and 
next,  that  environment  affected  man  here  as  well  as 
elsewhere.  There  was  a  vast  dift'eretice  between 
mountaineers  and  the  dwellers  upon  the  sea-shoro, 
between  hunters  and  diggers,  boatmen  and  horsemen, 
fish-eaters  aiil  beast-eaters.  It  happened  on  one 
occasion,  as  Connolly  was  descending  the  Columbia 
with  eight  bateaux,  the  proud  and  chivalrous  Noz 
Forces  gave  him  a  lesson.  On  reaching  the  Dalles, 
his  boats  being  lightly  manned,  he  eng.iged  the  na- 


■ 


*  Totl,  j\>»'  CalfdoHiii,  WS.,  28-82,  gives  a  gniphic  piftiiro  of  what  In-  lalls 
RohiiiBon  Crusoo  life  in  this  region  at  the  tiiii'',  Tlni  skins  of  elk  or  -Hirr 
animals  served  as  clotliew,  and  their  meet  for  food;  or  if  otlier  sources  failtd, 
they  did  not  hesitate  to  sacrifice  the  dogs  that  drew  their  winter  slcdgCH. 

•"  Sec  History  Nortliwcfl  Coast. 


AMONG  THE  NEZ  rEIlLitS. 


289 


tivi's,  for  so  iiiucli  tobacco,  to  assist  him  at  the  port- 
age. Their  work  being  well  and  promptly  done,  they 
liastily  came  forward  in  a  body  for  their  pay — so 
lias  ily  and  in  such  numbers,  in  fact,  that  Connolly 
Avas  frightened,  and  dropping  the  promised  tobacco 
oil  the  rocks,  beat  a  rapid  retreat  to  liis  boats.  The 
savages  paused,  and  cast  toward  the  Hying  trader  a 
look  of  ineffable  disdain. 

''Arc  white  men  thieves  and  murderers  that  they 
think  all  others  so?"  exclaimed  the  chief,  swelling  in 
dignity  and  stature  as  he  spoke.  "Go!  we  scorn 
you,  and  will  not  touch  your  trash!" 

Saying  wliich,  the  Xez  Perccs  turned  loftily  away, 
leaving  the  tol)acco  on  the  rocks.  Upon  seeing  this, 
certain  l^douses,  fishing  in  the  river  near  by,  did  not 
scruple  with  hot  hasti;  "^o  sweep  the  stones  of  the 
precious  weed  to  the  last  slired. 

Under  such  developing  environment  the  course  of 
true  love  ran  rapidly  «nd  smoothly.  There  were  no 
i'actious  intluences  at  work  in  lorm  of  oppugnant  l'ath(>r, 
suhtly  scheming  mother,  rival  lover,  or  heavy  villain, 
so  essential  to  the  orthodox  love-story.  James  Doug- 
las was  glad  to  win  tlie  love  of  Xelia  Connolly,  and 
she  was  equally  glad  to  give  it  him.  Wlien  he  asked 
licr  to  be  his  wife,  she  had  not  tlie  remotest  idea  of 
(Ki'linino-.  nor-  had  )ier  father.  So  the}'  were  counted 
man  ami  wife,  and  began  the  half-century  of  serene 
happiness  which  foll<  wed  in  the  rugged  region  of 
New  Caledonia.  AVhen  Beaver,  freshly  bleached  by 
St  Peter's  successor,  ariived  at  Fort  Vancouver  with 
a  church-bouno  wife,  theal)original  marriage  ceremony 
was  denounced  as  devilish,  and  beside  this  innnacu- 
late  pair  all  wives  there  were  only  concubines,  and 
their  progeny  bastards,  with  whom  it  were  disgraceful 
to  associate.  And  so  for  the  sake  of  peace,  Douglas, 
among  others,  was  remarried  l)y  ]^eaver  in  1837  or 
18  as." 


''Uiiberts,  liecoUfftiom,  MS.,  57,  says  1839;  but  in  this  instance  ho  tlocs 
ui't  ri'colleet  correctly. 

Hist.  Brit.  Col.    19 


980 


JAMES  DOUGLAS. 


l.'li 


i.4iii 


Near  the  western  limit  of  New  Caledonia  in  182G, 
Douglas  built  a  post  which  he  called,  in  honor  of  liis 
wife's  father,  Fort  Connolly,  on  Bear  Lake,  some- 
times called  Lake  Connolly  at  the  head  of  a  branch 
of  Skecna  River. 

After  several  years  of  this  kind  of  service,  many 
incidents  of  which  I  have  detailed  elsewhere,  and  in 
which  persistent  fidelity  to  business  and  temperate 
conduct  toward  the  natives  were  ever  manifest, 
Douglas  was  called  to  Fort  Vancouver,  where  ho 
proceeded  with  his  family  in  1828,  there  to  render 
his  friend  and  patron  the  more  immediate  assistance 
which  the  increasing  requirements  of  the  service 
seemed  to  demand.  There  he  rose  rapidly,  and  soon 
stood  second  only  to  his  chief  in  all  the  Northwest 
Coast,  if  not  at  once  in  name,  yet  ir  power  and  im- 
portance almost  immediately. 

There  was  an  abundance  of  time  and  opportunity, 
however,  to  become  proficient  in  all  the  minutest  de- 
tails of  the  service,  and  this  not  in  theory  alone  but 
in  practice.  He  revised  and  greatly  improved  the 
system  of  accounts  which  required  all  the  posts  of 
the  Pacific  to  make  annual  returns  to  Fort  Vancouver. 
Several  times  he  took  charge  of  the  York  Factory 
express,  which  duty  was  by  no  means  unaccompanied 
witli  difficulties  and  dangers.' 

In  1830  he  was  made  chief  trader,  and  two  years 
after,  chief  factor.^  Much  of  his  time  was  now  eni- 
ploycd  in  selecting  sites  and  superintending  the  es- 
tablishing of  posts.    Annual  visits  of  inspection  were 

' '  Sir  James  used  to  be  one  of  the  clerks  who  went  across  with  letters.  Mr 
Anderson  went  once;  Dr  Tolmic  went  once,  but  he  went  to  England  to  visit 
his  country.  They  used  to  have  a  little  difUculty  with  the  Indians,  but  not 
much.'  llarvcifs  Life,  of  MrLowjIdln,  MS.,  4. 

"  I  take  this  date  from  McKinlay,  Narmtive,  MS.,  8,  and  Finlaysou,  ///■'*/. 
V.  /.,  MS.,  30,  who  agree.  Anderson,  Northu-fxt  Coaxt,  MS.,  25,  says  tliat 
it  was  ill  183.}  he  was  made  chief  trader.  But  the  time  is  not  at  all  essential, 
Tuhnic,  Picjet  Soinxl,  MS.,  2,  saw  him  in  1833,  when  'he  was  second  in  com- 
mand at  Fort  Vancouver,  where  he  acted  as  accountant.'  He  was  now  fast 
becoming  famous  for  his  geographical  and  practical  knowledge.  In  Hci'^H 
U,  S.  to  l[.  B.  M.  Treaty  of  Wnsh'imjtou,  21,  he  is  pronoimced  'one  of  the  most 
enterprising  and  inquisitive  of  men,  famous  for  his  intimate  acquaintance  with 
every  crevice  on  the  coast;'  a  high  compliment  from  such  a  source. 


A  NOBLE  DEED. 


i^'JI 


da  in  182G, 
onor  of  his 
jakc,  sonic- 
)f  a  branch 

rvice,  many 
icrc,  and  in 
temperate 
[•    manifest, 
',  where  ho 
c  to  render 
e  assistance 
the   service 
ly,  and  soon 
)  Northwest 
,ver  and  im- 

opportunity, 

minutest  de- 

iry  ah)ne  hat 

iiproved  the 

,he  posts  of 

Vancouver. 

ork  Factory 

accompanied 

d  two  years 
s^as  now  em- 
ding  the  es- 
Dection  were 

s  with  letters.    Mi' 
o  England  to  visit 
Indians,  but  not 

a  Finlayson,  7/''-'- 
dS.,  25,  says  that 
lot  at  all  essential. 
vas  second  in  cdiu- 
He  was  now  fa-t; 
R-ledgc.  In  neiJn 
id 'one  of  the  most 

[acquaintance  willi 
I,  source. 


made  to  the  several  stations,  both  of  the  interior  and 
of  the  seaboard.  In  the  summer  of  1840  he  was  up 
tlio  coast  on  important  business;  in  the  winter  of 
1841  2  he  visited  Cahfornia,  a  full  and  interesting 
account  of  which  is  given  in  liis  journal. 

There  is  something  sublime  in  that  quality  inherent 
ill  noble  natures  which  cannot  overlook  a  duty,  even 
though  its  performance  leads  toward  death. 

In  fording  the  Nisqually  River,  while  en  route 
northward  in  April  1840  to  take  possession  of  the 
tciritory  leased  from  the  Russians,  and  to  build  Fort 
Tako,  Lasseites,  leadhig  man  of  the  party  under 
Douglas,  was  swept  away  and  carried  some  distance 
down  the  river.  Just  before  reaching  a  drift  of  logs 
iiiid  debris,  under  and  through  which  the  furious 
\\  titer  was  surging,  threatening  instant  destruction  to 
;u)\'  on  whom  it  nnght  once  lay  its  grasp,  he  caught 
till'  end  of  a  fallen  tree  and  held  to  it  as  his  only  hope 
of  life. 

Even  to  those  accustomed  to  daily  dangers,  and  to 
prompt  unflinching  action  whenever  a  conu'ade  needed 
licl}),  the  position  of  Lassertes  was  so  perilous,  the 
(Instruction  of  whomsoever  should  attempt  his  rescue 
ISO  })robable,  that  tlie  bravest  of  these  brave  men 
drew  back  appalled.  The  air  and  water  were  icy 
cold,  so  that  the  limbs  would  be  quickly  benumbed. 
U'liding  to  render  effort  powerless.  Fear  fell  upon 
till'  <  ompany  Lassertes  was  growing  every  moment 
wiaker ;  he  was  apparently  a  doomed  man.  "  The 
contagion  weighed  upon  my  own  mind,"  says  Doug- 
las, "and  I  confess  with  shame  that  I  felt  not  that 
cheeri'ul  alacrity  in  rushing  to  the  rescue  as  a,t  other 
times." 

Douglas  soon  saw  that  if  he  did  not  make  the  at- 
tempt no  one  would.  It  were  easy  enough  to  hold 
back,  to  dally,  to  seek  for  means  less  venturesome  than 
sucli  extreme  personal  peril,  that  man's  life  was  not 
worth  half  as  much  as  his  own:  no  blame  could  bv 
any  j)ossibility  ever  be  attached  to  lum;  let  him  go. 


i:'.»'j 


JAMES  DOUGLAS. 


T 


J    i-  "  : 


i    V 


He  could  not  do  it.  His  nature  was  not  made  of 
such  stuff.  "Even  then,"  he  writes  hi  liis  journal,  "I 
could  not  allow  a  fellow-creature  to  perish  without  an 
effort  to  save  him,  while  the  inactivity  of  all  present 
was  an  additi<jnal  incentive  to  redouble  my  own  exci'- 
tions.  With  a  sensation  t>f  dread,  and  ahnost  hojx  - 
less  of  success,  I  puslicd  my  horse  by  spur  and  wliij) 
nearly  across  the  river,  sprung  into  the  water,  and 
rushed  towards  the  spot  where  the  nearly  exhausted 
sufferer  was  clinging,  with  his  head  above  water,  to 
the  end  (jf  a  tree  that  had  fallen  into  the  river.  Upon 
its  trunk  I  dragged  myself  out  on  all  fours;  and  great 
was  our  mutual  joy  when  I  seized  him  firndy  by  tlie 
collar,  and  with  the  aid  of  a  canoe  that  arrived  soon 
after,  landed  him  safely  on  the  bank,  where  a  blazing 
lire  soon  restored  wjirmth  to  both.  And  to  my  late-^t 
breath  may  I  cherish  the  remend)rance  of  Lassertes' 
providential  rescue  from  a  watery  grave,  as  I  could 
never  otlierwisc  have  enjoyed  tranquillity  of  min<l.  "' 
Which  sentiment,  supplementing  such  an  action,  tn 
mo  is  fragrant  with  the  highest  nobleness  of  soul. 

Durinijf  the  earlv  part  of  his  career  he  was  riijjid  in 
liis  obedience  to  the  orders  of  his  su[)eriors,  and  in 
manifestations  of  res})ect  toward  them;  and  in  later 
vears  when  he  began  to  rule,  he  demanded  the  same 
respect  and  obedience  from  others.^ 


10 


;h  W 


^ Domjlim'  JoKi-niil,  MS.,  4,  5. 

•^  As  well  to  iiUbrtl  tlio  plainest  insight  into  the  chciracter  of  this  remarka- 
ble man  as  to  clear  myself  from  any  possible  charge  f>f  captious  eriticisiii  in 
regard  to  him,  I  give  the  following  extract  from  the  Ijook  of  Matthew  .MaciU', 
a  per.sonal  acquaintance  and  countryman  of  Douglas: 

'  Tiicre  is  a  resident  in  the  country  who,  in  con.sideration  of  his  past  ollicial 
relation  to  it  as  first  governor  of  British  Columbia,  deserves  passing  notici;  in 
this  place.  I  refer  to  Sir  James  Douglas.  This  gentleman  is  completely  un- 
known in  England,  except  at  the  colonial  ofiice  and  to  a  few  directors  ol  tlie 
Hudson's  Bay  Company.  But  being  a  local  celebrity,  the  reader  may  nut  ob- 
ject to  be  introduced  to  so  interesting  a  character.  In  stature  he  exceeds  six 
feet.  His  countenance,  by  its  weather-beaten  appcivrance,  still  tells  of  inany 
years  spent  ia  fur-trapping  adventure  in  the  wilds  of  the  interior.  Intro- 
duced at  the  age  of  iifteen  or  sixteen  from  the  West  Indies,  the  reputed  place 
of  his  birth,  into  the  service  of  the  company,  and  deprived,  during  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  of  the  advantages  of  society,  except  tliat  of  Indians,  half-breeds, 
and  persons  like  himself  occupying  humble  situations  in  the  employ  of  tlu' 
•company,  eve»y  jiraise  is  due  to  him  for  not  being  indiflferent  to  mental  mil- 


JOINT  MANAGEMENT. 


•J!I3 


lot  made  of 
journal,  "I 
L  without  an 
F  all  y) resent 
ly  own  extr- 
Iiuost  1k>ih'- 
ar  and  whip 
!  water,  and 
[y  exhausted 
ve  water,  to 
iver.     Upon 
s ;  and  ^reat 
irmly  hy  tlie 
arrived  seen 
ere  a  blaziiijj; 
.  to  my  latest 
of  Lassertes' 
3,  as  I  could 
ty  oi  mmd. 
an  action,  to 
J  of  soul. 

was  rigid  in 
'riors,  and  in 

and  in  later 
led  the  sanio 


;cr  of  this  rciiiarkii- 
[iptious  criticisiu  in 
)t'  Matthew M^uiie, 

II  of  his  i)ast  ojlicial 
j8  passing  notice  in 
n  is  completely  un- 
i;w  directors  of  tlie 
reader  may  nut  ob- 
iture  he  exceeds  >ix 
,  still  tells  of  iiKUiy 
le  interior.  lutm- 
1,  the  reputed  place 
during  the  proutLT 
.dians,  half-bree(ls, 
the  employ  of  tiu' 
•ent  to  mental  'lu- 


Both  before  and  after  1843,  Douglas  was  active  in 
choosing  a  site  and  establishing  Fort  Victoria.  When 
tlio  board  of  management  was  organized  in  order  grad- 
Uiiliy  to  relieve  John  McLoughlin  of  his  rule  preparu- 
toiy  to  his  final  di.scharge,  Douglas  was  a  mend)er. 
Before  the  retirement  from  the  Hudson's  Bay  Coni- 
[laiiy's  service  of  McLoughlin  in  1845,  papers  were 
signed  by  himself  and  Douglas  jointly,  showing  that 
tlie  latter  was  gradually  coming  to  the  front.  These 
Wire  troublous  times  for  McLoughlin,  and  they  were 

tuio  in  those  mountain  solitudes  in  whieli  the  ilower  of  his  manhood  was 
[las.^cd.  The  stutilinessof  I'.is  porstin,  of  which  he  always  seems  proudly  con- 
siioiis,  and  his  natural  force  of  character,  suggest  the  relleetion  to  an  oliserver, 
liiiw  vastly  more  agreeahle  would  have  been  liis  address,  and  jiowerful  tlic  in- 
ihuiue  of  his  character  and  aliilities,  had  he  enjoyed  in  early  life  a  liheral  edu- 
tatiiiii  and  intercourse  with  persons  of  relinement  and  cultun^  De  (,>uincey 
iksciilics  tlie  Well-known  .l>r  I'arr  as  the  Biniiingham  Dv  .Jnhnson,  an  e.\i)res- 
siiiii  .signifying  tliat  the  former  was  out  an  electro-plated  imitation  of  the  latter. 
I'he  a|i[ilication  of  this  remark  may  he  left  to  the  reader  in  reference  to  tliu 
pretentious  deportment  of  Sir  James.  His  cfl'orts  to  appear  grand,  and  even 
uugust,  were  ludicrously  out  of  proportion  to  the  insignificant  [population  lie 
govmuil,  nnndjei'ing  less  than  the  inhabitants  of  many  a  country  town  in 
lIiiL'land.  When  he  spoke  to  any  one  within  the  precincts  f)f  the  government 
liniisc,  liis  Quixotic  notions  of  his  othce,  which  he  evidently  tlmught  splendid, 
[iioiiiptcd  him  to  make  choice  of  the  scs(|uipedaliau  diction  he  employed  in 
iii.s  ilcspatches.  The  angle  of  his  head,  the  ollicial  tone,  the  extension  of  the 
iiaiiil,  the  bland  smile  which  never  reached  beyond  the  corners  of  his  mouth, 
all  tiicse  still'  and  artitleial  arrangements  were  carefully  got  up  and  daily  re- 
pr;ited  by  him,  under  the  dehusiou  that  the  public  imagined  him  to  be  natural 
aiul  a  perfect  IJrunnnell  in  politeness.  His  manm^rs  always  gave  one  the  im- 
]ircssiun  that  to  make  up  for  early  disadvantages  lie  hail  I'eligiously  adjusted 
iiis  \\iii)le  ))caring  to  the  standard  of  Lonl  (.'hestertield,  and  it  is  needless  to 
Niy  hiiw  amusing  was  the  combination  of  his  lordship  and  this  ilignitied  old 
fiir-ti'a[iper. 

'His  attitude  toward  the  olhcials  serving  under  his  government  was  aus- 
ten  and  distant.  This  he  had  aeipiireil  nnilcr  the  sort  of  military  vnj'iiir  ob- 
sitvimI  liftween  the  ollieers  anil  se-rvants  of  the  lliuhion's  15ay  (  ompauy.  I 
liavd  heard  magistrates  adilresseil  by  him  in  a  pompous  manner  that  no  Jlng- 
lisli  gentleman  would  assume  toward  Ids  portci".  But  Sir  .(aiiRs  solemnly  felt 
that  tin;  machine  of  state  could  only  lie  kept  in  motion  l>y  his  delivering  coiii- 
iiiaiiil-i,  with  licad  erect,  and  with  that  rotund  and  p(rem[itorY  utterance  whieli 
at  ouec  lietrayed  and  excused  vulgarity,  lie  was  I'arely  visible  at  his  desk  <u' 
ill  the  street  without  being  arrayed  in  semi-military  uniform;  but  the  climax 
ft  his  extravagance  was  probably  capped  l)y  his  being  followed  perpetually, 
wlieilier  taking  an  airing  in  the  country  or  going  to  visit,  by  an  imposing 
•inlerly,  duly  armed  and  in  unifoi'in.  In  so  small  and  practical  a  town  as 
\  ietoiia,  the  temptation  of  the  local  wits  to  satiri/o  so  preiiosterous  a  spectacle 
was  irresistible.  I'etty  diplomacy  was  a  passion  with  Sir  James,  doubtles-i 
ilevildjied  from  his  youth,  in  the  wlieedling  mode  of  transacting  business  with 
tile  Indians  adopted  by  the  Cf)mpauy  in  the  interior.  He  never  sent  av.ay 
any  supjiliant  for  governmental  favours  without  hohling  out  some  hope, 
which,  at  the  same  moment,  he  in  numy  cases  determined  to  frustrate,  A 
taviirite  plan  of  his  with  any  wlmni  lie  tiiua  sought  to  keep  in  good  humor 
Was  to  exhaust  their  patience  by  expedient  an<l  indetinito  postponement  of 


il 


ivA 


■:4 


JAME.S  DOUGLAS. 


the  darkest  in  the  niemory  of  Douglas;  for  it  was 
then  he  first  deenicd  it  liis  chitv  to  present  himself  as 
a  barrier  to  tlie  liluiral  dealings  of  jMcLoughlin,  and 
a  supporter  of  the  mijre  merciless  policy  of  his  com- 
pany. When  McLoughlin  had  fairly  left  Fort  Van- 
couver, however,  and  Douglas  was  fully  installed 
as  liis  successor,  he  returned  to  the  old  and  wise 
ways  which  liad  heen  characteristic  of  Northwest 
Coast  management  since  1824,  wliich  increases  tlio 
suspicion   that    Douglas   was   not  just    then  whollv 

the  object  dcsircil.'  If  I  might  he  allowed  a  Yankee's  ramlom  guess  I  shouM 
s.'iy  that  Mr  Mactie  liimself  was  one  of  those  ilisappointed  office-seekers  upon 
whom  Sir  James  so  iiiiprolitahlj'  smileil. 

After  Douglas  hail  assiimeil  the  duties  of  governor  of  Vancouver  Island, 
t!ie  Americans  across  tlie  liorder  used  to  ridicule,  not  always  with  the  ln:>t  of 
taste,  what  they  regarded  in  him  as  unwarranted  jiomposity.  I  herew  ith 
extract  the  following  inmi  ihi}  ()ti/iii]>i<i,  Cliili  ('(ninrnii-loiir,  MS.,  <)-]H,  wliieh 
tliougli  exaggerated  to  the  Ijordcr  of  the  hurlesijue,  nevertheless  contains  a 
tincture  of  truth: 

'.Mrl'Ivans — Tlie  oM  governor  used  to  walk  the  streets  of  Victoria  ]iro- 
ccded,  about  as  far  as  from  here  to  that  door,  by  a  big  Scotchman  with  ,i 
drawn  sword.     Ynu  have  si.'en  that,  haven't  you  ? 

'Mr  liillings— Yes  [lauglihigj. 

'Mr  Evans — I  have  seen  that.  I  saw  it  the  very  first  time  I  went  to 
Victoria. 

'Mr  Hillings — It  was  Lieutenant  IJowdon,  now  chief  of  police. 

'.MrKvans — 1  went  one  time  into  Jlibhen  &  ( 'arswell  s  bookstore,  and 
Douglas  and  this  man  came  in  afti'r  me.  Tlicnext  day,  about  the  same  tiiiif, 
1  Went  to  the  photograph  saloon  on  a  little  idley  tliat  turns  otl'  from  (ioverri- 
meut  street,  and  there  he  Went  into  tlie  lower  story  as  I  went  iijistairs.  1 
made  some  remark  aboiit  it,  and  a  man  told  me  tliat  that  M'as  always  the 
case  with  the  governor  when  lie  went  out  about  live  or  six  o'clock. 

'  Mr  Billings — That  is  what  Mason  t(  lis  me.  Lieutenant  Howden  was  the 
luad  of  his  bo(iy -guard,     lie  was  a  large  man,  weigliiug  '2(i0  pounds. 

'  Mr  JIvaus — 1  have  talked  with  Douglas  wlicii  he  was  governor  wnder  tlio 
appointment  of  Queen  \'ictoria,  and  governor  by  virtue  of  his  being  cliii  f 
factor  in  charge  of  the  Hudson's  IJay  Company's  atl'airs.  The  last  time  I  was 
tlierc,  when  lie  was  chief  factor  in  charge,  was  when  the  Russian  ofiicers 
taken  from  Tetropavlovsk  had  a  reception  given  them.  Captain  I'ease,  of  th^' 
revenue  cutter  Jiff  Ddr'm.  had  a  reception,  and  these  ollicers  had  a  reception. 

'MrTarlicU — After  he  was  aiipoiuted  governor  under  tlie  (pieeii,  he  liad 
a  paid  servant.  This  man  IJowden  was  brought  out,  and  Sir  James  took  him 
as  his  servant;  but  I  never  saw  him  going  with  a  broadsword. 

'  Mr  Kvans — lie  was  a  great  big  fellow,  and  walked  five  or  six  feet  ahead 
of  him.  1  have  seen  it  as  many  as  fou.  .  five  times.  He  was  there  walking 
ahead,  in  uniform. 

'MrTarbcll — This  man  came  out  with  Moody,  ami  was  detailed  from 
that  ser\-ice.  He  was  a  servant  of  Sir  James  Douglas,  after  he  was  governor, 
and  after  he  M-as  knighted. 

'Mr  Evans — I  was  a  great  admirer  of  Douglas,  and  I  thought  that  this  was 
a  good  deal  too  much  hundmggcry.  So  I  made  fun  of  it  in  my  way.  It  v:is 
remarked  that  that  was  the  usual  way;  that  the  governor  never  went  out 
otherwise.     My  recoUeciion  in  regar<l  to  the  matter  is,  that  when  he  \va» 


8UI'EUSE1)K.S  McLOUOflLIN. 


2tt3 


time  I  went  t^ 


tnu.'  to  his  most  generous  instincts,  that  he  was  not 
iit  all  grieved  to  have  ^leLouglilin  out  of  the  way 
and  hiniself  hi  his  place.  I  do  not  say  that  he  acted 
a  dishonorable  part  in  the  accomplishment  of  this  re- 
sult. Call  it  legal  or  commercial  honor,  and  I  do  not 
tliink  he  did  act  dishonorably;  but  on  the  other  hand, 
]iad  their  })ositions  been  reversed,  McLoughlin  never 
would  have  permitted  the  London  directors  to  frown 
out  of  office  his  superior  because  of  actions  too  noble 
for  the  digestion  of  the  corporation.  ])ouglas  not 
only  permitted  it,  Ijut  assisted  it,  and  then  gathered 
the  spoils. 

With  himself  high  chief,  and  Peter  Skeen  Ogden 
secriiid  in  connnand,'^  Douglas  not  only  ably  followed 
up  the  system  of  farming  and  general  business  ar- 
rangements originated  and  so  long  successfully  ])rae- 
tised  by  ^[cLoughlin,  but  he  became  suddenly  kind 
to  tlie  emigrants,  and  in  short  benevolently  committed 
all  those  crimes  of  eharity  for  which  McL(JUghlin  had 
luen  dethroned. 

Jxoutes  liaving  beiMi  opened  to  the  interior  by  way 
of  Fi-aser  River  in  1848,  and  all  being  prepared  for  a 
full  transfer  of  the  head  depot  from  the  Columbia 


nu  duty  it  was:  "Make  way  for  the  governor,  i)lea.so."  There  was  much 
cti'oniimy.  Douglas  himself  \v;is  the  greatest  man  to  staml  on  dignity  you 
ever  saw. 

'  Mr  Tarhell — O,  of  course  when  you  went  into  his  oilice  lie  wanted  you 
111  take  your  hat  off  the  moment  you  went  into  tlie  door, 

'  Mr  I']vans — He  had  a  man  tliere  with  the  liagpipes. 

'  Mr  IJillings — Tliat  was  on  the  occasion  of  a  recei)tion. 

'  Mr  Kvans — Well,  I  guess  the  ohl  man  always  adliered  to  tliat. 

'  Mr  fciwau — It  was  a  national  trait;  most  Scotchmen  are  foinl  of  the  bag- 
liil'es. 

'  Mr  ]']vans — I  am  a  great  admirer  of  Douglas.  I  think  ho  was  a  great 
stiiicsman,  and  1  tliink  it  was  an  unfortunate  thing  that  they  .supidantecl  him 
at  the  time  they  did.' 

Tlie  simple  fact  of  tlie  matter  is,  tliat  (iovernor  Douglas  had  a  servant  wlio 
siiiiietimes  accompanied  his  master,  armed,  and  he  may  ui>on  ocoa.sion  liave 
cx|ji!)ited  liis  weapon  to  (>pen  the  way  through  a  crowd.  Victoria  during  the 
ilush  tunes  was  lilled  with  a  rough  element,  not  too  much  in  love  with  rigor- 
oii:i  rule,  Althougli  punctilious  to  w  hat  Americans  might  call  a  fault,  1  am 
Vi  ly  sure  that  he  possessed,  too  much  sound  sc-nse  ever  to  have  played  the 
liulloou,  or  to  have  nuulo  himself  ridiculous  in  the  eyes  of  intelligent,  fair- 
miiidcd  men. 

"  Says  Jesse  Applegate,  Vicirs  n/Oreijon  History,  MS.,  \'.\:  'Visiting  Fort 
Vancouver  annually  for  supplies,  I  ther<3  met  Mr  Ogden  in  1845.  He  waa 
tiu'ii  second  to  Mr  Douglas  in  command.' 


290 


JAME.S  DOUtlLAS. 


1 


1.;.. 


iwM 


llivor  to  Vancouver  Island,  in  1849  Douglas  removed 
with  Ills  family  to  Victoria/"  In  1850  he  retired  from 
the  service  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com[)any,  and  dis- 
posed of  his  entire  interest  in  that  concern." 

We  shall  see  in  the  succeeding  chapters  of  this 
volume  how  James  Douglas  behaved  as  governor  of 
Vancouver  Island,  and  governor  of  British  Colum- 
bia, which  latter  jiosition  he  held  until  18G4,  wluii 
he  made  a  visit  to  Europe,  and  how  he  condueti  d 
himself  in  the  many  trying  positions  in  which  he  was 
placed  during  a  long  and  eventful  ])ul)lic  service.  lu 
1859  he  was  created  C.  B.,  and  knighted  in  ISd.j. 
He  died  at  Victoria  the  2d  of  August  1877,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-four  years. 

The  world  unites  m  according  tlu;  highest  ])raise  to 
Douglas  as  well  as  to  ]\[cLoughlin.  It  is  the  histo- 
rian's duty,  however,  to  incpiire  further,  and  note  in 
the  persons  brought  before  him  the  distinguishing 
characteristics  which  make  every  individual  to  dilKi" 
fre)m  every  other  individual.  IV'rhaps  we  may  rciu-h 
the  inner  temple  of  the  Douglas  tabernacle  the  more 
elfectuallv  by  placing  him  beside  the  man  ho  most  re- 
semblcs,  and  then  marking  the  diiference. 

The  lives  of  both  were  essentially  material.  Pos- 
sessing high  mental  and  spiritual  capabilities,  they 
were  without  moral  companionship  or  intellectual 
food;  yet  tlieir  intellects,  like  their  bodies,  seenud 
healthful,  fresh,  and  vigorous.  Their  minds  were 
fashioned,  to  a  great  extent,  by  the  same  early  pro- 
ce[)ts  and  the  same  commercial  training.  Then  later 
there  were  the  same  interests,  ambitions,  and  disci- 
pline, the  same  fort  life,  forest  travel,  and  primitive 
domination,  which  for  a  score  or  two  of  years  were 

'■^  McKinlay,  Xarnif/re,  'Mfi.,  8,  statess  in  his  bungling  waj'  thattliis  iimvo 
was  made  'in  1847,  ujion  the  retirement  of  (fovcrudr  Blanshanl,  who  li.iil 
been  appointed  from  Knghmd,  and  whoso  office  expired  on  aeeoiiiit  of  tho 
transference  of  Vancouver  Island  to  tlie  Hudson's  Bay  Company  by  the  Brit- 
ish government. ' 

^^ Di'patition  of  JamcA  Dowjlds  on  hihalf  of  the  Ifuihons  Bay  Conqxini/, 
If.  B.  Co.  Claini.t,  49. 


TWO  MAGNIFICiLNT  MEN. 


'297 


,  removed 

,ired  from 

,  and  dis' 
s 

's  of  tliifi 
iveriior  of 
h  Coluiu- 
5G4,  wluii 
conduct*  d 
c\i  ho  "Was 
rvico.  Ill 
[  ill  18(;;J. 
77,  at  tlic 


t  ])ralse  to 
the  liisto" 
id  note  ill 
in<jfuishni!4' 
il  to  ditlVr 
may  reach 
!  the  more 
c  most  I'l- 


;'i 


r 


O.S- 


al 

ities,  they 
ntelleetual 
js,  seeiiK'd 
hids    Wiie 

early  prc- 
Ihcu  later 

and  dlsci- 

primltivo 

rears  were 

tliattliis  iiiiivo 
iluiril,  wlu)  hill 

lu'c'omit  of  tlio 
,ny  by  the  15iit- 

Boy  Coiniiiiii!/, 


their  constant  environment,  and  entered  largely  into 
tlie  composition  of  their  character.  Wo  can  scarcely 
conceive  the  powerful  intiuenee  of  the  iron  rule  of  a 
coiiunercial  corporation  on  the  plastic  mind  of  youth, 
which  fashionin»>;  power  is  increased  tenfold  in  this 
instance  hy  its  isolation  and  absolutism.  More  than 
intuition,  tradition,  and  early  education  all  combined, 
tlie  Hudson's  Bay  Company  made  its  servants.  The 
vcrv  first  thinur  for  a  novice  to  do  on  enterimx  the 
service  was  to  creep  into  the  ever-ready  mould,  and 
tlic  quicker  and  more  effectually  he  fitted  himself  to 
it,  the  more  useful  and  successful  ho  became/* 

Standing  a})art,  both  of  tlioso  men  ])resent  a  dis- 
tin;4uished  front;  botli  are  lavishly  praised  by  their 
contemporaries.  I  need  not  re})eat  hero  what  has 
litcn  said  of  ^McLoughlin.  Uurnett,  once  governor  of 
Oregon,  and  one  competent  to  judge  dis})assionately, 
jM'onounces  Douglas  '*a  man  of  irreproacliablc  char- 
iutcr,  .  .  .  of  very  superior  intelligenci',  and  a  finished 
(^liristian  gentleman;"  and  further:  "In  hi  position 
ef  governor  of  British  Columbia,  ho  was  censured  by 
]\fr  John  Nugent  of  California,  as  I  must  tliink,  witli- 
out  sufKcient  cause.  Errors  of  judgment  Governor 
])iiuglas  may  have  conunitted,  as  almost  any  man 
would  have  done,  at  times,  in  his  trying  i)osition;  but 
lie  must  have  radically  changed  since  1  knew  him,  if 
lie  knowingly  acted  improperly."  ^^    Grover  of  Oregon 

^*  'I  was  sorry  to  hear  of  Zonulas'  death,'  says  the  uarruloiis  oM  Oregon 
siiitliro,  1  );iiiicl  Waldo,  ( 'ri/i'/iu^,  MS.,  pussim.  '  1  thought  a  lieap  of  Idm.  ilu 
vas  :i  mail  horn  to  command  men — a  martial  fellow.  Ho  never  gave  an  evasive 
answer. .  .McLoughlin  and  Douglas  were  a  good  ileal  alike.  Tlie  doctor  wuuhl 
flatter  you  a  little;  Douglas  would  not.  I  do  nut  Uiiow  Imt  Douglas  was  just 
as  liheral.  He  trusted  everybody  jii^it  the  samo  as  the  doctor  did,  after  tlio 
doctor  went  out.'  One  of  the  most  intelligent  and  fiiir-nunded  of  Oregon's 
liioueers,  Enrli/  D<i>/s,  MS.,  2,  thus  writes:  '  I  recollect  very  distinctly  tiie 
dill'crenco  in  our  personal  intercourse  with  Governor  McLoughlin,  who  was 
thru  tlio  chief  faetoi",  and  Sir  .lames  Douglas;  lie  was  then  Mr  l>ouglas,  and 
sccciiul  in  command  at  Vancouver.  The  latter  was  adevoted  believer  in  Vie- 
tei'iiis  right  to  all  she  could  maintain,  wliile  the  other  rose  above  that.  Doug- 
las would  do  M-liat  a  civii  gentleman  was  compelled  to  do  towards  assisting 
the  jidor  emigrants,  and  nothing  more.  The  one  was  cold,  and  showed  Iiy  liia 
iiiauuer  that  he  diil  not  wish  the  Americans  to  come  here,  wliile  the  other 
was  warm,  Iiearty,  and  friendly.' 

^^ Btirnett's  Recollections,  MS.,  i.  94-5,  27.3-4,  298,  301-3. 


Mi 


iLi 


m 


298 


JAMES  DOUGLAS. 


says  lie  was  very  judicious  in  settling  difficulties  with 
the  American  miners  in  1858;  that  on  one  occasion, 
when  a  little  war  was  liable  to  be  stirred  up  in  regard 
to  rents,  licenses,  and  water  rights,  he  proceeded  to  the 
mines  in  person,  and  made  public  speeches  which  in- 
duced that  rough  element  to  settle  their  afiairs  peace- 
ably.^« 

The  author  of*  a  pamphlet  published  at  Victoria 
in  1858,  and  who  seems  to  me  somewhat  hyper- 
critical, remarks :  "  So  far,  his  acts,  though  tardy, 
have  been  judicious  and  liberal,  considering  circum- 
stances and  tlie  many  difficulties  he  has  had  to  con- 
tend with."^' 

Another  writes:  "The  long  service  of  Sir  James 
Douglas  to  tlie  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  his  intimate 
actjuaintance  with  the  various  tribes  of  natives,  and 
his  knowledge  of  the  requirements  for  developing  the 
resources  of  tliis  tlie  most  im[)ortant  colony  of  Eng- 
land in  the  Pacific,  rendered  him  at  that  epoch 
eminently  qualified  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  governor  of 
our  Xorthwest  An)erican  possessions.  I  have  no  ob- 
ject in  bepraismg  him  other  than  a  desire  to  record 
niy  humble  sense  of  his  eminent  merits.  But  such  I 
know  to  be  the  verdict  of  all  unbiassed  men  who  had 
tlu3  advantage  of  living  under  his  wise  and  able  ad- 
ministration."'- 

These  are  stronger  testhnonials  even  than  those  of 
countrymen  and  partisans,  of  which  I  have  many. 

"  He  performed  the  duty  of  governor  of  the  two  col- 
onies," ,^ays  one,  ''with  exceeding  prudence  and  great 
success."  "*  "  He  made  himself  popular  1)V  cimtributing 
to  the  ofeneral  u'ood  feelinix  existiriir  amonir  the  set- 


tlers,"   remarks    another."^     He    "\vorl 


iced    his 


way 


gradually  up  to  the    highest  rank    by  perseverance, 
sobriety  of  conduct,  and  earnest  application  to  l>usi- 


"'•  (f'mir )•','<  PiihOc  Lifi',  MS.,  fir>-6. 
"  WivldhritnnH  Friisrr  MIih'm,  ;$(5. 
^^  /'oolf'\t  Qucoi  r/nirlotfr  IMiinil,  6(5-7 
^''  Aiii/criioii'n  jXorf/iirts/  Cniisf,  MS.,  02, 
'^"Gooil'n  Jiritinht'oluiiibi'i,  1. 


PERSONAL  APPEARANCE. 


ncss."'^^  Malcolm  McLeod  testifies:  "Hewas  an  offi- 
cer eminent  for  his  skill,  energy,  and  daring,  and  his 
compeers  ranked  high  in  those  qualities,  for  the  ser- 
vice then  was  one  essentially  militant,  and  extremely 

U"  22 
ous. 

Saj's  Mr  Cridger^  "Governor  Douglas  treated  the 

Indians  with  the  affection  of  a  father.     This  coupled 

witli  his  justice  and  firmness  gave  him  unbounded 

iiiiluence  with  them.       AVhen  they  came    from   the 

iii>rth  in  such  numbers  as  to  cause  serious  apprehcn- 

sii)U,    ho    achieved    by   his   personal   authority  wliai 

under  another  might  have   cost  blood,  and  induced 

tliem  to  return.     At  the  time  of  the  influx  of  mAd- 

miners  in  1858,  when  some  ten  thousand  men  M'ero 

(.  iicampcd  in  Victoria,  whose  population  at  that  time 

iii'glit  be  some  tlirce  hundred  souls,  he  conferred  with 

tlieni  as  a  father  aiul  a  friend;  met  and  counselled 

tliem  on  tlie  eve  of  their  various  expeditions;  and  on 

one  occasion,  when  th(>v  were  beino-  misled,  caused  a 

]( tier  to  1)0  printed  and  circulated  among  tlicm,  signed 

31.   F. — miner's  friend — with   the  happiest  losults." 

]\[ore  were  superfluous. 

In  personal  appearance  l)ouglas  was  little  less 
])  euliar  than  McLoughlin.  Botii  were  striking,  grand; 
iiiiywliere  in  the  world,  in  an  American  forest  or  a 
J.ondon  thorouLihfaro,  in  a  tur-tradimr  fort  or  in  a 
legislative  hall,  either  would  have  attracted  notice  as 
something  out  of  and  above  the  ordinary  n)an. 

Six  feet  and  more  in  height,"'  l)ut  so  admirably 
]ir(>j)ortioned  that  one  would  not  imagine  him  so  tall 
mitil  one  stood  beside  liim;  eivet  in  his  carriage, 
]ii(  iisured  in  his  movements,  but  natural  and  graceful 
Y\itlial,  Douglas  had  not  his  like  in  all  the  Northwest. 

■^>  Fwloi/xoir.^  Hist  V.  /.,  MS.,  .m 

'^-  Mrhoiiiiltl's  I'ltirc  liirir,  V-M. 

'■'■'  (liiiriiiierixtir.t  oj'  JditicM  I  )niiijlii.'<,  AIS.,  3-5. 

"' Ai)j)l('j,',ito,  r«(ra,  <h;  Hixt.,  MS.,  lit,  .says  scv':>n  feet  seven  inchos;  but 
tlii.t  \v;i.s  eviilcntly  a  Ihjmoih  liniiiin:  Many  liavo  plai'Ml  his  lieiglit  at  six  foot 
t^ix  or  sevuu  inches,  but  Fuilay»ou,  LvUei\i,  MS,,  places  it  at  six  tuot. 


m 


JAMES  DOUCJLxVS. 


Toward  the  end  of  his  life  his  long  face  seemed  to 
grow  longer,  his  large  features  and  high  forehead  to 
assume  yet  more  massive  proportions,  and  the  always 
firm  and  earnest  purpose  which  his  eyes  and  mouth 
presented,  to  deepen  into  seriousness  akin  to  melan- 
choly. 

McLoiighlin's  was  a  very  handsome  foce,  full  and 
well  proportioned,  with  exquisite  features,  e3'es,  nose, 
and  mouth  not  too  large,  tlie  whole  exceedingly  pleas- 
ing, fascinating,  denoting  no  great  powers  either  of  in- 
tellect or  intelligence,  but  with  paramount  mtegrity 
of  purpose  and  will  enough  to  enforce  it. 

It  is  an  exceedingly  delicate  task  to  press  a  closer 
analysis  in  tliis  instance;  anil  yet  I  see  palpable 
differences  in  these  chiefs  so  singularly  alike. 

And  first,  and  most  salient,  their  predisposition. 
McLouglilin  was  one  to  l)e  loved;  ])ouglas  one  to  l)e 
respecti'd.  Throughout  his  wliole  career,  ^IcLoughliu 
displayed  a  broad  benevolence,  an  artless  consideration, 
for  his  fellow-man  of  whatsoever  creed,  ('ok)r,  or  nation- 
ality. Tliis  generous  temper  was  from  a  native  si)i'ing 
which  poured  fortli  purest  kindness  as  the  bird  its 
song,  bi'<'ause  it  could  not  helj)  it.'"'  JJouglas  was  kind 
and  just;  but  his  benevolence  was  not  always  nntinc- 
turetl  by  policy,  nor  his  sympathy  by  selfish  interest. 
Fort  life  was  in  many  respects  like  that  of  a  feutlal 

''■'  llciw  bnundK'ss  must  111'  tin'  liniiiim  kindnoss  of  n.  rrdiipd  nature  'wliii.'li 
umli  Tu'oi's  trial  liko  tlic  fulldwiiij^  vi  itiiotit  ever  susjirctiiiL;'  it  to  l)o  a  dial! 
S|i('akiii^  of  tlii^  wi'V-  of  Mi'ljoiigliliii,  tlio  widow  of  Slclvay  w  lio  was  \">t  mi 
till'  '/'I'nijiiiii,  Mrs  Wilson,  (iri'/nii  S/:if,;'i<.i,  MS.,  I'.l  ■_'!,  savs:  *Tliounii  lii^ 
Avifo  ^^■ls  a  lialf-lircfd  of  tlio  Ojiliway  nation,  coarse,  hi'nt,  fiit,  and  tlaliliy,  hi! 
tii'ati'd  lit'i'  liki!  a  in-iiu'css.  In  imldic  and  in  jirivato  he  was  as  loyal  to  Irh' 
as  if  slio  had  hccn  a  dauLihtrr  if  (^MiotMi  Victoria.  .  .He  would  .snllri'  no  indiL;- 
Iiity  or  s!it;ht  to  her.  Mis  lino  haiiclsoirie  form  ln'sidi' tlu'iiiu'orsi'tcd  li;;uro  of 
the  old  Indian  woman  [priscnU'd  a  strani^i'  contrast,  as  .she  waddlcil  lu'sidu  him 
liko  a  lioing  iif  aiiotlicr  s|ii'i'ii's.  Mis  j^allantry  to  her  kiuw  m>  liotiml.  On 
state  oi'ca.sions,  stiai;;lit  as  an  arrow  and  maunilici'iitly  ap[iari'lli'd,  hi'  woidd 
Miami  like  ii  sjilendid  statue,  while  this  female  idiori;;inal  rolled  out  lietoi'' 
liini  in  plain  ehfthes  mid  no  liuure  w  hatevi'r. '  in  a  eountry  where  le;;al  m  ir- 
riaj^e  was  not  the  rule,  ho  was  thiiee  married  to  his  wife,  if  we  may  li('lii'\e 
Ji'diu  lis'  ItW.,  MS.,  (id,  oiieo  'at  Fort  William  hy  a  Mr  MeKeii/ie,  ami  afler- 
wanl  hy  .Mr  I)oii),das '  in  his  eajtaeity  of  justice  of  the  iieaee,  'at  Vancouver, 
uml  a^aiu  hy  Archhishoj)  lUanchet.' 


COMPAUATl  VE  CHARACTERISTICS. 


court.  Both  tliGSo  factors  were  strict  disciplinarians,-^ 
to  svliich  they  had  been  trained  from  youth,  and  with- 
out which  they  could  not  have  held  their  position. 
Before  those  who  looked  up  to  them  as  su[)erior 
huings,  they  were  the  embodiment  of  a  commercial 
polity,  of  commercial  probity,  of  commercial  success; 
to  wliich  business  policy  the  individual  must  surrender 
liimself  v.iiolly:  body,  ftimily,  and  life  itself  ])otli 
])osst-sscd  i^reat  powers  in  tliis  and  other  directions, 
but  tlie  autliority  of  Douglas  was  of  sterner  stufl' 
tlian  tliat  of  McLoughhn.  Botli  were  men  of  prac- 
tical sagacity,  possessing  minds  of  penetrating  iiisight, 
but  while  one  reached  conclusions  quickly,  as  if  by 
intuition,  the  other  was  slower,  and  pondered  well 
Ix'fore  opening  liis  mouth. 

Douglas  was  the  stronger;  !McLoughlin  tlie  purer. 
^EcLoughlin  was  weakened  by  his  good  (jualities; 
])ouglas  was  strengthened  by  his  l)ad  ones.  Sin 
s.Muetimes  breeds  unhappiness;  so  do  noble  actions. 
Far  more  misery  has  l)een  engendered  in  the  breast 
ot"  middle-aged  respectability  by  benevolent  acts  than 
in  the  breast  of  viilany  by  vicious  acts.  Intempei'ate 
gt-nerosity  and  injudicious  trustfulness  drove  ^Ic- 
Jioughlin  into  unliapjty  old  age.  Douglas  can  boa>'. 
no  unhappy  old  age. 

Douglas  was  possessed  of  a  cold,  proud,  formal 
egoism,  M'hoUy  a[)art  from  the  warm  and  ;^< m-rous 

iipathies  of  ^IcLoughlin.     His  sluggish  impulsi  ^ 


^•' '  -   .  .  .        . 

wore   in  the    right   direction,   but  they  must  all  be 

niiide  to  pli^y  within  the  hard,  passionless  limits  of 

conventionalism  and  aristocratic  tradition. 

McLoughlin  was  in  temperament  CJaelic;  he  was 

'■'"'Both  the  iloctor  and  Houglas,'  Bays  Rolierts,  Itcrolli'iiioii.i,  MS,,  (!."), 
'  Mt'i(!  tliscii)liiianaiiM,  iind  tlioir  nuoi'i'ss  was  liigoly  owing  to  tliat.  I've  olti'U 
Itciii  aniuaeil  to  see  liow  oourtoous  J)ougla.s  coiild  hv.  to  the  roughest  jtioneor, 
and  even  forco  outward  wyndiols  of  rusjiect  from  nii'u  wlio  liad  jirohahly 
^liiiwu  as  much  to  no  one  before. .  'I'lic  eajitains  often  liatl  to  resort  to  tliu 
doctor  or  Doughia;  the  latter  was  niueh  the  tirnier.'  I  cannot  agne  with 
vliat  I  lind  written  in  Coiii}>loii'n  Fortn  ami  Fort  L{/'v,  MS.,  '2,  where  Me- 
l<ougl\liu  is  mentioned  as  one  whose  'name  will  go  down  from  generation  to 
!''iit'ration,  when  Sir  James  Douglas  will  he  lost.'  MeLoughliii's  name  will 
always  live;  at  the  same  time,  that  of  Jai.ies  Douglas  will  never  die. 


fKtt 


JAMKS  DOUGLAS. 


lively,  social,  hospitable.  He  could  be  diplomatic, 
but  not  deceitful;  hence  his  diplomacy  often  fell  to 
the  ground.  Douglas  was  hard,  lethargic;  more  re- 
served and  hauglity,  less  charitable,  more  unbending, 
presenting  a  moral  outline  of  stony  rigidity;  one  who 
thouijht  much  of  himself,  which  the  other  seemed 
never  to  do.  Their  constant  association  made  them 
in  a  marked  degree  conformable  in  character,  to  the 
im})rovement  of  one  of  them  at  least.  Though  con- 
forming in  the  main  to  tlie  rules  of  his  commercial 
order,  McLougldin's  life  was  plainly  one  of  imi)ulse 
and  instinctive  action.  He  would  do  no  wrong  bo- 
cause  his  company  connnanded  it.  The  ideal  of  oljli- 
gation  was  outlined  in  his  mind  as  distinctly  as  was 
Mt  Hood  V'cfore  his  physical  vision. 

McLoughlin  loved  what  was  genial,  noble,  honest; 
Douglas  loved  what  was  imposing,  successful,  honest. 
The  former  more  than  the  latter  was  confined  to  the 
humdrum  duties  of  a  prosaic  life,  and  yet  we  find  in 
the  factor  of  Fort  Vancouver  far  more  of  sentiment, 
of  warm,  tender,  all-enfolding  sympathy,  than  in  his 
more  stiff  and  stolid  subordinate  and  successor. 

Douglas  venerated  the  institutions  under  which  he 
was  born,  the  conventionalities  imder  which  he  lived, 
and  thence  proceeding,  soon  learned  to  venerate  him- 
self, which  im[)ortant  figure  he  never  for  a  niomeut 
lost  sight  of.  Without  knowing  it,  the  comings  and 
goings  of  McLttughlin  were  directed  by  a  spirit  of 
magnanimous  disinterestedness. 

That  one  could  drop  early  instilled  traditions  and 
adopt  another  faith,  as  McLoughlin  is  reported  ti> 
have  done,  shows  at  least  independence  of  thought, 
and,  to  some  extent,  freedom  from  sectarian  l)ondage. 
Douglas  never  changed  his  religion  ;  nor  could  he,  any 
more  than  the  leopard  could  change  his  skin.  De- 
prive the  one  of  his  church  ceri'monies,  and  his  reli- 
gion was  gone ;  whereas  the  })ractical  piety  of  the  other 
shone  out  from  the  depths  of  the  wilderness  thron;j,Ii 
every  act,  and  a  thousand   miles  away  from  ritual. 


JOHN  MiLOU(mLIN. 


m 


book,  or  priest.  The  loyalty  of  Douglas  was  to  the 
full  letter  and  spirit  of  the  law;  McLou^-liliii  lived  in 
the  loyalty  of  liis  divine  iiiaiiliood,  and  tliougii  obedi- 
ent to  the  law,  was  yet  above  it. 

The  truth  is,  if  I  must  confess  it,  ^NTcLoughlin's 
piety,  like  Tolniie's  temperance,  was  a  garment  for 
occasions,  and  not  to  be  worn  if  it  interfered  M'itli 
more  practical  matters. 

For  example,  while  prayers  wore  beinfjj  solenndy 
read  on  Sunday  in  the  u,reat  hall  of  Fort  Vancouver, 
business  was  sometimes  going  on  as  briskly  as  evi-r. 
An  expedition  was  ])orha]'s  on  the  tapi.'i,  when,  in  tlie 
open  s[)ace  without,  saddle-horses  were  being  lassi>ed 
from  a  band  of  two  or  three  hundred  S(piealing,  gal- 
lo}mig  animals,  the  thundering  of  whose  hoofs,  no 
doubt,  added  solcnmity  to  the  responses.  So  Tohnif, 
thounh  i)rofessing  strictlv  total  abstinence  before  his 
sor.s,  l)eing  a  physician,  took  the  liberty  of  prescribing 
i'or  himself  liberal  potations  when  in  other  company. 
xVnd  yet  ]\[cLoughlin  was  pious,  and  Tolmie  temperate. 
Douglas  was  of  the  strictest  sect  a  pharisee,  abound- 
ing in  meaningless  forms  more  hollow  than  he  him- 
self imagined  forms  could  be.  Forms  to  him  were 
indeed  not  forms,  Init  actualities;  shadov.'s  were  more 
substantial  thinefs  than  the  unseen  substance  that  cast 
the  sliadow. 

^rcLoughlin  was  of  (juiek  ])erceptions.  Glaicing 
<i\  ir  the  accounts  of  an  adventure,  he  could  tell  vou 
the  profit  or  loss  and  the  cause  of.  either  before 
anotiier  had  fairly  begun  his  calculations.  D(»uglas, 
on  the  other  hand,  was  slow,  methodical,  exceedingly 
careful,  and  he  never  would  be  hurried.  His  work 
Would  1)0  done,  and  to  have  it  well  and  jiroperly  done 
lie  was  willing  to  make  any  sacrifice  of  [)ersonal  com- 
t'Tts  or  j)leasuro,  but  he  nmst  have  tini(>.  He'  pon- 
dered a  matter  long,  but  once  resolved,  he  smete  with 
vigor  ami  effect. 

Hoth  wore  men  of  dignity  and  lofty  bearing;  but 
the  awe  McLoughlin  sought  to  inspire  was  for  the 


304 


JAMES  DOUGLAS. 


fh 


great  corporation  represented  in  him,  while  the  pom- 
posity of  Douglas  sprang  rather  from  personal  pride. 
MeLoughlin  was  not  only  the  wealth,  the  property, 
and  ])rotit  of  the  place,  but  he  was  the  law,  the  mor- 
ality, and  tlio  religion  of  a  vast  area  occupied  l)y 
every  shade  of  savagism  and  civilization,  which,  witli- 
out  proper  and  enforced  example,  juust  quickly  re- 
solve into  cliaos.  Douglas  worshipped  his  God  and 
his  king,  and  endeavored  to  do  his  duty;  but  yet  lie 
always  reserved  a  full  sliare  of  adulation  for  himself. 

In  bent  of  mind,  in  carriage,  conduct,  and  tlie  man- 
agement of  aflairs,  Douglas  copied  closely  from  liis 
master,  McLoughlin;  so  closely,  indeeil,  so  hone.'^tly 
and  faithfully,  that  the  imitation  almost  equalled  the 
original.  Although  they  diftered  in  many  resju'cts; 
although  Douglas  M'as  cold  and  calculating,  even 
as  ^[('Loughlin  was  Marm-hearted  and  benevoh'nt; 
although  the  virtues  of  ])ou<>las  were  manufactured, 
while  those  of  McLoughlin  were  s})ontaneous;  al- 
though ])ouglas  was  civilization's  courtier,  while  ^Fc- 
Loughlin  was  nature's  nobleman — yet  they  were  nuitli 
alike;  so  alike,  in  fact,  that  there  could  have  been  no 
iitter  successor  to  [McLouofhlin  than  Dou<;las.  ]^otli 
were  able,  honest  men,  both  obedient  to  the  call  of 
the  higher  i)o\vers;  yet  while  the  highest  power  that 
Douglas  recognized  in  the  affairs  of  lousiness  was  the 
voice  of  his  superior,  ^[cLoughlin  used  to  listen  to 
the  voice  of  humanity,  and  recognize  something  nobler 
in  this  universe  than  obedience,  even  though  the  edicts 
were  thundered  by  the  miixhtv  men  of  Fenchurcli 
street. 

Alter  some  forty  years  of  service,  the  only  reproach 
]\[cLoughlin's  directors  could  cast  upon  him  was  tliat 
of  too  nuK'h  kindness  to  settlers.  The  company 
wanted  no  interlopers;  neither  did  McLoughlin  want 
them,  and  he  used  every  effort  to  discourage  tjnir 
coming.  But  once  there,  his  humanity  would  not  let 
them  die  of  cold  and  hunger. 

Sec  the  poor  emigrants  as  they  come  stragglin*,' 


POLICY,  POLICY,  POLICY. 


305 


down  the  river,  staggering  under  fatigue  and  starva- 
tion! Tliey  are  not  pleasing  specimens  of  the  outside 
l)usv  world,  they  are  neither  educated,  intelligent,  nor 
oeiitlciuanly ;  they  are  coarse,  uncouth,  dirty,  haggard, 
raufgod.  They  are  ground-tillers,  who  frighten  away 
tlic  game;  they  are  aliens,  who  would  usurp  the  terri- 
tory. They  are  improvident,  foolish,  and  had  much 
1  totter  have  remained  at  home.  They  bring  discom- 
fort, sow  discord  among  tlie  natives,  and  are  exceed- 
ingly unprofitable  every  way.  But  thoy  are  men; 
sutfcriug,  sorrowing  men.  And  this  is  enough  for 
McLoughlin.  He  sends  out  bateaux,  gathers  them 
in,  l>rings  them  within  the  palisades,  foods,  clothes, 
and  comforts  theuL  Warmed  into  manhood  under 
liis  benignant  sympathy,  they  yet  lack  every  means 
of  sup[)ort — seed,  supi)lies,  and  implements  of  agricul- 
ture. But  ]\IcLoughlin's  company  does  not  desire 
the  soil  disturbed;  neither  does  McLoughlin.  Yet 
lie  credits  them,  these  strangers;  and  when  his  direc- 
tors comi)lain,  he  tells  them  to  charge  it  all  to  him. 
I'orish  factorships  and  fur  corj)orations,  he  cannot  see 
lulploss  human  beings  starve.  I  tell  you  this  Cana- 
dian Scotchman  was  tlie  very  Christ  of  Xortiiwest  oc- 
cuiiatioul 

Now,  Douglas  likewise  was  humane;  to  the  children 
of  tlie  forest  he  was  as  a  father.  But  Douglas  was 
an  exceedingly  just  man.  He  was  kind  to  the  settler, 
to  the  miner,  to  the  poor  of  every  caste;  but  he 
was  scrupulously  alive  to  duty.  No  earthly  power 
could  make  !McLoughlin  disloyal  to  his  humanity; 
no  earthly  power  could  make  Douglas  disloyal  to  his 
'•(inipany. 

"My  father  always  liked  him,"  says  Mrs  Harvey.-' 
"Toward  the  last  something  happened;  I  do  not 
know  what.  I  could  not  learn  what  it  was.  He 
was  against  my  father  in  something,  and  my  father 
was  very  angry  about  it." 


■'  Li/<- qf  MeLouijhliH,  MS.,  3 
Hist.  Ukit.  Coi,.    20 


306 


JAMES  DOUGLAS. 


We  know  what  it  was.  In  the  unpleasant  diseiii?- 
sion  liotwcon  IMoLoughlin  and  the  London  directors 
relative  to  assistiriiX  cniiixrants,  Doutjlas  took  sides 
ajT^ainst  his  old  friend  and  benefactor,  and  so  made 
capital  with  the  company.  Douglas  himself  soon  be- 
came ashamed  of  his  conduct,  and  repented;  and  after 
!^^cLout1fhlin's  retirement,  lie  pursued  the  righteous 
policy  of  his  predecessor.  But  this  was  not  until 
after  the  London  directors  had  become  ashamed  of 
their  conduct — for  there  was  really  no  profit  in  it,  it 
being  impossible  to  prevent  immigration  by  any  such 
means.  After  this  exhibition  of  his  heart  to  his  patron 
and  superior,  McLoughlin  saw  in  Douglas  what  he 
had  never  seen  before,  and  never  after  that  were  they 
the  same  to  each  other. 

In  all  this  Douglas  made  no  mistake.  The  com- 
pany remembered  and  rewarded  him.  He  was  a 
model  man  for  the  company.  McLoughlin's  mistakes 
were  all  errors  arising  from  the  nobleness  of  his  nature. 
Some  men  are  too  coldly  calculating  ever  to  make 
mistakes.  Obstinate  and  rigid  as  he  was  in  his  high, 
aristocratic  policy,  Douglas  was  ever  free  from  any 
unworthincss;  he  lacked  the  sweet  weaknesses  of  hu- 
manitv,  whence  unworthincss  is  engendered.  To  be 
a  little  faulty  is  lamentable;  but  to  be  absolutely  free 
from  ftiult  may  be  more  lamentable.  For  virtue, 
concrete  and  absolute,  is  unnatural,  and  to  be  un- 
natural is  crime  ai^ainst  nature.  Douglas  wouKl 
be  a  party  to  no  virtuous  disloyalty:  no,  not  for 
his  soul's  sake.  If  less  than  his  superior  in  innate 
nobleness,  he  wt)uld  be  the  greater  in  outward  ap- 
pointment. 

Until  selfish  interest  interfered,  Douglas  cherished 
for  McLoughlin  a  filial  affection.  But  within  tlie 
breast  of  the  youncfer  man  there  did  not  dwell  suffi- 
cient  kindly  feeling  or  generous  sympathy  to  permit 
a  sacrifice  of  self-advancement.  His  path  of  honor 
always  lay  in  the  direction  of  his  conn)any's  interests. 
Douglas  could  satisfy  the  requirements  of  a  merciless 


COLD  AND  HARD. 


:io7 


b  discus- 
directors 
lok  sides 
so  made 

S(^on  be- 
and  after 
rin^liteous 
not  until 
lianied  of 
it  in  it,  it 

any  such 
his  patron 

what  he 
were  they 

The  com- 
ic   ^vas   a 
s  mistakes 
his  nature. 
r  to  make 
■  his  high, 
from  any 
tscs  of  hu- 
To  he 
utoly  free 
or  virtue, 
to  be  Un- 
as   would 
lo,  not   for 
in  innate 
itward  ap- 


wi 


cherished 
ithin   the 

dwell  sutti- 

f  to  permit 
of  honor 

s  interests. 

a  merciless 


corporation  better  than  McLou<^hlin;  for  McLough- 
lins  duty  was  always  on  the  side  of  charity,  while 
t]u>  charity  of  Douglas  was  made  subservient  to 
duty. 

In  guile  ^McLoughlin  was  an  infant;  in  ever>i;hing 
covert  or  cunning  he  was  unsophisticated.  He  had 
spint  his  life,  or  at  least  the  greater  part  of  it,  among 
responsible  men,  whose  words  were  single,  whose 
assurances  signified  something.  They  were  business 
associates,  business  brethren,  strict  in  their  dealings, 
slower  to  promise  than  to  perform.  Thus  the  cold, 
keen  world  and  the  darkest  side  of  humanity  had 
remained  hidden  from  him.  He  had  not  found  it  in 
the  forest  or  in  the  camp. 

He  had  never  met  many  bad  men,  except  among 
classes  so  far  below  him  that  their  wickedness  excited 
his  sorrow  ratht-r  than  his  auijer.  The  natives  were 
thieves,  liars,  and  murderers,  some  of  them ;  yet  even 
these  it  was  the  policy  of  his  company  to  trust,  be- 
cause in  giving  them  credit  they  derived  profit. 
Surely  there  could  not  be  among  white  Christians 
('•reater  villanv  than  among  these  scalping  heathen. 
Alas!  it  was  forced  upon  him  to  know  before  he 
die<l  that  there  were  worse  men  in  the  world  than 
savages;  that  there  were,  even  among  those  who 
claimed  to  be  upon  a  !)etter  footing  with  the  Al- 
iiiiglity  than  were  some  others,  men  more  cunning, 
more  treacherous  and  vindictive,  greater  ingrates  and 
scoundrels,  more  diabolically  wicked,  than  the  aver- 
ago  aboriginal. 

The  incoming  settlers  to  the  Northwest  Coast  wcx'e 
i)i  a  class  totally  different  from  any  McLoughlin  had 
hitherto  seen.  They  were  well  beaten  and  battered 
uwn  of  the  world.  Many  of  them  were  conscientious 
iuid  honest;  most  of  them  were  pecuniarily  irrespcm- 
>ihl(';  too  many  were  unreliable  in  thoir  word;  some 
tew  were  downright  dishonest.  Few  Hotspurs,  few 
Mercutios,  were  found  in  the  ranks  of  the  Hudson's 
Bav   adventurers;    all    here   were   under   inexorable 


8Q8 


JAME.S  DOUGLAS. 


commercial  rule;  one  must  look  away  upon  the  moun- 
tains, among  the  camps  of  the  free-traders  for  Mer- 
cutios  and  Hotspurs. 

It  is  scarcely  to  be  wondered  at;  it  is  exactly  what 
we  should  expect,  when  the  single-hearted  ruler  of 
Fort  Vancouver,  now  well  past  middle  age,  was  brouglit 
into  jarring  relationship  with  such  an  element  as  this, 
that  by  some  of  them  he  should  be  badly  treated, 
sadly  imposed  upon ;  that  after  the  most  disinterested 
kindness  he  should  be  cheated,  vilified ;  such  being  tliu 
way  some  have  in  cancelling  obligations.  Douglas 
might  boast  fewer  enemies  than  McLoughlin,  because 
he  had  granted  fewer  favors. 

During  the  last  years  of  his  life,  McLoughlin  sonic- 
times  showed  signs  of  impatience,  of  which  he  was 
afterward  hejirtily  ashamed.  When  much  excited,  ho 
would  rub  his  stomach,  swear  hotly  for  a  moment,  and 
in  the  same  breath  beg  God's  forgiveness.  It  was 
laughable,  except  to  one  who  knew  the  man  and  tlio 
occasion.  Yet  with  all  his  injuries  he  did  not  become 
a  misanthropic  Timon.  In  the  singleness  and  noble 
purity  of  his  soul,  he  could  not  but  believe  that  most 
men  were  honest;  he  could  not  believe  that  men  are 
as  bad  as  they  are,  and  he  never  regretted  havinii; 
befriended  the  unfortunate.  To  the  end  he  was  gentle 
and  tolerant,  though  his  sensitiveness  to  ingratitude 
and  wrong  was  often  manifest. 

Now,  if  in  order  to  detect  some  slight  flaws  in 
the  grandest  and  most  faultless  character  of  British 
Columbian  history,  it  has  been  necessary  to  view  it 
by  the  light  of  one  of  the  grandest  and  most  faultless 
characters  of  any  history,  it  only  shows  our  more  just 
and  lively  appreciation  of  the  man.  To  the  proper- 
minded  writer  of  history,  it  is  indeed  refreshing  to 
find  the  central  figure  in  the  early  aflairs  of  a  colony 
or  commonwealth  so  worthy  of  the  proud  pedestal  on 
which  it  is  his  greatest  pleasure  to  place  him.  Neither 
Douglas  nor  McLoughlin  ever  did  a  base  or  ignol 
act;  and  side  by  side,  even  as  in  life  they  were  so  oft^ 


tie 


en 


LET  BOTH  BE  PRAISE  1>. 


30S) 


found,  their  names  shall  forever  stand  unsullied  in  the 
annals  of  the  great  Northwest.^ 


^The  life  of  James  Douglas  is  in  truth  the  history  of  British  Columbia 
{roni  its  boginiiing,  through  all  its  early  changes  ami  vicissitudes,  down  to 
abriut  1875.  I  have  in  this  chapter  only  outlined  the  salient  characteristics 
of  this  remarkable  man,  for  a  fuller  knowledge  of  wlioni  I  must  refer  the 
reader  to  the  other  parts  of  this  volume,  scarcely  a  page  of  which  is  not  af- 
fcctt-'d  by  his  influence.  My  authorities  for  this  chapter  are:  Doiujlas'  Prmtle 
J'lilM'rx,  latacr.,  MS.,  passim;  Dowjlfts'  Journal,  MS.,  passim;  iMuijlas'  Pr'i- 
riite  I'djiers,  2d  ser.,  MS.,  passim;  Hurveifa  Life  of  John  McLotujhUn,  MS.,  3(5 
ft  sc(i.;  McLowjldinK  Private  Papers,  ser.  i.,  ii.,  iii.,  MS.,  passim;  Fin- 
I'li/Mim  IJist.  V.  I.,  MS.,  30-3,  67;  Anderwn's  NortlnncKt  Coanf,  MS.,  14, 
•J."),  5l)-03;  Tolmiea  Piiijet  Sound,  MS.,  2;  McKinlui/'ii  Narrotit'e,  MS., 
tj;  Good's  Brilixh  Columbia,  MS.,  1;  Grovers  Puhlic  Life,  MS.,  G5,  G*!;  Oli/mjiiit 
r/>i/>t'onvs.,  MS.,  9-13;  Jid>erts  Rec.,  MS.,  57,  Go;  Burma's Itcc.,  MS.,  i.  94-5, 
-'7;M;  McLi'wl's  Peace  Rieer,  25;  Wilkes'  U.  S.  Ejpl.  Ex.,  iv.  Sol-!);  Address 
and  Jfeiiiorials  v]>oii  the  Retlrenienl  of  Sir  James  Douijlas,  passim;  Refill/, 
U.  S.  to  H.  B.  M.  Treaty  qf  Washimjton,  74;  Waddiw/ton's  Fravr  Mines,  35  G; 
If.  B.  Co.  Er.,  II.  B.  Co.  Claims,  49;  To-t's  A'em  Cahdonia,  MS.,  4(i  7; 
Eriiiis'  Ilixt.  Or.,  MS.,  279;  Cridije's  Characteristics  of  Jaiiics  Domjlas,  MS., 
3-5;  Waldo's  Critii/ues,  MS.,  13-14;  27th  Coiia.  3d  Sexs.,  ]f.  Rc],f.'  Com.  No. 
,?/,  i.  5G,  57;  Or.  Puli.  Rec,  MS.,  4;  Comptons  Forts  awl  Fort  Life,  MS.,  2; 
B'icm's  Mcr.  Life,  MS.,  20-1;  Ma-'s'  Pictures,  MS.,  20;  Petti, iroecs  Or., 
MS.,  1-G;  Sartons  Or.  Ter.,  MS.,  131-41;  Minlos  Earl;/  Ifal/s,  MS.,  2; 
WiUoii's  Or.  Sketches,  MS.,  19-21.  The  biographical  notices  given  by  the 
Iiulilic  press  iu  different  parts  of  the  world  upon  the  occa.sioii  of  his  (luatli, 
of  wliich  there  are  too  many  even  to  make  mention,  are  remarkable  not  only 
I'lir  tlio  information  they  do  not  contain,  but  for  the  remote  distance  fruin 
truth  of  the  statements  given. 


H  J 


CHAPTEK  XVIII. 

THE  ISLAND  UNDER  DOUGLAS. 
1851-1859. 

llKfONCILIATIOX    OK  AvTAOONISTIC    ELEMENTS — TlIK   TkkMS  OF  SeTTLE^FKNI' 

Unjust  am>  Imi-olitk; — The  Inaugukatiox  of  Goveknmext  rui.:MA- 
TURE — No  Government  BIT  THE  Best  Goveknmkni — Continuance  or 
TUB  Domination  of  the  Monoi'oly — The  Puoet  Sound  Company- 
Provisions  OF  THE  t'liowN  Grant  in  Regard  to  Government — Exii 
ration  of  the  First  Five-vear  Term  and  Renewal — The  Okficks  of 
Governor  and  Ma(iistuate  at  First  United — iLLEo^vLrnr  of  Delkuat 
iNii  Imperi.vl  Authority  to  a  Colonial  Governor  in  Coincil — 
Organization  of  a  House  of  Assembly— Farcical  Performances  ok 
THE  First  LEoisLAroas — The  Wild  Beasts  and  Savages  Sukvive  the 
Result— Touching  Disi'lav  of  Family  Affection  in  the  Manumi.a- 
TioN  OF  Government  Affairs — Douglas  Compelleu  to  Relinquish 
Some  Portion  of  his  Honors  and  Emoluments. 

With  the  in.iu<j:uratIon  of  James  Douiilas  as  cole- 
iiial  governor,  two  of  the  oppugfiiant  elements  which 
(luring  the  past  two  years  had  riiHied  the  usual  serenity 
of  tlic  Island  were  harmonized.  The  manau-ement 
of  Hudson's  Bay  Coinpaii}'' affairs  and  the  rulership  of 
the  colonial  g(5vernment  being  vested  in  one  person, 
faotor-in-chief  of  tlie  commercial  monopoly  and  rep- 
resentative of  the  queen's  authority,  it  only  remained 
for  him  to  reconcile  to  himself  differences  between 
tlie  company  and  the  crown  according  to  jiolicy  or 
conscience.  The  third  element,  the  colonizers,  was, 
fortunately  for  the  peace  of  tlie  Island,  insignificant 
at  the  first,  and  was  now  since  the  inauguration  of  the 
new  governor  rapidly  diminishing.  If  there  was  too 
little  governing  south  of  the  49th  parallel,  north  of 
that  line  there  was  now  altogether  too  much.     Upon 

(310) 


TOO  MUCH  (JONKltXMKXT. 


•Ml 


tlu!  devoted  head  ot*  the  poor  settler,  surrounded  by 
jtulous  savages  and  under  the  niost  arbitrary  and 
iii>ane  reHtrictions  that  ever  enianatt^d  from  a  free 
« >■<  tvernment  favorinj;  fr(>o  cohmizatlon,  rested  the  iucubi 
(if  nioiiarcliy  and  monopoly.  Not  alone  nuist  the 
pound  per  acre  for  wild,  ancl  thus  far  worthless,  land, 
.stolen  from  the  savages,  be  paid  the  imperial  govern- 
ment, but  to  the  re'presentative  of  the  government  as 
the  representative  of  a  crushing  moi!o2)oly  must  the 
settler  go  for  every  necessity,  every  article  of  comfort 
or  form  of  requirement,  paying  therefor  often  two  or 
three  hundred  per  cent  on  London  cost;  to  this  same 
hydra-head  he  nmst  carry  his  produce,  and  receive  for 
it  whatever  the  company  might  please  to  ]»ay.  Wlio 
among  nineteentli-century  Englishmen  would  leave  his 
li;ii)py  English  home  with  all  its  hallowed  memories, 
and  take  up  his  residence  in  tliis  far-away  noiih-wcst 
wilderness  only  to  breathe  "-o  stifling  an  atmosphere 
as  tliis?  Nobody.  And  so  Douglas  traded  skins  and 
ruled,  though  he  ])resently  had  few  subjects  except 
Ills  own  hired  servants. 

He  had  now,  I  say,  only  to  reconcile  to  his  policy 
oi'  conscience  any  infelicities  arising  between  imperial 
ai-I  commercial  interests,  but  I  do  not  say  that  Doug- 
1i-  ras  disposed  to  deal  unfairly  in  regard  to  cither 
trust.  He  was  wise  enough  to  see  that  self-interest 
l.ty  in  equitable  adjustments.  He  was  wise  enough 
to  see  that  henceforth  throughout  this  domain  com- 
uureial  power  must  diminish  and  imperial  power 
advance.  The  combined  sovereignty  was  not  beyond 
liis  capabilities,  yet  both  were  not  essential  to  his 
permanent  advancement.  He  could  live  upon  the 
emoluments  of  his  chief  factorship,  or  upim  his  salary 
as  governor.  At  present  the  two  ((tmluned  were  bet- 
t(  f  than  either  singly;  he  would  be  true,  so  far  as  hi 
him  lay,  to  the  interests  of  both;  but  ready  at  any 
time  to  relinquish  either.  When  reUnquishment  be- 
came irresistible,  he  would  let  fjo  the  lesser  and  hold  to 
tlic  greater;  which  would  be  permanently  the  greater. 


311! 


THE  ISLAND  UNDER  D0U(;LAS. 


and  which  the  loss,  his  discriminating  judgment  and 
clear  foresight  hud  already  told  him. 

Between  18j1  and  1856,  in  the  absence  of  settlers, 
the  duties  of  imperial  rule  were  light.  The  monop- 
oly, having  everj'^thing  its  own  way,  managed  matters, 
in  the  main,  to  suit  its  own  interests.  Whatever  was 
to  1)C  done  for  England  on  these  shores,  that  Douglns 
did  well  and  faithfully.  The  tranquillity  of  tlie  nortli- 
ern  fur-fields  was  somewhat  disturbed  by  the  Indian 
hostilities  soutli  of  the  border,  but  Douglas  was  too 
well  v'irsed  in  aboriginal  traffic  to  permit  op(.!nruptui(i 
witli  the  natives  so  long  as  h(3  could  have  tlieni  to 
himself,  and  away  from  the  demoralizing  infiuence  ot 
strang(>rs. 

During  this  time  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  to 
all  intrnts  and  purposes,  enjoyed  monopoly  the  same 
as  if  there  had  been  no  colony  and  no  colonial  govt  ni- 
ment.  There  were  no  merchants  on  tlie  Island,  no 
manufacturers,  no  miners,  other  than  the  adventurers 
of  ]"]ngland,  for  none  could  compete  with  them.  TIhiv 
was  no  money  on  tlie  Island;  all  business  was  barter. 
Tliere  was  no  inti^rcourse  with  the  mother  country  (.r 
wich  the  world,  except  through  the  medium  of  tlio 
mono[»oly. 

]]ven  in  agriculture,  in  practical  manipulation,  at 
least,  there  was  also  monopoly — gra.iping,  oversliadow- 
ing,  merciless  monopoly.  With  nearest  aiid  best  lands 
secured,  and  every  resource  at  con'mand,  whatever  was 
recpiired  ibr  home  consumption  and  more,  whatevt  r 
could  be  profitably  exported  to  Ilussian  America,  tlic 
]  lawaiian  Islands, or  elsewhere,  the  Paget  Sounil  ( 'oni- 
pany  could  furnish  at  prices  below  what  would  be  cost 
to  the  distant  and  isolated  settl«T. 

In  <jfran;ing  the  Island  to  the  fur  company  for  col- 
onization, it  had  been  stipulated  by  the  crown,  anions' 
other  conditions,  that  at  the  end  of  the  fifth  year  from 
1849,  unless  certain  progress  in  settlement  wis  made, 
the  charter  should  revert  to  the  imperial  government. 


OVEKREACHINfi. 


ni3 


And  now,  says  Finlayson,  owing  to  the  hesitation  of 
colonists  to  come  forward,  "tlie  company  began  to  get 
anxious."  They  l)egan  to  see  tliat  there  was  such  a 
thing  as  overreaching  themselves  in  continuing  too 
far  the  exclusive  system.  They  were  in  no  haste  to 
colonize,  but  they  could  not  hope  always  to  hold  the 
halance  of  power  if  there  was  no  settlement.  Hence 
they  released  some  of  their  reserved  lands,  influenced 
some  of  their  servants  to  become  settlers,  and  made 
fresh  efforts  to  induce  fainilies  from  al)road  to  make 
tlie  Island  their  home.  To  give  further  color  to  their 
liroceedings,  a  number  of  the  officers,  Douglas  an<l 
Work,  Tod,  Tolniie,  and  Finlayson,  bought  wikl  lands, 
jiiiyiiig  therefor  the  one  pound  per  acre.  The  ]*ug('t 
Sound  Com))any  appointed  ba'.Hfis,  who,  besides  a 
sakiiy  of  sixty  pounds  a  yeur,  were  given  o"e  quarter 
of  tlie  farm  profits,  with  liberty  to  draw  j^oods  fVoni 
<lu'  Hudson's  ]^ay  Com]>any  stores  at  fost  and  ex- 
penses cliargeable  to  the  farm  account.^ 

It  must  not  be  su})])osed  tliat  su*']i  )f  the  officers 
.111(1  servaits  of  the  JIudsou's  l>ay  «  omi)any  as  liad 
liecome  landholders  and  settlei's  on  Vancouver  Island 
shared  with  the  London  manairement  the  desire  for  a 


'  '  Tlic  cnni])any  object  to  liringing  the  gomls  of  Hcttlors  into  the  i.il.iinl, 
Imt  iiiit  to  tiikiiij;  gomls  away;  tin:  iiihrt'iico  being  that  tticy  object  to  aiiy- 
tliiiitr  bke  <;oin])etitioii.'  < 'ait] hi;  in  /loiiii'  n/ Cwn.  A'ljit.,  II.  J{.  l'i>.,  1S,"i7,  -'U. 
'I'hii  Ituvereiid  Staine.s  '  became  liiueh  dissati.sliiil  witli  things,  witii  Mr  l>iiu^'- 
las  aiicl  lii.s  acbninistratiou  un  govei'Tior  of  thi'  eohiny,  others  joined  with  hiii, 
le^iflini;  to  a  diviision  among  tlio  setUers.  And  now  a  jiortioii  ol'  the  Hudson's 
Kay  Comiiany  truik'rs  also  I)eean>e  dissatislird  witli  tlie  cimrse  of  Mr  hoii^^las 
anil  lii.s  ollii'ers.  Tliey  coni^ilained  that  tile  j;ovei  nor  could  not  lio  jnstiee  to 
liiitli  |iartie.s;  that  tho  cliit^f  factorsliip  shouM  be  sejiarati!  ami  di.stiiiet  from 
tile  govi  rnorshiii;  that  tlie  good;H  for  fLir-tiadin;;'  |iuriMise.s  were  transferred 
til  the  I'ugi't  Sound  Com]  aiiy'.s  eohiny  at  cost  and.  cli:irges,  whereas  they  were 
wortii  seventy-livo  l)er  ••ent  on  the  prime  cost,  for  ea  h,  in  the  o|(eu  n  ari.et. 
This  was  the  complaint  of  the  eiim|iany  against  the  representatives  of  t!iu 
ciiliiiiy,  and  they  wished  for  a  seii:iration.'  /■V///"//.<i)/''.'(  I'.  /.,  MS.,  o.'l  4. 
'There  are  Homo  (jueer  stories  alloat  respecting  tiieso  tinu's;  such  us  enii- 
graids  brought  out  and  imprisoned  on  their  aoival  for  not  ehc using  to  vorli; 
•if  others  perein|it<)rily  forbidden  to  loeati^  on  certain  lam's,  o-  the  company 
Would  not  protect  them;  of  r-'speetable  emigrants  coming  ewr  to  obtain  the 
necessary  information  and  settle;  am'  having  in  disgust;  of  Workmen  lloi^gid 
for  trilles;  of  a  miner  having  Ids  skidl  cracked  with  a  blacksmith's  haninii  r 
by  a  foreman  of  the  company  at  Nanaimo,  and  receiving  a  compensation  in 
land  or  money  to  make  him  hold  his  tongue;  of  agreements  subscribed  on  the 
Island,  promising  never  to  speak  ill  of  the  criinpany,  etc.  Some  of  these 
stories  have  boou  probably  exaggerated.'   WiuliUinjton'b  Fiiuer  Muk'k,  34, 


314 


THE  LSLANi>  UNDER  DOUULA.S. 


y.'i 


IVt: 


m 


'■'!l!i 


^1 


ofHitinuance  of  fur-trading  rule.  The  settlers'  i>ctitioii 
tt>  parliament,  made  in  the  autumn  of  1853,  to  which 
I  have  before  alluded,  askin*^  that  the  company's  grant 
should  not  be  renewed  at  the  expiration  of  the  tivo 
years'  term ;  that  the  Island  should  be  taken  under  tlie 
innnediate  management  of  the  iiiiperial  government; 
that  a  governor  and  subordinate  functicmaries  should 
be  a]>pointcd  and  i)aid  by  the  home  government;  that 
courts  of  justice  should  be  establislied ;  that  the  execu- 
tive council  should  be  se[»arate  from  the  legislatisc; 
that  a  majority  of  the  legislative  council  should  ho 
elective  for  four  years,  by  such  of  tlie  colonists  as  held 
not  less  than  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  and  the  house 
of  assendtlv  to  consist  of  nine  mend>ers,  to  be  selected 
every  three  3'ears;  that  tlic  elective  franchise,  now 
enjoyed  only  by  persons  holding  twenty  acres  of  land, 
should  be  extended  so  as  to  include  })ersons  occupying 
houses  or  }»aying  rent  to  the  amount  of  ten  pounds 
per  annum,  or  owning  fanning  lands  to  the  value  (tf 
ten  i>ounds,  or  city  laiuls  to  the  value  of  twentv 
]>oun(ls,  and  that  the  })rice  of  }>ublic  land  should  be 
r<(h:ced  to  ten  shillings  an  acre,  payable  in  five  annual 
instalments,  with  interest  at  the  rate  of  live  per  cent 
\n-v  amuim  the  petition  to  parliament,  I  say,  asking 
these  thin<>s,  was  siLined  not  onlv  bv  Stjiines,  (iraiit, 
Muir,  l^lenkhorn,  AVier,  l^angford,  Atkins-jji,  Hall, 
Sang  tcT',  Yates,  Hawkins,  Wilson,  Kussell,  Downie, 
]*eny,  ^[cKay,  Humphreys,  and  otluTs.  directly  oj)- 
]><)sed  to  the  Hudson's  Bay  Comjiany  in  almost  all 
their  interests,  but  by  the  highest  company  oHicials 
tiiemselves,  by  every  member  of  the  govej-nor's  coun- 
cil, even  by  Tod,  Cooper,  Finlayson,  Tolmie,  Work, 
Keimedy  -all,  in  short,  except  tlie  governor,  his  fam- 
ily aiul  ntore  ijn.nediate  )(>tainers. 

No  disloyalty  to  the  CMmpany  was  attached  to  this 
proceeding;  it  was  only  an  expression  of  opinion  that 
at  the  expiration  of  the  present  live  years  the  interests 
of  tlie  government  and  the  company  should  be  wholly 
distinct.     They    saw    that    Douglas,    in    his   present 


EXriRATlON  OF  THE  TEltM. 


m 


anomalous  j-  ^sition,  was  doing  justice  neither  to  liim- 
j^oit',  liis  cou'p-iny,  nor  his  iijovernnient,  and  the  quicker 
t'lesc  several  interests  were  segregated,  the  better  for 
iill  concerned.^ 

The  truth  is,  these  shrewd  Scotchmen  saw  nothing 
for  themselves  in  the  present  arrangement.  They 
(duld  manage  the  affairs  of  the  company  as  well,  or 
1  litter,  untrammelled  by  imperial  forms.  It  was  well 
(■iu>a"j:h  for  Douglas,  with  his  eiuht  hundred  pounds  a 
M  iir  salarv  as  governor,  but  the  otliers  were  now 
hind-owners  and  settlers  as  well  as  fur-traders,  and 
tlifsc  n  v  interests  were  rapidly  assuming  pro}»urtions 
ji;;rainount  to  the  older  ones,  (jroverning  could  never 
lt(  profitable  to  them  unless  England  was  willing  to 
uav  something  for  the  satisfaction  of  immberinn'  anion*; 
lur  colonial  possessions  the  Island  of  Vancouver.  If 
till.'  government  of  the  colony  was  to  be  borne 
mtirely  by  the  colonists,  they  had  better  be  without 
it.  for  the  natural  wealth  of  the  country  they  could 
gather  themselves. 

Hitherto  under  the  grant  of  IHth  .)f  January  1841), 
giving  absolute  lordsliij)  and  ju'oprietorship  of  the 
Island,  its  lands  and  minerals,  at  a  yearly  rental  of 
stveii  shillings,  witii  the  privilege  on  the  jmrt  of  the 
(iitwii  of  nsuming  possession  at  the  expiration  of  five 
yr.us  by  reimbursing  the  fur  company  its  colonial  ex- 
l»i'nsi's,  little  had  been  done  in  the  way  of  governing. 
There  was,  indeed,  no  special  need  of  a  government; 
ill  the  absence  of  settlers,  the  old  relations  i)etwe».'n 
Indians  and  Europeans  Mere  the  bi'st,  and  these  could 
he  maintained  by  the  fur-company  alone;  the  imperial 
l>ailiament  was  powerless  to  ruU>  American  savages. 
Tliev  n»ight  exterminate,  but  thev  <'ould  not  n'overn. 

As  the  ex|>iration  of  tlu>  term  of  five  years  covered 
I'V  the  grant  drew  nigh,  the  fur-ti'adeivs  saw  thatuidi'ss 
they  would  lose  their  coloni/ation  charter  something 
must  bo  done.     A  series  of  })lausible  i-xcuses  might 


'Thin  iliicuniuiit  with  all  tli«  Hijjuaturox  is  too  IciiiJttliy  to  give  here;  it  may 
Im'  found  ill  full  ill  the  (>lyiii]>iit  Colunihkin,  Oi't.  i.".*,  IS.'li, 


316 


THE  ISLAND  UNDER  DOUGLAS. 


4  (it 


be  framed,  which,  if  backed  by  sufficient  of  tlie  right 
kind  of  influence  when  placed  before  the  government, 
would  be  all-sufficient.  First,  they  had  carried  out 
the  re(juirements  of  the  charter;  therefore  it  was  no 
fault  of  theirs  that  colonization  had  thus  far  failed; 
.I'ld  finally,  it  was  the  fault  of  the  government  in 
making  such  ahsurd  conditions.  These  weighty  ex- 
cuses at  length  prevailed,  and  in  1854  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  succeeded  in  obtaining  from  the  Brit- 
ish government  another  agreement  granting  them 
Vancouver  Island  for  purposes  of  colonization  for 
another  pc^riod  of  five  years. 

We  have  seen  how  Douglas  began  his  colonial  reign 
as  cliief  of  the  provi.sional  council  a}»p(»inted  by  Blan- 
shnrd  just  before  taking  Jiis  dr'parture,  James  C(H»piT 
and  John  T(»d  being  the  other  nuMuhers  of  the  council. 
After  having  been  nuule  governor  in  the  autunm  ot 
IS;")  I,  seeing  no  inunediate  necessitv  for  anv  chanur. 
])ouglas  continuetl  to  achninister  iniju'rial  authority 
by  the  aid  of  a  I'ouncil,  adding  only  the  name  ot 
Bodi-riek  Finlayson  to  th(>  former  number."' 

Thus  goverinuei>t  affairs  «lrifted  on  till  1854,  wlirii 
endt'd  tlie  five  vears'  term  of  the  grant,'  afti-r  whicli 
the  name  of  Jt>hn  Wi>rk  was  substituted  for  tluit  ot 
James  ( 'oo[>er  as  nuMuber  of  council. 

Nor  was  it  difficult  for  the  company  to  obtain  au 
exttMision.  They  pointed  to  their  jieaceful  reign,  to 
the  altsence  of  crime  on  the  Island;  they  expressid 
their  willingness— nay,  their  earnest  desire — to  a<loi>t 
any  means  the  govermuent  might  suggest  for  the 
extension  of  colonization.  And  so  the  grant  was 
renewed  for  anotlier  five  years;  and  the  Huilson'sl^ay 


TiHipor,  Miir.  MdHti'i.  MS.,  1-28,  says  that  tlio  nvr>wt'il  olijoct  to  be  ao- 
ci>iii|i1i.sIkmI  liy  tlit>  foriiiatiiMi  of  tliis  (.■iiuiit'il  was  to  Imlil  in  chock  the  auto- 
criitic  i>uwtr  of  tlio  MikIhoh's  ]ia\  ('oiiii>aiiy.  If  tliis  wcio  tlio  ival  iii.stca'l 
of  tlif  jinti  lulcil  iiiii-|iosc — and,  a.s  1  take  it,  it  watt  real  with  Hlaushanl,  and 
jiix'tcinK-il  liy  .some  otiurs — it  wiia  iiiiinifci'itly  no  loss  puurilo  in  its  couceiilMii 
tlian  farcical  in  execution. 

« 'In  \SruV  says  Deans,  Srftli'iiinif.  V.  /.,  MS.,  14.  '  MrTod.  MrFinlaysoii, 
and  ('ajitain  Coojmt  formed  tin;  council.'  So  .Mr  Fiidayson,  JJlal.  I'.  /.,  M^-, 
fiO,  '  Wiu  i4>[ioiutcd  to  tUu  cuuucil  which  stood  in  185'J-3,' 


KENEWAL  OK  CUANT. 


3n 


Company,  with  Douorlas  chief  factor  and   governor, 
coutiuued  to  rule  A'ancouver  Island  until  1851). 

Soon  after  this  arran^^enient  was  made,  however, 
till'  question  bei^an  to  arise  in  the  mind  of  J^ritish 
statesmen  conversant  with  the  principles  of  colonial 
l;iw.  whether  the  crown,  in  a  settlement  of  Enijflish- 
iiK  II.  could  legally  convey  authority  to  make  laws  to 
jMiv  council  or  leijfishiture  not  elected  whollv  or  in 
jiait  hy  the  settlers  themselves. 

Upon  the  founding  of  the  colony  of  Vancouver 
Island,  Governor  J^lanshard  in  his  commission  and  in- 
structions was  directed  to  sunnnon  general  assemldies 
of  tVeeholders,  qualified  hy  their  ownership  of  twenty 
a<  ns  of  land,  with  whose  advice  ami  the  advice  of  his 
(iiinnil,  to  consist  of  si'ven  memhers,  he  was  to  make 
laws  for  the  good  government  of  the  })eoplc. 

Governor  J^lanshard's  commission  contained  an(^ther 
clause,  introduced  for  the  ]iurpose  of  permitting  the 
governor,  if  imssihle,  to  form  a  legislature  which 
should  ])rovide  for  the  immediate  necessities  <»f  the 
ci>l(»nv  before  an  assend>lv  could  he  convened.  This 
<lause  empowered  the  governor  to  make  laws  with 
the  aid  of  his  council  ahme.  The  governor,  at  his 
discretion,  should  divide  the  Island  into  electoral  tlis- 
ti  lets,  fix  tiie  numhei'  of  repres(>ntatives,  and  exercise 
the  usual  power  of  proroguing  or  dissolving  the  as- 
M  uiltlv  at  i)leasuri'.  The  leyislature  thus  constituted 
should  have  power  to  make  laws,  levy  taxes,  and  regu- 
late the  affairs  of  the  Island,  always  subject  to  the 
ajiproval  of  the  crown.  It  was  the  intention  of  the 
iiiijurial  government  in  these  instructions,  no  doubt, 
that  an  assembly  should  be  formed  as  soon  as  ]>ossible.^ 
We  have  seen  iiow,  by  the  high  j)rice  of  land,  the 
I'lf sence  of  an  overshadowing  monopoly,  and  the  at- 

■' '  I  am  couviiicod  as  well  by  tue  eeneral  tenor  of  tlie  (loeuiiicnts  theiiisclven 
MS  \<\  tlie  iiiformtUioii  whicli  1  liiiV'Tieen  alile  to  obtain  of  the  iiiteritioii  nf  lur 
in  ijisty's*  ^overiiineiit  in  Irarniny  lieni,  tlint  it  Wiis  then  eonteniidati'il  that 
Mirli  n.sseuililiex  sliouM  l>u  suninioneJ  ua  soon  on  it  Hlionlil  bo  nractioulilu  tu  Ju 
hi>,'  lAtl>our/nrt'«  DcitpaWh  to  Oov,  IhiKjlan,  i!8tli  February  18i)t5. 


THE  ISLAND  UXDKU  IMHULAS. 


tractions  over  the  border,  coloi.  atiou  had  been  iv- 
tardod.  We  liavo  seen  tlio  difficulty,  the  impossibility, 
of  suinnioninj*'  an  a-^sendjly  of  freeholders,  chiefly  for 
the  reason  that  there  were  no  freeholders  to  sununon. 
Or  if  there  were  landholders,  l)einof  mostlv  servants  ot 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Canii)any,  it  was  not  legarded  as 
I'xactly  the  tiling  to  organize  a  popular  tribunal  solely 
from  the  ranks  of  the  monopoly. 

Hence  it  was  that  Governor  Douglas,  for  some  time 
after  I^lanshard  had  resigned,  deemed  it  advisable  t<> 
act  on  the  power  a})}>arently  given  him  to  manage 
matters  with  the  atlvice  of  his  council  onlv,  and  to 
]iass  such  laws  as  the  exigencies  of  the  time  n><juiretl. 
And  this  action  on  the  part  of  (Jovernor  Douglas  nut 
the  entire  approval  of  the  im[)erial  governn\ent. 

But  at  length  the  time  had  come  when  the  true 
spirit  of  English  law  must  be  given  free  play,  even  in 
this  far  away  and  still  almost  tenantless  isle.  If  it 
were  true  that  the  ciowu  could  not  legally  confide  the 
law-making  power  to  a  governor  in  council,  then  the 
clause  in  his  commission  on  which  the  governor  relie(i 
was  unwarranted,  and  his  acts  under  it  invalid. 

At  all  i'vents,  it  appc^ared  best  that  steps  should  be 
taken  to  establish  a  legislature  for  Vancouver  Island  in 
accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the  English  law.  Hence 
on  the  28tli  of  February  ISitG,  Lal)ouchere,  secretary 
of  state,  writes  Governor  Dougl  is,  instructing  him 
without  delav  to  call  toi^ether  an  assembly  accordinu' 
to  the  terms  of  his  commission  and  instructions. 

l^V  the  ninth  clause  of  his  instructions,  the  sjfovernor 
had  ]>ower  to  fix  the  number  of  representatives,  and 
if  he  should  deem  it  essential,  to  divide  the  Island  into 
distj'icts,  witii  ] Killing-places  in  each.  To  the  asseml)ly 
thus  sunnnoned,  the  govei'nor,  with  the  advice  of  his 
council,  might  suggest  such  measures  as  'teemed  to 
him  ri'cjuisite.  Among  the  first  steps  to  be  taken  l>y 
tlie  assembly,  the  secri'tary  suggested  that  the  a<l-^ 
of  the  government  already  performed  without  tht 
authority  of  an  assembly  should  be  made  valid. 


A  LEflLSLATURE. 


319 


been  10- 
)ssibilitv, 
hiciiy  for 
summon. 
Tvants  ot 
''ardetl  as 
nal  solely 


-iomc  tinu' 
Ivisable  to 
o  mana)j;r 
Iv,  and  to 
i>  nHjuir*  (1. 
DUijlas  mit 
lent. 

n  the  true 
av,  even  in 
i^le.  If  it 
confide  tlu' 
.1,  then  tlio 
rnor  relu'd 
alid. 

s  should  1h' 
L'l*  Island  ill 
AV.  Hone*' 
i^,  secretary 
uetin^-  liim 
y  aeeordin,u' 

tions. 


The  maintenance  of  a  constitution  on  the  model  of 
liii'^er  colonies,  \vitli  a  liouse  of  re})resent{itives  and  a 
council,  Laboucliere  goes  on  to  say,  in  so  small  a  com- 
iiiuuity  mi<^ht  be  inexpedient  for  tlie  ])rcscnt,  and  pc-r- 
liaps  for  years  a  smaUer  body  miglit  satisfactorily 
jK  rinnn  tlie  recjuisite  functions  of  government.  Such 
a  iMxly,  however,  could  be  organized  oidy  by  enactment 
of  a  legislature  authorized  by  the  commission,  which 
would  be  ail  assembly  .acting  with  the  g()vernor  and 

his  enUUcil. 

That  is  to  sav,  a  h^uislature  mii;ht  be  formed  umuT 
the  ])rovisions  of  the  commission,  aud  when  thus  legally 
constituted,  it  might,  ft)r  convenience  or  for  purposes 
ot'  economy,  surrender  its  powers  into  the  hands  of 
a  singk'  power  as  had  been  done  successfully  else- 
where. 

"I  leave  it  to  you  to  consider,"  continues  Labou- 
cliere, "with  the  advice  of  the  local  authorities,  the 
luunher  and  projjcr  qualitications  of  the  mend)ers  oT 
such  a  single  council;  but  in  the  event  (»f  your  deter- 
iiiining  to  introduce  the  elective  principle  into  it,  a 
certain  pi'oportion,  not  less  than  one  third,  should  be 
imuiiiiated  by  the  crown.  The  power  of  assenting  to 
oi-  iu>gativing,  or  suspending  for  the  assent  of  the 
crown,  the  measures  passed  by  such  a  council  should 
he  distinctly  n^served  to  yourself.  And  it  is  very 
essential  that  a  constitutional  law  of  this  descri})tion 
should  contain  a  proviso  reserving  the  initiation  of  all 
money  votes  to  the  local  government.  An  atlditional 
reason  in  favor  of  the  cours(>  which  I  now  prescribe, 
namely,  that  of  calling  together  the  assembly,  and  then 
it"  the  legislature  so  created  think  ])roper,  establishing 
a  siiiipliT  form  of  government,  is  to  be  found  in  the 
t  iivunistance  tliat  the  relations  of  the  Hudson's  Hay 
('oiii|»any  with  the  ci-own  must  lu'ci'ssaiily  un<leigo 
iv\  i^ioii  before  or  in  the  year  liS.V.).  The  j)ositi()n  and 
tuture  government  of  Vaiu'ouver's  Lsland  will  then 
unavoidably  j)ass  under  revii'W,  and  if  any  ditticulties 
should  be  ex]>erienced  in  carrying  into  execution  any 


320 


THE  ISLAND  UNDER  DOUGLAS. 


present  instructions,  a  convenient  opportunity  will  be 
aft'orded  for  reconsidering  them." 

To  these  instructions  Governor  Douglas,  on  tlio 
2"2d  of  May,  thus  replies:  "  It  is,  I  confess,  not  Avith- 
out  feelings  of  dismay  that  I  contemplate  the  nature 
and  amount  <^)f  lahor  and  responsibility  which  will  bo 
imposeil  upon  me  in  the  process  of  carrying  out  the 
instructions  t-onvtyed  in  your  despatch.  Possessiii;^ 
a  vcrv  slender  knowled<;e  <jf  legislation,  without  h<ni\ 
advice  or  intelligent  assistance  of  any  kind,  I  approurli 
the  subject  with  diftidence,  feeling,  however,  all  the 
encouragrment  which  the  kindly  promised  assistance 
and  si!))port  of  her  majesty's  goverinnent  is  calculated 
to  inspii"." 

While  u^'^rsc  to  universal  suffrage,  or  to  making 
population  the  basis  of  representation,  the  governor 
(hcnied  it  expedient  to  extend  the  franchise  to  all 
j)ersons  holding  in  the  colony  a  fixed  property  stake, 
that  class  being  more  numerous  than  the  other,  and 
having  e(j[ual  iutc;rest  in  the  ])ermanent  welfare  of  the 
colony,  lie  therefore  asked  permission  of  the  iui- 
])t'rial  government  to  extend  the  franchise  so  as  to 
give  the  re[)resentation  a  wider  basis,  but  was  told  in 
nply  that  it  was  thought  best,  for  the  present,  not  to 
alter  the  commission,  but  to  convoke  the  first  assembly 
in  stiict  accordance  with  its  provisions,  and  then  bring 
before  that  l)odva  measure  for  extending  the  sufiVage. 
The  council  at  this  time  eonsisted  of  John  Tod,  senior 
niend)er,  James  Cooper,  Roderick  Finlayson,  and  Joliu 
i\  I'ant.  Calling  a  meeting  of  the  council,  the  governor 
laid  before  it  tlie  secretary's  instructions  concerninLj 
the  summoning  of  assemi)lies  of  the  freeholders,  and  on 
the  4th  and  'Jth  of  June  the  same  were  duly  consid- 
ered. The  result  was  a  proclamation  issued  the  Kitli 
of  June  1850,  dividing  the  Island  into  four  electoral 
districts,  apportioning  the  number  of  representatives, 
and  appointing  returning  officers  for  each." 

"Tlic  four  districts  wore  as  follows:  Victorica  to  be  represented  hy  three 
members,  Aiulrew  .Muir  rutuniiiig  olHeer;  Esijuitnalt  and  Metcliosiii,  two  inciii- 
bers,  H.  W.  O.  Maryary  reiurniiig  otiicer;  Nunaimo,  one  niemlwr,  C  E.  Stii:irt 


ELECTION 


321 


Dy  will  be 

,s,  on  the 
not  with- 
he  naturi' 
ch  will  1)1-' 
ig  out  the 
Posscssin;4 
thout  legal 
I  apin'oiieh 


er, 


all  tl 


le 


,  assistant -e 
i  calculated 

to  making 
le  governor 
chiso  to   all 
perty  stake, 
e  other,  and 
plfare  of  the 
of  the    ini- 
ise  so  as  to 
was  told  in 
esent,  not  to 
rstassenihly 
i  then  bring 
the  suflragi'. 
Tod,  senior 
n\,  and  John 
he  governor 
J  concerning 
|lders,  andou 
duly  consid- 
ed  the  K'-th 
lur  electoral 
[resentatives, 

0 


iresented  1>y  throe 
Itchosin,  two  iiuni- 
Inlwr,  C.  E.  Stuiirt 


Seven  members  were  to  be  returnea,  wnose  qualifi- 
cation was  the  ownership  of  freehold  estate  to  the 
amount  of  three  liundred  pounds  or  more.'  Tlie  prop- 
( ity  (pialilication  of  voters  jh  niained  as  fixed  by 
tlie  'governor's  connnission,  twcntv  acres  or  more  of 
fneliold  land.  "There  will  be  a  diliicultv  in  findin"^ 
pinpcrly  (pudified  representatives,"  writes  Douglas  to 
Lahouclierc,  "  juid  I  fear  that  our  early  attiMupts  at 
]r  'islatioii  will  make  a  sorry  fiLrurc;  thouuh  at  all 
events  thev  will  have  the  i-tfect  Vou  contemiilati?  of 
unloving  all  doubts  as  to  the  validity  of  our  local  en- 
actments." Following  the  examjile  of  JJritish  Guiana, 
the  agents  of  the  absentee  freehold  proprietors  were 
allowed  to  vote  in  })lace  of  their  jn'iiicipal.'^  ^^'rits 
calling  a  gi'Ueral  assenddy  of  freeholders  for  the  pur- 
])i)se  of  electing  mcnd)ers  to  serve  in  the  gt'iieral  assem- 
l)ly  were  made  returnable  the  4th  of  .Vugust  f<»llouing. 
]']leeti(>ns  were  duly  held  according  to  notice;  and  in 
tliree  of  the  districts  the  electors  were  so  few  in  mmd>rr 
that  tlie  returns  were  little  more  than  mei'e  nt)miua- 
tiniis.  In  N'ictoria  disti'ict,  however,  there  were  no  h-ss 
tliaii  five  1  i\al  candidates,  wli**  liercelv  contested  for  the 
limior  of  mend)crshi[>  of  the  first  house  of  assembly  ol 
A'aiicouver  Island.  And  thus  wer<^  chosen  "seven  fit 
and  discreet  persons,"  into  whose  hands  the  destiny  of 
the  nation  was  for  the  time  being  eonfuled.'' 

r(t',niiiii;4(illic(  r;  Suko,  ouo  iiu'iidKr,  .Inliii  Miiii-,  Juiiini',  ii'tuniin^iollii'cr.  Vic- 
t'lru  ilistrict  L'oiniiriicil  tlu^  tiniiitry  viist  of  tln'  Nictm  ia  Arm  atnl  of  a  line 
nniiiiiig  ill  ii  iiortliuily  iliivitiuii  tnwanl  Saaiiiili,  so  as  ti>  iiKliido  I'firs  Farm; 
lv'|uimalt  ili.strict,  llio  oountryi'a.st  of  Vic-tniia  Arm,  ami  iM.stol'  rcildiT  liiiy. 
iiuluiliiiL;  McKcii/U' .s  ami  tliu  lai'iiis  Mfst  of  l'iil|ii(it  «  JiiviT;  Snki;  distritt 
liiiiii  I'liMur  Hay  to  Ottur  Jlivul,  tlu'  lu.ullaml  ImwhkI  Sokr;  Naiiaimo  ili.n- 
tiirt  .simjily  tlif  town.  Tin.'  ritiiriiiiii,'  oH'n'iT  ul'  each  district  was  at  the  Mamu 
tiiiu'  dircitcd  to  give  notii'o  mIuii  and  mIh  re  tln'  ]ioil  Nliould  lutalirii. 

'  '  To  liavc  tixt'd  mpoii  a  liigluT  st.iiularil  of  i|iial;lic'atioti  woidd  liavc  dis- 
i|M:ililic(l  all  till'  jiri'SL'iit  ri'ini'si'iitativi's,  Icaviii;;  no  ilisjio  alilc  [ii'rsons  to  n'- 
jil  tie  tlium,  and  it  a]i|i('ari  d  to  me  imiiolitif  a-  \\rll  :in  uiironstitutioiial  to  ilis- 
li'ii-o  alto-ctliir  with  thu  innjicny  c(ualilication.'  Litli  f  j'ruia  Jhniijlm  in 
/."'.■„•/(. /r,  datid  •-'•Jd. Inly  |.S.")tj. 

"  'Tho  goviTiior  laiil  I'own  a.s  a  jirim'i|li'  tliat  tlic  custom  or  j'racticc  oli- 
sirvid  in  Kiiglaiid  .sliin  "  a.s  f.ir  as  possililc,  lie  adopti'd  in  tlii.s  coloiiN  in 
friiiiini,' the  rules  lor  eleetn)ns.'   Miim/i  <;/' 'oin/c//,  ilth  .luiie  l.S,")(i. 

'  riieir  names  were  .loliu   Muir,  Soke  disti'iet:  'I'homas  Skinner  and  .1.  S. 
II  !    leken,    i;M|uinialt  distriet;  .lo!in    !•".    Kennedy,   Xaiiaimo  district;  J.  1>. 
r  iiilierton,  .lames  Vates,  and  K.  K.  l.:i:i.;;onl,  N'lctoria  district. 
in.sT.  iJKIT.  Col,.    2i 


%» 


THE  ISLAND  UNDER  DOUGLAS. 


The  august  body  convened  the  12th  of  August, 
and  the  first  house  of  assenihly  was  declared  open  fur 
business.  "Tlie  afliiir  passed  off  quietly,"  wrote  tlio 
governor,  with  a  naivete  which,  in  a  less  unsoj)histi- 
cated  statesman,  might  be  regarded  as  siircasm,  "and 
did  not  appear  to  excite  much  interest  among  the 
lower  f)rders."^"  Then  followed  the  yjovernor's address, 
which,  thoujjh  a  kind  of  congratulatorv  wail,  was  dr- 
livered  in  a  dignified  and  impressive  manner." 

'•  Who  tho  lower  orders  upon  the;  Island  at  this  time  were,  I  am  at  a  loss  to 
kno^^',  unless  we  should  seek  them  amongst  the  oily  Indians,  or  Parson  iStuiiius' 
pigs. 

"Hcrewitli  I  give  the  governor's  adilrcss  in  full: 

' OfntleiiKH  of  (he  Lriii-<lalU-c  VutiHfU  ainl  of  the.  Ifotue  of  Ansemhly  :  I  con- 
gratulate yiiu  iiiKst  KiiR'CTi'ly  on  this  UK-'morable  occiision;  the  meeting  in  lull 
convention  of  tl:c  f;;ener;il  iissenihly  of  Vancouver's  Island,  an  event  fraii^lit 
with  consequences  of  tlie  utmost  importance  to  its  present  and  future  inlialii- 
tauts,  and  rcmarlcahlc  as  the  tir.st  instance  of  representative  institutions  l.ciiig 
granted  in  tlie  infan-v  of  a  liritisli  colony.  The  history  an<l  actual  positimi 
of  tliis  colony  arc  niarki'il  hy  many  other  rcmarkalile  circumstances.  Callcl 
into  existence  by  an  act  of  the  supreme  government,  inniediately  after  tliu 
discovery  of  gold  in  California,  it  has  maintained  an  anhious  and  inccssiiut 
struggle  with  tlie  disorganizing  etfects  on  labor  of  tliat  discovery.  ltiiin)te 
fr>)m  every  other  IJritisli  setth'mcut,  with  its  connnerce  trammelled,  and  nii  t 
liy  restrictive  duties  on  every  side,  its  trade  and  resr>urees  remain  umlcvcl- 
oped.  Self-supporting,  and  drfraying  all  the  expenses  of  its  own  government, 
it  presents  a  striking  contrast  to  every  other  colony  in  the  Uritisli  empire,  uihI 
like  the  native  pines  of  its  storm-lteaten  promontories,  it  has  acquired  a  .slnw 
but  hardy  growth.  Its  future  progress  nuist,  TUider  pniviikiice,  in  a  great 
measure  depend  on  the  intelligence,  industry,  and  enterprise  of  its  inhahi- 
tants,  and  upon  the  legislative  wisdom  of  this  assembly. 

'  ( Jentlemeii,  I  Icmk  forwanl  with  conlidence  and  satisfaction  to  the  aid  ainl 
support  whicli  the  executive  power  may  in  the  future  expect  to  derive  fmni 
your  local  experience  and  knowledge  of  the  wishes  of  the  people  and  the 
wants  of  the  country.  I  feel  assured  that,  as  public  men  holding  a  solemn 
and  niomentims  trust,  you  will,  as  a  governing  principle,  strive  with  one  accord 
to  promote  the  true  and  substantial  interests  of  the  country;  autl  tliat  lUir 
legislative  labors  will  be  distinguished  alike  by  prudence,  temperance,  and 
justice  to  all  classes. 

Mlentlemen,  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that  her  majesty's  governmeiit 
continues  to  expres.s  the  most  livel}-  interest  in  the  progress  and  welfare  of 
this  colony.  Negotiations  are  now  pt-nding  with  the  govennnent  of  tho 
United  States,  which  may  probably  terminate  in  an  exten.->ion  of  the  reci- 
procity treaty  to  Vancouver  Island.  To  show  the  connnercial  advantages  cou- 
iiected  with  that  treaty,  I  will  just  mention  that  an  impost  duty  of  thirty 
pounds  is  levied  on  every  one  hundred  pounds'  worth  of  IJritish  jiroduee  wliich 
IS  now  sent  to  San  Francisco,  or  to  any  other  American  port;  or  in  oilier 
Words,  the  liritish  proprietor  pays  as  a  t;ix  to  the  United  States  nearly  tin; 
value  of  every  third  cargo  of  lish,  timber,  or  coal  which  he  sends  to  any 
American  port.  Tho  reciprocity  treaty  utterly  abolishes  those  fearful  im- 
posts, and  establishes  a  system  of  free-trade  in  tho  produce  of  IJritish  col- 
onies. The  effects  of  that  measure!  in  developing  tlic  trade  and  natural 
resources  of  tho  colony  can,  tlierefore,  be  hardly  oven.itiniated.  The  coal,  the 
timber,  and  tho  productive  fisheries  of  Vancouver's  Island  will  assume  a 


I         ! 


GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS. 


323 


August, 
Open  for 
vrotc  the 
isopliisti- 
sm,  "ai»(l 
\\o\\\f  the 

1,  was  dt- 
.11 


am  at  a  Iohs  to 
L'araou  SUi"*;^ 

xmnhln :  I  <•""; 

muuting  m  nill 

n  event  frau-Ut 

il  futuro  iiili^ilii- 

istitutioiw''^'."'? 
[  actual  position 

stances.     t'>ll''l 
iliately  after  the 
lus  and  incessimt 
;.)VtTy.      K'li'";" 
w\\i'i\,  :""}  "".'^ 
remain  uihUvlI- 
)\vu  ^iiveruiiiciit, 
itish  cnil'ii'c,  i»"'l 
;u'.[uireil  a  slnw 
,L  me,   in  a  j^nvit 
lise  of  its  inliiilii- 

loutothcaiauua 
{■t  to  derive  frniii 
^jeople  and  ln"' 
Ih.AdinK'  a  soU'i'iiJ 
.  witlioneaccdi'l 
try;  and  that  our 
|teu>i>eranci',  an'l 

Lty's  noverinncut 
Ls  and  welf:'.n' "f 
T-ernnient  ot  1U<! 
Imou  of  live  refi- 
ll advanta-es  cou- 
It  duty  of  tlui  ty 
[,h  produced  null 

U.rt;  or  in  oil"''' 
States  nearly  tin: 
|l,e  sends  to  any 
Ithose  fearful  im- 
L  of  British  onl- 
Lde  and  ludund 
La  The  coal,  tbo 
lid  will  assume  a 


The  first  legislature  would  scarcely  be  called  a  wise 
oi-  imposing  body  of  uicii,  or  the  representatives  of  a 
powerful  state.     Exclude  the  rocks,  trees,  and  sav- 

vahiP  before  unknown;  while  every  branch  of  trade  will  start  into  activity, 
and  become  the  means  of  pouring  wealth  into  tlie  coiuitry.  So  unbounded  is 
tlio  reliance  which  I  place  in  the  enterprise  and  intelligence  possessed  by  the 
juciplo  of  this  colony,  and  in  the  advantages  of  tlieir  geograpliical  iwsition, 
that  with  equal  rights  and  a  fair  fuld  1  tiiiuk  they  may  enter  into  a  successful 
competition  with  the  people  of  any  other  country.  The  extension  of  the 
reciprocity  treaty  to  this  Island  once  gained,  the  interests  of  the  colony 
will  become  inseparably  connected  with  the  principles  of  free-trade,  a  system 
which  I  think  it  will  be  sound  policy  on  our  part  to  encourage. 

'  Gentlemen,  the  colony  has  Ijccn  again  visited  this  year  by  a  large  party 
of  northern  Indians,  and  their  x^rcscnco  has  excited  in  our  minds  anotun 
reasonable  degree  of  alarm.  Through  the  blessing  of  God  they  have  been  k<  |>t 
from  committing  acts  of  open  violence,  and  been  quiet  atid  orderly  in  their 
deportment;  yet  the  presence  of  large  bodies  of  armed  savages,  who  have 
never  felt  the  restraining  influences  of  moral  and  religious  training,  and  who 
arc  accustomed  to  follow  the  impulses  of  their  own  evil  natures  more  than  the 
dictation  of  reason  or  justice,  gives  rise  to  a  feeling  of  insecurity  which  must 
exist  as  long  as  the  colony  remains  without  military  protection.  Her  Majes- 
ty's government,  ever  alive  to  the  dangers  which  beset  the  colony,  have 
arranged  with  the  lords  commissioners  of  the  admiralty,  that  the  President 
frigate  should  be  sent  to  Vancouver's  Island;  and  the  measure  will,  I  iiavo  no 
doubt,  bo  carried  into  effect  without  delay.  I  shall  nevertheless  continue  to 
conciliate  the  good-will  of  the  native  Indian  tribes  by  treating  them  with  jus- 
tice and  forbearance,  and  by  rigidly  protecting  their  civil  and  agrarian  rights; 
many  cogent  reasons  of  humanity  and  sound  policy  recommend  that  course  to 
our  attention;  and  I  sliall,  therefore,  rely  upon  your  8U[>port  in  carrying  such 
measures  into  cfi'cct.  Wc  know,  from  our  own  experience,  that  tho  friend- 
ship of  the  natives  is  at  uU  times  useful,  while  it  is  no  less  certain  that  their 
enmity  may  become  more  disastrous  than  any  other  calamity  to  wliich  the 
colony  is  directly  cxiwsed. 

'  Gentlemen  of  the  house  of  assembly,  according  to  constitutional  usage, 
wit'i  you  must  originate  all  money  bills;  it  is  therefore  your  special  pro\-inco 
to  tonsidcr  the  ways  and  means  of  defraying  the  ordinary  expenses  of  tho 
^'o\  <  rament,  cither  by  levying  a  customs  duty  on  imports,  or  by  a  system  of 
iliiot  taxation.  Tho  poverty  of  the  country  and  tho  limited  means  of  a  popu- 
lali'  in  struggling  against  tho  pressure  of  numberless  privations,  must  ncces- 
.siiily  restrict  the  amount  of  taxation;  it  should,  therefore,  be  our  constant 
.still ly  to  regulate  the  public  expenditure  according  to  the  means  of  tlie  coun- 
try, and  to  live  strictly  within  our  income.  The  common  error  of  running  into 
spitulative  improvements  entailing  debts  upon  tho  colony,  for  a  very  uncertain 
advantage,  should  be  carefully  avoided.  The  demands  upon  the  public  revenue 
vill,  at  present,  chiefly  arise  from  the  improvement  of  the  internal  communica- 
tions of  the  country,  and  providing  for  the  education  of  the  young,  tho 
en  ctinn  of  places  for  public  worship,  the  defence  of  the  country,  and  the 
aihninistration  of  justice. 

'Gentlemen,  I  feel  in  all  its  force  the  rcspon.'<il>ility  now  resting  upon 
lis.  The  interests  and  well  being  of  thousands  yet  unlwru  may  bo  alleetcd  by 
our  (Icci.sions,  and  they  will  reverence  or  condemn  our  acts  according  as  they 
ai\'  found  to  influence,  for  gootl  or  for  evil,  the  events  of  the  future. 

(Jentlemen  of  tho  house  of  the  assembly,  I  have  appointed  Chicf-jnstico 
Cameron  to  administer  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  members  of  your  liousc, 
ami  to  receive  your  declarations  of  qualification;  you  may  then  proceed  to 
choose  a  speaker,  and  to  appoint  the  oiBcers  necessary  for  the  profier  conduct 
of  tlie  business  of  th'i  house.  Ja.mls  'Dougl.\s,  Governor.' 


324 


THE  ISLAND  UInDER  DOUflLAS. 


f'i  > 


i.   f 


'Ml 


aijfca,  the  wild  hcasts  and  AkIios  from  tlieir  constitut'iiry, 
niwl  tlioro  was  little  left.'-  IikK'('<1,  that  the  forest 
Avus  not  failed  ii|>oii  to  fui'iiish  Soloiis  was  ahimst  a 
wonder,  foi-  the  liat  had  n'oMt;  forth  that  there  should 
he  a  eoloiiy  and  a  i^ovennnent,  an<l  search  the  Ishiiid 
tliroUL^h,  not  ni(»i'e  ilian  six  or  seven  nii-n  nii^ht  he 
foinnl  eligihle  foi-  the  iinpoitant  trust,  and  these  must 
he  returned  hv  one  or  two  voters  each.  There  were 
then  upon  the  Island  hut  ahout  twojumdred  and  fitly 
white  meJi,  althou;j,li  there  had  heeii  more.  Nfost  of 
these  Were  servants  of  the  Hudson's  J >ay  Company, 
and  few  of  them  were  liuu'.-owners. 

J.  S.  ILelmelu  II  was  ihosen  speaker,  and  took  his 
scat  smilinu'  audihlv.  J^efore  tin.'  heavv  work  of  the 
day  was  laiily  un(h'i'taken.  tlie  machinery  of  govern- 
ment was  lirouiiht  to  a  stand  hv  reas(.n  of  (luestitnis 
heiuijj  raised  as  to  the  ]iroperty  «|ualifications  of  two 
of  the  menih-rs,  and  tlie  validity  of  the  election  ef 
one,  thus  lea\  iiiiL>'  an  ethcient  force  of  hut  three  meiii- 
hers  l)esides  tlie  speaker. 

.\<4'ain  the  i^overnor  i'ound  himself  in  a  dilenniin. 
To  one  of  the  immortal  sevcji,  (»l:jections  had  het  ii 
raist'd  purely  from  jtarty  motives.  J'ossihly  these 
might  he  <piicted  or  »»verrul;d.  "In  the  territor;:!l 
iHovermnt  nt  of  the  United  States,"  writes  Douj^las  to 
J^ahouchcre  the  -JOt]!  of  Au'j;ust,  "tJie  })ractice  in 
such  cases  is  for  the  n'o\ernor  to  ^rant  ci'rtificates  of 
(jualification  to  a  majoiity  of  the  memhers,  wlio  then 
|)rocee(l  to  eoiistitute  the  house;  hut  r  am  not  certain 
if  sucli  a  eouise  Would  he  in  harmony  witli  ]*]nnlisli 
law;  nevei'thele.-s,  if  the  house  should  a])peal  to  me 
on  tht' suhjeet.  1  will  have  recourse  to  tliat  (-'X[)edi(  iit. ' 

J3ut  hap[)ily  the  novernoi'  was  sa\ed  from  pursuing' 
HO  (questional »le  a  course.      After  adjourning  i'rom  day 


'■^  'There  was  a  faniical  aff.iir  in  tlic  sliapi'  of  a  Icgi:  laturo  lumse  of  assiia- 
1»ly,  wli.  lU  two  iir  tliii  (•  viitcr.i  iitiinu'd  as  many  iiiuiuln'is  to  tlii'  lioiisi'.  As 
tluTo  was  no  rivciiiic  to  cxjicihI  and  no  ]Miwir  conci'ihd  to  the  lion.se,  tin  '-v 
Irjci.dativo  cH'ortx  coulil  only  l>r  and  wvw  almriivc  .  Tlii.s  asscndily  died  a 
natural  death  in  IH.V.t.'  ('ixijnr'n  Mar.  Mn'f'i-i,  .MS.,  1'2.  .^''le  also  t'oojui's 
tiitiniouy  before  the  selei't  eomniittee.   J/oitsi:  Com.  J'cpt.,  19l\ 


LEGISLATIVK  PROi  EKDI NGS. 


tt)  day,  lueaiiwliilo  |)ra('tisin;jf  to  tlic  V)cst  of  tlieir 
uiR'iilijjflitouod  ability  tlic  political  jj^yratioiis  and  •genu- 
flections most  I'ft'cctivc  on  such  occasions,  party  dittcr- 
ciici's  wt'jo  adjusted  in  so  far  as  to  admit  of  tho 
fiamin}^  of  a  conunittoc,  which  j)roceeded  at  once  to 
iiKjuire  into  tho  qualitic-atioii  of  memlK'rs  »'lect.  Tho 
return  of  ACr  Laiiijcford  was  declan'd  void,  on  the 
oround  of  his  not  posx-ssinj^*  sufficient  property,  and 
.1.  W.  ^TcKay  wjis  » lected  in  his  plac»'. 

Hv  the  l;{th  (jf  Xovenihcr,  after  nnmherloss  vicissi- 
tudes,  the  house  declare(]  itself  ready  for  serious  husi- 
iiess;  and  therc^  was  nothini^  of  more  somhre  concern 
than  the  wavs  and  m.  ans  of  monev-raisin!jf:  so  that 
at  first  the  financial  capahilities  of  the  colony  and  the 
detail  of  tlie  ex}H'n<litui'es  oeeu|)ifd  attention.  On 
tho  18th  of  J)ecend»er  a  hill  jiassed  the  assend)ly  and 
was  carrietl  to  the  council,  i^rantini^  the  sum  (»f  one 
hundre<l  and  tliirty  pounds  for  tho  payment  of  tho 
sifvants  and  the  defrayini^  of  tin-  ordinary  ex]>enses 
el"  the  house.  '*  f  am  now  preparing'  a  hill  for  iiu- 
pusiu;^,-  a  custom  duty  on  im[»oits  as  a  means  of  nieet- 
i.iH'  the  ti'dinary  ixpenses  of  tlie  oovernmeiit,"  writes 
DoU'jlas  on  the  Dth  of  Januarv  1  S57 ;  "hut  the  suhiect 
must  he  ajiproaehed  with  caution  as  tlu'rc  is  a  very 
''lUeral  feelinu"  i''  hotli  council  and  assemhlv  a<>'ainst 
taxation  undc'"  any  form,  and  I  am  prej)ared  to  eu- 
inunter  much  clamour  and  opposition  in  i^irrying  so 
'.:ii]t()pular  a  measure  throui^h  the  house.*' 

.V  French  dancinjj^-master  in  a  l?arisian  s((l(ni  could 
not  ha^■e  heen  more  ])ainfully  ]»olite  th;ui  were  these 
hhisterinn'  Scotch  and  Ijij^lish  fur-hunti'rs  in  this 
Western  wilderness,  ijowevcr  far  short  of  its  im- 
perial ujodel  the  inci])ient  n-oNi-rnmcnt  mi^ht  fall  in 
points  of  learniujn"  and  intelliu'eni-i-,  dignity  and  cour- 
tesy should  not  he  wantiiii^'.  Scarcely  a  messa<j;e  is 
tiansmittcMl  hetween  the  son-in-law  s[)eaker  and  the 
tlither-in-law  jj^overnor  unless  accompanied  hy  fulst)mo 
flattery. 

Tho  governor  se^lds"^^r  Sjieakt  r  and  CJentlomon 


320 


THE  ISLAND  UNDER  DOUGLAS. 


;  m  v^-. 


«l 


of  the  House  of  Assembly"  a  dry  document  on  finance ; 
on  receipt  of  which  it  is  resolved  first  of  all,  "that  the 
thanks  of  this  house  be  presented  to  his  excellency 
the  governor  i'oi-  the  communication."  With  more 
insignificant  detail  the  governor  "highly appreciates  the 
complimentary  message,"  whereupon  the  legislators 
immediately  resolve  "that  the  speaker  bo  requested 
to  thank  his  excellency  the  governor  on  behalf  of  this 
house  for  the  information  so  courteou.sly  and  i)romptly 
afforded,"  which,  as  usual,  constituted  the  burden  of 
the  communication.  But  the  climax  of  public 
affection  is  reached  when,  on  tlu  10th  of  December 
18o(),  on  the  receipt  from  the  fatliei'-in-law  of  an 
abstract  of  the  income  and  expenditure  of  the  colony, 
the  son-in-law  "on  the  part  of  tlu;  house  of  assembly 
begs  respectfully  to  acknowledge  the  i-eeeipt  this  day 
of  a  gracious  coinnnuiication  and  an  abstract  of  the 
income  and  exitenditure  for  the  yeai"  185G  from  his 
excellency  the  g«)vernor,  and  to  inform  his  excellen<y 
that  the  house  of  assembly  unanimously  resolved  that 
the  thanks  of  this  house  be  presented  to  his  excellency 
the  governor  for  the  same."  Surely  this  man's  merri- 
ment was  only  exceeded  by  his  family  affection.  Xor 
is  it  at  all  difficult  to  perceive  in  this  connection  who 
was  the  government.^' 

They  were,  tbrsooth,  a  happy  family,  these  fui- 
hunting  legislators.  The  Douglas  was  all  in  all. 
lord  [>aramount,  d(miinator,  imperial  viceroy,  and  fur- 
traders'  factor-in-chief  Work,  Finlayson,  and  Tod, 
chief  factor,  chief  trad«M',  and  ancient  pensioner, 
respect ively,  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  com- 
prised both  secret  council  and  hous«>  of  lords.  The 
seven  wi.>!0  men,  represi-nting  the  seven  districis 
of  the  Island  as  a  house  of  assembly,  were  in  their 
several  vocations  almost  wholly  of  the  monopoly. 
Jlelnicken  was  staff  doctor  of  the  company;    IVni- 


^^llHurn  to  an  addrrf^*  of  the  Iloiioral/l''  the  J/inme  of  Common*,  ilatoil  'J.')tli 
no  \sri7,  for  Cnpim  ()/'  hrtrnrlM  of  any  /trujmtrhe^  iIkU  havt  Iteen  receitri/  lnj 


li 
Juno  ISIV,  for  Coph.t  if  krtrurt*  of  any  lhnJH^Irh<'^  Ifml  hait  lieen  rccchri/  li>j 
her  MiijrHty'ii  Seen  tar;/  <f  Slitlc  for  thf  roliniif,  on  the  sutijrrl  of  thr  rntiiltli'<li- 
mrni  of  <>  /{rjirftiftifatitf  AimfVifily  nl  Vancouver'M  Itilund, 


END  OF  SECOND  TERM. 


327 


hi-rton,  surveyor  and  ardtiit  attache;  McKay,  clt^rk  of 
tlio  company;  !Muir,  t'ornur  .servant  of  the  company, 
jiiid  fatlier  of  tlie  sherifl';  Skinner,  aj^ent  of  the  l'u«jfet 
Sound  Agricultural  Company;  Kennedy,  a  retired 
ollicer  of  the  conij)any  appointed  l>y  the  «:;overnor  and 
council  to  represent  the  district  of  Nanainio;  Yates, 
l>y  the  grace  of  the  comjtany,  merchant.  1).  Cameron, 
l»roth«"r:in-law  of  the  <^overnor,  was  chief-justice,  antl 
A.  C.  Anderson,  retired  chief  trader,  was  collector  of 
customs. 

After  the  performance  of  their  important  duties, 
wliicli  a[>[)ear  }»rincipally  to  have  hoen  provision  for 
the  jiayment  t)f  their  own  expenses,  the  lirst  house  of 
assembly  lapsid  into  oblivion." 

Thus  the  <;overiunei.t  of  Vanc()UV(>r  Island  con- 
tinued until  1851),  at  which  tiuK;  terminated  tin;  sec- 
ond five  y(!ars  of  Hudson's  ]iay  Company  colonial 
domination.  J)uring  his  term  of  «»(Hce,  four  distinct 
and  often  antauconistic  interests  looked  to  J)ou!^las  as 
their  head;  namely,  the  Itudsons  J^ay  (  'ompany's  fur- 
trade,  the  colony  of  VaucouNor  Islaml,  the  Puget 
Sound  A<;ricultural  Com{)any,  and  the  Xanaimo  Coal 


Con 


[.any 


It  was  impossible  for  him  to  do  justice  t<>  each  <»f 
these  several  trusts.  Xo  man  eai  serve  two  masters. 
No  honoral»le  man  will  permit  himself  to  serve  as  a 
nianat;er  of  a  corporation,  or  of  a  eemnioiiwealtli, 
where  his  fullest  capabilities  are  imt  permitted  free 
play  m  the  jn-rformaiu'e  «»f  Ins  duty  to  shareholder  or 
eitizen.  ])urim;  this  cntir  •  term  it  v,as  obviouslv  im- 
jiossible'for  ])oUj;las  to  throw  his  entire  stren<i^th  and 
influence  upon  the  side  of  every  one  of  his  several 
e|>pu<i^nai\t  trusts,  and  he  should  have  lonj;  sini'e  le- 
si^ned,  or  rather  he  should  ne\ei*  have  accepted  moi-e 
than  one  of  them  at  once.      ]iut  he  loved  the  p«twer, 

"'Tliis  t(Mik  jiliicc  in  •lu'.y,  twd  yrarH  a^'o,' wiyK  Alfml  W.iiMinj^ton, 
writing'  iii  IKAH,  'iuul  tiolxxly  i-aii  till  iin',  nor  ili>  1  Im'Iuvi'  il  is  kimwii,  wlu'U 
till!  axNciiilily  iH  to  1)0  n'iii'w»'il,  \iiilc.ss  it  Im  at  ilit!  will  <il'  llif  t^nvii'imr.'  Tliia 
•i'*'*Lml)ly  ilicd  a  luitunii  ilciith  in   is.V.t.  (  miytr'n  Mm:  Malttis,  MS.,  VI. 


'fr      ^M 


3i.»8 


THE  ISLAND  UNDER  DOUGLAS. 


and  lio  loved  the  oiiioluinonts.  For  a  veiy  j];Tcat  man 
i)r  a  vory  aiid)iti(>us  man,  the  whole  of  this  north- 
W(>st  wilderness,  and  all  tiiat  it  contained,  was  at  hi'st 
a  small  s()V(>rei*^nty,  whieh,  to  cut  into  ])arts,  sonio 
o^  them  wellnigh  h<jllow,  were  an  exceedingly  petty 
business. 

But  the  time  had  now  come  when  he  must  rdin- 
(juish  his  hold  on  .some  of  his  several  trusts.  He  must 
erase  either  to  hi'  I'aetor  or  govern* »r.'''  Thus  the  ease- 
was  i»ut  hcforo  him  hy  liis  com|);niy.  Jt  was  not  dit- 
ficult  to  dctormiiic  which  ])ow(r  was  in  the  ascendant. 
Thci'cfoi'c  Douglas  chose  to  aliandnn  tratlic,  and  hold 
to  rulcrsliiji.  The  icsult  was,  that  in  this  year  of 
IS.V.)  the  management  of  the  several  associations  was 
given  up,  an<l  the  go\-ei-nors]iip  retain«(l,  Douglas 
ahandoned  i'oi-ever  all  interest  in  the  lludson's  i>ay 
Company,  and  AXdrk,  Tolmie,  and  MeTavish  hecaiiie 
the  lU'W  hoard  of  management.  With  the  ivtinMiieiit 
of  McJjoughlin  and  Douglas  the  glory  of  the  corpor:.- 
tion  departed  from  the  J'acitie."' 


'  i^i 


'■"'I'lit'  fiir-(r:i(lf  was  tlir  coniimiiy'H  i-oinmcrcial  o]>('rntioiis  ]irn]>('r;  tlio 
I'ugit  Siiuiiil  ( '(iiii|iaiiy  «.iH  ili.->liii(t  alio^illur,  alilmu,  li  .■iiiiiM'  lit  till'  niiil^nii's 
li.i\  ( '(iiiijiaiiyN  I'liiccis  liildiiLJtil  ti>  (lii-t  fiuiiiiaiiy  likiw  isc.  Tlu"  coal  ruiiiiiaiiy 
was  I'arrinl  uii  liy  hliarrlmlilcrs  cii'  tin-  cuinp  my,  in  wliicli  tin'  ollicers  Iutc  lial 
imtliiii);  ti>  ilo.  'I'lusi'  liiur  intrioht.s  wri'f  umUr  tlu'  Mi|nTiiili'n(li'iii'o  of  Mr 
I'l'iiLilas  uiuil  is.V.t,  vlii'ii  111' liail  tii«(\<r  his  I'liimi'i'ticui  \v  itli  tlio  niii!>iiii's 
hay  ('iim|iaii\  altot;ctlui'.  lie  liail  lii-i  c-lmiii'  ti>  ri'inaiii  \\illi  tlio  Odiiniaiiy  cr 
I'l-idiin'  jj;ii\  irimr  ol  tin    inhmy.'   /•' /(Aiyn/i','*   I',  /.  nm/  \.    IT.  ('.,  MS.,  .">."). 

'"  My  aiillmrilii's  for  tliis  tliaptrr  arc:  /imrjli.^'  I'liniU  /'a;x/-.y,  .MS.. 'J.  I 
Her.  ;U  ViO;  r,^,ji,r'.i  M'lr.  Mn/lnx.  MS.,  ]•_',  I."!;' / V;(/.fv>.,//\  Hist.  \'.  /.,  .Ms., 
■•>>  7.  •">'•;  J'l'il  ■<  \i  ir  <  '■itii/iiiiiii,  MS.  il'j.  ]jot  it  1h!  oln'riii'il  tliat  on  rry  iiniii- 
licr  of  tlie  lirst  I'lmiicil  Iuti'  gives  in  lii.s  I'viJi  ui'c,  .ill  lii'iiiu'  in  iiianiiscrijit,  1 
iiiuy  fiirtiu'r  iiit'ii'iuii  i\\v.  Siiii  Jtrninri/ino  (t'lKirilinii,  .Ian.  1 1,  iSikS;  Jlrit.  ChId- 
iiiJ,  .\]iril  t,  1S77;  Viiinri  i  Si  nn/iin/.  An;.;.  S,  I'i77;  }i  i"/iliiiiiliiii  .1  Fnixir 
.1//;('.<,  ;{.">;  AV.'w,  in  //iiiixr  i  \,iiiiiiitiiH  /'i]>l.,  II.  It.  Co.,  1  S,"i7,  .'{.■(■l ;  ( 'hhjh  1;  in  /'/., 
I'.Ki;  I'iiiliii/'.s  hiriii.,  i.,  ;>;iil,  1K(;  CiirinniUW  Akc  AY  Doni'/n,  ',V,\;  tuul  M-- 
Jhmolil,  ill  liril.  Col.  Sblr/n.H,  MS.,  :t(». 


jrcat  man 
lis  north- 
as  at  best 
irts,  some 
idv  pcttv 

«~     w         A.  V 

lUSt    IH'lill- 

He  must 
IS  the  <'USL' 
as  not  <lit'- 
asrrndalit. 
,  and  hold 
lis  vi'ar  o^ 
iations  Avas 
1  )ou;j,las 
Ison's   \\\\\ 
isli   hft-atiu' 

l\'lir»MUrlit 

he  eol'por;.- 


ons  iiroper;  tin' 
uf  till'  lluil-im's 
n>  iiiul  civiniiaiiy 
illiccl's  lu'iv  li:i'l 
lU'iicU'lu'O  (if  Ml" 
ih  till'  Hii.l-.iu's 
tliii  i'(iiini;iiivor 

c,  MS..  :..■>. 

/',t,h/w,  MS..  'J.l 

/ ./.  r.  /.,  MS., 

Itl^it  t'viry  iiicin- 

iiwimis<'iiiit.     I 

ISlJS;  lirit.  Colo- 

(hii'iliiii'-t  /•';•"«)• 

;  r...ij";',  ill  I'f-, 

„,  :j;i;  iiii'l  .'/'- 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  JUDICIARY. 

1853-ia59. 

The  Questions  of  Vancouver  Island  Government  and  Justice  in  Home 
I*  ^iiiCAL  CracLEs — There  is  no  Money  in  it — .^Vnd  Therefore  They 
lAY  Safely  re  Left  to  Themselves — Blanshard,  the  Fik.st  (Jov- 
ERNOR,  Likewise  the  First  Jcuoe— Di)cul.\s  as  a  Man-tamer  and 
Measurer  of  Retribution — The  'Thetis'  and  the  'Tuincomalee' 
Expeditions — Bloodless  Victory  over  the  Cowiohins — Tuk  1>ri(;ht- 
E.ST  Virtue  of  James  Doui;l.vs— David  Cameko.v  ^Iade  CiiiKK-JtsTicE— 
Ilia  Antecedents,  Dcties,  and  End — His  Suiokssors,  Nkkdham  and 
Beubie  -Revenue— Land  and  Liquor — The  Miuhty  Power  ok  Rum. 

Naturally  among  the  iirst  questions  arising*  in  the 
iiiiiuls  of  office-holders,  hut  more  especially  of  office- 
st.ckcrs,  when  it  became  certain  that  the  grant  of 
^  iVH'  Aivcr  Island  to  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company 
would  be  consummated,  were,  How  is  the  new  colony 
to  he  governed?  How  is  justice  to  be  ailministered 
there?  We  have  seen  the  Iirst  rjuestion  answered  in 
the  persons  of  Mr  Blanshard  and  Mr  Douglas.  The 
otlier  required  more  delay  and  further  legi.slation;  for, 
as  matters  now  stood,  the  law  recpiired  oU'enders  on 
the  British  Pacific  coast  to  be  sent  to  Canada  for 
trial.  This  would  no  longer  do,  now  that  Vancouver 
Island  was  a  colony.  Therefore,  when  in  the  lioiise 
(if  commons  on  the  27th  of  Man-h  I84'J,  Mr  (i lad- 
stone  asked  the  under-sei-retarv  for  t\\o  colonies  if 
ii  was  the  intention  of  the  govei-nnu'nt  to  inti'oduee 
during  that  session  any  bill  i'or  altering  an}'  existing 
statute  touching  Vancouver  Island,  the  answer  was. 
None,  except  to  establish  there  courts  of  judicatuiv. 
The  bill  was  accordingly  introduced  on  the  'Jjth  of 


f^ 


■■  f  ! 


m 


I'j  -» 


l.>il! 


i  m 


iH  1 


Mh    ;b'l 


)   I 

I      ! 

i  I 


i! 


330 


THE  JUIUCIAUY. 


June.     It  was  supported  by  Earl  Grey,  and  bocanio 
a  law. 

In  sujiportinjx  in  the  house  of  lords  the  bill  lor 
the  athninistration  of  justice  on  Vancouver  Island, 
Karl  (jrrey  remarked  that  it  Mas  the  object  of  the  im- 
perial jjjoveiinnent  to  reserve  judicial  power  to  tlic 
local  h'jLjislature  of  the  Island,  with  right  of  ai)peal 
from  the  eourts  so  constituted  to  the  privy  council. 
N»»  poHticid  power  was  given  by  the  grant  to  the 
l[udson's  Hay  Conij>any.  The  gt)vernor  niiglit  l)o 
selected  by  the  company,  but  their  choice  nmst  be 
approved  by  the  ci(»\vn.  It  was  not  }»roposed  to  enter 
immediately  upon  K'gislation  and  taxation,  but  tlir 
•  •overnor  miubt  summon  a  le<fislative  council  wlieii- 
ever  ther»>  were  sulKcient  colonists  to  make  it  advisa- 
ble. As  an  excuse  for  the  grant  in  the  first  inrstanee, 
he  said  that  it  was  necessarv  tliat  tlie  rit^hts  of  tlie 
<'rt>wn  should  be  tletined  at  once,  that  ivgular  authoiity 
should  bo  planteil  there  to  i>revent  irngular  t>ccupa 
tioti,  ami,  if  the  govi'innu'nt  were  io  do  all  this,  it 
would  prove  expensive.  The  result  was  that  <juit(>  a 
little  econ()nru'al  delay  happened  l»efore  Knglish  gold 
was  spilt  for  N'ancouvi-r  Islaiul  government  or  justice.' 

Ju^tice  under  Knglish  law  was  first  administered 
on  Vancouvir  Island  bv  ]iichard  J^lanshard,  the  first 
governor.  As  there  were  no  colonial  funds,  no  im-aiis 
of  i)aying  a  recorder  or  other  administratt)r  of  justice, 
the  i'overnor  was  oblij-cd  to  act  in  that  «'a])acitv." 
And  so  under  Douglas,  mitil  legislators  couKl  be  cou- 
veneil,  MJio  .sliouM  provide  the  nu'ans  of  paynu'iit  fnr 
judges,  and  sheritfs,  an*!   the  usual   parajtlu-rnalia     t' 

^  Jlitii-'tiril'H  Piirlinmi  iit^in/  / hhiiti.i,  3il  sor.  t;iii.  1371;  fvi.  l(M'ni-82. 

'■'  '  So  tliat  Jim  wii-f  uiivcniiir  iiml  jtiHticc  t '  iwkc'<l  U»hO>iu'V.  :  '  liinl  ynu  fHii- 
st;il>lL'«?'  *  Vcs,'  riplicil  Itliii.oliiti'il,  '  wlu'iilwiiiiti'iliiodiistaldo  1  swKi-i'  our.' 
JtmiM'  Coiiiiiioiii  Ji'i]'/.,  II.  J{.  i'li.,  1S.">7,  '-.10.  'Tlicy  liiiil  no  courtH  ter  tii.il 
Mi'st  of  tlu!  iiioviittaiiiH.  (iovt'i-iior  Itlaiisliai'il  m'iih  tlii!  lirxt  to  institute  c'oui't.s 
lii'i't'.  Ho  liiniMflf  iisi'il  to  aiijinlicatu  in  cani-M.  In  oufcaMU  li>>i-aniu  into  oi'l- 
lision  with  tlie  latu  Sir  .laiiicH  iKiu^las  in  a  matter  in  conneetion  witli  xliip- 

Iiiii^r,  anil  in  wliieli  tlm  pinver  of  Mr  Mon^las  Mas  eillnl  in  i|ueMtiou  liy  Mr 
llin^lianl.  Tlie  latter  Kfateil  tliat  Mr  OouuI.ih  in  the  earn!  linl  no  authority 
to  a<  t.  .Mr  |)iiii;{tas  wan  Miiiiiiiioiieil  liefnre  Mr  HlanHJianl,  Ami  this  va.s  tliu 
lirst  tiniu  that  Kngli.sh  law  was  fell  here.'  /■'Iiiliti/noii's  V.  /.,  MS.,  IIX). 


THE  VOLTIGEURS 


am 


\  becaiiK' 

B  bill  for 
5r  Island, 
jf  tlio  ini- 
t-r  to  tilt' 

,y  couiuil. 
lilt  to  tlic 
might  bo 
a  must  Ito 
[>(l  to  I'littr 
II,   but   tlir 
moil  ulu'ii- 
i  it  advisii- 
^t  instant  i', 
vbts  of  tin- 
irautlunity 
liar  ooc'U\'ii- 
all  this,  it 
hat  «iu>t»^  'I 
n;j;lish  ii'il'l 
or  iusti<»'.' 
ministtrrtl 
•«l,  the  tirst 
s,  no  nu'uiis 
!•  »)f  justii'i', 
t  cauacity." 

uhl  he  »">i- 
)aynu'nt  f«'V 
ihernalia     < 


um;.\-8'2. 

ll.lt!  1  «W.'tV   OIK'- 

oourtH  for  tml 
,  institute  C.MUtS 
lu'i'Jiiiio  into  I'l- 
(■i-tiim  with  ^lll^• 

iim-ntioii  Ity  ^''' 

Ji;i.l  no  lUlthi'lilV 

lAn.l  tliix  wiw  ^1'" 
IMS.,  100. 


law  courts,  justice  must  bo  administered  by  the  gov- 
ernor iu  council.  And  in  the  place  of  sheritis  and 
standing  armies,  a  mounted  police,  called  Toltifjntrs, 
was  organized  from  among  the  settlers  and  servants 
(if  the  company.^ 

I'p  to  1857  tlierc  was  but  one  constable  upon  the 
Island.  There  was  no  military  force,  if  we  except  the 
Villi ii/vurs,  so  that  settlers  scattered  about  the  country 
Wire  at  the  mercy  of  the  savagis.  Yet  outrages  were 
ixtrt'inely  rare,  thanks  to  the  uniformly  wise  and  hu- 
mane management  of  the  Hudson's  l^ay  Conii)any  in 
this  regard.  Still,  an  occasional  disphiy  of  sui>erior 
power  Wiis  not  without  wholesome  eiVect.  In  the  t>n]y 
two  instances  of  trouble  occurring  jirior  to  this  time, 
the  natives  had  been  induced  voluntarily  to  give  u;> 
othiiders  to  punishment  by  the  aj)pearance  of  men-of- 
war,  on  one  occa^sion  by  the  Thetis,  and  on  another  by 
thf  Trint'omalvc. 

In  JX'comber  1852,  one  of  the  company's  shepherds 
Piter  J^rown,  at  Christmas  ]lill,  was  killod  by  two 
natives,  one  of  whom  tied  to  Cowichin,  and  the  other 
to  Xanaimo.  The  settlers  were  greatly  alarmed, 
fiarl'ul  lest  the  terrible  Cowlchins  should  annihilate 
them,  which,  indeed,  they  might  ca.sily  do.  Kuper, 
ta|itain  of  the  war-vessel  Tlu'fix,  lying  at  Ks((uinialt, 
vohniti'ered  assistance,  ^\hich  Douglas  gratefully  ac- 
ci'ltted.  A  force  sufticient  for  the  puqutso  was  taken 
tVniii  the  Tliciis,  and  placed  on  board  the  com[>any's 
Vessel,  Jin'orcn/,  which  was  then,  the  4tli  January 
If^.").'.,  towed  by  the  steamer  round  into  llaro  Strait, 
Douglas  being  in  command. 

Anchoring  olf  the  Sjmnich  village,  .Douglas  went  on 
sliore  and  began  to  talk  to  the  heathen.  The  offend- 
ns  were  not  here,  but  the  governor  took  this  occasion 
t'l  iiii[)art  a  healthful  lesson.      He  told  those  pi-eseiit 

'Tlio  MottlcrH  were  much  annoyed  liy  rnttlo-tliii'vos,  'wliicli  waa  iu  fiU't  tim 
iiri^'iu  of  tliin  orKiuii/^itioii.  Cows  ^Mrt'  Mlmt  witliiu  I'iill  of  1  ui.'v.  'Oiio 
!  iiiiiif  lout  tliirty -six  lu'iul  of  iMttlr  in  tlirt'i'  NiNirs."  Ih  ails'  Si  ttUiiunt  W  /., 
M>.,  I,-.. 


33'2 


THK  .lUDIClAllY. 


U  ■  i 


!i:M 


11 


I 


of  Queen  Victoria.  anJ  tlu-  Britisli  parliament,  of  luw 
and  love,  <;un|Mt\V(ler  and  nerdition.  He  assured  tluiii 
if  white  men  injur«'<l  then:  tliev  should  have  reditsH. 
undif  tin  V  injui('<l  white  men  they  should  he  punished. 
Then,  with  his  hlue-Jaek<'tsand  marines,  he  proceeded 
to  Cowii-liin.  airivins:,'  thereon  tlu'  niornin«j;  of  the  (Illi, 
and  tlirowiii}^^  the  village  into  quite  a  flutter  of  e.\- 
eitemcnt. 

Tlie  usual  demand  was  then  nuuh",  that  tlu  mui- 
d'-rer  sh(»uld  he  delivei-ed  Up.  'I'l.  ehief  asked  time 
to  e<tnsidei-,  wliieii.  as  I  )onM|iis  <lesin'd  toaNoid  hlddd- 
shed,  was  granted,  A  meeting'  was  apjiointed  I'm' 
tinal  eoni'ei'eiiee  iie\t  day  on  sliore,  the  saNa^es  heiii'^ 
afiaid  to  tiu^t  themselves  among  thi'  rollitjtnrs  and 
others  on  hoard. 

.\t  the  apjiointed  time  the  fu-'-es  iV»»m  the  vessels 
I.Mided,  the  ( 'ttwichin  ehiet".  with  a  few  attendants, 
reeei\inL:'  tlieni:  on  a  kimll  a  tent  was  |»itehe»j.  ami 
the  white  men  wailed  the  attendaiie.'  of  the  ri -t. 
The  chief  ad\ised  tlu'  witluh'awaj  of  the  tiMop>  ,i 
littl(!  out  of  sii^ht,  lest  his  jM  iiple  shoultl  lie  at'iaid  In 
land.  This  was«lone.  and  yet  nearly  an  houi"  elaj)se(l 
hefo?'e  any  of  lliem  apjieared.  Then  twoeanoes  w.  iv 
set'ii  niakiii!.;'  their  way  (piietly  out  of  the  river  Al'hi 
them  soon  came  si\  others,  larger  ones,  all  in  ;i  line. 
I'adv!!in!4  slowly  alon*:;  the  shcire.  ehaiitini;'  their  war 
Sony,  <iinm<iiin^'  on  their  cannes,  and  whooping  liki 
deinuns,  they  pasx'd  l»y  the  cMuneil  ground  and  lamltd 
a  little  heyond  ;  then  rushinu' up  the  hill,  shoutinu  and 
(•lasliin;^  theii'  arms  as  il  t'»  shaki-  with  terroi-  any 
army  dai-ini.;'  to  opj>i»se  them,  they  .stood  ^l.irinjn'  fere- 
eiously  ;if.  t  he  inti  nder->. 

It  was  with  dillienlty  Diniylas  eould  restrain  his 
men  tVom  liriny;  «_;radually  the  savages  heeame  (|uieter, 
howe\«'r,  and  tin  n  tlie\  prudueed  tin  mardei"<r  aniieil 
and  ]»ainted  from  head  ttt  f«»ot.  A  i;r;tndiltM|nent  *\<- 
fenc«'  was  then  made  hy  ilu>  ])ris(»ner,  which  wonld 
have  done  honor  to  nnv  erinnnal  lawvi  r,  vhe  hurdi  ii 
«tf   which   was  that   he   was  whoUv   imioeent.      Alter 


rUXISHMKXT  OF  CKIMK. 


333 


iii,»if  }mrlc'yin,u,  he  was  finally  lianded  over  to  the 
wliitu  UU'M,  to  he  tried  at  N'ictoria. 


Moi'e  tatheilv  advice  was   now  in 


Ol'll 


or. 


ni- 


tniiiu'd  tlieni  tluit  the  wiinlc  couiitry  NvaN  a  possession 
dl'  tiie  Hrilisli  Clown,"  writi's  J)i>unl;is,  tliou^di  iiow 
III  (iiuld  reconcile  such  a  stati'meiit  witli  his  piiyer- 
li(iul<  |)rece|>t,  'I'liou  shalt  not  steal,  which  with  sii- h 
(li  triMiincil  jK  rsistence  lie  endejivoi't'd  always  to  in»- 
piiss  n|>on  thcii'  minds,  the  unsojihisticatcd  sa\ane 
(ulild  not  tell.  Nevertheless.  I'or  the  toliaeco  whicli 
wiis  to  follow,  they  jtroinised  loyally,  and  whiti'  a,nd 
ltd  cjich  Went  lii^  way. 

On  till'  l()th,tlie  expedition  aj»peared  hel'ore  \a- 
naimo  and  denuuided  a  conference,  whicli  was  proin- 
ixil  loi'  the  t'ollowiiiL''  day.  Meanwhile  |)(>ii^las 
(II It  red  tweiity-oiie  rolfi'i/rin's  mider  McKay  to  eon- 
ci  al  thenisiKes  dui'ini^'  the  ninht  in  a  canoe  near  the 
nil  of  the  Xanainio  hM\tr,  and  when  t!ie  natiNcs 
•lllMed  ahoUt  the  \cssel.  should  the  other   cl-iliiinal 


mill 


asst 


lint    lie   fortlieoinin'4,   to   search    the   vilhiLi'e    for    him, 


W  hlle  the 


•hief, 


wln» 


was   the   fatlii'.-  of  the  niurdi  I'er. 


wtiild  lie  sei/ed.  and  kept  on  hoard  as  Iio>iat:"e  for 
tilt  ir  Nafety.  MorninL;' came,  and  with  ii  the  >a\a'^es, 
liiiii'4iiiin'  to  the  llidn,"  pies  of  \alualile  peltries  in 
lit  11  of  the  murderer.  Hut  thev  were  informed  that 
ipi  amount  of  preperty  could  hiiv  the  man's  ac(|uiital. 
Tile  arnuMl  hnats  proceeded  to  the  xiHa^'e.  Tlieri- 
all  was  deserted.  .NhddlliL;"  tlielMx  lv(  s  as  coinfortalile 
as  |io,ssilile,  thonu'li  witiiout  destroyiiiu'  anytliinu',  'lie 
wllte  men  jiatiently  awaitid  cmiiIs,  and  wt  re  finally 
rewarded  hy  the  nuirdeier  lieiii-_;'  i;t!i\i'i'ed  into  thtir 
hands  without  hjood.died. 

Surely  iiothiiiijf  could  he  more  noMe  than  coinhict 
liuc  this  oil  the  jiarl  of  tiie  ii'overnt>r.  It  wntdil  lia\i' 
hi  fii  so  easy,  so  K-ss  tr\  iiit;'  to  jk-uuiio'  and  ili^nitv, 
t'  have  ni\('n  the  Word  to  fire,  and  so  to  haNc  mowed 
•  l"Wn  a  hundred  innocent  men  for  the  crime  .)f  the 
eiiennilty.  ■' (  Ml  one  or  t  wi>  occa-ions."  writer  I  )ou<^r. 
las  to  Tod,  imme(liatt  }y  at'tt  r  tin    capture  "f  the  first 


334 


THE  JUDICIARY. 


!  !•: 


criminal,  "the  affair  had  nearly  taken  a  serious  turn, 
a  misfortune  wliioh  could  hardly  have  been  avoidud 
had  it  not  been  for  the  i)erfect  arrangenients  of  Lieu- 
tenant Sansum,  and  the  admirable  temper  and  for- 
bearance exhibited  by  the  force  in  cireumstauccs 
infinitely  more  tryinjuf  to  bravo  men  than  actual  con- 
Hict .  .  .  Tlic  surrender  of  a  criminal  without  bloodslitd, 
at  tlie  re([ui.sition  of  the  civil  power,  by  the  nioht 
warHke  trilie  on  Vancouver  Islantl,  is  an  epocji  in 
the  history  of  our  Indian  relations  whicli  uuj^urs  for 
the  future  peace  and  j)rosperity  of  the  colon3\  Tell  the 
settlers  to  be  prudent  and  vij^ilant;  but  at  the  same 
time  entreat  them  to  dismiss  those  idle  terrors  ni 
("owichin  invasion  wliich  have  so  often  distressed 
tJieir  minds."  Arrived  at  Victoria,  the  Indians  under- 
went a  form  of  trial,  and  were  executed.* 

Not  loni;'  afterward  a  white  man  was  shot,  but  not 
moi'tally,  at  Cowieliin,  and  soon  the  <jfovornor  was 
there  anain  with  tlie  TriiwoiiKthr  towed  by  the  Olt(  r. 
Vet  mon;  peremptory  conduct  on  botli  sitles  marked 
tliis  occasion.  The  natives  refused  to  give  up  the 
cul[)rit,  and  desired  to  fiLj'ht.  TlioULfh  consi(h'rate  and 
humane,  theii;  was  none  braver  or  more  determined 
than  Doui^las.  lU^  would  not  liarm  the  poor  saNaj^es 
if  lie  could  jiossibly  avoid  it;  but  he  would  have  the 
ofi'eiider  and  satisfy  justice  if  he  swept  the  Island  int" 
the  Sea. 

The  governor  landed  his  I'orces,  and  each  side  dr*  \v 
up  in  battle-ai'ray ;  the  red  with  tremendous  and  fearful 
!n)isi',  the  white  with  mountain-howitzer  and  nuiskel. 
Douglas  beckoned  the  chief  forward,  and  a  parley 
ensued,  but  without  favoi'able  result.  The  white  men 
then  eneampi'd  whei'e  they  were.  Next  morning  the 
governor  stood  before  the  Cowichin  village,  still  in 
the  interests  of  })eaee  and  humanity.  Behind  him  were 
the  muskets  and  howitzer  ready  pointed  awaiting  his 
signal    to  fire.     Instead  of  the   chief,  the    nuu'dcrer 


*  DowiUui'  Private  Paptm,  2d  Hcr.,  MS.,  31-4;  Dmim   Seltteintut    I'    i 
MS.,  14. 


BLANSHARD  ANb  UOUiJLAS. 


333 


liiiiist'lf,  armed  and  painted,  came  out,  hesitated  a 
moment,  tlien  quickly  raised  his  <(un  and  pulled  the 
tiionrer.  It  misseil  tire,  else  the  jL^overnor  had  ja'ohably 
liceu  slain.  And  yet  he  did  not  ^j^ive  tlu"  sii^iial  to 
lire.  Coolly  and  calmly  he  stood  his  i^fround,  while 
till'  savaj^cs  seized  and  bound  the  oftender,  aiul  handed 
liim  to  the  rrovernor  for  justice.  The  trial  took  j>lac«> 
immediatelv,  and  the  Indian  was  hansjed  there  before 
,ill  his  people.'"' 

Such  was  the  administrati(»n  of  justice  duiin.!.^  the 
first  years  of  the  Douglas  rule.  But  the  jroveiiior  did 
111  it  relish  it.  In  his  less  diLjnified  days  he  had  fought 
Indians  and  hunted  cruninals  to  his  heart's  content. 
And  now  to  contiimc  in  hnnself  the  offices  of  sherilf, 
judi^t',  and  executive,  too'etlu'r  with  a  do/en  otiiers, 
was  more  than  he  cared  for.  Miuht  he  not  mak«'  a 
juili^e  even  before  legislators  were  convened,  and  alter- 
ward  u;i't  ufovernment  to  sanction  the  proceeding,  and 
tli(!  c(»l<»ny  t<.»  [)a^  the  cost^ 

There  was,  aliout  the  time  of  this  last  occuinnce, 
lit  ( 'ou'icliiu  on.vl)av)(l  ( 'ameron,  Hudson's  Hav  Com- 
paiiy  clerk,  and  sui)ermtendent  of  the  coalnunt'S  at 
N'aiiaimo  Hi'  was'i  Itiother  m-law  of  the  yfovernnr  — 
it  IS  wouih'rful  hew  [)rt»liHc  was  the  I'amily  when  ttlHcis 


Wt 


•w  vacant,   but 


we 


must   also   bear   in    mind  how 


scaiitv  was  suitable  jrovcrnmu"  material  at  this  time. 
Ibie  was  an  opi)ortunity  fot  a  little  stroke  of  busi- 
1USS.  And  it  was  all  business,  civili/mg,  christian- 
i/.in^',  c(»lonI/ing,  and  go\i'rnino  What  sliall  I  '^ain 
liy  it.'  was  the  question  and  that  not  in  lu'aAcn  or 
lii'ieal'ter,  but  lu  re  *.ind  now 

(  ameron  nad  been  brought  up  a  draixn*;  he  once  had 
iliarge  of  somebody's  estate  m  tlie  West  Indies,  and 
111'  now  received  from  the  .'ompany  (.lie  liuiKh'ed  and 
til'ty  pounds  a  year  for  his  ■;(  rvices.     Thougli  he  Uiiew 


fettUmt  lit    •     I 


'  'Court  WtniM  Hnmotiincn  bo  liold  a*  wliuh  ImliaiiH  wiro  tiiinl.  Kl.';;i;iiig 
■♦siiiiu'tinicM  iiilli('t('ilu|)iiiiiliv.  iiativrM.  wli' Ji  tliry  iliciiifd  viry  tliMjjnii'cl'nl, 
■  'Ir.itli-i^njualty  WiM  iiillictcd  on  liiiliiiiis.    Mr/Joiiulii,  iii  /Int.  <'ol,  Skili/ns, 


TllK  .lUDlClAUV, 


•iU 


T   ■ 


in)t]iln«;'  of  law.  never  havlnj^  Irh'U  i'alUd  to  the  l»;ir, 
yet  lie  iiiinlit  make  a  most  ex<-elleiit  judm',  IteiuM 
Iji-otliif-'m-Iaw  to  tlie  kiiii;*.  In  civil  eas«'s,  at  le;i>t. 
^vhel•e  Immaii  life  was  not  at  stake,  he  mijjjlit  seiv-. 
Well  eiiouj;li;  the  eom|»aiiy  lu-iiij^-  iilways  one  of  tin 
pailies  ill  such  suits,  all  he  had  to  (h)  was  to  (lecid* 
in  laNor  ol"  the  <-om|iaMy.  'I'he  matter  of  salaiy  was 
woitliN'  ol'  «'oiisideratioii;  hut  with  his  i»av  as  clerk  he 
minht  li\  e  :  it  woidd  eost  nothiniif  exti-a  to  a<'t  asjudije; 
there  was  jioiior  in  it.  the  tiist  ehief-justiee  ot'  tli- 
(•(»l(»ny,  and  all  that;  he.^ides,  it  w<tuld  not  do  to  lit  so 
important  an  ofliec  ^u  out  of  tiie  family  or  out  of"  thr 
coni|iany.  Su|i|>ose  sonu' hir'  wi^;'  ha\inL;'  a  knowled'^e 
(d'  law  and  a  mind  of  his  o\  n  should  eonu-  out  tVoiii 
England  aiinrd  with  the  authority  of  delcrminiii'^ 
hire,  theie,  e\ciy  where,  what  miinht  and  what  mii;!  t 
not  he  done,  one  wiio  miLjht  even  jinsunie  to  instruct, 
the  governor  in  his  duties,  and  |>re>crilM'  limils  to  tlic 
]»ower  of  the  moiutpoly.  Il  Would  lie  I'earful;  elitail- 
in^'.  hi'Sidcs.  heavy  expenses  upon  the  colony  I'ol'  the 
luxurv  of  a  cuise. 


N 


s 


nice 


iilaiishard's  da\',   matters  were  not 


hun^Ieil.  Appoint  ('aiiieron;  m  i  t;-o\criimeiit  torati'V 
the  appointment;  then  let  him  serve  without  pay  I'T 
tlu'   present,   trustin!^'  that  ail   will   coine  out  jirolita- 


hlv  in   the  end.      .\nd  so   it  was  done 


Tl 


le  SUplt  \\\r 


court  of  ci\  il  judical  me  of  N'aiicouxer  Island  wa- 
cr»ated,  and  the  <lrapei-  hecaiile  chief  justict-  of  tin 
coloiiv." 

L'ules    to  he  ohselNcd    in    (he  siqu'clUe  coUlt    fif  tin 


adniunstration  ol    justice  in  ci\  il  cases  were  su 


ihmitti 


i>    K 


\v 


IS  tiiiTc  any  ili.Hsati.-.fai'ti<>ii  cnju'cs  ( 


.lat  tliu  tiiiu'of  I 


lis  a|H>iiiiitnii'ii;  ? 
'  ."sLroiiu  ri'.ii"ii- 


ii.skc(l  Mr  rliristy  lit  Mr< 'imi|ii  r  luioii' tiio  m  Ifit  (■iniiiiiiUrf. 

htiaiii'iM  Wire  iiiailt!  !>>  |»titinn  t«i  tlienuvfrimr,  aii<l  li.v  pet  i  lion  tn  tin'  Ih'w-    it 

('OilllllllllS,      w 


IS   till!   rcplv        llnllil'  (  ■ 


-I  I :•),!,  II.  n.  Co.,  is.-.T,  •_';)•.•.     -v. 


Hi'lUi'i-.s  at  U.il  ItiviT  III  isr.l  |i('titiiiii  till!  n-iiiiival  ol  tiin  ri'i-nnl.T,  Ailaiii'l'liorn, 
bcoitisi.  Ill  lii-i  laviTin^  tint  fur  riiiii|iaiiy  in  liis  ili'i'isinns.  I'nlilinU,  in  //..  ;!ili. 
Mrt'iiniH'i  ju'fiiri'  till' si'ici't  I'oniiiiilti'f  rriiiarki'<l  of  Mr  Staines:  'llnwaqi  r- 
oiiiiil  most  vilily,  f  lulirvr,  nivsill',  tliioui_'li  the  iiistiiiiiiiiitality  of  tlii^  Mi' 


<  'aiiiri'on.  tor  liu  wan  a 


iiiii'iit  inity  t  lire 


lu-,  i; 


.M 


I-  Stai;u'S.  ^\a^   in 


iloiilil  olinoMouM  to  till' aiitlioritu's,  an. I  lio  wa.s  porsecuti-'il  on  that  ari'oiiiit. 


li 


c«„iiiioiis  I'rjif.,  II.  li.r,,.,  i,s:.7,  nci, 


DAVID  CAMKUOX. 


Xil 


l,H»-,  1  •••»'<;-; 
i,  Jit  lta>t, 
iolit  scrvv 
tut'  of  tin 
i  to  <l«'<'i<l» 
sularv  Nva- 
as  cli'i'U  li«' 
I't  asju(l.i' 
tier    of   til 
(1(»  to  ht  >" 
!•  out  ol"  tli»' 
1  ku(i\vlt'tl-v 
lo   out   fi"in 
,1,'tcnniiiiii;^ 
wliat  iui;j,lit 
r  It.  liistriK't 
liniioS  to  tlu' 
nful;  riilail- 
»loii\   for  th'" 

woro  uot  sn 

iriit  to  ratify 

|liout  i>;»y  for 

out   in-o'.it:!- 

riio  sujii'  '•'■'■ 

Island   \\a> 

StlfO     i'\'     tin 

[•ourt  foi-  til'- 
IT  sulduiUfil 

his  iqnioiiitim'iit  ' 

I.      •  Mroiiji  ri'-ii""'. 

|iioliti>l'.i''li<'"-„"'" 
1,  --    •>  >■>       •  1   ,1' 

inl.r,  A.l.imTli"r., 
1,/,/,/v//,  in  /'..:•'"■ 
li,u->*:  'llcwa-l'  ;■ 
IntalitV  ol  till-  Mi- 
ll !■  St:iiiu'«,  «•■'■'  "", 
I  oil  tlial  iica.uut. 


|M 


liv  Cliiof-justirc  Caiiicroii  to  tlu;  ooycnjor  and  coun- 
cil, and  w«'iv  aj>|>rovt'd  tlu'  ITtliof  Fclnuarv  iHf)?.  A 
(•u|>y  of  tlicHo  rules  was  transmitted  to  A[r  Labou- 
rjiere  for  final  a[i[>roval,  an<l  proclaination  made  of  the 
same  on  Vancouver  Island.' 

Cameron  reci'ived  his  nomination  from  J)ouj^la.s  in 
IS.);!.'*  and  his  a[>|iointment  was  eonlii-med  hytho  colo- 
nial olliee  ahout  the  end  of  the  year,  at  which  timo  lie 
was  still  at  Xanaimo,  Karly  in  1S.")4  he  toctk  up  his 
residence  at  Victoria,  where  he  remained  lo  the  day 
of  his  death.''  ( 'ameron  was  suj)erseded  hy  Necdliam 
ill  ISj8,  he  hy  licij^hic!  in  l«Jl>. 

Hut ay^oviriuneiit  caiuiot  ht;  carried  on  I'orever  with- 
out moiuy.  It  iiad  lu-en  stij>ulat«'d  that  the  j>roceeds 
iVoiii  tli(^  sah' of  |)ul>lic  lands  mii^Iit  Ik;  devoti'd  toc«)lo- 
iiial  develo|tment,  lit-fore  leavinj^  the  Island,  (Jov- 
enior  Jilanshard  had  luen  informed  hy  the  J  I  udson's 
Hay  Comjiany  that  no  salaries  would  he  jiaid  puhlic 
otiicersoutof  the  proceeds  of  land  sales.  Such  salaries 
must  Im!  raised  either  hv  taxes  or  duties.  "  This  is,  in 
fart."  ri'inarked  the  irovi^rnor,  repudiating:  tin;  clause 
ill  their  Ljrant  which  hiiuls  them   to  jtros  ide,  at  their 


()\V 


n  ex|»enst>,  all  nt'ce.ssary  civil  and  military  «stal)lisli 
iiients;  their  own  arran!.jements  tend  to  prevent  a  tax- 
payiii^'  population  settlini^  here;  and  that  the  harhors 
shall  he  <»|>en  to  all  nation  for  the  pui'|)os»'s  of  trade  is 
liiniiiiiiently  put  forward  in  the  prospectus  they  have 


"11 


itiitlished, 

After  the  departure  of  |{lanshak<l,  liowever;   after 
■\(ry  element  and  per.sou   ohn(»\ious   to   fur-tradiii;j; 


traditions 


had  I 


teen   remove* 


I.  wh 


lell  all  revenue*  leVhM 


d 


and  collected  should  fall  into  the  pockits  or  honorahh^ 
clerks,  traders,  and  l'aetor« — there  was  no  longer  < lues- 

''  llniixf  nf  Vommonn  Itrturii*  to  nn  .{ihlrrK-i,  ilatrcl  .Fmic  •_'.'),  I.S.'»7,  IH. 

*- TIiIh  iK'uoriling  to  (.'iMipcr.      Kiiilaysmi  <l.it<-i  Im  ,'i|)|)i>iiitiiii'iit  'ul'tiT  tlic 
'I'l'iiture  of  Bliinshiir.l.'H.i.v  in  IS.VZ    //«<.    I'.  /  ,  MS.,  lOf). 

'Me  iliecl  at  Boliiioiit,  V.  I.,  tlio  14th  <>f  May  IHT'J.   (tlijiiijiui  Trmi-irrijit, 
'-'.".th  May  l«7i». 

'" '  Mr  Nouilham  wum  then  kiuKhtvd  ami  a|i]M)iiitc(l  to  a  Hiinilar  poMition  in 
till  island  i>f  Trinitlail,  West  Inilies."  Finlai/MouH  V.  I.,  MS.,  101. 

^^  liluimhitrd'ti  PfiijxUe/ieM,  11. 
lliKT.  ](HiT.  Col.    22 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


{^/ 


>"  ^. 


<? 


:/ 


7a 


Q.< 


% 


1.0 


I.I 


:!'  lit 


I 


40 


2.0 


1.8 


1.25      1.4 

1.6 

.« 6"     — 

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporatioii 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  873-4503 


A 


^ 


&? 


£>< 


& 
^ 


\ 


;\ 


^> 


THE  JUDICIARY. 

tion  as  to  the  right  disposition  to  be  made  of  the  pro- 
ceeds of  land  sales." 

Some  revenue  might  be  secured  from  sales  of  land 
if  settlers  would  come  forward  and  pay  their  pound 
per  acre;  but  if  the  lands  did  not  sell,  the  privilege 
was  of  little  avail.  Was  there  no  other  agency 
whereby  patriots  might  secure  profit  as  well  as  honor 
for  their  services  ?  Yes :  there  was  rum.  As  a  civilizer, 
rum  had  been  always  king.  Whoever  heard  of  tlie 
accomplishment  of  great  things  in  the  new  world — of 
conquests,  conversions,  pacifications,  and  occupations — 
without  the  aid  of  alcohol?  White  men  and  red  men 
both  loved  it,  and  would  lay  down  their  life  for  it. 
Let  this  stimulant,  then,  do  what  every  other  stimu- 
lant failed  to  accomplish ;  let  whisi:ey  energize  where 
philantrophy,  enlightenment,  and  progress  could  not 
inspire.  Let  justice  be  supported  by  the  emoluments 
of  vice,  and  let  the  noble  institutions  of  Europe  be 
planted  in  America  with  empty  rum-barrels  for  their 
foundation.  So,  by  order  of  the  governor  in  council, 
liquor-dealers  in  Vancouver  Island  were  made  to  pay 
each  an  annual  license  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
pounds.  At  the  time  when  the  first  house  of  assembly 
met  there  were  four  of  these  licenses  on  the  Island, 
one  held  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  three 
by  retail  dealers. 

By  paying  this  annual  license,  keepers  of  public 
houses  might  freely  import  liquors  and  sell  without 
further  restriction.  There  were  no  duties  on  spirits 
or  groceries,  and  on  this  license  liquors  might  be  sold 
in  any  quantities  or  to  any  persons  except  Indians. 
No  license  was  required  to  sell  any  article  except 
spirits.  And  although  this  license  was  by  many 
deemed  exorbitant,  yet  if  there  had  been  no  more  un- 
wise provisions  in  colonial  regulations,  as  colonization 
goes,  immigrants  would  have  been  more  than  usually 
fortunate.     By  this  means,  in  duo  time,  the  sum  of 

•'^ '  The  revenue  of  Vancouver  Island  prior  to  1858  arose  principally  from 
the  sale  of  land.'  Finliu/iionn  J  lint.   V.  I.,  MS.,  84. 


REVETNUE  AND  EXPENDIITJIIE. 


339 


he  pro- 
of land 
■  pound 
rivilegc 
agency 
lS  honor 
jivilizer, 
1  of  the 
orld — of 
ations — 
red  men 
fe  for  it. 
ir  stimu- 
ze  where 
ould  not 
oluinents 
arope  be 
for  their 
council, 
e  to  pay 
twenty 
assembly 
e  Island, 
,nd  three 


one  hundred  pounds  per  annum  was  provided  for  the 
chief-justice." 

For  the  year  ending  November  1,  1855,  the  public 
expenditure  of  the  colony  was  £4,107  2s.  3d  The  in- 
come from  all  sources,  including  duty  on  licensed  houses 
and  sales  of  public  land,  was  £693  2s.  lOd.  Among 
the  items  of  expenditure  were  government  premises, 
£7  15s.  lOd.;  surveying  department,  £683  18s.  Id.; 
roads  and  bridges,  £1,388  5s.  5d.;  Victoria  Church, par- 
sonage and  chaplain,  £1,362  17s.  5d;  public  schools, 
£320  4s.  lid.;  poor-rates,  £10  10s.  Sd.;  administration 
of  justice,  £100;  jail  expenses,  £30  9s.  2d.;  militia, 
£81  8s.  Sd.  From  land  sales  were  received  £334  17s. 
C)(].,  and  from  duty  on  licensed  houses  £340. 

On  the  6th  of  December  1856,  the  house  of  assembly 
asked  the  governor  what  the  revenue  of  the  colony 
might  be.  The  reply  was,  "that  the  house  can  exer- 
cise a  direct  control  only  over  the  revenue  raised  in 
the  colony  through  the  act  of  the  general  legislature. 
The  revenue  derived  from  the  tax  on  licensed  houses 
is  therefore,  I  conceive,  the  only  fund  absolutely  at 
our  disposal;  the  proceeds  arising  from  land  sales^ 
royalties,  and  timber  duties  being  remitted  and  placed 
to  the  account  of  the  reserve  fund  in  England,  which 
is,  however,  also  exclusively  applicable  for  colonial 
purposes,  with  the  exception  of  ten  per  cent  allowed 
by  virtue  of  the  charter  of  grant  to  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company."  The  revenue  received  from  licensed  houses 
was,  in  1853,  £220,  in  1854,  £460,  and  in  1855,  £340." 


Incipa 


"And  now,  besides  the  £150  as  clerk,  Cameron  'receives  also  another  £100 
per  annum  from  what  is  called  the  license  fund.  Tliere  are  heavy  licenses 
fnim  the  publicans;  they  pay  about  £1*20  per  annum.  I  believe  that  gives  an 
income  to  th'i  colony  of  aoout  £400  or  £500  per  annum,  and  he  receives  £100 
out  of  it.'  Coop'-r,  in  Ilott.'ic  Commons  licfit.,  JI.  B.  Co.,  1857,  19.3, 

'*  Between  the  12th  of  July  1855  and  tlie  10th  of  October  1856,  there  were 
sold  of  public  lands  2,1.37  acres.  'The  extent  of  nnimprovablo  rock,' says 
William  Cr.  Smith,  secretary  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  in  his  statement 
rendered  the  governor,  the  Kith  of  October  1S.")(>,  'added  to  the  allowanco 
made  for  roads,  somewhat  exceeds  8.37  acres,  leaving  1,'299  acres,  three  roods, 
and  20  perches  chargeable  to  purchasers;  on  which  £512  llx.  C(/.  has  been 
ahoady  paid  in,  and  there  remains  payable  by  annual  instalments  the  snm  of 
t'787  O.*.  lOiI.'  la  addition  to  above,  £0,193  was  received  from  the  Hudson's 
Hay  Company  for  lamls  purchased  or  reserved  by  them.  Up  to  the  19th  of 
•bdy  1855,  the  total  amount  received  from  laud  sales  was  £6,871  O*.  4(1.     The 


;» 


1,1 


m 


THE  JUDICIARY. 


An  appropriation  for  £130  passed  the  assembly  the 
18th  of  December  1856,  and  was  approved  by  the 
council  and  governor  the  14th  of  February  1857. 
The  items,  all  of  which  were  to  be  paid  out  of  the  duty 
derived  from  licensed  houses,  were  as  follows:  £50, 
to  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  governor,  to  pay  for 
copying  documents  for  the  use  of  the  house;  £10  to 
Robert  Barr  for  services  as  clerk  of  house;  £5  to 
Andrew  Muir  for  services  as  sergeant-at-arms;  £25 
for  salary  of  clerk  of  house  for  1857;  £15  for  salary 
of  sergeant-at-arms  and  messenger  for  1857;  £20  for 
heating,  lighting,  and  furnishing  house  of  assembly 
for  1857;  £5  for  stationery  for  members  of  assembly.^" 

The  truth  is,  government  on  the  Island  thus  far, 
with  the  sole  exception  of  the  legally  appointed 
governor,  who  could  have  performed  all  the  duties  of 
that  office  equally  as  well  had  he  been  only  chief 
factor  in  charge  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's 
affairs,  was  mere  sham.  The  council  was  a  sham,  in- 
competent to  ordain;  the  chief-justice  was  a  sham, 
the  hireling  of  the  monopoly,  knowing  no  law;  and 
the  legislature  was  a  sham,  for  there  never  had  been 
given,  by  act  of  parliament,  sufficient  power  to  con- 
stitute a  legislature.  All  that  had  been  done  was 
■done  by  the  power  of  the  crown.  The  colony  was 
first  ruled  by  a  governor  in  council,  which  government 
soon  came  to  a  standstill  because  it  proposed  to  levy 
duties  on  spirits,  or  issue  liquor  licenses,  when  it  pos- 
sessed no  authority;  then  it  was  that  an  abortive 
attempt  was  made  to  set  up  in  the  Island  a  free  legis- 
lature. 

moneys  received  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  were  remitted  to  London. 
By  the  10th  of  October  1853,  they  had  remitted  £3,577  5s.  2d.)  the  Puget 
Sound  Company  had  piaid  in  London  £2,574,  and  £120  had  been  paid  by  W. 
C.  Grant  and  J.  Huggins  in  London.  Home  Commona'  Returns  to  an  Address, 
14. 

"  Minutes  of  Council  14th  Feb.  1867  in  House  Commons'  Returns  to  an  Ad- 
dress, 19. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 

1858, 

Gold  !  Hail  All-powerful  and  Most  Worshipful  ! — Its  Presence  not 
Secretly  Known  to  the  Jur-traders — Discovery  on  Vancouver 
Island — On  Queen  Charlotte  Islands — On  Skeena  River — In  the 
Cascade  Mountains  of  WASHiNCiTON — At  Colville — At  Kamloop — 
On  Thompson  River — On  Frasf.r  River — The  Tidings  Spread— The 
MvrrER  Laid  before  Government— Effect  on  California — Rush  to 
the  Mines — Routes  and  Methods  of  Transportation — Whatcom 
versus  Victoria — Trail-making — Overland  Expeditions — Licenses 
AND  Imposts — Effect  on  the  Fur-traders. 

High  above  all  principalities  and  powers,  above 
religious  fanaticism  or  love  of  empire,  above  patriot- 
ism, philanthropy,  family  affection,  honor,  virtue,  or 
tilings  supernal  or  infernal,  there  now  arises  in  this 
Northwest  wilderness  an  influence  which  overshadows 
every  other  influence,  which  shrivels  into  insignifi- 
cance fur  companies,  licenses  to  trade,  pounds  per  acre, 
settlement,  skins  of  wild  beasts  or  lives  of  wild  men, 
missionaries,  governors,  parliaments,  houses  of  assei  - 
bly,  and  even  rum. 

Here  history  begins  anew.  It  is  as  though  notii- 
ing  had  been ;  as  though  all  was  present  and  to  come. 

Amongst  the  many  sins  charged  upon  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company,  by  the  hungry  horde  that  invaded  their 
territories  during  the  wild  excitement  of  1858,  was 
one  in  effect  that  the  existence  of  gold  on  the  upper 
Fraser  and  elsewhere  had  long  been  known  to  the 
company's  officers,  prior  to  that  unwelcome  appear- 

(S41) 


342 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


aiice,  and  that  such  knowledge  had,  through  motives 
of  policy,  been  kept  secret. 

While  it  is  not  of  the  slightest  importance  to  any- 
one, least  of  all  to  those  then  upon  the  gound  in 
search  of  the  metal,  how  long  fur-traders  had  known 
of  its  existence,  if  of  that  pestiferous  crew  there  are 
any  now  living  to  whom  the  fact  that  such  previous 
knowledge  did  not  exist  can  bring  comfort,  let  them 
henceforth  possess  their  souls  in  peace.  It  would 
surely  seem  the  last  thing  of  which  sane  men  could 
complain,  for  had  such  knowledge  been  published, 
where  now  would  be  their  chance?  Rather  let  them 
thank  the  good  traders  for  keeping  the  secret. 

The  fact,  however,  had  not  been  known.^  Reticent 
as  were  the  traders  by  law  and  by  instinct,  they  could 
not  long  have  kept  secret  a  knowledge  of  the  existence 
of  any  large  quantity  of  precious  metal,  even  had  it 
been  to  their  interest  to  do  so.  And  as  to  their  inter- 
est, when  such  knowledge  was  almost  sure  to  spoil 
ft^rever  their  dearly  loved  hunting-ground,  how  could 
those  doubt  who  were  unaware  how  near  their  end 
the  company  were  before  the  great  gold  excitement, 
how  a  renewal  of  their  exclusive  trade  license  had 
already  been  refused  them,  how  great  might  be  their 
harvest  with  all  their  superior  facilities  of  men,  ships, 
fortresses  well  stored  with  goods,  of  organization, 
capital,  familiarity  with  the  natives,  and  knowledge 
of  the  country,  should  the  region  rapidly  fill  with 
energetic  humanity  ? 

But  although  gold  on  the  upper  Fras5r  was  not 
uncovered  to  any  one  long  prior  to  the  so-called 
Fraser  River  excitement,  its  existence  in  supposed 
inconsiderable  quantities  elsewhere  in  British  Colum- 
bia had  been  openly  and  for  some  time  known.  The 
silly  suspicion   of  the   miners,   that   the   knowledge 


' '  No  suspicion  of  the  fact  ever  existed,  as  I  can  personally  aver.  Indeed, 
it  was  not  till  after  a  considerable  interval,  and  after  mush  careful  research  by 
experienced  miners  from  California,  that  the  riches  of  the  Cariboo  mines  were 
^SirtiMy  dfiveloped.' Anderson's  Northwent  Coast,  MS,,  116, 


EARLIEST  GOLD  INDICATIONS. 


343 


existed  and  was  kept  secret,  never  was  true  of  any 
part  of  the  country,  or  at  any  time. 

When  during  the  summer  of  1850  Joseph  W.  Mc- 
Kay was  exploring  for  farming  lands  between  Vic- 
toria and  Nanaimo,  on  Vancouver  Island,  he  found 
in  various  places  particles  of  gold,  but  nowhere  in 
sufficient  quantities  to  warrant  further  investigation. 
Nevertheless,  it  was  a  gold-field  that  he  had  found, 
and  mines  were  worked  there  subsequently.^ 

During  this  same  year,  the  mania  for  gold  then 
raging  in  California  having  penetrated  savagedom, 
a  native  of  the  Queen  Charlotte  Islands  appeared  at 
Victoria  with  a  bag  of  specimens.^ 

Writing  Earl  Grey  the  29th  of  March  1851,  Gov- 
ernor Blanshard  says:  **I  have  heard  that  fresh  speci- 
mens of  gold  have  been  obtained  from  the  Queen 
Charlotte's  Islanders.  I  have  not  seen  them  myself, 
but  they  are  reported  to  be  very  rich.  The  Hudson's 
Bay  Company's  servants  intend  to  send  an  expedition 
in  tlie  course  of  the  summer  to  make  proper  investi- 
gations."* The  brigantino  i/uro/i  was  despatched  ac- 
cordingly, ostensibly  to  trade,  but  really  to  search  for 
gold.  Failing  in  which,  and  for  want  of  something 
better  to  do,  the  men  broke  up  part  of  a  quartz  ledge, 


X)  mines  were 


^  In  August  1858  there  was  quite  a  flurry  of  excitement  in  Victoria  respect- 
inj,f  the  presence  of  gold  in  that  vicinity,  as  if  it  were  then  a  new  thing.  '  One 
account  asserts  positively  that  five  ounces  were  taken  from  diggings  south-east 
of  Victoria, . .  .while  another  changes  tlie  location  to  a  nearly  opposite  point." 
Virtorla  Gazelle,  Aug.  19,  1858.  Rumors  increased,  until  within  a  week  after- 
vard  gold  was  everywhere — under  the  governor's  houses,  at  Silver  Luke,  at 
Saanich,  and  at  Dead  Man's  Creek.  '  It  has  been  found  back  of  Nanaimo, 
ami  is  known  to  exist  on  other  islands  in  these  waters.'  Vktoria  Gazette,  Aug. 
2i).  1S58.  'One  location  about  twenty  miles  from  Nanaimo  is  now,  1878, 
being  worked  by  Chinamen.'  McKai/'s  Reenlleetions,  MS.,  11. 

^  'Gold  had  been  discovered  in  Queen  Charlotte's  Island  in  1850,  but  only 
in  small  quantities.'  lirititi/i.  Coliimhia  and  Vancoiirer  Inland,  Vll,  by  Wil- 
liam Carew  Hazlitt.  This  little  book,  a  lOiuo  of  247  pages  in  yellow  boards, 
was  published  in  London  in  1858  with  a  map  to  all  aiipuaranco  much  older 
in  its  compilation  than  the  text.  Mr  Hazlitt  is  evidently  a  journeyman 
author,  whose  wages  were  too  low  to  warrant  good  work.  His  book  is  mostly 
extracts,  well  selected,  and  from  widely  extended  sources,  the  original  parts 
being  desultory,  and  lacking  both  preciseness  ami  consistency. 

*  Bkmsfuird's  Despatches,  10.  The  governor  was  not  very  definite  in  his 
iduas  of  metals,  or  precise  iu  his  use  of  words. 


814 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


and  carrying  the  pieces  on  board  their  vessel,  re- 
turned in  triumph  to  Victoria.  Again  on  the  r2th 
of  May,  Blanshard  observes:  "Reports  are  current  of 
gold  having  been  found  by  the  Cowitchin  Indians,  in 
the  Arro  Canal,  but  they  are  so  vague  as  scarcely  to 
deserve  notice." 

Rowland  of  the  sloop  Georgina  from  Australia  had  a 
mate  named  McEwen,  who  had  been  in  the  service 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  In  one  of  his  expe- 
ditions to  the  north,  McEwen  professed  to  have  landed 
on  Queen  Charlotte  Islands,  and  to  have  chiselled  some 
gold  out  of  a  quartz  seam.  This  was  exhibited  l)y 
Rowland  and  McEwen  at  Olympia  in  the  autumn  of 
1851.  It  was  their  opinion  that  if  they  could  organize 
a  company  and  go  to  the  spot  in  sufficient  force,  they 
could  load  their  vessel  with  gold.  An  expedition  was 
fitted  out  at  Olympia,  which  sailed  in  the  Georgina  in 
November  1851.  Being  forced  to  come  to  anchor  at 
Neali  Bay,  on  account  of  bad  weather,  the  Damcms 
Cove,  Captain  Balch,  was  encountered  at  the  same 
place.  Balch  was  out  on  an  oil  and  fur-trading  ex- 
pedition, but  on  learning  the  destination  of  the  Geor- 
gina— in  spite  of  the  mystery  that  surrounded  it — ■ 
he  followed  the  sloop  northward.^  The  unfortunate 
endinij  of  this  venture  is  ofivcn  else  where.  In  the 
summer  of  1851,  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  with- 
out further  showing,  despatched  the  brigantine  Huron 
with  a  number  of  men,  who  had  experience  in  mining, 
to  the  spot  indicated  by  the  native  who  had  brought 
the  specimens  to  Victoria  some  time  previous.  They 
spent  several  months  prospecting  the  islands,  and 
though  they  failed  to  find  placers  at  the  place  indi- 
cated by  the  native,  after  considerable  searching  along 
a  quartz  outcrop  they  succeeded  in  finding  a  good 
ledge  which  showed  free  gold  in  nearly  every  speci- 
men. They  were  not  prepared  to  undt  rtakc  quartz- 
mining  operations;  and  as  it  was  now  late  in  the 
season,  they  gathered  about  half  a  ton  of  specimens 

*  Weed's  Queen  C/uirlotte  Island,  MS.,  9-19. 


QUEEN  CHARLOTTE  ISLANDS. 


345 


and  returned  to  Victoria,  intending  to  resume  their 
work  on  the  ledge  better  prepared  the  following 
spring.^  McEwen's  specimens  seem  to  have  come 
from  the  same  place,  and  not  improbably  they  were 
obtained  from  the  same  native.  It  was  in  a  little 
harbor  on  the  west  coast  of  Moresby  Island,  the 
southern  island  of  the  group,  subsequently  known  as 
Gold  Harbor,  also  as  Mitchell  Harbor,  named  after 
Captain  Mitchell  of  the  Recovery. 

In  the  following  spring  of  1852,  Queen  Charlotte 
Islands  witnessed  the  arrival  of  numerous  expeditions. 
There  were  five  vessels  in  Mitchell  Harbor  at  one 
time;  and  the  hills  were  full  of  prospectors.  A  party 
of  miners  from  the  Nanaimo  coal-mines,  taken  there 
by  the  Una  on  behalf  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company, 
was  well  provisioned  and  provided  with  every  requisite 
for  blasting  on  a  large  scale.  The  whole  ended  in  dis- 
appointment. A  quartz  vein  seven  inches  in  widtli, 
traceable  for  eighty  feet,  contained  in  some  places 
twenty-five  per  cent  of  gold,  but  the  hope  of  loading 
vessels  here  with  gold  was  forever  abandoned. 

In  the  Fort  Simpson  journal,  the  8th  of  April  185'2, 
is  found  written:  "This  day  ona  of  the  chiefs  from 
Skenar  River  that  arrived  here  yesterday  brought  a 
few  small  pieces  of  gold  ore  to  the,  fort;  also  two 
largo  pieces  of  quai'tz  rock  with  a  few  particles  of 
fjold  ore  introduced.  The  chief.  . .  tells  me  that  it 
would  take  me  seven  days  to  go  wliere  the  gold  is  to 
be  found  and  return  back  to  the  fort.  I  am  told  by 
others  that  we  can  go  to  the  place  in  two  days,  or 
forty-eight  hours,  by  trail.  The  chief  tells  me  that 
tlic  gold  is  to  be  seen  in  many  places  on  the  surface 
of  tlie  rock  for  some  distance,  say  two  miles.  This  is 
a  most  important  discovery,  at  least  I  think  so,  and 
may  prove  more  convenient  for  us  to  work  tlian  the 
diggings  on  Queen  Charlotte  Island.  I  shall  go  or 
send  to  have  a  look  at  this  and  examine  this  new  dis- 
covery so  soon  as  possible.     I  gave   the  chief  that 

^McKay's  Recollections,  MS.,  12-15. 


340 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


II 


brought  the  rock  and  ore  a  larger  canoe,  value  five 
elk-flkins,  which  pleased  him  much.  We  showed  him 
other  civilities.  I  hope  the  company,  and  myself  also, 
will  reap  some  benefit  from  this  discovery,  as  I  have 
ten  children  that  would  be  much  pleased  to  finger  a 
portion  of  the  precious  metal.  Who  knows  but  this 
discovery  may  prove  more  valuable  than  the  diggings 
in  California."  To  which  prayer  the  sailor  McNeill 
affixed  his  initials. 

The  24th  of  the  same  month  the  fort  scribe  enters: 
"Pierre  Lagrace  with  his  son  and  four  Indians  had 
started  in  the  morning  to  visit  the  place  where  gold 
has  been  found  at  Skenar  River.  They  had  not  pro- 
ceeded far  when  the  steamer  was  seen  in  the  distance, 
and  they  turned  back,  together  with  four  other  canoes 
which  had  also  started  for  the  river  on  a  trading  excur- 
sion . . .  We  were  most  pleased  to  hear  that  all  our 
friends  to  the  south  were  well,  and  that  the  Recovery , 
one  of  our  vessels,  had  gone  to  Queen  Charlotte 
Island  to  hunt  for  and  obtain  gold.  Captains  Mitchell 
and  Stuart  and  Dr  Kennedy  were  the  superior  officers 
of  the  party,  in  all  forty  souls." 

May  5th:  "About  noon  Chief  Factor  Work  with 
Pierre  Lagrace,  Quintal,  and  four  Indians  started  in 
a  canoe  for  Skenar  River  to  examine  the  gold  re- 
gions said  to  exist  up  that  river.  They  will  probably 
be  absent  about  fourteen  days."  Punctually  to  the 
hour  Work  returned  and  reported  no  gold  on  Skeena 
River,  and  his  journey  a  failure. 

The  8th  of  May  word  came  to  Fort  Simpson  from 
Kennedy  on  board  the  Recovery,  that  "two  American 
vessels  are  lying  in  Mitchell's  Harbour,  viz.,  the  Tepic 
from  Liverpool,  and  the  Susan  Sturgis  from  Nisqually. 
The  vein  had  been  worked  out  by  some  vessel,  and  he 
had  no  hopes  of  obtaining  gold.  Six  more  vessels 
were  expected  soon  from  the  Columbia  and  San  Fran- 
cisco. The  Recovery  had  been  leaking  both  at  sea 
and  in  harbour.  This  will  be  another  bad  speculation 
in  my  opinion,"  concludes  the  Fort  Simpson  journal- 


I 


SKEENA  RIVER. 


m 


keeper.  Nevertheless,  Kennedy  wanted  more  raining 
tools,  an  outfit  of  which,  with  beads  and  cod-hi)oks, 
was  despatched  by  canoe  on  the  12tii,  and  cliarged  to 
tlie  account  of  the  Recovery.  Letters  rece'ved  the 
Kith  reported  that  "no  gold  had  been  procured  by 
blasting,"  and  that    "the   American  vessels  had   all 


'o' 


iroiie  away  quite  disappointed."' 

Another  chief,  arriving  at  Fort  Simpson  on  the  5th 
St-'})tcuiber  from  Skcena  River,  reported  gold.  Chief 
Factor  Work  was  fast  catching  the  fever.  For  these 
many  years  furs  alone  had  filled  his  brain.  Now  he 
found  room  for  metals.  It  would  be  so  pleasant  to 
have  his  old  ajje  made  mellow  with  tjold.  The  natives 
of  Xass  River  had  brought  in  specimens  of  various 
uu'tals  from  their  country,  and  thither,  on  the  l;3th. 
Work  set  out  in  a  canoe  to  see  what  he  could  make 
of  it.  If,  indeed,  another  California  might  be  found 
in  the  north,  how  happy  would  be  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company!  Nevertheless,  Work  returned  from  his 
adventure  unsuccessful.  "Nothing  like  gold  was  seen 
during  his  cruise,"  writes  the  anxious  father  of  ten 
children. 

Thus  years  before  the  great  excitement,  all  along 
the  coast,  from  Fuca  Strait  to  Skevna  River,  were 
thought  and  talk  of  gold;  and  when  men  looked  for 
it,  they  generally  found  evidence  of  its  presence. 

George  B.  McClellan  in  1853  found  gold  in  con- 
siderable quantities,  as  he  expresses  it,  on  the  military 

'•Fort  Simpson  Journal,  MS.,  1852.  See  also  Compton's  Abori<jina[  Brit. 
Col.,  -MS.,  GO.  William  M.  Turner  elaborates  to  the  extent  of  seven  pages  in 
i\\ti  Oirrlaml  MoMhly,  Feh.  1875,  a  statement  to  the  etl'ect  that  in  Fel).  185*2 
one  Jack  McLean,  a  Scotch  sailor,  once  in  tlie  service  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Cdiiipaiiy,  arrived  at  San  Francisco,  ami  reported  goM  at  Engletield  Harbor, 
CJueen  Charlotte  Islands.  The  fur-traders  were  then  there,  he  said,  gathering 
tlic'  metal,  and  jealous  of  any  intrusion.  On  liis  way  down  lie  had  been 
^vrecked.  On  the  evidence  of  sonic  specimens  he  showed,  sixty-five  persons 
embarked  at  San  Francisco  the  2!)th  of  Marcli  on  board  the  brig  Tvpir,  Cap- 
tiiiii  Lortt.  Arrived  at  Englefield  Harbor,  they  were  soon  overhauled  by  tlie 
first  mate  of  the  Recovery,  who  informed  them  tliat  they  were  within  British 
dominion,  and  that  they  were  requested  to  depart  from  that  coast.  To  wliich 
tliL'y  gave  an  impudent  answer,  and  pushing  ashore  began  prospecting.  Tlieir 
inunhood  and  independenco  thus  vindicated,  after  a  month's  stay  they  returned 
whence  they  came. 


848 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


road  survey  through  the  Naches  Pass  in  the  Cas- 
cade Mountains,  between  Walla  Walla  and  Fort 
Steilacoom,  and  in  his  Northern  Pacific  Railway  ( x- 
plorations  at  Similkameen,  his  men  panning  it  out  at 
the  rate  of  two  dollars  a  day.  Alfred  Waddingtoii,  a 
former  Mariposa  miner,  saw  in  1854  an  Indian  cliitf 
in  the  Colville  country  who  had  placer  gold  in  his 
possession. 

Henry  De  Groot,  an  indefatigable  explorer,  pros- 
pector, and  writer  upon  mining  developments,  havinn^ 
visited  British  Columbia  in  1858,  states  that  Chief 
Trader  McLean  at  Kandoop  procured  gold-dust  from 
the  natives  in  that  vichiity  as  early  as  1852,  since  wlmh 
time  more  or  less  gold  has  been  received  from  the 
natives  at  that  and  other  posts,  though  not  cnouuli 
to  awaken  a  suspicion  in  the  minds  of  the  traders  that 
paying  diggings  existed  in  the  country;  and  that 
various  parties  at  different  times  prospected  tlic 
banks  of  the  Thompson  between  1855,  the  date  of  tlnj 
discovery  of  the  Colville  mines,  and  1858.  It  was  at 
Nicomnien,  on  tJie  Thompson  near  its  junction  with 
the  Fraser,  according  to  some  authorities,  that  tlio 
first  gold  was  found  in  paying  quantities  in  l^ritisli 
Columbia.  Chinese  and  Indians  were  engaged  in 
mining  at  that  place  in  favorable  seasons  as  lute  as 
1 87G.  The  account  of  the  first  discovery  at  Niconuneii 
was  very  circu  istantially  given  by  Douglas  in  liis 
diary  under  the  date  of  August  14,  18G0,  without 
stating  tlic  date  of  the  discovery.  "  Gold,"  he  writes, 
"was  first  found  on  Thompson  River  by  an  Indian,  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  below  Nicommen.  He  is  since  dead. 
The  Indian  was  taking  a  drink  out  of  the  river;  having 
no  vessel,  he  was  quaffing  from  the  stream,  when  lie 
perceived  a  shining  pebble,  which  he  picked  up,  and 
it  proved  to  be  gold.  The  whole  tribe  forthwith  began 
to  collect  the  glittering  metal." ^ 

Mr  Finlayson  says  gold  was  first  found  in  crevices 


^Dmmon  on  Mines,  40;  Douf/las'  Private  Papers,  Ist  sen,  MS.,  V24:-5; 
HazliU'aB.  C,  127;  De  Groot's  B.  C,  13. 


THOMPSON  AND  FRASER  RIVERS. 


Ml 


d  in  crevices 

ser.,  MS.,  l^i'^i 


of  the  rocks  on  the  banks  of  the  Thonip.son  River. 
McLean, tlie  officer  in  clinrj^e at  Kamloop,  inspected  tho 
ijround,  and  then  sent  down  to  Victoria  for  some  iron 
sjtoons  for  the  purpose  of  digging  out  the  nu,i,''gets. 
The  spoons  were  sent  up  as  requested,  and  ^IcLean  was 
instructed  to  give  every  encouragement  to  the  natives 
to  liave  them  procure  and  bring  in  tlic  gokl,  and  toob- 
tiiiii  all  that  he  could.  Shortly  afterward,  an  Amori- 
cuii  named  Adams,  a  miner  of  some  experience,  began 
■washing  for  gold  on  the  Fraser.  He  g'athered  a  small 
lia"'  full  of  fine  dust,  which  he  exhibited,  accordinijf  to 
!Mi'  Finlayson,  on  Puget  Sound  and  at  other  ])laces. 
The  news  so  attested  went  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and 
spread  rapidly  tlirough  Oregon  and  California."  ^[r 
Anderson  states  that  the  first  intimatici.'  the  Hudson's 
]]ay  people  had  of  the  existence  of  gold  in  the  interior 
was  in  1855,  when  Angus  McDonn^d,  dork  in  charge 
at  Colville,  "wrote  down  to  Fort  \  ancouver  that  one 
of  his  men,  while  employed  hauling  firewood,  had  al- 
most undesignedly  amused  himself  hy  washing  out  a 
pannikin  of  gravel  on  the  beach  near  Colville."  Par- 
ticles of  gold  were  found,  which  excited  curiosity  and 
invited  further  search;  parties  went  out  to  prospuct, 
and  at  the  north  of  Pend  d'Oreille  River  near  the 
houndary,  diggings  were  found  which  were  moderately 
remunerative.  According  to  his  account,  it  was  in  1 857 
that  the  existence  of  gold  was  ascertained  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Thompson,  and  it  was  the  exaggerated 
report  of  this  discovery  reaching  California,  he  believes, 
tliat  caused  the  great  rush  of  1858.^*^  Douglas  noticed 
a  later  coinmnuication  of  McDonald's  in  a  letter  to 
Labouchere  of  the  colonial  office,  dated  Victoria, 
April  10,  1856,  in  which  he  states  that  according 
to  ^McDonald's  report  from  the  upper  Caledonia 
district  in  March  1856,  gold  had  been  found  on 
tlic  upper  Columbia  in  considerable  quantities,  the 
daily  earning  of  persons  then  employed  in  the  dig- 


^  Finlnyson's   V.  I.  and  Northwest  Coast,  MS.,  56-GO. 
liuro  confused  with  McDonald's. 

^'>  Aiiderawi'a  Hist.  Northwest  Coast,  MS.,  117-18. 


Adams'  doings  are 


8B0 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


h  ir\ 


m 


I  1  1 


gings  being  from  ten  to  forty  dollars  to  the  man. 
James  Cooper  testified  before  the  British  parliamen- 
tary committee  investigating  the  affairs  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company  in  1857,  touching  the  particulars  of 
the  discovery,  expressing  the  belief  that  it  was  highly 
important,  and  that  there  would  be  a  great  rush  into 
the  country.  His  language  was  prophetic,  for  it  was  but 
twelve  months  later  when  from  thirty  to  forty  thou- 
sand people  came  into  British  Columbia  from  the  soutli. 

Waddington  affirms  that  some  Canadians  from  Fort 
Colville  went  over  to  the  Thompson  and  Bonaparte, 
and  tlicnce  to  the  Fraser  above  the  Big  Falls.  They 
prospected  on  their  way,  found  gold  almost  every- 
where, and  concluded  to  tarry  among  the  natives  on 
the  Thompson  in  order  to  try  their  fortune  at  mining. 
It  was  the  report  of  the  results  obtained  by  these  men 
which  induced  others  in  the  season  of  1857-8  to  em- 
bark in  mining;  and  results  exceeding  expectations, 
the  news  was  spread  over  Puget  Sound  and  thence 
carried  to  San  Francisco.  De  Groot's  version  is  that 
in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1857  a  number  of  per- 
sons from  Oregon  and  Washington  territories,  familiar 
with  the  operations  at  the  Colville  mines,  accom- 
panied by  a  sprinkling  of  Canadians  and  half-breeds, 
formerly  in  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  service  at 
Colville,  made  their  way  to  the  junction  of  the  Thomp- 
son with  the  Fraser.  They  found  several  rich  bars  in 
that  vicinity,  and  worked  them  with  good  success. 
He  also  states  that  it  was  the  news  of  their  success 
which  caused  the  Fraser  River  excitement. 

McDonald  and  Adams,  two  partners  who  were 
engaged  in  mining  on  the  Thompson  and  Fraser,  in 
1857-8  brought  down  some  of  the  first  gold  from  the 
bars  where  the  first  profitable  workings  were  carried 
on.  At  the  mouth  of  the  Fraser,  McDonald  killed 
Adams  and  secured  his  gold,  which  he  carried  to 
Olympia,  and  there  displayed  it." 


"  Wothfliii/toi's  Franc  I'  Mines,  5;  Dp  O  root's  B.  €.,  13,  referring  to  Wiul- 
diiigtou's  second  party.  Douijhs,  iu  Coriiwaltis'  iV.  El  Dorado,  351-4;  Vooycr's 


QUESTION  OF  OWNERSHIP. 


861 


The  officers  of  the  fur  company  at  Victoria  were 
well  informed  at  the  same  time  of  the  mining  opera- 
tions that  were  going  on  in  the  valley  of  the  Fraser, 
and  its  tributary  the  Thompson,  but  not  coming  in 
contact  directly  with  the  miners  who  emerged  from 
the  mountains  in  the  spring  of  1858  with  the  evi- 
dences of  the  auriferous  wealth  of  the  great  river  of 
British  Columbia,  or  for  some  other  reason  not  ex- 
plained, they  did  not  realize  fully  the  importance  of 
the  facts,  nor  anticipate  the  effects  that  might  be  pro- 
duced. Douglas,  in  a  letter  to  Labouchere,  dated 
Victoria,  December  29,  1857,  speaks  of  the  Coutcau 
mines,  so  named  after  the  natives  of  the  Thompson 
and  Sliushwap  countries,  as  having  attracted  atten- 
tion. "The  auriferous  character  of  the  country  is  be- 
coming daily  more  extensively  developed,"  he  writes, 
"through  the  exertions  of  the  native  Indian  tribes, 
^vllo,  having  tasted  the  sweets  of  gold-finding,  are  de- 
voting much  of  their  time  and  attention  to  that  pur- 
suit." 

The  product  exported  through  the  agency  of  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  from  October  6,  1857,  to  the 
end  of  that  year,  and  supposed  by  them  to  be  all  that 
was  carried  out  of  the  country,  was  three  hundred 
ounces.  Douglas  mentions  the  fact  in  the  same  con- 
nection that  the  reported  wealth  of  the  Couteau  coun- 
try was  causing  much  excitement  in  Washington 
Territory  and  Oregon.^^  At  Olympia,  Ballou,  Gar- 
field, and  Williams,  as  partners,  were  merchandising 
during  the  winter  oi  1857-8,  and  more  or  less  gold 
came  to  them  from  the  Fraser.  The  specimens  showed 
them  by  McDonald  particularly  attracted  their  atten- 
tion, and  the  attention  of  others.  ]3allou  (loul)ted 
the  report  of  the  company's  officials,  that  the  gold  was 
mostly  found  by  the  natives,  on  the  ground  tliat  more 
would  then  have  been  realized.   Deeming  the  discovery 


Mnr.  Matfciii,  MS.,  11;  BnllotCs  Aih\,  MS.,  3.     Tlie  alleged  killing  of  Adams 
rests  wlioU)'  on  Ballou 's  opinion. 

'-  Dougliw  to  Liibouchiire,  in  Coniwaltia'  N.  El  Dorado,  347-54. 


352 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


of  sufficient  importance  to  outweigh  all  other  con- 
siderations of  trade,  Ballou,  accompanied  by  Jolm 
Scranton,  Governor  McMullin,  Secretary  of  the  Ter- 
ritory Mason,  and  several  others,  early  in  the  sprin;^ 
went  to  Victoria  to  ascertain  what  the  Hudson's  Bay 
people  knew  about  the  matter.  They  contirmed  all 
the  reports.  Instead  of  going  to  the  gold-fields,  Ballou 
proceeded  at  once  to  San  Francisco.  Having  under- 
gone the  excitements  of  the  southern  mines,  and  sub- 
sequently of  the  northern  mines  of  California  as  an 
exi)ressman,  he  conceived  the  idea  that  whatever 
might  be  the  merit  of  the  mines,  there  was  certain 
profit  in  the  express  business,  and  hence  he  forthwith 
started  Ballou's  express  from  San  Francisco  to  the 
Fraser  liiver  mines/^ 

The  state  of  knowledge  of  the  mines,  and  the  facts  on 
which  the  gold  excitement  was  based,  may  be  further 
deduced  from  the  official  acts  and  tlie  correspondeiieo 
of  Governor  Douglas.  Christmas  week,  1857,  at  Fort 
Victoria,  had  been  enlivened  by  the  sul)stantial  com- 
munications, accompanied  with  gold-du!st,  that  were 
received  from  Chief  Trader  McLean  at  the  post  near- 
est the  forks  of  Thompson  River,  the  results  of  the 
washmgs  by  the  Indians  already  referred  to.  On 
the  same  day  that  he  despatched  the  information  to 
the  colonial  office,  December  '20,  1857,  Governor 
Douglas  issued  a  proclamation  declaring  that  all  the 
gold  in  its  natural  place  of  deposit  belonged  to  the 
crown,  referring  in  particular  to  the  gold  found  within 
the  Couteau  country,  embraced  by  the  Fraser  and 
Thompson  districts.  This  proclamation  "  forbade  all 
persons  to  dig  or  disturb  the  soil  in  search  of  gold 

'■'  llillnii'.'i  A<Ii'.,  MS.,  S.  Billy  Ballon,  aa  ho  was  callnd,  was  a  wild  wiiif, 
ii  l)ir  ■  Ki'aiiiod  ailvoiituriT  of  French  dosoeiit,  who  since  184(i  had  lieun  llo.it- 
i  g  .ilxmt  tho  inouiitaiiiHaiid  shurosof  tiiu  I'acilic.  Bugiimiiig  with  tiie  Mi'xi- 
c  ii  war,  lij  passed  Ihroujjh  a  pioiieor  exj)uriuiice  in  California  and  the  Smnul 
coll  ilry  ln'foro  going  to  British  Colundjia.  He  was  much  hroken  in  henltli 
will)  I  1  too';  Ids  dictation  at  Seattle  in  1878,  and  died  sliortly  afterward.  Mis 
information  was  certaiidy  as  varied  as  that  of  any  man  I  ever  met,  and  iio 
g  ive  it  nie  in  good  faith,  yet  while  I  have  no  reason  to  douht  his  word,  be- 
fore placing  implicit  coutidence  iu  an  important  statement,  I  should  prefer  to 
see  it  vorilied. 


SPOLIATION  OF  THE  MAINLAND  PARK, 


353 


)tlier  con- 
by  John 
f  the  l\i-- 
tlie  spring 
Ison's  Bay 
itirmt'd  all 
•Ids,  Ballou 
iug  under- 
!S,  and  sub- 
irnia  as  an 
b  whatever 
was  certain 
le  forthwith 
3VSCO  to  the 


1(1,  was  a  wiM  f'  < 
fc4()  haa  lieeu  ll.>:it- 
luim  with  the  NU'Xi- 
luiaamlthoSou.u 
I  hroken  ui  hcaltli 
llv  afterward.  Mis 
i  evermet,  an.lho 

flouht  his  w..r.  ,  be- 
T,  I  should  prefer  to 


until  authorized  in  that  behalf  by  her  majesty's  colonial 
government."  Douglas  acknowledged  in  his  commu- 
nication of  December  the  29th  to  Labouch^re,  that 
he  had  no  authority  to  make  such  a  proclamation 
in  regard  to  a  country  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  his 
government,  but  pleaded  in  excuse  the  fact  that  he 
was  invested  with  authority  over  the  domain  of  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  that  he  was  the  only 
1  eprcsentative  of  her  Majesty  within  reach.  A  license 
of  ten  shillings  a  month  was  demanded,  in  virtue  of 
which  persons  were  permitted  to  mine  under  pre- 
scribed limits  and  conditions. 

On  the  14th  of  January  1858,  Governor  Douglas 
rc])ortcd  further  news  from  the  mines  to  the  colonial 
office.  "  From  the  successful  result  of  experiments 
made  in  washing  the  gold  from  the  sands  of  the  tribu- 
tary streams  of  Fraser  Biver,"  says  Douglas,  "  there 
is  reason  to  suppose  that  the  gold  region  is  extensive, 
and  I  entertain  sanguine  hopes  that  future  researches 
will  develop  stores  of  wealth  perhaps  equal  to  the 
gold-fields  of  California — the  geological  formations 
observed  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  of  California  being 
similar  in  character  to  the  structure  of  the  corre- 
sponding range  of  mountains  in  this  latitude."  On  the 
Gth  of  April  he  wrote  to  Labouch^re  "  that  the  search 
for  gold  up  to  the  last  dates  from  the  interior  was 
carried  on  almost  exclusively  by  the  native  popula- 
tion, who  had  discovered  the  productive  mines,  and 
washed  out  almost  all  the  gold,  about  eight  hundred 
ounces,  thus  far  exported  from  the  country;  and  that 
they  were  extremely  jealous  of  the  whites  digging  for 

"  In  addition  to  the  diggings  before  known  on 
Thompson  River  and  its  tributary  streams,  a  valuable 
deposit  has  recently  been  found  by  the  natives  on  the 
bank  of  the  Fraser  River,  about  five  miles  beyond  its 
conriuenco  with  the  Thompson;  and  gold  in  smaller 
quantities  has  been  found  in  possession  of  the  natives 
as  far  as  the  great  falls  of  the  Fraser,  about  eighty 


I: 


Hut.  Bbit.  Ool.    33 


UH 


t      ^ 


I 


\l 


854 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


miles  above  the  forks."  Seventy  or  eighty  Ameri- 
cans had  gone  to  the  mines  without  procuring  licenses. 
By  a  despatch  dated  April  19th  the  arrival  of  George 
Simpson,  bearer  of  despatches  from  Chief  Trader  !^Ic- 
Lean,  was  announced,  bringing  news  from  the  forks 
of  the  Thompson,  to  April  4th,  which  was  very  flat- 
tering, but  not  supported  by  a  large  return  of  gold- 
dust.  "Simpson  reports,"  says  Douglas,  "that  gold 
is  found  in  more  or  less  abundance  on  every  part  of 
the  Fraser,  from  Yale  to  the  forks,  but  I  presume 
those  diggings  cannot  be  very  productive  or  there 
would  have  been  a  larger  return  of  gold."' 


'14 


And  here  begins  the  infection  which  spread  with 
such  swift  virulence  in  every  direction.  Though 
Cooper  considers  it  "almost  imposible  to  trace  the 
origin  of  the  gold  excitement,"  it  seems  to  me  we  have 
it  plainly  enough  before  us.  It  is  noised  abroad  that 
gold  abounds  in  British  Columbia.  Then  men  every- 
where throughout  the  world  begin  to  study  tbccir 
maps,  to  see  where  is  situated  the  favored  isle  that 
guards  the  auriferous  Mainland.  California  is  to  be 
outdone,  as  the  rivers  of  British  Columbia  are  larger 
than  those  of  California.  The  glories  of  Australia 
shall  pale  before  this  new  golden  aurora  horealis.^'' 
As  in  California  the  precious  metal  was  most  abun- 
dant near  the  sources  of  the  streams,  and  was  thought 
by  some  to  have  flowed  in  with  the  streams  from  t!io 
north,  so  in  the  north,  it  is  now  expected,  may  be  fouii! 
the  primitive  source  where  the  deposits  were  origi- 
nally formed.  And  so  the  settlers  on  Vancouver  Island, 
on  the  Cowlitz,  and  on  the  Columbia,  leave  tlicii- 
farms;  then  the  servants  of  the  monopoly  fling  olT 
allegiance;  the  saw-mills  round  the  Sound  are  soon 
idle;  and  finally  wave  after  wave  of  eager  advent- 
urers roll  in  from  the  south  and  east,  from  Oregon 

^*  Douglas'  Official  Correspondence,  in  Comwallis'  N.  Z/7  TJomrfo,  343-30'?. 
*'  Wculdinijtoti's  Fraser  Mines,  5;  Anderson's  IJist.  Northwest  Coast,  MS., 
llG-17;  Cooper's  Mar.  Matters,  MS.,  14. 


PROGRESS  OF  THE  FE\*ER. 


355 


Amcri- 
licenses. 
'George 
,der  !^Ic- 
;lie  f(3rks 
rery  flat- 

of  gold- 
hat  gold 
•y  part  of 

presume 

or  there 


read  with 
Though 
trace  the 
le  we  have 
broad  that 
nen  evcry- 
.udy  tl\cir 
1  isle  that 
^ia  is  to  be 
arc  larger 
Australia 

jiiost  abuli- 
as thought 
is  from  the 
^ybe  fouu'l 
were  orii^i- 
Lver  Island, 
ieavc  their 
hy  fling  off 
]d  are  soon 
•er  adveut- 
,m  Oregon 

^ado,  343-301, 

oest  Coast,  sl^., 


and  from  California,  from  the  islands  and  Australia, 
from  Canada  and  Europe,  until  the  third  great  devil- 
dance  of  the  nations  within  the  decade  begins  upon 
the  Fraser. 

Ellwood  Evans  remarks  that  the  newspapers  of 
Oregon  and  Washingtori  Territory  continued  silent 
in  regard  to  the  existence  of  gold  in  the  Northwest 
until  March  1858,  not  believing  that  it  would  ever 
be  found  in  quantities  sufficiently  large  to  attract  im- 
migration in  that  direction.    Gold,  said  they,  had  been 
reported  as  found  by  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad 
exploring  parties  in  1853.    It  was  reported,  and  by 
some  surmised  to  exist,  in  large  quantities  on  the  bars 
of  the  Upper  Columbia,  but  the  metal  was  not  forth- 
coming in  quantity,  and  not  really  believed  in.     The 
matter  failed  to  excite  the  attention  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  till  Angus  McDonald  reported  the 
Colville  excitement  to  Governor  Douglas  March  1, 
1856."     On  the   5th  of  March   1858,  the   Olympia. 
Pioneer  and  Democrat,  one  of  the  first  papers  published 
in  Washington  Territory,  announced  the  rumors  of 
"  Reported  Gold  Discoveries,"  brought  from  Victoria 
by  the  schooner  Wild  Pigeon.    March  12th  the  same 
journal  contained  "Good  News  from  the  Gold  Mines" 
of  Eraser  River.     March  26th  it  had  an  account  of 
"The  Gold  Regions  of  the  North,  Highly  Favorable 
Reports."    April  9th  there  was  "  Further  Encourag- 
ing News."    April  16th  there  was  a  spread  of  "Late 
Rehable  and  Confirmatory  Tidings."    The  San  Fran- 
cisco Herald,  on  the  20th  of  April   1858,  recorded 
that  the  excitement  was  fully  equal  in  extent  to  that 
which  arose  in  the  Atlantic  States  from  the  reports 
of  gold  discoveries  in  California  in  1849.    At  one  leap 
British  Columb'.a  had  become  the  rival  if  not  the  peer 
of  California  herself. 

The  Fraser  River  excitement  began  and  was  spread 
from  Puget  Sound.  Captain  Prevost  of  H.  M.  S.  Satel- 
lite, stationed  at  Esquimalt,  on  the  7th  of  May  1858 

^^ Evans'  Fraser  River  Excitement,  MS.,  12-20. 


336 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT 


If 


IJ 


wrote  to  the  admiralty  office  that  the  excitement  was 
much  greater  in  Washington  and  Oregon  than  on  Van- 
couver Island,  several  hundred  persons  having  at  tliat 
time  gone  to  the  Fraser  River  mines  from  Puget  Sound, 
where  all  the  vessels  were  lying  deserted  by  their 
crews."    These  vessels  were  the  ordinary  means  of  com- 
munication with  San  Francisco  from  that  part  of  the 
coast  carrying  1  umber.  Douglas'  announcement  in  1 8  5 G 
had  been  received  abroad  with  comparative  disbelief. 
Xo  sooner  was  the  fact  of  the  existence  of  gold  uj)oii 
the  Fraser  in  paying  quantities  established  beyond  a 
doubt,  tlian  a  logical  effect  worked  itself  out  upon  tlie 
Californian  mind.     Action  as  prompt  as  the  idea  was 
the  result.     An  excitement  arose  tliroughout  society, 
which  caused  an  unparalleled  exodus.     To  the  Cal- 
ifornia miner  the  deduction  followed  naturally  tliat 
the  history  of  California  was  to  be  reproduced.     Tlie 
foundation  of  the  idea  was  clearly  expressed  by  Douglas 
in  his  despatch  of  January  14,  1858,  the  extension  tu 
the  north-west  of  the  same  mountains  and  geological 
formations,  a  fact  well  known  in  a  general  way  from 
the  reports  of  the  Oregonians  and  Canadians  who  Juul 
been  to  the   California  mines.     Only  the  additional 
fact  was  net-'ded  that  the  Fraser  was  another  Sacra- 
mento, to  lead  logically  to  the   clearest   demonstia- 
tion  that  a  s^rcat  ij^old  area  was  washed  and  sluiced 
by  the   Fraser  and   its  tributaries.     Vague  as  were 
the  ideas  touch inu'  where  or  how  the  gold  would  be 
found,  whether  in  the  Cascade  canon  or  on  the  slopes 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  there  was  needed  no  further 
evidence  than  that  to  remove  every  doubt  touchini]; 
the  vast  importance  of  this  discovery.     In  the  blind 
hopeful  way  of  the  gold  prospectors,  it  seems  to  luuo 
been  anticipated  that  the  richness  of  the  sands  of  the 
Fraser  would  be  found  in  some  proportion  to  the  size 
of  that  river.     Doubtless  many  who  made  this  ven- 
ture  reasoned   more  accurately — that   the  discovery 
was  simply  important  in  a  degree  proportionate  to  the 

"  Cormmllia'  New  El  Dorado,  365-6. 


H:! 


EFFECT  IN  CALIFORNIA. 


357 


uicnt  ^vas 
n  on  Yan- 
ng  at  that 
ret  Souiul, 
'  by  their 
HIS  of  com - 
)art  of  the 
jnt  in  185G 

0  disbelief, 
gold  ui»on 

1  beyond  a 
it  upon  the 
tic  idea  was 
out  society, 
^o  the  Cal- 
:urally  that 
Luced.     The 
,  by  Douglas 
extension  to 
d  geological 
al  way  tVoiu 
ms  who  ]uul 
e  additional 

)ther  Saera- 
denionstra- 

and  sluict^d 
;ruc  as  were 
)ld  would  be 
3n  the  slopes 
)d  no  further 
dbt  touching 
In  the  bliu^l 
oems  to  have 
sands  of  tlie 
m  to  the  size 
Eide  this  ven- 
,he  discovery 
tionatc  to  the 


area  of  the  new  country  to  be  opened  by  the  mines, 
and  made  accessible  by  the  valley  of  the  Fraser. 
Untold  auriferous  wealth  in  connection  with  the  great 
commercial  and  agricultural  region  of  British  Colum- 
biu  with  its  European  climate,  though  predestined  for 
discovery  under  the  developments  of  time  with  the 
necessary  conditions  thereto,  justified  these  hopes 
without  rewarding  the  energy  and  enterprise  of  the 
adventurers  of  1858. 

In  California,  the  seaport  of  San  Francisco  was 
almost  in  the  gold-mines;  the  mines  were  near  the  sea, 
with  no  intervening  difficulties.  A  different  kind  of 
test  was  in  reserve  for  the  mining  industry  in  the 
north,  where  the  lofty  sierra,  and  five  hundred  miles 
of  distance,  and  much  geographical  and  geological 
exploration  had  to  be  undergone,  with  trials  and  fail- 
ures, before  all  the  conditions  of  general  prosperitv 
to  miners  and  traders  could  be  fulfilled.  Nor  w^as  it 
all  misfortune  that  was  in  store  for  those  who  vent- 
ured blindly  in  search  of  profitable  gold-deposits ;  for 
how  could  the  knowledge  be  obtained  without  chance 
to  open  the  door,  or  action  to  seize  the  prize  under 
impossible  conditions? 

California  was  now  rapidly  losing  population.  Men 
of  all  classes  abandoned  their  occupations  in  the  inte- 
rior, and  followed  the  crowd  to  San  Francisco.  Money 
was  borrowed  at  exorbitant  rates  of  interest  to  be 
advanced  on  goods  for  British  Columbia.  It  was  not 
strange  that  the  first  fair  opportunity  would  be  seized 
by  the  journals  of  San  Francisco  to  stem  the  current 
by  giving  to  the  northern  regions  under  the  guise  of 
the  mistake  of  the  IVascr  mines,  the  worst  possible 
name.  The  whole  of  California  in  April  1858  was  in  a 
ferment.  Business  in  the  interior  was  deranged,  and  in 
many  places  broken  up.  Hundreds  too  impatient  to 
wait  for  the  steamers  mounted  horses  and  hastened 
overland,  especially  from  the  northern  counties  of 
California,  making  the  distance  in  eighteen  days. 
While  towns  in   the   interior  were   being   deserted. 


M 


358 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


San  Francisco  derived  the  benefit  of  the  influx  and 
of  the  outfitting  of  the  miners,  and  the  shippers  re- 
joiced at  the  prospects  of  the  Fraser  trade.  Shrewd 
store-keepers  in  the  mountain  counties  hurried  down 
to  estabhsh  themselves  in  San  Francisco.'^ 

During  April  and  May,  the  rumors  more  or  less 
fabulous  of  gold  discoveries  in  the  north  continued 
to  circulate  throughout  California,  and  Oregon  and 
Washington  territories.  Vessels  left  San  Francisco 
carrying  three  times  the  number  allowed  by  law.  Jolm 
Nugent,  special  agent  of  the  United  States,  estimated 
that  in  May,  June,  and  July,  twenty-three  thousand 
persons  went  from  San  Francisco  by  sea,  and  about 
eight  thousand  more  overland — safely  thirty  thousand 
or  thirty-three  thousand  in  all  in  the  course  of  the 
season ;  and  that  out  of  these  there  returned  before 
January  1.859  all  but  three  thousand.^"  None  were 
too  poor  and  none  too  rich  to  go.  Young  and  old 
and  even  the  decrepit.  Some  out  of  restlessness  or 
curiosity;  others  for  profit  or  prey.  "In  short,"  says 
Lundin  Brown,  "never  in  the  history  of  migrations 
of  men  has  there  been  seen  such  a  rush,  so  sudden 
and  so  vast."^" 


I']  k 


^^CornvyaUii'  X.  El  Dorado,  11-18.  Says  the  Nevada  Journal  of  May  14, 
1858,  editorially:  'The  spirit  of  '4i)  is  partially  aroused,  and  quite  a  largo 
number  will  probably  leave  the  country  in  quest  of  adventure  in  tlio  far 
north ....  Nine  years  experience  has  taught  us  never  to  be  iu  a  hurry  to 
chase  new  and  marvellous  reports  to  their  source.  We  have  found  it  rarely 
pays.'  C  C.  Roberts,  a  correspondent  of  the  Bulletin,  from  Grass  Valley, 
June  7,  1858,  says:  '  The  Fraser  excitement  had  the  effect  to  augment  the  ditti- 
cultie-i  experienced  by  the  quartz-mining  interest,  by  drawing  away  a  great 
number  of  tlie  underground  hands,  and  l)y  increasing  the  rate  of  wages,  so 
that  many  of  the  mills  and  mines  had  closed;  and  it  Avould  inevitably,  if  the 
rise  of  wages  continued,  close  the  rest. ' 

^^Nwjenfs  licpt.,  S-'dh  Coinj.,  2d  Scss.,  II.  Ejc.  Doc,  3,  p.  3. 

^  Broinns  Essay,  3,  4;  Conimillis'  N.  El  Dorado,  11-18.     One  of  the  best 

I  tainted  pictures  of  the  time  was  published  in  the  Overland  Monthly  of  Decem- 
)er  18G9,  hy  Mr  Wright.  The  worm-eaten  wharves  of  Sau  Francisco  trembled 
almost  daily,  he  saiii,  under  the  tread  of  the  vast  multitude  that  gathered  to 
see  the  northern  steamer  leave.  The  crowded  stages  landing  the  people  from 
the  mining  counties  of  California  at  Sacraniento  and  Stockton;  the  spirit  of 
speculation  rampant  at  Victoria  and  Whatcom;  the  helpless  and  confused 
mass  of  humanity  swayed  hither  and  thitlier  by  each  conflicting  report  from 
tlie  gate  of  the  Cascades  in  British  Columbia;  the  towns  of  canvas  at  Victoria, 
Whatcom,  Lancley,  Hope,  and  Yale;  the  upturned  craft  found  among  the 
islands  of  the  beautiful  Haro  archipelago,  constituting  the  only  record  of 


THE  GRAND  RUSH. 


359 


iflux  and 

ippers  ro- 

Shrowd 

•ied  down 

re  or  less 
continued 
'egon  and 
Francisco 
aw.  Jolin 
estimated 

thousand 
and  about 
■f  thousand 
irse  of  the 
ned  before 
S'one  were 
ig  and  old 
lessness  or 
hort,"  says 
niigrations 

so  sudden 


rnal  of  May  14, 
d  quite  a  large 
turo  ill  the  far 
in  a  hurry  to 
found  it  rarely 
_  Grass  Valley, 
igment  the  ditti- 
ig  aAvay  a  great 
,te  of  wages,  so 
evitably,  if  tlie 

)ne  of  the  best 
mthly  of  Decern- 
ncisco  trembled 
hat  gathered  to 
the  people  from 
n;  the  spirit  of 
IS  and  confused 
ing  report  from 
jvas  at  "Victoria, 
und  among  the 
only  record  of 


The  first  load  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  adventurers 
left  San  Francisco  on  the  steamer  Commodore,  on  the 
20th  of  April  1858.  Between  April  20th  and  June 
9tli,  twenty-five  hundred  miners,  mostly  from  the  in- 
terior of  California,  had  taken  passage  by  steamer  from 
Stui  Francisco;  and  it  was  estimated  that  five  thou- 
sand more  were  at  the  same  time  collected  in  Puget 
Sound,  on  their  way  to  the  Fraser.  Governor  Doug- 
las, in  a  letter  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  in  London,  dated  Victoria,  April  27, 
1858,  speaks  of  the  arrival  of  the  Commodore  on  the 
25th.  The  passengers  were  well  provided  with  tools. 
Said  Douglas :  "  There  seems  to  be  no  want  of  capital 
or  intelligence  among  them.  About  sixty  were  Brit- 
ish subjects,  sixty  Americans,  and  the  remainder  Ger- 
mans, French,  and  Italians.""^  On  the  27th,  the 
Pacific  Mail  steamer  Columbia  landed  eighty  more 
passengers  at  Fort  Townsend,  all  bound,  says  Doug- 
las, for  the  Couteau  District. 

The  Fraser  River  excitement  was  encouraged  by 
tlie  steamboat  owners,  who  coined  money  as  long  as 
it  lasted.  At  first  the  crowds  that  came  to  Victoria 
went  from  there  to  Whatcom,  under  the  belief  that 
the  great  town  of  the  north  would  spring  up  on  the 
Mainland.  They  brought  plenty  of  money  to  invest 
in  land  and  other  speculations,  as  much  as  two  millions 
of  dollars  being  at  one  time  deposited  in  Victoria. 
The  only  safe  in  the  country  was  owned  by  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company,  so  that  the  money  passed  through 
tlie  hands  of  Mr  Finlayson,  the  treasurer  of  the  com- 
pany.    It  was  presented  in  sacks,  which   Finlayson 

many  too  impatient  for  inaction,  who  had  been  swamped  in  the  sudden  storms 
and  trCfacherous  tide-rips,  reported  by  others  who  had  wandered  for  weeks 
aiiiiiiig  tortuous  passes,  and  at  last  returned  to  Victoria,  not  caring  to  venture 
aiross  the  Georgian  Gulf;  tho  toil  against  the  rapid  current  of  the  Fraser 
by  tlie  bolder  and  stronger,  towing  f'eir  boats  along  tho  sliore,  climbing  over 
fallen  trees,  creeping  under  hanging  bushes,  and  becoming  from  slieor  neces- 
sity almost  amphibious;  tho  mosquitoes;  tho  riiHes  and  whirls  of  tho  un- 
known stream,  which  carried  them  liack  half  a  day's  journey,  when  they  were 
obliged  to  cross — all  these  matters  and  more  are  told  as  they  can  be  told  only 
by  one  who  liad  seen. 

'^Dowjlas,  in  Comtoallis'  N.  El  Donulo,  3G1. 


3G0 


THE  (JREAT  GOLD  l-IXCITEMENT. 


li[ 


refused  to  receive  unless  they  were  sealed  with  tlie 
names  of  the  owners,  as  it  was  impracticable  to  count 
the  money.  When  any  one  wanted  money,  he  would 
take  out  his  bag,  get  what  he  needed,  and  return  it. 
Not  an  instance  ever  occurred  of  complaint,  says  Fin- 
layson  with  pride,  of  supposed  loss.'"^-  To  the  staid 
and  plodding  officers  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company, 
the  advent  of  the  thirty  thousand  "half-wild  Califor- 
nians,"  distributing  themselves  broadcast  over  their 
j>ossessions,  caused  a  degree  of  uneasiness  of  mind 
amountinsf  to  a  commotion.  "The  rouijii-and-tumblo 
rascals,"  said  McDonald,  "  had  not  come  for  nothing;" 
and  their  notions  of  meuin  and  tuum  did  not  appear 
to  them  to  be  very  well  defined. 

This  army  of  gold-seekers  that  besieged  Fort  A^ic- 
toria  threatened  the  suj)remacy  of  the  crown  as  W(  11 
as  the  stability  of  the  territorial  claims  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company  on  the  Pacific  Coast.  The  miners, 
three  thousand  of  whom  arrived  at  Victoria  in  one 
day,  encamped  in  tents  around  tlie  fort.  In  rt>gard  to 
the  general  orderly  character  of  the  pilgrims,  there  is 
cumulative  testimony  from  all  sides,  notwithstanding 
the  fact  tliat  the  jealousy  and  the  unreasonable  exac- 
tions of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  practically  in 
charge  of  the  government,  met  the  strongest  opposi- 
tion, and  called  forth  the  unqualified  animadversions 
of  the  miners.  In  order  to  quiet  the  difficulties  thus 
arisinjTf,  and  to  remove  the  restrictions  au'ainst  the  ini- 
migration  of  Americans,  John  Nugent  was  finally  sent 
to  the  country  as  commissioner  and  consular  agent 
by  the  United  States.-^     The  stringency  of  the  laws 

■'■' FhilaiMon'.-i  V.I.andX.  IF.  6'on.s<,  M.S. ,  5C-G0. 

^■'California  iimst  liavo  been  pretty  nearly  emptied  of  loafers  and  ganil tiers 
during  the  Fraser  Kivcr  excitement.  '  Sniithers  '  was  depicted  as  one  of  tlio 
typical  cliaraeter.s  of  the  time  by  a  sketch  in  the  Morniixj  Call.  Ho  liad  come  to 
California  at  an  early  period,  and  had  wonderous  tales  to  tell  of  '49  and  ""lO, 
and  of  the  times  wlien  he  was  a  millionaire;  but  'the  great  conflagratiou  of 
1851  had  done  the  business  for  him  completely,'  and  ho  could  no  longer  get 
trusted  in  San  Francisco  for  a  drink.  A  large  number  of  the  gamblers  that 
came  to  Victoria  did  not  like  the  appearance  of  things  on  Vancouver  Island, 
and  crossing  over,  established  themselves  at  Whatcom.  When  that  town  came 
to  naught  in  consequence  of  the  successful  navigation  of  the  Fraser  by  steam- 
ers to  Yale,  they  removed  in  a  body  to  the  latter  place. 


ARRIVAL  OP  VESSELS. 


m 


witli  the 
to  count 
he  would 
return  it. 
says  Fiii- 
the  staid 
I!ompany, 
d  Cahfor- 
)vcr  their 
;  of   mind 
nd-tuiidilo 
nothing ;" 
lot  appear 

Fort  A'ic- 
^'11  as  W(  11 
the  I[u(l- 
'he  muK'i'!^, 
iria  in  one 
1  regard  to 
s,  there  is 
istanding" 
able  exae- 
ictically  in 
est  opposi- 
ladversions 
ulties  thus 
st  the  iui- 
finally  sent 
ular   agent 
•  the  laws 


rs  and  gaml>ler3 

id  as  one  of  the 

Ho  had  coiuc  to 

of  '49  and  'M, 

conflagratio"  of 

no  longer  get 

J,  gamblers  that 

ncouver  Ishuul, 

that  town  eame 

raser  by  steam- 


united  with  the  general  good  sense  of  the  miners  had 
the  effect  to  deter  the  many  doubtful  cliaracters — 
gamblers,  thieves,  and  swindlers — that  Hocked  into 
the  country  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  rich  spoils  from 
the  industrious  and  unsuspicious,  and  force  them  to 
(juit  the  field.  Perhaps  the  scanty  product  of  the 
F raser  River  bars,  in  comparison  with  those  of  tlie 
American,  the  Yuba,  and  Feather  rivers,  had  some- 
tliing  to  do  with  their  graceful  yielding  to  the  stern 
authority  of  Mr  Justice  Begbie. 

Nearly  all  the  Californian  emigration  was  landed 
at  Victoria,  in  consequence  of  Governor  Douglas  re- 
fusing to  grant  permits  and  mining  licenses  elsewhere. 
A  large  quantity  of  shipping,  both  sail  and  steam, 
enlivened  the  aboriginal  quiet  of  A'ictoria  and  Es(|ui- 
Hialt  harbors.  From  the  middle  of  Ajtril  1858  for 
several  months,  while  the  excitement  was  dailv  in- 
creasing,  not  oidy  at  Victoria  but  in  San  Francisco, 
the  lialcyo!!  days  of  '41)  appeared  to  have  come  again, 
and  fresli  dreams  of  wealth  floated  through  the  minds 
of  multitudes.  In  the  fortnight  between  the  5th  and 
•JOth  of  June,  there  arrived  at  Victoria  from  San 
Fi'ancisco  the  ships  Gcorfjina,  a  new  craft  under  an  old 
name,  and  tV  MlUiam  Berry,  the  barks  (iold  Hunter, 
Adelaide,  Lire  Yankee,  and  }[adonna,  the  schooners 
(iiidietta,  Kosfiufh,  and  Osprej/,  and  the  sl(X)p  Cnrleir. 
Besides  these,  the  steamers  Republic,  Commodore,  Pan- 
ama, Cortes,  and  Santa  Cruz  landed  i)assengers  and 
freiolit  durino-  the  same  fortnight,  makinsj  in  all  a 
contribution  of  about  six  thousand  souls  within  the 
period  named. 

The  return  of  the  steamers  to  San  Francisco  was 
awaited  by  crowds  impatient  for  news.  The  Panama 
and  Pacific  had  returned  to  San  Francisco  on  the 
oth  and  8th  of  June,  from  which  time  there  was  no 
fresh  intelligence  from  the  mines  until  the  19th,  M'hen 
the  Republic  returned,  several  days  earlier  than  was 
expected,  amidst  intense  excitement  along  the  water- 
front and  at  the  hotels.     When  on  the  2  2d,  23d,  and 


in 


3C2 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENl. 


'km 


24th  of  Juno  the  steamers  Repuhlic,  Oregov,  and  Com- 
modore sailed  respectively,  there  were  twenty  otlier 
sailing  vessels  lying  at  the  wharves  announced  for 
immediate  despatch.  Some  of  the  smaller  sailinir 
vessels  went  to  Fort  Langley,  stopping  at  Victoriji 
only  long  cncmgh  to  get  the  necessary  permits.  First- 
class  passage  l)y  steamer  was  sixty-fixe  dollars;  steer- 
age passage  thirty-five  dollars;  by  sailing  craft  tlio 
rates  were  from  twenty-five  to  sixty  dollars.  To  tliu 
20th  of  June  Cornwallis  estimated  that  fourteen 
thousand  eight  hundred  persons  had  embarked  at  San 
Francisco  by  steam  and  sail."*  All  that  the  adven- 
turers desired  was  to  be  landed  as  near  as  possible  to 
the  mining  region  on  the  Fraser,  but  the  considera- 
tions which  governed  the  shippers  modified  the  gen- 
eral desire. 

Fort  Victoria  was  the  head-quarters  of  the  Hudson's 
Buy  Company,  of  the  government  of  the  country.  Situ- 
ated on  Vancouver  Island,  with  sixty  miles  of  inland  sea 
to  be  traversed  to  the  mouth  of  the  Fraser,  ana  eighty 
miles  to  Fort  Langley,  the  entire  immigration  would 
have  souuht  the  Mainland  for  a  landinjjf.  An  Anieri- 
can  port  would  have  been  preferred,  other  things  being 
equal.  As  opposed  to  Victoria,  Port  Townsend  was 
first  chosen  by  the  representatives  of  the  Pacific  Mail 
Company ;  but  that  was  not  satisfactory  to  the  miners, 
who  found  themselves  left  unnecessarily  remote  from 
their  destination.  Then  Whatcom  was  made  the 
objective  point,  being  conveniently  situated  for  a  land 
route  to  the  diggings.  Dense  forest,  however,  ol)- 
structed  the  way,  and  a  trail  had  to  be  cut,  requiring 
botl  time  and  money.  The  Fraser  itself  was  inac- 
cess  ble,  it  was  thought,  for  ocean -vessels;  or  what 
wa^  quivalent,  tlie  owners  of  vessels  did  not  choose 
to  i  ur  the  risk  of  going  np  to  Langley.  Above 
Lant  -.^j  it  was  not  expected  that  river  steamers 
coulu  go  far  enough  to  be  an  object  to  the  miners. 

'"A.  lerson'a  Northwest  Coast,  MS.,  277;  Cornwallis'  New  El  Dorado, 
141-51 


WHATCOM  ANJJ  VICTORIA. 


363 


ieii)   El  Dorado, 


TIk'  general  inquiry  was  for  canoes  from  the  most 
convenient  port.  Under  tlie  specious  cover  of  Ameri- 
can patriotism,  Whatcom  obtained  tlio  ascendency  ; 
Victoria  being  only  called  at  to  jjrocurc  the  official 
documents  prescribed  by  Governor  Douglas  to  admit 
the  miners  to  the  freedom  of  the  country,  which  sanc- 
tion it  was  charged  was  granted  only  at  Victoria  for 
till'  purpose  of  l)ringing  business.  But  it  is  doul)tful 
wliether  Victoria  would  have  gained  the  ascendency 
so  soon,  but  for  another  circumstance  more  potent 
than  the  government  regulations.  It  was  found  that 
tlie  Fraser  could  be  navigated  all  the  way  to  the  dig- 
gings, so  that  the  trail  from  Bellingham  ]^ay,  which 
\viis  cut  in  order  to  avoid  the  navigation  and  landing 
fiom  shipboard  in  British  territory,  was  at  once  dis- 
carded. 

Steamers  now  began  to  run  directly  from  Victoria 
to  tlio  mines,  leaving  Whatcom  aside.  So  long  as  the 
miners  were  dependent  entirely  upon  canoes,  What- 
com had  continued  to  hold  its  own  under  the  prospect 
of  the  speedy  opening  of  the  pack-trail  and  i)roposed 
wagon-road.  ]^ut  the  trail  was  not  opened  s<K)n 
ciiougli;  much  lews  the  wagon-ro.ad  through  the  canon 
of  the  Fraser,  which  alone  could  have  presented 
claims  in  competition  with  the  lower  Fraser  and  gulf 
of  'jcorgia  navigation.  The  mud-flats  of  Whatcom 
being  objectionable,  also,  the  annex  called  Sehome 
soon  took  the  place  of  Whatcom,  and  the  buildings 
of  the  town  became  tenantless  witli  the  departure  of 
the  loose  population  to  Yale.  Some  of  the  longheads, 
as  they  were  called,  then  went  to  Semiahmoo,  and 
two  paper  tow^is  were  laid  out  on  oj)posite  sitles  of 
the  bay;  but  the  Fraser  travel  could  not  be  beguiled 
over  land  to  Semiahmoo  merely  because  tlie  distance 
"Was  short.  Whatcom  was  early  in  the  field  as  a  pro- 
sj)ective  town,  as  the  earliest  mining  below  the  Fraser 
canon  was  carried  on  by  people  from  Puget  Sound, 
wlio  went  to  the  mines  and  sent  out  their  gold  by 
way  of  Whatcom.     In  March  or  the  beginning  of 


I 


864 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


April  1858,  while  the  Fraser  River  was  at  its  lowest 
stage,  parties  of  Canadians  and  others  from  Puoot 
Sound  had  managed  to  get  up  the  river,  and  wero 
working  some  of  the  richer  bars  below  Fort  Yale. 
Some  of  these  even  continued  their  operations  beyond 
the  forks  of  the  Thompson.  They  made  their  way 
alongf  the  shores  of  Pu^ijet  Sound  in  canoes.  The  cur- 
rent  to  the  mines  from  Puget  Sound  did  not  follow 
tlic  route  by  way  of  Vancouver  Island  until  business 
of  every  sort  was  running  in  a  well-established  groove 
to  Victoria. 

The  first  body  of  miners  that  struck  out  from  Vic- 
toria in  April  crossed  the  gulf  in  skiffs,  whale- 
boats,  and  canoes.  Numbers  of  these  were  believed 
to  have  perished,  as  the  craft  employed  were  mostly 
makeshifts  constructed  by  the  miners  themselves. 
At  that  time  all  American  steamers  were  jealously 
excluded  from  the  Fraser.  Inadequate  steamer  com- 
munication was  carried  on  by  the  Hudson's  ]i'iy 
Company.  At  length,  Douglas,  on  the  payment  of  a 
royalty  for  every  trip,  permitted  American  steamers  ti > 
enter  the  river;  and  the  Sea  Bird,  Surprise,  UmafiIJa, 
Maria,  Jvnfcrprise,  and  others  began  rumiing,  usually 
from  Victoria  to  Langley  and  Hope.  Their  use,  by 
the  inHowhig  and  outgoing  miners,  proved  the  death- 
blow to  Whatcom.  However,  even  after  the  steam- 
ers afi'orded  abundant  facilities,  many  of  the  miners, 
finding  the  twenty-dollar  fare  too  high,  continued  t() 
make  thvAV  own  boats  at  Victoria,  and  to  navigate 
them  to  Yale.  In  July,  nearly  all  the  miners  had 
left;  the  majority,  so  far,  in  boats  built  l)y  themselves. 
One  authority  states  that  hundreds  of  them  were 
never  heard  from  after  leaving  Victoria,  and  were 
supposed  to  have  been  drowned  in  the  tide-rips,  or  in 
crossing  the  water."''  If  they  escaped  the  dangers  of 
the  uulf,  or  the  currents  and  counter-currents  of  the 

2'  Waiblinijlnx's  Fni.'irr  JH/z^w,  5-10;  TarhrlVs  !>.,  MS.,  2;  yu;init\i  f.'n't. 
Kv.  Doc.  r.ii,  ikUk  Coiiij.,  L.'(/  Si'M.,  2;  Fiiildi/nou','''  ]'.  I.  mid  N.  W.  C'onxf.,  M'"'  , 
r>G-(iO.  Nugent  say.s  'tlio  fn-iiiht  per  ton  from  Victoria  to  Hope,  100  milis, 
was  ^0,  and  from  Hope  to  Yule,  20  miles,  §20.'  Xiiijetd's  Jiept.,  4. 


ROAD -BUILDING. 


Haro  archipelago,  it  was  only  to  encounter  the  swift 
current  of  the  Fraser,  with  its  occasional  sedgy  bor- 
ders, and  its  whirls  and  rapids  between  Hope  and 
Yale.  Thus,  over  many  a  manly  heart  so  lately  filled 
with  hope,  rolled  the  waters  of  oblivion.  By  mid- 
summer, the  miners  had  crowded  all  the  bars  of  the 
Fraser  as  far  up  as  the  Thompson.  They  climbed 
back  and  forth  over  the  cliflfs  above  Yale,  carrying 
tlicir  own  supplies  upon  their  backs.  At  length  a 
petty  Indian  war  broke  out,  which  drove  thom  all 
down  to  Yale.^°  The  absorbing  topic  of  the  time  was 
the  solution  of  a  problem  calling  for  all  the  energies 
that  were  developed  by  the  stirring  days  of  the  ex- 
citement— how  to  transport  supplies  to  the  front. 

It  soon  became  obvious  that  it  was  necessary  to 
have  this  done  in  the  cheapest  and  most  expedi- 
tious manner.  Some  returning  miners  were  guided 
by  Indians,  from  Lilloet  through  Harrison  Lake  and 
river,  and  over  the  Douglas  portages,  where  a  pack- 
road  leading  into  the  interior  could  be  constructed  at 
a  comparatively  moderate  cost."''  In  order  to  open  a 
trail  along  this  route  Douglas  hit  upoii  the  following 
expedient:  There  were  five  hundred  miners  at  Vic- 
toria on  their  way  to  the  mines.  It  was  proposed 
that  in  consideration  of  a  deposit  of  twenty-five  dol- 
lars by  each  person  accepting  the  terms,  and  an  agree- 
ment to  work  upon  the  trail  until  it  was  finished,  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  should  transport  them  to  the 
point  of  commencement  on  Harrison  River,  feed  them, 
and  at  the  conclusion  of  the  work  furnish  them  there 
with  supplies  at  Victoria  prices,  or  return  the  money 
if  dcs'-^ed.  The  length  of  trail  to  be  opened,  includ- 
ing the  lakes,  was  seventy  miles.  No  difficulty  was 
experienced  in  getting  the  miners  to  accede  to  this 
proposition.     The  money  was  paid  in,  and  the  work 

•^ 21allap.latneU  Mrat  Victoria  Directory,  14;  Waddington' a  Fraser  Mines, 
22-4. 

"'Spence  in  Vowell'a  B.  0.  Mines,  MS.,  27,  asserts  that  it  was  tho  first 
route  utilized  for  the  transportation  of  freight  by  animals.  Early  doings  of 
course  are  now  ignored. 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


tij! 


executed  under  the  arrangement.  It  was  really  a  very- 
pretty  by-play  between  credit,  cooperation,  and  labor. 
When  the  work  was  done,  though  they  had  given  the 
company  the  use  of  twelve  thousand  five  hundred  dol- 
lars, and  their  labor,  they  all  received  their  money  back, 
tlieir  passage  being  a  sufficient  reward  for  their  labor, 
while  the  company  was  left  with  a  valuable  piece  of 
toll-road,  worth  much  more  than  the  transportation 
and  provisions  had  cost  them.  Those  who  became 
tired  of  the  bargain  before  the  trail  was  completed 
disposed  of  their  scrip  to  others  for  what  they  could 
get,  and  wont  their  way  rejoicing.  Disagreements 
arose  at  the  end  in  regard  to  the  delivery  of  the  sup- 
plies promised  in  lieu  of  the  money  deposits,  the  miners 
claiminjjc  that  the  freiiifht  should  be  delivered  at  the 
upper  end  of  the  seventy  miles,  while  the  company 
claimed  the  agreement  required  of  them  only  to  do- 
liver  it  at  tlie  lower  end.  This  point  was  compromised 
satisfactorily  to  both  parties  by  delivering  it  in  the 
middle.  Beans  at  the  time  were  worth  one  and  a  half 
cents  a  pound  at  Victoria,  five  cents  at  Port  Douglas, 
the  lower  end  of  the  trail,  and  one  dollar  a  pound  at 
the  upper  end. 

Nearly  all  the  provisions  on  the  Fraser  above  the 
canon  in  the  sunnner  of  1858,  with  the  exception  v)f 
the  little  packed  on  the  backs  of  the  miners  and 
Indians,  was  brought  there  from  the  upper  Columbia 
bv  the  half-breed  traders  of  the  Colville  countrv. 
Between  the  gulf  of  Georgia  and  the  interior  pla- 
teau there  were  only  trails,  and  in  their  competition 
for  ])0})ular  favor  the  partisans  of  each  declared  the 
other  iuq)raeticable.''^~*  That  from  Whatcom  striking 
the  Fraser  at  Smess,  twenty-five  miles  above  ]jang- 
ley,  was  subsequently  used  for  local  travel  from  Puget 
Sound.  The  movements  from  Oregon  to  the  Fraser 
mines  went  east  of  the  Cascade  Mountains,  striking 
the  Fraser  near  the  mouth  of  Thompson  Kiver. 
Though  an  effort  was  made  in  IMinnesota,  where  the 

'•<* OverluHtl J'l-om  Minnoiotd  to  Frtmr  liinr,  45-7. 


FROM  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


367 


Frascr  excitement  was  also  felt,  to  inaugurate  travel 
by  way  of  St  Paul  and  the  Saskatchewan  River, 
none  but  trappers  and  explorers  of  the  hardier  sort 
ventured  the  route  till  a  later  date,  the  current  from 
the  Atlantic  States  flowing  through  the  established 
channels  to  Oregon  and  California.  Two  notable  in- 
land expeditions  from  Oregon  may  be  cited  as  ex- 
amples of  numerous  others.  Owing  to  the  dangers 
iVoni  hostile  Indians  it  was  necessary  to  organize  and 
to  travel  in  force. 

David  McLaughlin's  company  made  their  rendez- 
vous at  Walla  Walla  early  in  July  1858.  In  ten  or 
twelve  da3^s  one  hundred  and  sixty  men  were  gath- 
ered, all  well  armed  with  revolvers,  ninety  rifles  and 
twenty-five  other  heavy  arms  being  in  the  party. 
They  had  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  horses  and 
mules.  Before  starting,  Mr  Wolfe,  a  trader  from  C  V)l- 
villc,  arrived  at  Walla  Walla  and  informed  them  of 
the  hostile  attitude  of  the  natives  along  the  pro- 
posed route,  advising  a  thorough  military  organiza- 
tion. Four  divisions  were  accordingly  formed  and 
placed  .under  the  command  of  James  McLaughlin, 
llambright,  Wilson,  and  another.  The  Walla  Wallas, 
Palouscs,  Okanagans,  and  other  tribes  were  hostile. 
The  party  passed  through  the  Grand  Coulee  to  Okan- 
agan.  On  their  way  over  the  Columbia  plains  a 
German  who  lagged  behind  was  seized  by  the  sav- 
ages and  killed.  Two  or  three  days'  travel  after 
crossing  the  Columbia  near  the  boundary  line  on  the 
cast  side  of  Okanagan  River,  the  whole  party  was 
attacked  by  the  Indians  in  force,  posted  on  a  hill  be- 
hind rude  fortifications  on  each  side  of  the  road  where 
they  had  to  pass  through  a  canon.  McLaughlin  dis- 
covered an  Indian's  head  peering  over  a  rock  before 
tlie  filing  began.  The  men  took  promptly  to  their 
work  and  fought  till  night.  None  of  the  animals 
stampeded,  but  were  retired  in  good  order  with  the 
trains  to  the  plateau  below.  While  the  riflemen  con- 
tinued after  night- fall  in  possession  of  the  ground 


I  . 


I  > 


3C8 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


facing  the  Indians,  a  detachment  prepared  rafts  to 
cross  the  river,  the  intention  being  to  Hank  the  do- 
fences  and  formidable  fastnesses  which  the  Indians 
had  evidently  prepared  for  then). 

Hurley,  Evans,  and  Rice,  all  three  Californians, 
were  killed,  and  seven  others  were  wounded,  but  re- 
covered. In  the  night  the  Indians  set  fire  to  tlio 
grass,  and  the  gold-hunters  set  counter-fires  without 
either  of  them  succeeding  in  burning  the  other  out. 
Next  morning  the  white  men  proceeded  to  bury  tlicir 
dead,  and  discovered  that  the  Indians  liad  abandoned 
their  stronofhold.  It  had  about  a  hundred  breast- 
works,  each  made  to  shelter  one  Indian,  and  wns 
occupied  at  the  time  of  the  attack  by  eighty  savages. 
Two  or  three  days  after,  the  party  was  again  attacked 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Okanagan  lliver.  A  hun- 
dred mounted  warriors  rode  down  upon  them,  trying 
to  separate  the  company  from  their  animals;  tlieir 
I  urpose  was  anticipated,  and  prevented.  After  some 
further  trouble  and  parley,  they  made  a  peace  with 
the  hostile  tribe,  the  Okanagans,  and  the  gold-hunters 
continued  tlieir  march  without  delay.  Xotwithstand- 
ing  the  peace  assented  to,  immediately  afterward  sixty 
head  of  Wolfe's  cattle  were  stolen  by  the  Indians, 
and  a  detachment  of  McLoughlin's  men  surprised 
two  of  them  engaged  in  jerking  the  beef  from  tlie 
slaughtered  cattle.  They  were  taken  along  as  prison- 
ers, but  at  this  juncture  Chief  Trader  MclJonakl 
from  Fort  Colville  came  up  with  a  train  bound  for 
Hoi)e,  and  at  his  request  tlie  Indians  were  discharged. 
The  same  Indians  afterward  robbed  a  Spanish  paelver 
who  had  been  left  in  the  rear  attending  to  his  animals, 
and  the  savages  with  hostile  and  thieving  intent 
continued  to  follow  them  to  a  point  within  three  days' 
march  of  Thompson  River.  They  came  upon  tliat 
stream  twelve  miles  above  its  mouth. 

Joel  Palmer  and  thirty-five  others,  among  them 
P.  H.  Lewis,  went  to  the  Fraser  mines  from  Port- 
land with  wagons,  also  following  the  inside  or  plateau 


INTERIOR  TRAFFIC. 


route.  The  company  encamped  at  the  Dalles,  and 
departed  thence  in  July,  driving  their  own  teams  all 
the  way  through  to  the  Thompson.  There  were 
nine  teams,  each  consisting  of  three  or  four  yoke  of 
oxen,  the  majority  of  them  belonging  to  Palmer. 
Four  'boys'  from  Yreka,  California,  were  the  coop- 
erative owners  of  one  of  the  teams.  Provisions  c(mi- 
stituted  the  cargo,  three  thousand  pounds  to  the 
wagon.  The  route  was  by  way  of  Wallula  and  Okan- 
agan  to  Kamloop. 

Steamer  loads  came  from  California  to  Portland 
ajid  fitted  out  at  that  place  for  tlie  inside  route.  Com- 
panies of  four  hundred  and  five  hundred  men  accom- 
panied by  pack-trains,  moving  more  rapidly  than  was 
possible  for  the  wagons  without  a  road,  overtook  and 
passed  Palmer's  train  on  the  way.^  The  latter,  under 
Palmer's  experienced  generalship,  found  occasion  to 
make  use  of  all  the  arts  of  travel  in  the  form  of  the 
organized  semi-military  expeditions  developed  in  the 
Oregon  emigrations  of  1842-8.  At  the  point  of  rocks 
twelve  miles  above  Priest  Rapids,  the  country  was 
found  impracticable  for  three  quarters  of  a  mile  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river.  Wagons  and  frciafht  were 
accordingly  conveyed  around  this  in  canoes.  At 
Okanagan  the  Columbia  was  crossed  in  the  same  man- 
ner, the  cattle  swimming.  Two  canoes  were  lashed 
alongside  and  placed  endwise  to  the  bank ;  the  wagons 
were  then  rolled  or  lifted  into  them  empty,  and  the 
freight  was  stowed  in  the  bottom  or  in  the  wagon- 
beds,  as  was  most  convenient.  Three  wagons  and 
tlieir  contents  were  taken  ovjr  at  one  time  in  safety 
by  four  men,  one  each  occupying  the  bow  and  stern  in 
both  canoes.*' 

When  the  expedition  reached  Okanagan  Lake  it  was 


'^^  McLnughlin'a  Ex.,  in  Oregon  StiUemuui,  Sept.  28,  1858;  Lewi-t'  Co>il  Din- 
corcries,  MS.,  13-15. 

^^  Palmer,  in  Oregon  Statemnan,  Feb.  14,  18G0.    Palmer  wrote  a  four-column 
article  giving  the  results  of  hia  expeditions  of  1858  and  1859,  and  making  out 
tli.it  in  carrying  freight  to  the  mines  the  route  could  compete  with  the  roada 
iiieu  oKisting  along  Ifrusor  aud  Ilarriaou  rivers. 
MlsT.  Brit.  Col.    24 


Mm  f 


m 


THE  (JKEAT  (lOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


found  necessary  to  build  rafts  in  order  to  pass  sonio 
difficult  forest-covered  country,  cut  up  by  ravines. 
Wa<jfons  and  frtiijj^ht  were  taken  upon  several  lar<.,fc 
rafts,  j)oled  and  towed  aloni^  shore  with  ropes,  while 
the  cattle  wore  drivpn,  und(>r  the  direction  of  ex- 
])lorors,  to  a  point  where  tho  country  was  more  open. 
J*alnier  had  a  party  of  men  In  advance  all  the  way, 
explorini^  and  makinij^  a  road,  or  cutting-  timl)er  as  fjir 
north,  on  his  second  trip  in  1851),  as  Alexan(hia,  and 
later  to  Lightninj^  Creek,  wlu-n^  he  t!stablished  a 
tradini^-post  and  sold  out  his  oxen  for  beef*' 


•31 


Douglas'  frequent  conununications  to  the  colonial 
office,  touchiuLj  the  _u,old  discoveries  in  British  terri- 
tory, Itift  the  oDvernment  juepared  for  action  as  soon 
as  the  news  of  the  break inii»-out  of  the  Fraser  excite- 
ment and  the  exodus  to  the  north  had  reached 
England.  On  the  Hth  of  July,  Sir  C.  R  Lytton, 
secretary  of  state  for  the  colonies,  brought  the  matter 
before  the  house  of  connnons  in  i'.n  form  of  a  bill  lor 
the  efovernment  of  'Nt^w  C^aU'donia.'  Lord  Lvtton 
in  pri'sentino-  this  bill  did  justice  to  the  subject  in  an 
able  si>eech,  pointinof  uut  the  imj)ortance  of  the  new 
liff)ld-tields  as  a  part  of  the  British  possessions  in 
North  America,  and  of  the  empire  in  its  future  com- 
mercial relations  on  the  J*aciric.''"  One  of  the  earliest 
communications  of  Douola^-  had  raised  the  question 
of  takine^  advant;i_o-e  o\'  the  o()lil  exciti>ment  for  revi-- 
nue.  Before  tlu;  Fraser  excitement  had  fairly  betiun, 
in  Di'cimd)er  1857,  he  had  prescribid  a  monthly  tax 
of  ten  shillinj»s  upon  every  miner,  afterward  incnvis- 
ini»-  the  amount  to  Hve  dollars,  thouoh  the  country  was 
not  under  his  jurisdiction  as  jn'overnor  of  the  colony 
of  V^ancouver  Island,  and  the  Hudson's  l^ay  Company 
had  no  rights  in  tlu;  territory,  beyond  their  lict'iise 
to  trade.  If  the  motive  and  the  exceedini^  of  his 
authority  as  the  nearest  representative  of  the  crown 

"  Palmer*  Waqon  Traim,  MS. ,  n.'t. 
«CV«HJa//«V  .Vfw  AV  Z>om</o,  11-18. 


DISCOVERY  OF  OOLD. 


371 


were  not  approved  or  deisiiied  a  sufficient  excuse  in 
the  premises,  lie  wrote  to  Laboucliere  in  the  colonial 
tlc'[)artinent,  it  would  l)c  easy  tor  ]>)uglas  on  receivin<:; 
tlie  colonial  secretary's  reply  to  jH^rinit  the  iniiH'is' 
license  to  hecoine  a  dead  letter.  But  as  the  license 
iuid  other  similar  acts  in  regard  to  the  Mainlan<l  wen? 
ul'terward  continued  in  force,  it  would  appear  that  the 
tcmjioiary  assumption  of  authority  by  Douglas  wjis 
o\  (U'looktid,  if  not  approved. 

Additional  exactions  of  the  same  kind  were  im- 
posed upon  the  iidlowing  masst:s  before  the  erection 
of  the  jVIainland  region  into  a  colony.  J^esidi^s  tlie 
six  and  twelve  dollars  'sutferance'  for  every  open  and 
decked  boat  or  canoe;  that  enteretl  the  mouth  of  Fraser 
Ivivc!!',  collected  by  the  gun-boat  Safclllfc,  tin;  treasurer 
of  the  Hudson's  ]iay  Com[>any,  Finhiyson,  who  ofli- 
ciated  at  the  same  time;  as  customs  officer  and  treasurer 
of  the  colony  of  Vancouvi'r  Jsland,  exacted  a  ten  per 
c(!nt  ad  valornii  tax  ujion  the  supplies  of  the  miniTs, 
coiiipiising  goods  of  every  kind  that  went  to  the 
mi  lies.'" 

Where  domination  was  so  autocratic  and  so  reti- 
cint  as  that  exmcised  by  the  fur-traders  under  the 
l)(»uglas  n'fjunc,  the  purest  motives  were  not  always 
;isciil)C!d  to  the  Hudson's  Hay  ('om|)any  for  theii'  acts. 
Hy  th(!  miners  it  was  thought  that  the  company  was 
averse  to  their  taking  [)ossi'ssioii  of  the  territory;  that 
they  preferred  to  hav(!  the  natives  Hnd  the  gold  aixl 
hiiiig  it  to  them  with  their  furs,  receiving  therefor 
IH'oods  at  exorbitant  prici's. 

lOhvood  Evans  and  John  Xugcnit  both  appear  t<> 
liiive  had  the  idea  that  the;  Hudson's  Jiay  Com- 
Jiiuiy  officials  knew  of  the  (existence  of  the  gold  in 
till'  valley  of  the  Fraser  for  several  years  before  the 
Fiaser  excitement;  that  they  must  have  had  sonu;- 
thiiig  to  do  with  creating  and  <'xciting  the  rush,  but 
that  thvy  judiciously  held  back  till  a  certain  time, 
uiid  then  unscrupulously  fostered  the  excitement  to 

■"Finl<iy:ton.i  r.  r.  >indB.C.,UH.,r)ii-(iO. 


yMyHHIII 


372 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT 


I 


V     1 


1) 


the  utmost.^*  But  it  is  not  difficult  to  interpret 
the  motives  that  governed  their  action  under  the 
progress  of  developments,  without  indorsing  these 
clashing  opinions,  or  attributing  to  them  unworthy 
motives.  Douglas  had  reason  to  fear  the  American 
invasion,  for  he  had  seen  Oregon  pass  out  of  the  pos- 
session of  the  company  and  of  the  crown  by  a  similar 
peaceful  invasion. 

That  the  company  preferred,  were  it  possible,  to 
hold  the  Mainland  with  its  furs  and  gold  exclusive, 
there  can  be  no  doubt;  that  they  resorted  to  dishonor- 
able measures  when  they  saw  the  inevitable  upon 
them  is  not  true.  Like  any  other  bloodless  and  mer- 
cenary association,  when  they  saw  their  fur -field 
despoiled  by  invaders  whose  presence  they  were 
powerless  to  oppose,  they  turned  to  the  best  account 
they  were  able  their  facilities  for  transportation  and 
trade,  which  was  unquestionably  their  privilege.  As 
I  have  before  observed,  I  can  but  regard  the  oflBccrs 
and  servants  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  upon  the 
Pacific  Coast,  in  points  of  integrity  and  humanity,  as 
far  above  the  average  corporation  monopolist. 

In  California  it  implied  not  merely  the  loss  of  popu 
lation  and  revenue,  but  of  business  and  of  commercial 
supremacy.  At  first  the  reports  were  considered 
doubtful,  and  only  a  few  of  the  most  venturesome 
went  to  investigate  for  themselves;  and  when  they 
were  confirmed,  sceptical  writers  still  cited  Gold 
Lake,  Gold  Bluflf,  Kern  River,  and  all  the  other 
total  or  partial  delusions  of  their  day.  When  the 
news  was  received  in  a  reliable  form,  and  from  persons 
well  known  in  California,  all  agreeing  that  there  Avas 
really  much  gold  in  the  sands  of  the  Fraser,  and  that 
it  existed  in  extremely  fine  particles,  though  accom- 
panied by  the  warning  that  the  high-water  season 


^*  Evans' Fraser  River  ExcHement,  MS.,  and  Nugent's  Rept.  Ex.  Doc.  cxL, 
S5th  Cong,,  2d  Sess,,  both  attribute  a  great  deal  to  the  manipulation  of  tli< 
company. 


THE  ORTHODOX  THEORY. 


373 


was  just  commencing,  which  would  render  the  bars 
of  the  rivers,  the  only  good  ground  so  far  known  in- 
accessible for  several  months,  every  old  miner  in  Cali- 
fornia undei.:}tood  the  significance  of  the  fact.  The 
theory  so  well  understood  in  every  gold-mining 
country  in  the  world,  of  fine  gold  necessarily  coming 
from  a  coarse-gold  region,  furnished  the  plain,  unvar- 
nished, and  all-sufficient  cause  for  the  unparalleled 
st  impede.  Adolph  Sutro  at  the  time  called  attention 
to  the  fact  that  the  information  received  from  Frasor 
River  alone  did  not  suffice  to  produce  the  extraor- 
dinary result;  but  that  the  miners  had  learned  to 
place  implicit  confidence  in  the  theory  of  fine  gold, 
the  fineness  corresponding  with  the  distance  travelled, 
and  that  the  bars  of  the  Fraser  were  understood  by 
thoni  to  be  nothing  else  tlian  the  farthest  tailings  of 
a  sluice,  where  only  sucli  particles  were  found  as  were 
minute  enough  to  be  carried  away  by  the  waters.  It 
was  concluded  by  many  of  the  most  intelligent  miners 
and  prospectors  of  California,  that  there  must  be  an 
extensive  gold-mining  district  in  British  Columbia, 
perhaps  hundreds  of  miles  above  the  bars  yielding 
the  fine  gold.'^^ 

I  have  already  shown  that  to  test  this  theory  was 
not  a  matter  of  years,  but  the  season  rendered  it  im- 
possible at  this  time. 

For  some  time  past  attention  had  been  directed  to 
the  Fuca  Strait  by  geographers,  but  more  particularly 
to  Puget  Sound,  by  that  portion  of  the  Oregon  en  i- 

^•'  SiUro's  Rerkno  qf  Fraxer  River  ami  the  Oold  ProxpeclH  cf  New  Caledonia, 
ill  S.  F.  liulletin,  Aug.  27,  18r)8.  Fiiuliiig  the  water  high  over  the  bars,  tho 
iiiiiiera  hatl  pressed  on  to  Yalo  and  eiicoimtored  otlier  insurinouiitahio  ohsta- 
des,  the  great  Fraser  a  foaming  torrent  heniiiied  in  by  perpendicular  rocks  on 
t'itlier  side.  Tlio  timid  turned  hack  and  denounced  tho  tlieory  as  fiction. 
Otiiers  waited  through  dreary  months;  but  a  daring  few,  with  a  fortnight's  or 
a  mouths  provisions  strapped  on  their  l)acks,  climbed  the  rocks  anil  slopes  of 
the  Fraser  cailon  seventy  miles  fartlier  to  La  Fontaine,  where  they  found 
good  diggings,  but  only  to  prospect  them  before  they  were  obliged  to  hurry 
l)ack  to  avoid  starvation.  'Fraser  River,'  says  Sutro,  'has  been  put  down  aa 
a  humbug  by  tho  majority  of  the  California  people,  and  why  ?  Have  tliey 
carried  out  their  original  intention  to  explore  the  country  above  ?  No,  they 
liavo  not.'  Compare  Wri'iht's  Cariboo,  iu  Overland  Monthly,  Dec.  1809,  524, 
for  information  of  this  motive. 


874 


THE  GREAT  GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


gration  which  was  imbued  with  commercial  traditions 
or  influenced  by  nautical  antecedents.  Under  the  act 
which  initiated  the  Pacific  Railway  explorations  by 
the  engineer  corps  of  the  army  between  1853  and 
185G,  Governor  Stephens  of  Washington  Territory 
led  one  of  the  best  executed  series  of  explorations 
over  the  line  of  the  proposed  Northern  Pacific  Rail- 
way, terminating  on  Puget  Sound.  Notwithstanding 
the  existence  of  gold  in  California,  it  was  believed 
by  many  that  Puget  Sound  was  to  be  the  terminus 
of  the  great  future  trunk  railway  of  the  northern 
states.^ 


The  immediate  effect  of  the  gold  excitement  was  to 
lay  the  foundations  for  the  Canadian  Pacific  and  North- 
ern Pacific  railways  as  commercial  enterprises,  eacli 
of  which  had,  however,  to  await  the  more  permanent 
kinds  of  mining  development  before  the  superstructure 
could  be  properly  carried  forward.  Evidently  the 
final  great  value  of  the  discovery  of  the  new  gold- 
fields  in  British  Columbia  to  the  colony,  to  the  Do- 
minion of  Canada,  and  to  the  Empire  of  Great  Britain, 
consisted  mainly  in  the  crowds  of  adventurers  that 
were  attracted  into  the  country,  from  whose  energetic 
proceedings  permanent  developments  were  to  follow 
in  many  ways. 

Communications  for  trafl^ic  and  general  intercourse 
thus  sprang  forward  at  a  bound,  and  the  country  was 


'"  In  the  midst  of  the  Fraser  excitement,  California  newspapers  quoted 
Lieutenant  Maury's  opinion  on  the  subject.  The  great  telegraphic  plateuti 
on  wliich  the  Atlantic  cable  was  laid  was  reported  by  Maury  to  extend  around 
the  world,  the  Minnesota  divide  between  the  gulf  and  Arctic  waters  forming 
a  portion  of  it.  Tlie  whole  country  between  Lake  Superior  and  Puget  Sound 
was  claimed  to  be  loss  barren  and  less  rugged  than  the  country  south,  and 
coal  as  well  as  timber  was  known  to  exist  in  abundance  on  Puget  Sound. 
Maury  sliowed  that  the  course  of  a  ship  from  China  to  San  Francisco,  '  until 
she  gains  the  offings  of  the  straits  of  Fuca,  would  be  the  same  as  though  she 
■were  bound  into  Puget  Sound  or  the  Columbia  River, '  and  that  the  nearest 
way  from  China,  Japan,  and  the  Amoor  to  the  Mississippi  Valley  was  by  way 
of  Puget  Sound.  Attention  was  also  directed  by  Maury  to  the  isotherms,  and 
wind  and  ocean  currents  of  the  north-western  Pacific  coast.  See  Neviula 
Journal,  June  11,  18.58,  and  Letter  to  President  of  St  Paul  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce,  Jan.  4,  1859,  in  Eawliim'  Confederation,  N.  A.  Promncea,  217. 


POSSIBILITIES. 


375 


transformed  as  by  magic  from  staid  savagery  to  pan- 
demonium. Agriculture,  and  shipping  to  carry  away 
thu  products  of  the  soil  iu  exchange  for  the  many 
returns  of  commerce,  became  a  possibility  for  the 
great  Northwest,  and  in  virtue  thereof  Vancouver 
Island,  commanding  the  north  Pacific  coast,  was  dis- 
tinctly outlined  as  the  England  of  the  Pacific.  So 
far  as  could  be  seen  into  the  immediate  future,  it 
then  appeared  superficially  that  only  gold  and  silver 
were  wealth.  What  varied  experiences  or  revolutions 
this  country  would  have  to  undergo  before  its  wealth 
in  the  precious  metals  should  be  fairly  realized,  or  its 
metals  become  precious  in  fact  by  the  fulfilment  of 
their  special  and  only  precious  function,  the  setting 
in  motion  of  human  industries,  were  at  that  time  as 
undefined  as  the  shadow  of  the  moon. 


m 


:i  1 


i  i 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

DEATH  OF  THE  MONOPOLY— THE  COLONY  OP  BRITISH 
COLUMBIA  ESTABLISHED. 

1837-1858. 

Shall  the  Chartef  be  Renewed? — Discussiox  op  the  QrE.STioN  in  Pai:- 

LIAMENT — REFEItRED  TO  A  SELECT  CoMMirrEE — WlIO  Tui.NK  THE  C'lIAU- 
TEIi    SHOULD   NOT    BE    RENEWED — GoLD  AS   A  REVOLUTIONIST — DoUOI.A.S 

Stands  by  for  England — Late  Fur-factors— Duo ald  MoTavisii— 
William  Charles — The  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  License  uv 
Exclusive  Trade  with  the  Natives  of  the  Mainland  Revoked— 
Reitrchase  of  the  Island  of  Vancouver  by  the  Imperial  Gov- 
ernment— Change  of  Company  Organization — Canada  Purchases 
Rupeut  Land  and  the  Northwest  Territory — Liberal  and  Hu- 
mane I'oLicY  OF  the  Company  in  Regard  to  Gold-seekers  and 
Speculators 

Nations  die ;  worlds  grow  old  and  perish ;  and  so, 
thank  God,  sooner  or  later  must  every  monopoly.  Xot 
that  the  honorable  Hudson's  Bay  Company  now 
foils,  becomes  defunct,  or  otherwise  disappears.  It 
is  only  that  branch  of  the  association  which  might 
well  be  labelled  tyranny  and  despotism  that  is  now 
doomed.  The  adventurers  of  England  trading  into 
Hudson's  Bay,  trading  on  and  between  three  oceans, 
holding  as  a  hunting-ground  for  wellnigh  two  cen- 
turies an  area  equal  to  all  Europe,  must  now  step 
down  from  the  royal  pedestal  on  which  they  were 
placed  by  Rupert  and  Charles,  and  become  as  any 
other  adventurcife  trading  in  any  other  region.  In  a 
word,  the  company's  exclusive  license  to  trade,  now 
expiring,  is  not  to  be  renewed;  the  country  between 
the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  sea  is  to  be  thrown 
open  to  settlers,  and  the  Mainland  is  to  be  colonized 

(376) 


THE  EXPmmO  CHARTER. 


m 


and  have  spread  over  it  the  mother-wing  even  as  hith- 
erto it  has  Deen  extended  over  the  Island. 

Wo  have  seen  how  in  1821,  when  after  a  rivalry 
which  well  nigh  consummated  the  ruin  of  both,  the 
Northwest  and  Hudson's  Bay  companies  united  their 
interests,  parliament  granted  the  new  association  the 
exclusive  right  to  trade  for  furs  in  the  region  west  of 
Rupert  Land  for  twenty-one  years,  and  how  in  1838, 
four  years  before  their  term  had  expired,  their  license 
was  renewed  for  another  twenty-one  years,  which  lat- 
ter term  would  expire  in  1859. 

Three  or  four  years  before  the  expiration  of  the 
trade  license  under  which  they  held  control  of  the 
Mainland,  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  began  manoeu- 
vring for  continuance  of  power,  and  during  the  winter 
of  1856-7  the  directors  flatly  asked  the  government 
for  a  renewal  of  their  license.  If  they  were  to  retire, 
tlicy  should  know  it;  and  if  the  imperial  government 
was  to  take  charge  of  affairs,  they  should  have  time  in 
which  to  prepare  for  it.  The  claims  of  the  company 
were  then  laid  before  the  ministers,  who  referred  the 
matter  to  parliament. 

On  the  5th  of  February  1857,  Mr  Labouch^re  asked 
in  the  house  of  commons  for  the  appointment  of  a 
select  committee  to  consider  the  state  of  those  British 
North  American  possessions  which  were  under  the 
administration  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  or  over 
which  they  held  license  to  trade. 

Labouchere  said  that  although  the  extensive  re- 
gions referred  to  were  for  the  most  part  adapted  only 
to  fishing  and  fur-raising,  yet,  besides  containing  great 
mineral  wealth,  there  were  large  districts  fit  for  agri- 
culture, and  for  the  support  of  industrial  populations. 
Imperial  policy,  justice,  and  humanity  alike  prompted 
government  action.  Although  by  reason  of  long 
occupation  under  royal  charter,  their  ciaim  to  Rupert 
Land  might  be  deemed  valid,  it  was  not  so  witli  regard 
to  the  region  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  their 
"l^^enure  to  that  district  being  the  result  of  a  royal 


ilti   \  •! 


378 


THE  COLONY  OF  BRITISH  COLUMBIA. 


It! 


m 


l|   i    M  : 


license  givin*;  them  exclusive  trade  with  the  natives, 
and  this  license  would  now  soon  expire.  So  far  as  he 
knew,  the  coni})any  had  performed  its  obligations  t(j 
the  government,  and  throughout  their  whole  domain 
the  twelve  hundred  servants  of  the  company  had 
treated  the  three  hundred  thousand  savages  under 
them  witii  due  legard  to  humanity. 

Mr  Kocbuck  remarked  that  he  did  not  like  to  see 
a  country  such  as  the  United  States  grow  so  great  as 
to  become  insolent,  and  dominate  the  rest  of  the 
world;  therefore  settlement  should  be  encouraged  in 
Canada  in  order  to  balance  this  power.  ^Ir  Adderhy 
thouglit  every  one  would  anticipate  with  eagerness 
the  expiration  of  the  company's  license  which  should 
open  the  whole  country  to  settlement.  If  England 
did  not  do  it,  American  squatting,  and  annexation  to 
the  United  States,  would  be  the  result.  The  giving 
of  Vancouver  Island  to  the  fur-traders  was  the  oreut- 
est  blunder  a  colonial  minister  ever  committed.  For 
Nootka  Sound  Mr  Pitt  had  risked  a  Spanish  war. 
The  country  should  be  free  from  the  grasp  of  the 
monopoly,  lie  thouglit,  at  any  hazard. 

Edward  Ellice^  next  rose,  and  remarkcid  that  the 

'EJwaril  EUice,  mcTnlior  of  parliament,  ami  for  half  a  century  or  more  a 
proiiiiiient  partner  in  tho  Northwest  and  Huilson's  Bay  companies,  in  his  tes- 
timony before  tlie  select  committee,  iilfected  to  regard  colonial  affairs  with  iu- 
tliti'erenee,  and  the  government  of  colonies  as  detrimental  rather  than  othcrwiso 
to  the  interest  of  fur  companies.  If  Canada  coveted  the  management  of  Red 
River  affairs,  he  thought  there  wouhl  bo  no  difficulty  in  coming  to  terms  with 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  The  company  were  then  in  possession  of  Van. 
couver  Island,  l)ut  were  very  ready  to  give  it  up;  if  the  government  did  not 
deem  it  advisable  to  avail  itself  of  the  services  of  the  company,  it  had  better 
assume  the  management  itself.  It  was  a  wise  move,  he  thought,  on  Lord 
Grey's  part,  particularly  in  an  economical  point  of  view,  the  granting  or  tho 
Island  to  tlie  company.  In  answer  to  the  question,  '  Do  you  think  that  tho 
right  of  exclusive  trade  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  could  be  rendered  com- 
patible with  the  territory  being  given  to  a  colony?'  EUice  replied:  'AVhy 
eliould  it  not  be  so?  It  is  compatible  with  the  government  of  this  country, 
and  it  would  be  compatil)le  with  the  government  of  a  colony.  I  do  not  think 
that  it  should  exist  one  iiour  longer  than  the  colony,  or  the  legislature  or 
government  of  that  country,  thought  it  for  their  good.  The  Hudson's  Bay 
Con:pany  have  no  claim  to  it;  it  is  not  like  the  Hudson's  Bay  territory.  1 
may  add  that  beyond  the  Hudson's  Bay  company  being  paid  for  their 
outlay,  which  payment  they  are  entitled  to  under  the  agreement  with  tho 
crown,  I  do  not  think  they  have  any  claim  upon  the  public  on  the  west  side 
of  tho  Rocky  Mountains,  otherwise  tho.n  as  you  may  ttiink  it  for  your  interest 
to  employ  them.'  House  Commons  Bcpt.,  33G.     Up  to  this  time  tho  company 


\e  natives, 

0  far  as  he 
igations  to 
jle  domain 
Lipaiiy  had 
Lgcs  under 

like  to  see 
so  great  as 
est  of  tlie 
!OU raged  in 
r  Adderhy 
.  eagerness 
lich  should 
[f  England 
lexation  to 
riie  ffivinij 

1  the  great- 
itted.  For 
)anish  war. 
asp  of  the 

that  the 

titury  or  more  a 

ies,  in  his  tos- 

ifi'airs  with  iu- 

thau  othenviso 

g(!ment  of  llud 

to  loriua  with 
iscssiou  of  \'au. 
rnmeut  <litl  not 

it  had  better 
lUght,  on  Lonl 
granting  of  tlio 
think  that  tho 
rendered  coni- 
•eplied:  'Why 
f  tliis  country, 
I  do  not  think 

legislature  or 
Hudson's  Bay 
y  territory.  I 
paid  for  their 
nient  with  the 

the  west  side 
ir  your  interest 
e  tho  company 


PARLIAMENTARY  DISCUSSION. 


379 


honorable  gentleman  knew  nothing  of  what  they  were 
discussing,  else  they  would  know  that  northern  North 
America  was  wholly  unfavorable  to  colonization. 
Then,  should  the  present  benignant  rule  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company  be  withdrawn,  how  would  they 
oovern,  how  would  they  hold  the  eountr}^?  Throw  it 
open  to  free-traders,  and  you  would  speedily  see  as  bad 
a  state  of  things  as  has  ever  obtained  on  the  United 
States  border;  and  surely  the  imperial  money-vaults 
must  be  overloaded  when  statesmen  are  so  eager  to  set 
u|»  and  koep  in  motion  civil  and  military  machinery 
for  the  oc)vcrnment  of  a  wilderness  of  savages  and 
wild  beasts.  On  behalf  of  the  directors  he  might  say 
tluit  the  company  were  ready  for  the  fullest  investiga- 
tiin  and  the  fairest  adjustment. 

For  the  five  hundredth  time  in  public,  the  history 
of  tlie  company  was  reviewed  and  their  doings  dis- 
cussed by  Mr  Gladstone,  who  favored  investigation 
and  equitable  and  amicable  adjustment.  Others  fol- 
lowed in  similar  strain  on  one   side  and  the  other; 

hi  expended  in  bringing  out  settlers  and  coal-minors,  and  in  performing 
t'l''  tithor  obligations  of  their  trust,  according  to  tlieir  account,  eighty 
thousand  pounds.  All  was  outlay;  there  was  no  return.  I'olitically  tho 
Ishuid  was  an  interesting  possession;  its  position  was  superb.  Opportunity 
V  as  there  for  investing  money  in  improvements  to  an  unlinuted  extent.  Rocks 
might  1)0  turned  into  palaces,  forests  into  gilded  temples,  and  the  land  and 
the  water  become  alive  with  industry.  But  the  wealth  requisite  for  all  this 
\\;iis  not  to  be  found  in  the  Island.  Like  the  mother  country,  it  must  have  in- 
ttrest  elsewhere  to  become  great.  '  The  sooner  the  public  reenter  into  pos- 
session, and  the  sooner  they  form  estal»lishmcnts  wortliy  of  the  Island,  and 
worthy  of  this  country,  the  better.  Krom  all  accounts  which  we  liear  of  it,  it 
is  a  kind  of  England  attached  to  the  continent  of  America.'  EUke,  in  Iloum 
CviiiiiioDn  lieyt.,  IW.l.  Either  the  company  were  now  in  reality  becoming  tired 
(if  liieir  bargain  in  regard  to  the  Irland,  or  else,  foreseeing  tliey  could  liold  it 
11(1  hinder,  they  protended  to  lie  tired  of  it.  liut  their  actions  did  not  always 
iucdi'd  with  their  expri  '-ed  sentinients.  All  that  was  to  be  made  out  of  this 
ciihuii/ation  scheme  they  '.  ,id  made,  some  of  them  thought.  And  in  a  pccu- 
iiiiiry  point  for  the'iiseU  us  they  had  done  well.  There  was  profit  for  them 
ill  loiiueetion  witli  .lii^ir  other  business,  in  carrying  emigrants  in  tlieir  own 
vcsriels,  provided  there  were  any  to  carry,  in  manipulating  land  sales,  e.fpecially 
in  .setting  aside  the  bi'st  part  of  the  Ldand  for  themselves,  anil  in  performing 
Viiiiims  little  duties  for  the  government.  An  account  like  this  with  the 
giiverninent  WiOs  exceedingly  convenient  in  many  ways;  it  grew  on  their  books 
<(sily  and  naturally,  antl  assisted  the  company  in  carrying  out  its  plans  iu 
many  ways.  But  now  all  had  been  done  that  there  was  to  do.  The  settle- 
luint  had  been  l)egun,  but  the  settlers  were  dissatistieil.  Tho  plan  was  in 
t;a't  a  failure.  Clearly  it  was  now  to  tho  interests  of  the  company,  so  some 
<it  them  arjjUed,  to  give  up  the  Island  ami  get  their  money  back. 


380 


THE  COLONY  OF  BRITISH  COLUMBIA. 


after  which  the  vote  was  taken,  and  the  motion  sus- 
tained.^ 

The  governor-general  of  Canada  was  notified  of  the 
intention  of  government  to  institute  this  inquiry,  in 
order  that  an  opportunity  might  be  afforded  that 
colony  of  giving  such  information  and  advancing' 
such  opinions  as  they  might  deem  proper.  Accord- 
ingly Chief-justice  Draper  was  commissioned  by  the 
government  of  Canada  to  watch  proceedings,  "^he 
legislative  assembly  of  Canada  likewise  appointed 
a  committee  of  their  own  to  investigate  these  same 
affairs,  a  full  report  of  which  was  laid  before  the  par- 
liamentary committee.  The  law-officers  of  the  crown 
were  freely  called  upon  from  time  to  time  during  the 
investigation  for  their  opinion  respecting  title  and 
vari(>us  points  connected  with  the  company's  charter 

After  sitting  for  nearly  six  months,  the  pron  ^juti  i 
of  parliament  occurring  in  the  mean  time,  and  jvX 
jecting  twenty-four  witnesses  to  the  most  sear ci  in-- 
examination,  the  c<jmmittee  found  the  territory  over 
which  the  company  exercised  rights  to  be  of  three 
descriptions:  the  land  held  by  charter,  and  called 
Rupert  Land;  the  land  held  by  license,  called  the 
Indian  territory ;  and  the  land  held  by  crown  grant 
for  purposes  of  colonization,  which  was  Vancouver 
Island.  The  wishes  of  Canada,  the  committee  said, 
to  annex  such  territories  as  were  available  for  settle- 
ment should  be  met.  The  Red  Riverand  Saskatchewan 
districts  should  be  ceded  to  Canada.  The  connection  of 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  with  Vancouver  Island 
should  be  terminated,  and  means  provided  for  ex- 
tending the  colony  over  the  whole  or  any  portion  of 
the  Mainland.  Such  portions  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company's  territories  as  were  not  required  for  settle- 
ment, it  would  be  well  to  leave  in  the  hands  of  the 
company  with  their  present  rights  of  exclusive  trade 
with  the  natives.^ 

'See  HnnmnVs  Parliamentary  Debates,  3d  ser.,  cxliv.  21C-41;  oxlv.  07; 
Levin  Annals  uf  British  Let/ishUion,  iv.  224-39. 

"  The  rusult  of  the  labors  of  this  conm;ittee  ia  a  folio  volume  of  547  pages, 


1 


i 


DEATH  OF  THE  MONOPOLY. 


m 


3tion  sus- 

ied  of  the 
iquiry,  in 
ded  that 
idvancing^' 

Accord- 
id  by  the 
gs.  ""he 
ippointcd 
ese  same 
)  the  par- 
ihe  crown 
iring  the 
title  and 
3  char<"er 
ore  ^Juti:  n 
anu  jI'J. 
seai'cl-  in:," 
tory  over 

of  three 
lid  calk'd 
illcd  the 
\vn  grant 
aucouvcr 
itee  said, 
or  settlo- 
atchewan 
lection  of 
3r  Island 
for  v\- 
ortion  of 
on's  Bay 
'or  settli'- 
h  of  tlic 
live  trade 

41;  cxlv.  '.IT; 
of  547  pages, 


mi 


Indeed,  the  company  had  no  objections  at  this  time 
to  the  government  assuming  control  of  the  whole 
country,  provided  the  license  of  exclusive  trade  with 
the  Indians  on  the  Mainland  was  left  them.  There 
was  little  danger  of  an  immediate  influx  of  settlers, 
unless  some  excitement  should  spring  up  like  that 
which  did  in  fact  follow ;  so  that  if  the  expense  and 
responsibility  of  protection  could  be  thrown  upon  the 
government,  while  the  profits  of  trade  should  be  loft 
exclusively  with  them,  nothing  would  suit  them  better. 

If  gold  should  be  found  in  any  quantities  on  the 
^lainland,  as  it  was  even  now  talked  about  on  the 
Island,  that  region  would  be  lost  to  the  fur-trader  in 
any  event.  Even  were  the  government  willing,  a 
reckless,  promiscuous  population  would  not  long  sub- 
mit to  the  arbitrary  rule  of  a  private  corporation.  All 
til  is  the  company  foresaw,  and  shaped  their  policy  ac- 
cordingly. 

And  now  suddenly  in  these  primeval  shades  each 
man  finds  himself  in  a  whirl  of  unrest.  The  cold 
and  barren  desolation  of  New  Caledonia  is  all  at  once 
transformed  into  a  field  of  glittering  promise,  of  prom- 
ise so  radiant  as  to  draw  innumeraljle  human  bats 
from  every  quarter  into  it.     The  position  of  Douglas 

oiititled  Report  from  the  Sihrt  Committee  on  the  Hudson s  Bay  Comjxini/,  to- 
ijilher  with  the  Proccediinjs  of  the  Committee,  JIini(/e.i  of  Eviiienre,  Ajijiem/ij; 
tinil  Index.  Ordered  hij  the  Ifoune  of  Commons  to  he  Printed  31  Jxly  unit  11 
.  I  uijiiat  1S'>7.  The  cominitteo  consisted  of  niiietecu  persons,  as  ff)ll<>w»:  Henry 
I ralxniehfcre,  chairman;  Messrs  (jrladstone,  lloelmck,  Lowe,  Grogau,  (lref,'s(in, 
Fitzwilliam,  Giimey,  Herbert,  Matheson,  Blackburn,  Christy,  Kinnaird, 
K'lice,  Viscounts  Godcrich  and  Saiidon,  Sir  John  Pakington,  and  Lords  Kus- 
•R'll  and  Stanley.  The  committee  sat  from  the  ISth  of  February  to  the  ."list 
of  .Tuly,  and  examined  24  persons,  namely,  John  Ross,  J.  H.  Lefoy,  .Tohu 
ilac,  iSir  (Joorge  Simpson,  William  Keruaghan,  C.  W.  W.  Fitzwilliam,  Ahx- 
I'  'I'  r  Isbitior,  G.  C*.  Oorl)ett,  Sir  John  Richardson,  J.  F.  CVofton,  Sir  George 
li.i.'k,  James  Cooper,  W.  H.  Draper,  David  Anderson,  Joseph  Maynard,  A. 
K.  Roche,  Davi.i  Herd,  John  Miles,  John  MoLoughlin,  Richard  Blansiuird, 
William  Caldwell,  Richard  King,  James  Tennant,  and  Edward  Ellice.  The!<o 
gentlemen  'were  all  either  experts  in  Hudson's  Bay  Company  atl'airs,  or  had 
l)oen  in  some  way  connected  with  the  company.  Some  of  tliem  were  accident- 
ally in  London  at  the  time,  some  were  there  by  appointment,  and  some  were 
permanent  residents  of  England.  There  were  among  them  those  both  in  favor 
<if  a  continuance  of  the  license  system  and  those  opposed  to  it.  A  large 
mass  of  valuable  evidence  was  drawn  from  those  wituesscin,  of  which  I  have 
made  free  use  in  writing  this  history. 


'  n 


382 


THE  COLONY  OF  BRITISH  COLUMBIA. 


becomes  an  exceedingly  important  one.  The  north- 
west fur-fields  seem  doomed.  Beside  this  tempest, 
the  occupation  of  Oregon  was  summer  quiet.  What 
shall  the  governor  say  to  these  panting  new-comers; 
what  shall  the  chief  factor  do?  The  company,  with 
the  license  of  trade  as  its  only  weapon,  cannot  hold  at 
bay  the  hungry  thirty  thousand.  They  must  be  per- 
mitted ingress,  else  they  will  obtain  it  without  per- 
mission; they  must  be  overawed  and  governed,  else 
they  will  riot  in  lawlessness.  Months  must  elapse 
before  action  here  can  be  directed  by  imperial  powers, 
and  meanwhile  to  hesitate  is  to  be  lost. 

In  this  emergency,  as  he  is  the  chief  and  almost 
i>ole  representative  of  the  British  crown  on  the  North- 
I  '  '^oast,  Douglas  determines  to  act  for  his  govcrn- 
mc  a  matters  pertaining  to  the  JMainland,  as  best 
he  ma,y,  until  definite  instructions  reach  him.  He 
will  levy  contributions  for  the  benefit  of  his  govern- 
ment on  those  entering  the  domain  for  its  treasures, 
and  maintain  order  among  the  uncouth  comers  to  the 
best  of  his  ability. 

As  from  the  depths  of  primeval  slumber  affairs  now 
awake  to  the  wildest  activity.  There  is  no  further 
need  of  anxiety  over  the  absence  of  colonists.  Who 
would  have  thought  as  the  company  were  bringing 
out  here  a  farmer  and  there  a  coal-miner,  religiously 
entering  all  expenses  in  t ■  o  colonization  account  to 
be  presented  to  the  crown  on  that  fearful  day  of  reck- 
oning, to  see  so  soon  these  thirty  thousand  thus  madly 
j)ressing  forward,  well  nigh  burying  both  company  and 
crown  beneath  their  too  heavy  presence? 

Head  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  affairs  on  the 
Pacific  coast,  after  the  retirement  of  Douglas,  was 
Dugald  McTavish,  chief  factor  in  charge,  with  Tohnic 
and  Finlayson  as  associates,  the  three  comprising  tlic 
board  of  management.  To  the  succeeding  manager  at 
Victoria,  Mr  William  Charles,  I  aui  indebted  i'or 
many  favors.     In  ransacking  foi  me  the  company's 


THE  NAME. 


333 


e  north- 
tempest, 
.  What 
-comers; 
my,  with 
t  liold  at 
it  be  per- 
lout  per- 
med, else 
st  elapse 
il  powers, 

id  almost 
le  North- 
is  govcrn- 
d,  as  best 
liim.  He 
s  goverii- 
treasures, 
iers  to  the 

fairs  now 
lo  further 

5.       Who 

bringing 
cligiously 
ccount  to 
y  of  reck- 
lus  madly 

pany  and 


rs  on  the 

i?,  was 

li  Tohnie 

ing-  the 

anager  at 

bted  ioi" 

ompany's 


archives,  in  briiiging  from  distant  posts  the  fort  jour- 
nals, and  in  the  generous  sympathy  he  has  ever  ex- 
tended to  my  work,  he  has  won  my  lasting  gratitude.* 

When  the  investigation  of  the  attitude  and  conduct 
of  the  company  was  first  approached,  the  question  with 
the  imperial  government  was  whether  the  exclusive 
license  to  trade  with  the  natives  of  the  Mainland 
should  be  revoked  at  the  expiration  of  the  term 
granted  the  company  for  the  colonization  of  Van- 
couver Island.  The  publication  of  the  gold  discovery, 
and  the  influx  of  population,  however,  put  an  entirely 
dilforent  aspect  upon  aftairs.  The  fur-trade  in  its 
ancient  proportions  was  at  an  end,  and  the  prevention 
of  demoralization  and  disorder  was  as  essential  to  the 
company  as  to  the  crown.  It  was  better  on  both 
sides  that  cJ^  exclusive  rights  of  the  monopoly  on  the 
Mainland  should  at  once  and  forever  cease. 

Ilencc  on  the  2d  of  August  1858  parliament  passed 
an  act  to  provide  for  the  government  of  British  Co- 
hunbia,  by  which  name  hereafter  should  be  designated 
the  territories  between  the  United  States  frontier  on 
tlio  south  and  Simpson  River,  now  Nass  River,  and 
the  Finlay  branch  of  Peace  River  on  the  north,  and 
between  the  Rocky  Mountain  summit  and  the  sea,  in- 
cluding the  Queen  Charlotte  and  all  other  adjacent 
islands,  except  Vancouver  Island,  and  investing  tlio 
queen,  by  order  in  council,  with  power  to  appoint  a 
governor,  provide  for  the  administration  of  justice, 

*  Dugald  McTavish  was  senior  member  of  the  board  of  management  fi'om 
IS.'f)  till  November  18(i3,  when  he  was  called  to  England.  lie  was  a  nephew 
of  .'ohn  George  McTavish,  and  brotluir  of  William  McTavish,  who,  prior  to 
tlio  transfer  of  tho  ncth-wcst  territory  to  the  dominion  government,  was 
governor  of  Ilndson's  Bay  Company  ailairs  at  Hod  River.  Dugald  McTavish 
came  to  the  Columbia  in  1840,  and  was  stationed  at  dilTercnt  times  at  Fort 
Viiiicouver,  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  and  Verba  Uuena.  Ho  died  in  his  batliiiig- 
I'oiiiii  in  ^lontrcal,  about  1S73.  He  'was  a  bachelor  who  could  at  any  tiiiio 
start  upon  a  j(/urney  at  a  halfdiour's  notice.  An  excellent  accountant,  an 
ollice  num.  and  had  long  l>ccn  manager  of  the  Hudson's  ]jay  Company's  ailairs 
at  tlie  Sandwich  Islands.  He  was  a  clear-headed,  able  man,  small,  stout, 
coiii|)actly  built,  largo  hoad,  largo  jierccptive  organs,  dark  complexion,  largo 
liglit  eyes,  a  very  practical  man,  ni;t  much  imagination  about  him.  Sold  out 
Yirba  JJueua  for  a  song  before  the  gold  excitement,  as  agent  for  tho  company. ' 
Tolniica  Hist.  Puget  Sound,  MS.,  51.  See  also  Ander8u7i,''a  Northioest  Coa.it, 
ilS.,  82-3. 


384 


THE  COLONY  OF  BRITISH  COLUMBIA. 


make  laws,  and  establish  a  local  legislature.  One 
month  later  the  license  of  exclusive  trade  granted  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  for  twenty-one  years  from 
the  30th  of  May  1838,  with  right  of  revocation  re- 
served, in  so  far  as  it  covered  the  territories  com- 
prising the  colony  of  British  Columbia  was  revoked. 
James  Douglas  was  appointed  governor  of  British 
Columbia,  his  commission  for  Vancouver  Island  being 
renewed. 

This  is  the  last  of  the  great  monopoly  as  such.  There 
is  a  vast  mercantile  machine  in  fair  running  order 
which  still  offered  great  advantages  to  the  old  associa- 
tion, but  there  are  here  no  more  exclusive  privileges 
for  them.  Their  million  or  two  of  square  miles  of 
domain,  with  their  several  hundreds  of  pacified  nations, 
are  now  free,  nomiiiaily  and  actually  open  to  any 
others  of  the  British  nation  for  purposes  of  hunting, 
trading,  or  colonizing  on  the  same  terms  as  at  presiiit 
enjoyed  by  the  late  monopolists.  But  for  some  years 
in  certain  back  parts  of  this  region,  such  is  the  in- 
fluence exercised  by  the  company  upon  the  natives, 
such  the  advantages  of  their  established  posts,  their 
knowledge  of  the  country,  their  facilities  for  commu- 
nication, that  this  abrogation  of  their  former  rights 
makes  but  little  difference  and  is  but  little  felt.  Com- 
petitors sometimes  enter  the  field,  but  almost  as  often 
wirndraw  baflfled.  In  the  more  proximate  precincts, 
however,  in  mining  and  agricultural  settlements,  and 
about  some  of  the  northern  seaports,  where  inter- 
lopers and  squatters  now  begin  in  a  restricted  way 
to  plant  themselves,  their  autocratic  rule  rapidly  de- 
clines. By  law  they  are  now  simply  subjects  of 
Great  Britain,  possessing  no  more  rights  than  other 
subjects. 

A  letter  was  directed  to  Governor  Douglas  by  John 
Work  and  Dugald  McTavish,  chief  factors,  under  date 
of  November  24,  1858,  calling  the  governor's  atten- 
tion to  an  accompanying  list  of  claims,  consisting  of 
fourteen  forts,  including  New  Fort  Langley,  with  the 


THE  GOVERNMENT  TAKES  VANCOUVER  ISLAND. 


33J 


surrounding  lands,  asking  that  the  same  might  be  in 
due  time  confirmed  to  them  by  her  majesty's  govern- 
ment. 

With  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  the  company's 
exclusive  licens(.'  to  trade  with  the  natives  of  the 
j\Iainland,  the  i'.nperial  government  repurchased  the 
company's  rights  in  the  Island  of  Vancouver  for 
£57,500,  the  last  instalment  of  which  was  paid  the 
Gth  of  October  1862.  An  indenture  of  relinquishment 
of  rights  was  executed  on  the  3d  of  April  18G7,  the 
company  retaining,  besides  the  fort  property,  certain 
town  lots  and  farming  lands  amounting  to  several 
thousand  acres. 

By  1863  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  stations  in 
British  Columbia  were  reduced  to  thirteen,  as  follows : 
Fort  Simpson,  W.  H.  McNeill  in  charge;  Fort 
Langlcy,  W.  H.  Newton;  Fort  Hope,  W.  Charles; 
Fort  Yale,  O.  Ailard;  Thompson  River,  J.  W.  McKay; 
Alexandria,  William  Manson;  Fort  George,  Thomas 
Charles;  Fort  St  James,  Peter  Ogden;  McLuod 
Lake,  Ferdinand  McKenzie;  Connolly  Lake,  William 
Tod;  Fraser  Lake,  J.  Mobcrl}-;  Fort  Babine,  Gavin 
Hamilton;  Fort  Shepherd,  A.  McDonald.  Among 
the  above  traders  are  many  names  long  familiar  to  us, 
but  which  at  this  day  belong  mostly  to  the  sons  of 
those  we  first  knew.  In  Fort  Victoria  and  other  posts 
on  Vancouver  Island  the  amount  invested  in  1856  was 
£75,000. 

In  1871  the  organization  of  the  company  was 
changed;  there  were  more  factors  and  traders  and 
fewer  clerks,  and  lessened  operations  and  expenses. 
Ill  fact  the  association  now  partook  more  of  the  nature 
of  a  copartnership  than  of  a  corporation.  Meanwhile, 
Canada  purchased  the  company's  right  to  Rupert 
l^and  and  the  Northwest  Territory,  and  out  of  the 
purchase  made  the  province  of  Manitoba. 

During  the  incipient  stages  of  the  government  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  were  of  far  more  use  to  the 
government  than  the  government  was  to  them.     "At 

Hut.  Bbii.  Col.    25 


1 


389 


THE  COLONY  OF  BRITISH  COLUMBIA. 


this  moment,"  writes  Douglas  to  Lytton  the  20111 
Octohcr  1858,  "I  am  making  use  of  the  Hudson's 
]  )iiy  Company's  establishments  for  every  public  ofRcc, 
and  to  their  servants,  for  want  of  other  means,  I  com- 
mit in  perfect  confidence  the  custody  of  the  public 
money." 

It  was  but  human  nature  for  the  foreign  rabble, 
gold-hunters  from  California  and  elsewhere,  to  ciy 
down  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  cursing  it  as  an 
all-devouring  monopoly,  and  holding  up  the  fairest 
transactions  as  atrocious  tyrannies. 

How  ignorant  and  unreasonable  men  arel  Had 
they  not  been  blinded  by  wrath  and  stupidity  these 
wise  ones  might  have  seen  that  now  for  the  first 
time  on  the  Northwest  Coast,  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company  had  ceased  to  be  a  monopoly.  It  is  but 
fair  to  say  that  in  this  emergency  the  company 
behaved  liberally,  nobly.  Never  at  any  time  did 
they  seem  to  desire  to  take  unfair  advantage  of  the 
necessities  of  others,  but  employed  their  power  and 
position  to  keep  the  prices  of  supplies  within  reason- 
able bounds. 

Undoubtedly  they  reaped  a  rich  harvest,  as  was 
their  right.  Their  system  of  trade  was  attended  by 
large  accumulations  of  merchandise,  a  year's  supply 
or  more  being  kept  always  in  store  against  emergency. 
When  they  saw  the  incoming  multitudes  they  replen- 
ished their  forts  from  their  abundant  resources.  Know- 
ing the  country,  and  being  provided  with  means  of 
transportation,  they  were  assuredly  in  a  condition  to 
compete  with  any.  But  the  Scotchmen  were  slow 
and  careful  by  nature,  and  it  was  against  fur-hunt- 
ing tradition  to  advance  prices  at  once  five  or  ten 
fold.  And  the  only  way  the  hot  speculators,  who 
were  the  loudest  in  their  denunciations  of  the  com- 
pany, could  carry  prices  to  the  desired  height  was 
first  to  exhaust  the  company's  supply  by  buying  it, 
and  so  control  the  market  for  the  season,  which  was 
in  many  instances  done.     Douglas  even  went  so  far 


POSITION  OF  DOUGLAS. 


387 


10  20111 
udhfon's 
c  office, 
,  I  com- 
3  public 

rabble, 
,  to  cry 
it  as  an 
3  fairest 

i\     Had 
ty  these 
the  first 
m's  Bay 
[t  is  but 
company 
time  did 
Tc  of  the 
3wer  and 
n  reason- 
as  was 


as  to  refuse  permits  to  steamboats  charging  cxor- 
l)itant  freights." 

It  could  scarcely  be  expected  otherwise  than  that 
]  )ouglas  and  the  company  would  eventually  quarrel. 
The  monopolists  were  grasping  upon  principle,  inordi- 
nately grasping,  for  had  they  not  before  this  been  fre- 
quently dissatisfied  with  the  half  of  North  America? 
They  had  quarrelled  with  McLoughlin,  their  best  man 
on  the  Northwest  Coast,  quarrelled  with  him  because 
of  his  innate  nobility  and  manhood,  which  could  not 
descend  to  the  plane  of  their  mercenary  abasement; 
and  now  they  quarrelled  with  their  second  best  man, 
because  he  could  not  perform  impossibilities,  because 
ho  would  not  risk  his  position  and  popularity  with 
the  imperial  government.  He  had  been  made  gov- 
ernor of  two  colonics,  with  a  double  salary.  Lytton 
bad  praised  him,  though  he  had  early  warned  him 
not  to  allow  the  fur-traders  to  get  the  better  of  him; 
and  he  would  not  give  him  as  much  of  the  mother's 
money  as  he  would  like.  But  Douglas  as  usual  held 
fast  to  the  stronger;  as  in  the  troubles  between  his 
old  friend  McLoughlin  and  the  company  he  had  stood 
by  the  company,  so  now  in  the  disagreements  between 
tbe  company  and  the  government  regarding  the  lands 
claimed  round  the  forts,  and  expenses  of  colonizing 
Vancouver  Island,  Douglas  stood  by  the  government. 
Ho  stood  by  the  government  because,  first,  it  was 
right,  and  secondly,  no  fur-trader  could  knight  him. 


^For  revocation  of  license  sec  B.  O.  Acts  and  Ordinances,  1858.  'The 
company  had  obtained  a  charter  for  Vancouver  Island  on  condition  of  pro- 
moting its  colonization ;  but  it  being  evident  that  they  Ycro  unable  or  un- 
willing to  do  this  the  license  was  withdrawn,  compensation  being  made  them 
for  the  amount  they  had  expended  in  the  attempt,  amounting  in  all  to  £100,- 
000.'  British  North  Am.,  254.  This  writer  is  somewhat  confused  in  his  facts. 
Sec  also  Ohjmpia  Club  Convs.,  MS.,  19,  20;  Deans'  Sctlkment,  T.  /.,  MS.,  5 ; 
Tachi's  Northwest,  63;  Waddington'a  Fraser  Mines  20-7;  llouard  and  Bar- 
netCs  Dir.,  1803,  144;  U.  S.  Ev.,  II.  B.  Co.  Claims,  78:  Finlayson''s  V.  I., 
MS.,  103;  Tarbell's  Victoria,  MS.,  4;  Douglas'  Private  Papers,  MS.,  1st  scr. 
90-108.  A  copy  of  the  relinquishment  of  rights  may  bo  found  in  Langevin's 
Itept.,  237-40.  For  discussions  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  affairs  in  tho 
colonies  see  Victoria  Gazette,  July  7,  Aug.  31,  Sept.  2-5,  and  Oct.  5,  1858;  and 
for  discussions  in  parliament  see  Hansard's  Par,  Deb.,  exlviii.  1260-9,  1368; 
cxlix.  1494;  cli.  1788-1844;  cUi.  1676-7;  clxvii.  497-9,  1404-12. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 

1858-18G3. 

Authority  at  Victoria  Disrhcardkh  hy  tiik  First  Comers — Dorciivs 
Looks  into  Affairs — What  tiik  Nativks  Think  of  It — Douglas  as 
LA^v  AM>  Magistbatk  ^LvKKit  -Indian  Wars — Ovkktures  ok  iiik 
Impkrial  Kovkkxmknt  to  Doici.As — Kkvknuk — Loan— PuRi.ic  Lanhs 
— MiNER.s'  License — The  British  Cry  Economy — I'l  rnxo  TiiiNiis  i\ 
Order — The  Unauthorized  Acts  ok  Douglas  Lkgai.ized — Arriwi, 
OK  British  Vessels  ok  AVar — Men  of  Authority  Aitear — The  Unh  i;i> 
States  Represented — Inauguration*  of  the  Governor  at  Langlev  — 
The  MdoDV-McflowAN  Akkrav — New  Westminster  Founded — Offi- 
cers OK  TIIK  New  (Juvernment — Smu  ogling. 


In  tlie  bogiuiiing  of  Ma}'  1858,  information  roaelicil 
the  fac'tor-fjovernor  of  A'aiicouver  Island  that  swaiiiis 
of  small  craft  from  the  United  States  shores,  laden 
with  passent^er.s,  arms,  and  merchandise,  were  entti- 
ing  Frasi'r  liiver  in  violation  of  her  majesty's  customs 
laws,  and  to  the  damage  of  the  honorable  Hudson's 
Bay  Companj'.  Wherefore,  on  the  8th  of  this  montli 
he  issued  a  proclamation  warning  all  persons  that  any 
vessels  found  in  British  northwest  waters  after  foui- 
teen  days,  not  having  a  license  from  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  and  a  sufferance  i'rom  the  customs  offi- 
cer at  Victoria,  shoukl  be  declared  forfeited,  and  lie 
called  on  Captain  Prevost  of  H.  ^I.  S.  ISateUite  f'«ir 
men  sufficient  t    onforce  the  measures  proclaimed. 

Then  the  factor-governor  proposed  to  the  agents  of 
the  Pacific  !Mail  Steamship  Company  that  they  should 
place  steamers  on  the  route;  carry  Hudson's  Bay 
Company's  goods  into  Fraser  River,  and  no  otlicis: 
carry  no  passengers  except  such  as  had  a  gf)ld-miniii:4 

(388) 


COMMKRCIAL  MEASURES.  Ml 

license  and  permit  from  the  Vancouver  Island  govern- 
ment and  compensate  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  by 
the  [)aynient  of  two  dollars  for  each  passenger  carried 
— if  so  the  Pacific  Mail  Company  might  monopolize 
the  traffic  for  one  year.  It  was  certainly  very  pret- 
tily arranged,  and  no  wonder  Douglas  hoped,  in 
writing  to  Lord  Stanley  the  19th  of  May,  "from  its 
so  thoroughly  protecting  every  interest  connected 
with  the  country,"  that  it  would  meet  his  approval. 

The  factor-governor  would  do  this  for-  his  company 
and  his  country  if  he  could;  for  ho  was  now  con- 
\  inccd  that  it  was  impossible  to  keep  closed  the  gold- 
fields  against  foreigners,  and  there  remained  as  alterna- 
tives whether  they  should  enter  and  help  themselves 
t'lec  of  duty,  or  be  made  to  pay  for  the  privilege. 

Although  invested  with  no  specific  authority  to  act 
fur  the  imperial  government  upon  the  jMainland, 
James  Douglas  was  the  man  to  whom  all  looked, 
lioth  in  England  and  in  America,  as  the  one  to  as- 
sume control  of  afiairs  in  tlu.'  present  emergency.  As 
governor  of  Vancouver  Island  ho  was  the  nearest  to 
I' lasor  River  of  any  representative  of  the  queen,  and 
as  chief  fur-factor  he  had  exclusive  right  of  access  for 
the  purpose  of  trading  with  the  natives.  It  was  but 
natural  and  right,  therefore,  that  he  should  regard 
the  interests  of  his  sovereign  in  the  premises,  as  well 
as  those  of  his  company. 

With  the  orinfinatinff  and  executing  of  much  that 
was  wise,  and  which  permanently  remained,  there  is 
little  wonder  that  ho  fell  into  some  errors.  For  exam- 
ple, in  his  declaration  that  no  goods  should  be  carried 
to  the  Mainland  except  by  or  for  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company,  and  that  no  shipping,  save  the  company's 
vessels  or  those  sailing  under  the  company's  }.  'mis- 
sion, should  carry  passengers  thither,  he  Sv'Ji.vsvhat 
overshot  the  mark;  he  forgot  that  it  was  only  exclu- 
sive trade  with  the  natives  that  his  company  could 
claim,  and  that  so  long  as  strangers  did  not  so  traffic, 
their  right  was  as  full  and  free  to  go  anywhere  and 


800 


fiOVI'.RXMKNT  OF  THE  MAINLAXI*. 


!"l 


take  whatever  tliey  slioukl  please  as  was  that  of  +ho 
fur-tradeis. 

Very  sound  in  many  matters,  however,  was  Am 
practical  mind  of  the  factor-governor.  He  knew  he 
should  1)0  safe  enough  in  asserting  the  dominion  of 
the  crown  over  the  gold-fields,  in  declaring  all  lands 
and  minerals  the  property  of  the  government  in  foe ; 
though  what  kind  of  righteous  robbery  that  should 
be,  others  besides  savages  might  wonder.  For  whore 
was  the  European  sovereign  who  ever  yet  had  taken 
offence  at  the  assertion  of  his  rights  to  American 
lands  or  gold,  by  whomsoever  made? 

He  stationed  the  Satellite  at  the  mouth  of  Frasor 
River  with  revenue  officers  on  board  to  collect  toll 
from  thove  filtering  the  territory;  he  called  tlio 
Plumper  to  assist  in  enforcing  his  regulations,  and 
em])loyed  the  company's  vessel,  the  Otter,  in  the  gov- 
ermnent  service;  and  he  notified  the  fur-traders  at 
the  several  posts  along  the  boundary  to  watch  inroads 
in  that  direction,  though  in  all  this  he  was  wrong,  for 
he  had  no  right  to  enforce  a  tax  for  enterii  ^  tlio 
country;  any  one  might  enter,  only,  until  t  oni- 
pany's  exclusive  license  should  be  annullc,  ..^ma 
might  trade  with  the  natives;  and  as  for  the  license 
duty  which  he  saw  fit  to  impose  on  miners,  that  could 
be  legally  collected  from  those  who  actually  did  mine, 
and  not  from  those  who  simply  entered  the  domain. 
But  to  govern  this  rabble,  so  he  argued,  would  cost 
money,  and  the  rabble  themselves  must  pay  the 
charge ;  at  all  events,  he  would  try  it,  though,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  he  was  soon  checked  in  this  proceeding. 

Early  in  the  season  Governor  Douglas  went  ov(  r 
to  the  Mandand  to  see  for  himself  the  workings  of 
this  wonder.  Ever  alive  to  the  maintenance  of  peace- 
ful relations  with  the  natives,  he  made  that  matter  his 
special  care.  And  he  acted  none  too  soon;  for  how 
could  this  uncouth,  obstreperous  element  from  the 
purlieus  of  civilization  be  turned  into  quiet  aboriginal 


ATTITUDK  OF  Till':  N'ATIVKS. 


891 


liuiitiiig-i^roumls  without  collision  with  the  natural 
Idids  of  the  (loniuiii? 

Tliu  siniplo  savages  behoved  the  gold  their  own; 
thcv  were  not  ver.sed  in  tlie  laws  of  Christian  nations 
tliat  made  might  right.  In  their  own  crude  way,  they 
were  well  aware  that  they  must  defend  their  domain, 
else  their  neighbors  would  take  it.  But  this  was 
savagism,  in  which  wore  no  betterments  inculcating 
})recepts  of  love  and  honor  and  happy  future  rewar-l 
conjointly  with  rum  and  strange  diseases.  The  fur- 
traders  had  taught  the  natives  to  regard  them  as 
fiiends  who  had  come  amono"  them  to  do  them  ijood, 
to  bring  them  blankets,  and  guns  to  kill  the  deer, 
that  thereby  they  might  the  more  comfortably  pro- 
vide for  their  families  They  paid  for  w^liat  they  got, 
and  dealt  justly  wdth  them;  so  that  they  had  come  t<» 
regard  the  Hudson's  I3ay  Company  as  their  friends 
and  allies.  With  regard  to  strangers  it  was  quite 
diilerent. 

Those  who  came  into  the  country  by  the  route  east 
of  the  mountains  struck  the  Fraser  at  two  points, 
namely,  Lytton  and  the  Fountain.  There  they  began 
tt)  dig  for  <>fold  without  a  license,  and  there  Dounlas 
found  them,  and  made  them  pay,^  The  natives  knew 
and  cared  nothing  for  any  license  imposed  by  others ; 
it  was  they  who  nmst  have  })ay  for  their  gold,  or  for 
their  sticks  or  stones  should  foreigners  desire  such  ar- 
ticles, even  as  they  had  always  received  pay  for  their 
furs,  and  if  white  men  would  not  treat  them  fairly  in 
the  matter,  they  would  fight  for  it. 

Meanwhile  l)oufjlas  ascends  the  river  in  the  Otter 
with  the  Satellite's  launch  and  uiu:  in  tow.  At  Fort 
Langley,  where  it  was  thought  })robable   might  be 


-Palmer,  in  the  Oref/on  Statesman,  Feb.  14,  ISCO,  chiirgea  upon  Douglas  tlio 
motive  of  securing  to  liis  company  the  trafhc  which  wouM  accrue  hy  forcinj,' 
the  foreign  .nining  population,  so  far  as  possible,  to  enter  through  the  front 
gate,  namely,  ))y  way  of  Victoria,  rather  than  of  obtaining  revenue  for  the 
gnvernment.  In  this,  however,  I  must  differ  from  liini.  1  Knil  nothing  in 
the  conduct  of  Douglas  to  warrant  the  suspicion  of  any  desire  on  his  part  to 
favor  unjustly  citlier  the  company  or  the  government  one  a;^ainst  the  other. 
See  Papers  B.  C,  pt.  i.  1-15  et  seq. 


802 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


I    ! 


i| 


the  Maialand  metropolis,  he  finds  speculators  seizinr^ 
lands  and  staking  out  lots.^  Sixteen  unlicensed  canoes 
are  there,  which  he  takes  into  custody,  but  releases 
them,  and  grants  passes  on  the  payment  of  five  dol- 
lars for  each  canoe.  The  owners  of  certain  merchan- 
dise for  trade,  found  there,  fare  worse,  their  goods 
being  f  ^ized  and  held  as  contraband.  With  a  warn- 
ing to  the  squatters  against  their  illegal  and  fruitless 
proceedings,  he  continues  his  journey  toward  Fort 
Hope  on  the  27th  of  !\[ay,  stopping  frequently  to 
converse  witli  the  excited  people  who  pass  and  repass 
him  on  the  way."' 

J^etters  are  received  from  !Mr  Walker,  in  charge  at 
Fort  Hope,  saying  "that  In<lians  are  gcitting  plenty 
of  gold,  and  trade  with  the  Americans.  Indian  wages 
are  from  three  to  four  dollars  a  day.  Letters  from 
i^'ort  Yale  dated  ISth  inst.  state  that  tliere  arc  mineis 
working  two  miles  below  Fox't  Yale,  who  are  making 
on  an  average  one  and  a  half  ounces  a  day  each  man. 
The  place  is  named  Hill  J^ar,  and  employs  eighty 
Indians  and  tliirty  white  men.  Pierre  Maquais  lias 
built  a  log-house  and  ntocG  below  Fort  Yale,  and 
another  store  altout  five  miles  beyond  the  fort.  York 
has  put  lip  a  log  boarding-house  a  short  distance 
l)eyond  the  fort."  Thus  the  fur-trade  is  forever 
ruined,  the  natives  themselves  having  cauLifht  the 
gold  infection  as  l»adly  as  others. 

liefore  tlie  (pieen's  authority  roaches  them,  after 
the  old  Calil'ornia  fashion  the  miiuu-s  of  Hill  I^ar 
inaugurate  self-government.  On  the  l*lst  of  May  are 
posted  laws  rt>gulating  mining  claims  on  tltat  bar.  A 
claim  consists  of  twenty -five  feet  frontage;  one  man 

'-' '  ScviT.il  aitiilio.itioim  for  jTct'iiiptions  of  liiiul  rights  wore  made  hy  par- 
tii's  (Icsinius  ot  settling  oil  Fraser  ivivcr.  Kofuscil  to  I'litcrtuiu  tiie  saiil  aji- 
plications  for  want  of  autiiority.  I  liink  wc  ought  iiiiiiu'iliatcly  toooiniiK'nn; 
tho  sale  of  laud,  for  if  wu  refuse  to  make  sales,  jieople  will  sijuat  on  every 
part  of  the  eountry,  and  there  will  he  a  great  ditlieulty  in  ejecting  tlu'iii.' 
/Hiin/  oj'  (toll/  l)isi'or<r)i  on.  Fnmrr  Itirn;  ill  Jhvu/lim'  Pri'iitf  I'lijur",  .MS., 
I.st  ser.  JK).  .Iaiiie.s  li.  liay  staked  oil'  l.LHM)  acres,  tiud  hegau  selling  lots. 
VirUria  (iiiziUf,  Sept.   14,  KSr)8. 

"He  is  iiiHcli  i'terested  in  returns  from  tiio  mines,  and  his  diary  is  full  ot 
statistics  on  that  suhjeet. 


EXPEDITION  OP  DOUGLAS. 


393 


can  hold  two  claims,  one  by  preemption  and  one  by 
purchase,  provided  he  works  both;  any  white  man 
caught  stealing,  or  molestin;^  Indians,  shall  be  punished 
as  a  committee  of  the  miners  shall  direct ;  he  who  sells 
(ir  gives  spirits  to  the  natives  shall  for  the  first  offence 
])ay  one  hundred  dollars,  and  for  the  second  offence 
shall  be  driven  from  the  bar.  For  mutual  safety  a 
captain  and  two  lieutenants  are  elected  and  endowed 
with  power  absolute.  And  of  this  first  meeting  of 
law-makers  thereabout,  P.  H.  Furness  is  president, 
and  George  W.  Tennent  secretary. 

Arriving  at  Fort  Hope  on  the  29th,  Douglas  makes 
his  hcad-quartors  there.  Owing  to  the  mineral  dis- 
coveries in  this  vicinity,  Hope  is  now  the  most  impor- 
tant place  on  the  Mainland,  and  serves  foi*  present 
and  i^ractical  purposes  as  the  capital  of  the  country. 
It  is  here  the  queen's  representative  sets  up  his  little 
government,  and  publishes  a  plan  lor  establishing 
order  and  administering  justice  on  Fraser  River. 

Douglas  nov,'  calls  at  the  several  mining -camps  in 
the  vicinity.  Gold  is  everywhere  plentiful;  more 
plentiful  the  minors  think  than  formerly  in  California; 
strange  some  one  should  not  have  found  it  before. 
Provisions  are  scarce  ;  pork,  coffee,  and  flour  each 
one  dollar  a  pound,  and  that  with  the  fur-trading 
posts  so  near. 

At  Fort  Yale  lie  meets  a  number  of  chiefs,  Copals 
•  if  Spuzzum,  Tellatella  Quatza  of  the  falls,  and  Lay- 
koutum  of  Sposun,  and  converses  with  them  upon 
the  strange  destiny  so  suddenly  falling  upon  t\\v'w 
country.  To  keep  any  of  his  men  he  is  obliged  to 
raise  their  wages  ten  pounds  per  annum,  but  where 
this  sum  could  be  duof  out  of  the  ground  in  a  single 
(lay,  the  increase  of  wages  proved  a  temptation  only 
to  tlie  more  stolidly  virtuous.  As  revenuo-olliccr 
lor  the  district  of  Yale  he  appoints  an  Englishman 
mining  there  named  liichard  Hicks,  with  a  .udary  of 
£40  a  year,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  revenue  of  the 
country. 


394 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


I    ■■  ,i 


!   I 


At  Hill  Bar,  besides  creating  George  Perrier,  a 
British  subject,  justice  of  the  peace,  he  appointed 
Indian  magistrates,  who  were  to  bring  to  justice  any 
members  of  their  tribes  charged  with  offences.  For 
this  atom  of  authority  every  chief  was  ready  to  sub- 
scribe himself  a  slave. 

Other  things  were  also  talked  about  at  this  camp  at 
Hill  Bar.  The  natives  were  now  threatening  to  sweep 
the  country  of  the  white  men,  whose  presence  became 
every  day  to  them  more  distasteful.  Bands  were 
arming  at  various  points,  and  no  small  tumult  had 
been  raised  at  this  bar.  Douglas  called  up  the  sav- 
ages and  lectured  them  roundly ;  to  the  white  men  ho 
talked  as  plainly;  then  he  went  his  way  hoping  all 
would  be  well. 

But  all  was  not  well.  Within  a  fortnight  a  hun- 
dred natives  appeared  at  Robinson  Bar,  armed,  to 
fight  the  eighty  white  men  there.  Some  half-breeds, 
who  felt  themselves  aggrieved  in  the  settlement  by 
the  miners  of  a  dispute  about  a  claim,  retired  in 
wrath,  and  told  the  Indians  that  the  white  men  had 
prohibited  all  but  themselves  from  working  there. 
When  they  were  assured  to  the  contrary,  they  laid 
down  their  weapons  and  went  to  work  beside  the 
white  men  in  apparent  poace;  but  the  stripped  and 
headless  bodies  of  prospectors  and  straggling  miners 
that  came  floating  down  the  Fraser,  told  of  the  in- 
auguration of  a  new  era  in  British  Columbia  society.' 

The  Oregonians  and  Californians  who  came  to  1  he 
mines  by  the  plateau  route  in  July  encountered  tl  : 
alternative  of  returning,  or  fighting  their  way  throuj^li 
the  hostile  tribes  on  the  Okanagan,^  while  the  Hud- 
son Bav  traders  from  Colville  were  moving  throuiirh 
the  same  country  and  encountering  the  same  bodies 

*  Victoria  Gazette,  July  20,  1858;  Papers  B.  C,  pt.  i.  10;  Good's  B.  (  ., 
MS..r)7-8. 

*  Mr  Tucker,  fonnorly  of  Tehama,  California,  at  Yale  Auj^.  17th,  reported 
that  ho  imd  left  tiio  Dalles  with  a  party  of  100  men  r.nd  400  animals,  iiml 
that  they  ha<l  a  severe  fight  with  the  Indiana  near  Fort  Okanagan,  tliite 
whiti'8  being  killed  and  six  wounded  before  the  Indians  were  beaten  off.  Vic- 
toria Gasette,  Aug.  24th,  1858. 


INDIAN  HOSTILITIES. 


395 


Good's  n.  (  ., 


of  Indians  unmolested."  In  the  canon  of  the  Fraser, 
(lis{)utes  between  wliite  and  red  frequently  arose  about 
caiiou  transportation  and  mining-ji^round,  and  in  con- 
se(|uence  of  the  scarcity  of  the  means  of  subsistence. 
The  strife  led  to  retaliations,  and  there  came  a  time 
wlion,  through  evil  counsels,  possibly  derived  In' 
affiliation  from  the  plateau,  it  appears  to  have  bet  n 
ileoided  u))on  by  the  Indians  to  forci))ly  arrest  the 
advance  of  the  miners  above  the  cauon.  Demonstra- 
tions in  force  had  been  made  by  them  on  several  occa- 
sions, but  open  hostilities  were  prevented  for  some 
time  through  the  personal  interventif»n  and  influence 
of  ( fovernor  Douglas,  with  miners  as  well  as  Indians. 
Finally,  about  the  7t]i  of  August  1858,  two  Frencli- 
nun  were  killed  on  the  trail  above  the  Big  Canon,  and 
when  the  news  reachid  Yale,  a  party  of  forty  minns 
organized  immediately,  under  Captain  Rouse,  and  loft 
with  packs  im  their|b;icks  to  force  a  })assage  to  the 
forks.  At  Boston  Bar  they  were  induced  to  com- 
bine with  the  miners  who  had  gathered  there  t(t  tlie 
number  cf  one  hundred  and  fifty.  On  August  14tli. 
the  hostih3  Indians  were  encountered  near  the  head  of 
Big  Canon,  and  a  three  hours'  figlit  ensued,  wherein 
seven  braves  were  killed.  All  the  Indians  in  this 
]iart  of  the  canon,  whetlu-r  hostile  or  ])oacoablo,  were 
thereupon  driven  out,  and  the  company  returned  to 
Yale." 

'Mt  does  not  follow  that  the  officers  of  the  Hmlson's  Bay  Comiiany  couh- 
tiiiiiiK'i'd  the  hostile  attitude  of  the  Indians,  nor  were  tliey  suspfiti'd  ol  dniii^' 
So.  On  tlie  contrary,  it  was  through  their  intluencu  tliat  an  Indiau  w.ir  was 
avdidi'd  (in  tlie  British  side  of  the  lioundary  line.  Ou  the  American  side, 
Mvi'vc  ciiL'agenients  took  jilaee  hetween  t'olonel  Steptoe  and  the  Indians  of  the 
upinT  ('oluuil)ia,  M'ho  were  actuated  liy  tiie  feeling  that  the  Americans,  liring 
w'tili  I.-,,  ,1,.'  'wvf  nierely  trailers,  should  he  opposed,  and  prevented  from 
oci'iiiyiug  the  crtuntry. 

It  is  evident  that  the  Indians  were  not  prepared  for  a  commencement  of 
general  hostilities  at  this  time.  Their  ciiastisement  had  hecn  hasti'ued  hy  the 
overt  acts  of  a  few  thieving  and  liuliting  hraves,  who,  relyiug  on  the  gemr.d 
'li-i^llcction  among  the  Imlians,  haiT  imposed  upon  the  miners  to  a  degree  th.it 
lieeiiine  uuhcarahle.  Tiiree  accounts  were  puhlishol  of  the  expedition  alter- 
wai'd,  varying  somewhat  in  details.  Que  announced  the  return  of  the  last  of 
till'  litle  company,  on  the  IDth,  bringing  in  as  prisoner  the  chief  Copals.  Smitli, 
tlie  expressman,  attrihuted  the  immediate  cause  of  the  light  near  Boston  Biir 
tn  a  nil (hery  committed  ou  r.n  Irishman  at  Spu/zuin,  ami  he  reported  tiiat 
tell  Indians,  one  white  man,  and  a  white  woman,  from  Hill's  Biir,  were  killed, 


tm 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


Meanwhile  the  miners  came  flocking  into  Yale  from 
tlie  surrounding  camps,  and  on  August  17th  over  two 
thousand  attended  a  meeting  to  consider  the  manner 
of  dealing  with  the  Indians  The  majority  were  in 
favor  of  a  demonstration  in  force,  partially  to  overawe 
the  renegades  in  the  camps  of  the  well-disposed  Ind- 
ians, but  mainly  to  reopen  communications,  to  exact 
assurances  of  good  behavior  by  every  eftectivc  peace- 
able means,  and  to  chastise  such  bands  as  they  mii>]it 
encounter  which  could  not  be  dealt  with  in  any  other 
manner.  This  policy  found  expression  simply  by  the 
election  of  its  reprjscntative,  H.  M.  Snyder,  to  a  cap- 
taincj',  and  by  the  enrolment,  under  his  cimmiand, 
on  tlie  17t]i  and  18th,  of  the  largest  number  of  men. 
A  minority  were  in  favor  of  teaching  tlie  Indians  ;i 
severe  lesson  of  tlie  sort  just  administered  by  Captain 
House;  and  for  their  conunander  they  elected  Captain 
Graham.  ^ 

Over  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  were  enrolled, 
three  fourths  under  the  leadership  of  Snyder,  and  of 
his  aid.  Captain  John  Centras,  who  represented  tlie 
French  Canadians.  Without  deciding  u[H»n  a  plan  of 
cam])aign,  the  whole  party  «et  out  the  same  day,  jnn- 
vided  in  ]>art  with  arms  from  the  Hudson's  J^ayCoin- 
])any's  establisliment  a. id  carrying  a  few  days'  provision. 
They  camped  for  the  night  at  Spuzzum  nuicJurfa, 
where  the  force  was  increased  to  nearlv  two  liun.h'ed 
men  from  among  the  large  number  of  miners  wlio  had 
abandoned  tlie  upper  bars  to  seek  refuge  here.  Snyder 
now  called  a  meeting,  and  represented  the  necessity  fur 
united  action  in  order  to  carry  the  expedition  to  ;i 
speedy  and  .successful  close.  He  also  pleaded  in  favor 
of  conciliatory  measuri's,  and  after  some  discussion, 
he  managed    to  overrule  the  blood-thirsty  policy  of 


lifter  whicli  tlic  Indian  ciiinps  ^^■^^r^^  liiirni'il.  According  to  .T.inics  Stewart,  vliw 
Iiiilians  weru  killed,  one  of  tlicin  a  chief,  several  were  wounded,  and  llirn' 
taken  prisonerM.  (juite  a  nund)er  of  i)aekages  of  powder  and  lead,  mniposiil 
to  liavo  Ijeen  furni«lied  by  the  Chinese,  were  found  in  the  Indian  e.iiiiips. 
Three  rnncherld'i  were  hurned  above  the  Big  Caflon,  and  two  belov.'.  Siii/il(.i'>i 
Letter  from  Yidv,  Auj,'.  17th,  in  Victoria,  (inzcttc,  Any.  24,  1858. 


CAPTAINS  SNYDER  AND  GRAHAM. 


397 


CJialiam,  and  to  gain  an  almost  unanimous  approval 
tor  Ills  own  plan.  By  this  vote  he  was  practically 
recognized  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  expedition.^ 
Snyder  now  proceeded  with  the  main  portion  of 
the  expedition  to  Long  Bar,  where  a  treaty  was  made 
with  the  most  troublesome  of  the  trihes,  who  })ro- 
fessed  a  desire  for  peace.  Five  natives  were  there- 
upon sent  with  a  white  Hag  down  througli  the  canon 
to  (rraham's  party,  whicli  was  met  four  miles  above 
wlivre  tliey  had  promised  to  wait.  Graham  took  the 
Hiig,  tlirew  it  on  the  ground,  trampled  it  under  foot, 
and  <'ami)ed  on  the  spot.  During  tlm  night  an  attack 
was  made  on  the  camp,  and  (;lraham  and  his  lieuten- 
ant fell  at  the  fii  wt  fire.  This  act  is  supj)osed  to  have 
been  prompted  by  the  outrage  on  the  Hag,"  and  may 

*'Onc  report  divides  tlicm  into  four  eoiiipanica:  CaptJiin  Snyder's,  witli  51 
ini'ii;  Captain  Centras',  witli  7-  men;  (.'aptain  (iraliairi  s,  willi  L'O  men,  ninstly 
iiiiiii  Whatcom;  and  Captain  (Jalloway's,  with  about  the  saino  niitiil)er. 
AnotluT  account  j,'ives  SnyiU'r  75  men,  and  mentions  two  otlier  eompanie.^  of 
'Jil  Mien  each;  all  of  whom  left  Yale  on  the  18th  with  live  days"  iirovisions. 
Tin;  organization,  iu  the  manner  of  an  army  of  foreigners  coiumanded  Iiy  a 
f(iiii:,'rifr,  was  not  wholly  to  the  liking  of  the  cautious  Hudson's  15ay  nun  at 
Vale,  wlio  characteri:;ed  Snyder's  expedition  as  a  inol»  acting  without  autlior- 
ity  ir.  T.  (I.,  Yale,  Aug.  'JSth,  cor.  Victoria  (l,r.ttt<;  Seiit.  1,  KS5H.  'J'!u! 
Vh-iiiria  (litT.ittc  of  August  i;5th  gives  the  captains  now  as  Snyder,  Cridiam, 
and  Vates,  anil  places  the  total  force  at  ID-t  men.  A  little  liclow  the  Spuz/um 
rnnr/ifri  I,  Snyder  fell  in  with  some  Indians,  and  persuaded  the  ehii'f  to  tall 
thiui  all  together  to  have  a  talk.  He  with  Ceiitrasand  an  interpreter  accom- 
]iiiiic(l  the  chief  down  the  river  two  miles,  when  the  latter  ga<-e  a  whooji.  and 
instantly  about  70  Indians  emerged  a.s  if  l)y  magic,  out  of  the  rocks.  'I'luwo 
Will'  peacealilo  Indians,  simjily  ahirmed  at  the  attitude  of  all'aii's,  and  in 
liiiling.  1'lu'y  wc^re  delighted  witii  Snyder's  reassurances,  and  hound  them- 
.-■t  Ivis  to  kei[>  the  peace.  At  the  rnnrhiria  Snyder's  command  iiiund  .">iM) 
white  iiii'ii,  the  greater  part  of  whom  had  come  dow  n  the  livir  on  acciiunt  of 
the  Indian  dillicidties.  From  this  point  tlie  force  was  inei'cased  to  IS,)  men 
ia  all,  wlio  proceeded  toward  tho  J5ig  Canon,  ^'all■.  Virforia  (luzilti',  Sept.  I, 
1  \"iS. 

'■'Tlie  tirst  report  as  published  by  the  Viclnna  <!(izittc,  Aug.  25,  1858,  says 
that  at  the  riiiir/irria  near  China  liar,  Snyder  ealhd  tngillicr  L'O;)  Indians, 
Minle  a  treaty  with  them,  and  left  a  letter  for<lraliam  inuirming  him  ol  tlio 
I  ii't.  On  till!  '20th  (Iraham  arrived  at  tiu!  same  place,  Snyder's  connnand 
having  gone  on.  The  Indians  hoisted  a  wliite  lla,L',  and  showed  (iraham  the 
I'tter.  riie  p.irty  camped  at  the  ninr/irriii  with  four  or  live  nun  out  as  siii- 
li'ies.  At  night  they  were  suddeidy  attacked,  and  ( iraham  and  his  lii'Uteiiant 
wi  iij  killed  at  tho  tirst  lire.  Tile  news  of  tlii-'  so  far  inaccurately  related 
I  vciit  as  it  reached  Yale  and  Victoria  was  iu  the  lirst  few  days  exaggerated 
iMtii  a  general  massacre.  All  but  two  of  (iraham's  nun  were  reported  kiilid. 
A  (iiTuiaii  who  escaped  into  tiio  liushes  Wiis  said  to  have  witnessed  the  Ind- 
mutilating  .'W  of  tin;  bodies,  and  throwing  them  into  tho  river.     In  con- 


tiriiiation   of   tho   alleged   massacre,  sixtei^n   of  tho  bodies,  many  of  the 


m 


ipituted,  Were  rcporteil  to  havo  been  pickeil  up  along  tho  river,  including 


mr 


398 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


account  for  the  fact  that  only  the  leaders  were  killed. 
At  China  liar,  Snyder's  command,  August  19th, 
adopted  a  resolution,  the  matter  having  been  duly 
submitted  to  tliem,  that  in  consequence  of  the  report 
believed  b}'  many  that  the  Chinese  had  been  selliii<i; 
amnmnition  to  the  Indians,  if  not  inciting  them,  the 
former  should  all  go  below,  while  they  were  assured 
possession  of  their  claims  as  soon  as  peace  could  be 
estal)lished.  Snyder's  party  left  on  the  20th,  accom- 
panied by  the  chief  of  the  tribe  above  the  Big  Canon, 
Boston  liar  and  all  the  bars  above  the  ranchcrkt  were 
found  deserted.  Nineteen  miles  above  China  Bar  an- 
other tribe  was  brought  under  regulations  by  a  treaty. 
On  the  2bst  two  more  tribes  signed  treaties  of  peace, 
and  shortly  afterward  Snyder's  command  fell  in  with 
Spintlum,  a  noted  Thomj)son  Iliver  chief,  accompa- 
nied by  six  other  chiefs  and  three  hundred  Indians, 
and  speeches  were  made  which  were  considered  veiy 
sensible  on  both  sides,  regretting  the  ovei*t  acts  of 
the  bad  white  men  and  bad  Indians.  On  the  2*Jd  of 
August,  Snyder  and  Ids  men  reached  Thompson  ]{iver, 
made  treaties  of  peace  with  several  additional  tribes. 
and  at  2  p.  m.  on  that  day  they  began  the  return  man  K, 
impelled  thereto  chielly  by  the  lack  of  provisions, 
Yale  was  reached  on  the  2r>th.  Five  chiefs  of  those 
with  whom  treaties  had  been  concluded  accompanied 
the  party  voluntarily,  Snydi-r  ph^dging  himself  i'or 
their  safety.  Two  thousand  Indians  in  all  had  sub- 
mitted between  Spuzzum  and  the  Forks. 

In  the  course   of  the  whole   cam[)aign  thirty-one 
Indians  were  killed,  nearly  all  by  the  ritie  company  in 

the  Iwdics  of  Johnson  of  Whatcom  and  Miller  of  Yale,  From  a  later  iictimnt 
it  apiteared  that  a  jtarty  of  Indians  who  wore  reiurniii;,'  from  a  scout  at  II  r.  m., 
antl  unaware  «tf  the  treaty  formed,  tintliiig  (iraham'ii  company  eainpi  il  iinir 
the  roiir/icria  referred  to,  at  once  tired  upon  them,  hut  that  the  friondly  Inil- 
iauH  whom  Snyder  had  met  the  day  heforo  as  promptly  interfered.  Of  tln^ 
cif^ht  iKxlie.s  of  white  miners  that  were  taken  out  of  the  river  on  the  I'Jtli  ami 
5J0th  of  Augii.st  and  later,  some  were  drowned,  and  only  part  of  them  wrii! 
headless.  Vtctorin  ddzHtt;  Aug.  2(5,  18.58.  This  unfortunate  event,  instead  of 
still  further  rousing  the  Idooil-thirsty  minority  composed  chiefly  of  thoWli.it- 
com  men,  tendetl  rather  to  conciliate  them  to  the  peaceful  puliuy  of  iSuydcr, 
whose  plans  were  no  longer  interfered  with. 


SLAUGHTER  OP  THE  INNOCENTS. 


399 


ere  killed. 
:ust    19th, 
been  duly 
the  report 
en  selliiii:; 
tliein,  the 
re  assured 
c  could  be 
th,  accoiii- 
V\^  Canoii. 
•hcria  wnv 
iia  Bar  an- 
>y  a  treaty. 
s  of  |U'ace, 
fell  ill  with 
',  ac('oiii[)a- 
d  Indians, 
dered  viiy 
ert  acts  <»f 
the  2"Jd  of 
^iH)n  lliver, 
)nal  trilKs, 
urn  niardi, 
provisions. 
Is  of  tllosc 
conipanicd 
iniself  ior 
had  wul»- 

thirty-ono 
[ompany  in 

l.-itcr  aciniiiit 
lout  at  II  r.  M-. 

Cilllllll'll    III'"' 

Ic  frioiidly  liiil- 
Iferftl.  Of  \U>' 
liitho  I'Jthaail 
I  of  them  wm: 
lent,  iiisteiul  nf 
lyof  tho^Vllat• 
ley  of  feJujiKr, 


their  onslaught  at  the  beginning.  The  Indians  killed 
utro  innocent,  the  killing  of  white  men  was  traced  by 
Snyder  to  the  Big  Cafion  tribe,  enemies  of  the  tribe 
hclow,  whose  rancherias  had  been  burned  by  the  riHe 
((mi|)any,'" 

No  sooner  had  the  expedition  returned  than  the 
iiiiiiers  were  again  at  work  on  their  claims;  and  the 
trail  was  again  crowded  on  the  2yth  of  August  with 
individual  miners  carrying  their  packs  up  the  river 
towaid  Lvtton."  The  Indians  above  Yale  were  re- 
jiorted  to  be  quieter,  frendlier,  and  more  accommo- 
dating in  the  first  week  of  September  fidlowing  the 
campaign  than  they  had  been  at  any  time  since  the 
ni)ld  excitenuint  liegan.  The  Indians  ahmg  the  Fraser, 
iii(h'('d,  proved  themselves  useful  ever  afterward  in 
kfcping  order  among  the  miners,  by  rendering  a.ssist- 
ance  in  the  arrest  of  gandders  and  other  outlaws  who 
ui>on  occasion  saw  fit  to  move  out  of  the  reach  of  the 
local  magistrates.*'^ 

1  )()Uglas  wrote  tlie  colonial  office,  August  27th,  that 
lie  proj)osed  to  make  a  jouriuy  to  the  front  himself, 
accompanied  by  thirty-five  sajtpers  and  nuiu-rs,  and 
twenty  marines  from  the  ^uiiU'de,  though  lu;  con- 
sidered that  force  "absurdly  small  for  such  an  occa- 
sion." ]^ut  as  the  occasion  for  it  had  ])assed,  the 
si;l(liers  and  sailors  were  not  called  into  action  at  this 
time,  nor  until  January  1851),  when  arose  the  Mc- 
(lowan  ahirm,  to  be  hereafter  describe<l,  of  which  the 
incsint  suddtni  dmclopment  of  armed  forces  may  have 
laid  the  foundation  in  part. 

"  I'liriiit,'  the  jirogrcssof  tlio  cainpaigii  and  for  tliroo  wccUh  in  Auynxt  end- 
in  ;  with  tlio  ri'tuni  of  Snyder's  exiH'illtion,  tlio  iHiilie.i  of  wliito  mm  in  a 
iiiuiT  (ir  li'ss  mutilated  and  only  partially  rocogni/al>lu  condition  were  daily 
li  lud  out  of  tiio  river  and  picked  up  along  its  lianks.  In  the  origin  of  these 
iliiiiculties  it  was  conceded  tliat  the  whiten  wtTo  not  free  from  Manic.  On  the 
111  tlie  men  marche<l  .'J8  miles  over  the  worst  part  of  tho  canon  trail  under 


I-  nici'iitivo  of  hunger,  their  provi.sions  having  hy  that  time  entirely  give 
I.  Yale  cor.   Virtoiia  (InziUi;  Sept.  1;  also  Aug.  UG,  27,  '2K,  ]8.")«. 

^^I'litnria  (lazitk;  Aug.  2t),  27,  28,  and  Sei.t.   1,  7,  18r>8.     Tho  Yale  coi 
^Iinndiiit,  'T.  W.  (J.,'  of  the  (lazcUr,  Aug.  2sth,  dated  tho  start  ami  rei,urn 

Snyder's  expedition  a  day  later  than  tue  otlicial  report,  which  I  have  as- 
iiii'd  to  l»e  correct. 

'-.W/a/('sC'arWoo,  MS.,  19. 


i»» 


400 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


In  the  mean  time  Douglas  had  returned  to  Victoria. 
On  the  9th  of  June  1858  James  Yates,  fur-trader,  and 
five  others,  petitioned  him  on  behalf  of  the  public, 
who  had  met  four  days  before,  to  remove  the  restric- 
tions imposed  upon  trade  by  the  fur  company ;  but  ho 
refused.  As  the  miners  were  suffering  for  food,  he 
permitted  the  Surprise  and  the  Sea  Bird  to  make 
each  one  trip,  and  for  the  present  no  more. 

In  July,  Sir  E.  B.  Lytton,  secretary  for  the  col- 
onies, writes  asking  Douglas  in  case  he  is  appointed 
governor  of  the  Mainland  at  a  salary  of  £1,000  j)cr 
annum  for  six  years,  if  he  will  sever  his  connection 
with  the  Hudson's  Bay  and  Puget  Sound  companies. 
Lytton  likewise  proposes  to  send  out  an  engineer 
officer  with  two  or  three  subalterns  and  one  hundred 
and  fifty  sappers  and  miners,  to  survey  the  parts  (if 
the  country  most  suitable  for  settlement,  designate 
where  roads  should  be  made,  and  suggest  a  site  lor 
the  seat  of  government.  Lytton  further  insists  on 
kind  treatment  of  the  natives,  and  that  no  jealousy 
be  shown  Americans;  he  susxijests  a  council  of  advice 
to  be  formed  partly  of  British  subjects  and  partly 
of  forciixncrs. 

Although  t'.iO  revenue  collected  by  impost  was  con- 
siderable, it  was  regarded  as  too  small  in  the  present 
emergency  by  Douglas,  who  asked  the  home  govern- 
ment ilrst  for  money,  and  next  to  guarantee  a  loan. 
Both  of  these  requests  were  at  first  refused,  but 
finally  permission  was  granted  to  borrow  one  hundred 
tliousand  pounds  at  six  per  cent. 

Among  the  first  suggestions  of  the  colonial  secre- 
tary, was  that  public  lands  should  be  sold,  and  towns 
laid  out,  and  the  lots  disposed  of.  Douglas  was  net 
slow  to  act  on  the  hint.  He  sent  Pcmberton  and  had 
town  .sites  surveyed  beside  the  forts  of  Langley,  Hope, 
and  Yale. 

The  government  price  of  land,  except  town  sites 
and  mineral  lands,  which  were  to  be  sold  by  auction, 
was  fixed  at  ten  shillings  an  acre,  half  cash  and  half 


DOUGLAS"  SECOND  SURVEY. 


in  two  years.     The  miners'  license  was  five  dollars 
monthly. 

Lytton  never  failed  to  instil  into  the  mind  of  Doug- 
las the  colonial  principle  of  self-reliance.  A  youth- 
ful and  vigorous  community  must  find  moans  to 
defend  itself,  to  govern  itself,  and  to  improve  itself 
The  mother  would  hold  over  it  a  ready  protecting 
liand,  but  the  child  must  learn  to  walk  by  itself  Any 
course  tending  to  engender  ill-feclinijc,  or  to  bring 
about  a  bloody  conflict  between  the  government  and 
the  adventurers  should,  if  possible,  be  avoided.  But 
in  the  event  of  the  failure  of  pacific  measures,  and  the 
inability  of  the  colonial  government  to  maintain  order 
and  defend  itself,  England's  sword  would  always  lie 
ready.  The  infant  Colony  should  not  burden  itself 
Avith  debt;  the  officers  should  work  together  in  har- 
mony; free  ro])rescntative  institutions  should  be  es- 
tablished, but  in  this  as  in  all  things  precipitate  action 
should  be  avoided.  The  electoral  franchise  should  be 
framed  to  suit  the  community. 

In  a  second  visit  Douglas  arrived  at  Fort  Hope 
the  od  of  September  in  the  steamer  Uiiud'dla,  and  was 
received  with  demonstrations  of  re«pect.  The  governor 
was  much  interested  in  the  cutting  of  a  road  from 
llojie  to  Yale.  Ho  saw  Spintlum,  chief  at  the  Forks, 
as  the  place  at  the  junction  of  Fraser  and  Thompscm 
rivers  was  then  known,  then  the  objective  point  of  the 
^•i)l(l-seekers,  and  after  making  him  a  present  instructed 
him  how  he  should  treat  the  miners.  For  tlie  estab- 
lishment of  public  government  meatiures  wore  taken 
on  the  Gth  in  the  appointment  for  Fort  Hope  of  one 
justice  of  the  peace,  two  regular  and  ten  special  con- 
stables; for  Fort  Yale,  one  sub-commissioner,  ten 
troopers,  and  ten  .special  constables;  for  the  Forks, 
one  sub-commissioner,  ten  troopers,  and  a  warden  of  tiie 
river.     He  committed  Kiiiir  for  the  murder  of  Eaton'^ 

"7>OK.7?a.s'  Private  Papers,  MS.,  ser.  i.  103.    A  case  of  stabbing  arisiiiir  out 
of  nil  old  quarrel.    King  was  convicted  of  manslaughter  and  sentenced   to 
tiiuisportation  for  life.    Victoria  Gazette,  Sept.  10,  1808;  Pa^i:^,  JJ.  C,  pt.  ii.  4. 
Bi8T.  Kbit.  Col.    20 


402 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


on  the  testimony  or  six  witnesses  from  Hill  Bar,  and 
visited  Murderer  Bar,  On  the  7th  Douglas  gave 
directions  to  lay  out  the  town  of  Hope,  granting  titles 
to  lots  by  sufforence,  terminable  at  one  month's  notice, 
tlie  monthly  sum  of  ten  dollars  paid  by  the  occupant 
to  be  considered  as  part  of  the  purchase-money  wlnn 
valid  conveyance  was  made.'* 

Wednesday,  15th  September,  "met  the  people  and 
read  them  a  short  address,"  Douglas  writes.  "Gave 
notice  of  the  opening  of  court  to-morrow.  Granted 
permission  to  occupy  town  lots.  Tl»e  document  issued 
is  not  a  lease  at  all,  but  simply  pci-mission  to  occupy 
the  land  on  certain  conditions ...  If  administered  with 
economy,  a  very  moderate  sum  will  be  required  to 
meet  the  expenses  of  the  government.  The  chief  ex- 
penses will  be  the  salaries  of  the  different  officers,  and 
some  necessary  improvements,  such  as  court-houses, 
roads,  etc.,  which  will  cost  a  considerable  sum,  and 
providing  public  buildings.  Tlie  revenue  of  the  country 
will  fully  meet  that,  and  soon  yield  a  large  excess  for 
other  purposes."  Douglas  was  attended  at  this  time 
by  George  Pearkes,  crown  solicitor,  who  presided  at 
Fort  Yale,  bringing  several  offenders  to  justice.  B. 
C.  Donnellan,  formerly  of  the  police  force  in  San 
Francisco,  was  made  chief  of  police  there,  and  P.  B, 
Whannell  justice  of  the  peace.  At  Lower  Fountain- 
ville,  a  trader,  Alexander  McCrellish,  was  appointed 
police  magistrate. 

The  4th  of  September,  the  governor  proclaimed 
at  Fort  Hope  lliat  any  person  convicted  before  a 
magistrate  of  selling  or  giving  spirituous  liquors  ti) 
the  natives  of  Fraser  River  or  elsewhere  would  bo 
mulcted  in  the  penal  sum  of  from  five  to  twenty  pounds. 
Aliens  might  hold  lands,  subject  to  forfeiture  by  the 
crown  at  any  moment,  for  tliree  years,  after  whieh 
time  they  nmst  become  naturalized  British  subjects, 


'*  'Front  street  to  \to  120  feet  wide,  the  other  main  streets  to  be  100  fii  t. 
!iii(l  the  cross  streets  to  be  80  feet  broad.'  JJouglaa'  Private  Papers,  MS.,  scr, 
i.  102-3. 


WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


40S 


or  lose  their  lands,  or  convey  them  to  British  subjects. 
Tlic  2  2d  of  December,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the 
new  government,  Douglas  imposed  by  proclamation 
at  Victoria  a  duty  of  ten  per  centum  on  all  articles 
not  otherwise  specified,  entering  British  Columbia." 
The  port  of  Victoria,  which  was  free,  as  concerned 
Vancouver  Island,  was  declared  the  port  of  entry  for 
British  Columbia,  and  a  collector  of  customs  was  ap- 
pointed. 

On  the  4th  of  October  Douglas  answered  Lytton, 
agreeing  to  withdraw  from  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany, promising  to  sell  his  Pugct  Sound  stock,  and 
to  accept  the  office  of  double  governor.  But  £1,000  a 
year  was  too  ridiculously  small  a  salary  for  so  high  an 
office,  he  said.  He  supposed  the  government  wished 
its  chief  officer  to  live  in  a  manner  befitting  the  posi- 
tion, which  would  cost,  he  estimated,  at  least  £5,000 
per  annum.  And  for  general  purposes  he  thought 
parliament  should  grant  the  new  gold  colony  either 
as  a  gift,  or  as  a  loan,  £200,000. 

In  reply  Lytton  talked  economy  as  usual;  hoped 
that  the  colony  would  want  nothing  given  it  outright 
by  the  imperial  government  but  the  governor's  salary, 
wliich  for  the  Mainland  and  Island  should  not  exceed 
£1,800,  except,  indeed,  the  excess  be  raised  by  the 
ctjlony,  in  which  event  England  was  not  at  all  par- 
ticular how  much  he  got.  The  imperial  government 
Would  advance  the  money  to  pay  the  engineers  sent  out 
from  England,  but  it  mu;.>t  be  in  due  time  refunded. 

In  the  main  the  secretary  sanctioned  the  unauthor- 
ized proceedings  of  Douglas;  he  acknowledged  his 
difficulties  and  praised  his  zeal.  Nevertheless,  he 
warned  him  against  the  use  of  his  authority  as  gov- 
ernor for  the  profit  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company. 

'HHour  jiaid  2,'*.  hi.  a,  barrel;  bacot,  4ii.  2<I.  per  100  lbs.;  spirits,  4.s'.  2</.  a 
gallon;  wines,  2.<.  Irf.  a  gallon;  iile,  G.^i  /.  a  gallon;  beans  and  pease,  G^d.  per 
100  lbs.;  b.irloy  and  oats,  G\d.  per  200  lbs.  Coin,  quicksihor,  fresh  meats  and 
vegetables,  timber,  hay,  wheat,  books,  and  Ijaggagc  were  free.  The  duty  on 
spirits  was  a-lvanced  the  following  year  to  C.s.  '6d. 


: 


I 


r! 


41 M 


(tOVEllNMKNT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


:iil 


In  tho  first  flusli  of  tlie  Fraser  River  discovery,  and 
while  yet  tlie  liallowed  exclusiveness  of  the  coiiipany 
was  not  seriously  disturbed,  Douj^las  proclaimed  tiiat 
for  vessels  other  than  their  own  to  navigate  the 
Fraser  was  an  infringement  (»f  the  rights  of  tli<' 
♦•onipany.  This  Lytton  Hatly  denies;  the  rights  of 
the  company  extended  to  I'xolusive  trade  with  the 
natives,  and  to  nothing  else.  So  when  Douglas 
ordained  that  the  l*aciHc  ^Nfail  Steamship  C(Mnpaiiy 
sliould  carry  tho  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  goods  and 
no  others,  and  passengers  having  a  miner's  license 
and  no  others,  the  secretary  said  no;  men  might  wish 
to  go  there  for  other  puri)osi'S  than  to  mine  or  trade 
with  the  iiativi'S,  and  the  fur  company  nmst  not  ]nv- 
vent  them.  Miners'  licenses  were  well  enough,  hur 
they  must  he  required  of  those  intending  to  mine. 

On  the  17tli  of  October  there  arrived  at  Esquinialt 
H.  B.  M.  ship  (iiwijes,  three  decks,  eighty-four  guns. 
and  seven  hundred  and  fifteen  men,  in  which  Aduiiial 
J^aynes  came  from  Valparaiso  to  command  the  naval 
Heet  which  was  to  guard  the  newly  found  wealth  of 
Britisli  Columbia.  Th  admiral  called  on  the  <'n\- 
ernor,  and  the  ^Satellite  fired  her  guns;  then  all  -"as 
calm;  arid  in  the  forest  the  wild  beasts  revelled  iii 
unwonted  freedom,  while  savage  and  civilized  alike 
scrand)led  for  gold.  The  (ra/^^/^'S  sailed  for  Vulpaiiiix* 
in  December.  The  steam  frigate  ^fh'ibiuw,  Captain 
Hornby,  and  the  steam  corvett*;  Pleiades,  Captain 
^[ichael  de  Coucey,  anchored  in  Esquimalt  Haihnr 
on  the  14th  of  February  1851);  also  the  ship  Thunxs 
( 'ill/,  with  government  stoves. 

On  the  8tli  of  November  Chartres  Brew,  of  the 
Irish  Constabularv,  who  had  served  with  distinction 
in  the  Crimea,  came  to  Victoria  under  appointment 
to  organize  a  constabulary  police  in  British  Columbia. 
Joseph  T>.  Femberton  was  colonial  surveyor,  under 
whose  auspices  was  established  a  land-office  at  Vic- 
toria, where  districts  were  laid  out,  and  one-hundred- 
acre  sections  offered  at  fixed  rates.     Pemberton  was 


ANOTHER  NOTABLE  EXCURSION. 


405 


nominated  surveryor-gcneral  of  the  Mainland,  but  the 
c()h)nial  secretary  made  other  arrangements.  W.  T. 
U.  Hamlcy  was  appointed  by  the  queen  collector 
of  customs  for  British  Columbia,  and  later  (t.  H. 
Cary  was  sent  out  as  solicitor-general.  Travaillot 
and  Kicks  were  nominated  assistant  commisioners 
of  crown-lands  at  Thompson  River  and  Yale,  and  W. 
H.  Bevis  revenue  officer  at  Langley. 

Owing  to  the  large  number  from  California,  Oregon, 
and  Washington  among  the  ranks  of  the  gold-seekers, 
it  was  deemed  advisabh;  by  the  United  States  govcni- 
nRiit  that  a  connnissioner,  or  special  agent,  should  l)e 
a[t|)()inted,  the  result  of  which  was  tlie  sending  of 
John  Nugent  to  British  Columbia. 

At  c  dinner  given  him  on  the  eve  of  his  depart  are 
by  liis  rountrvrien  at  the  Hotel  de  France,  Victoria, 
the  loth  of  Xovcmbcr,  Mr  Nugent  paid  a  high  com- 
plinient  to  Captain  Prevost  and  his  officers  of  the 
^<a((llitc,  who,  while  true  to  the  interests  of  their  own 
government  in  guarding  tlie  peace  of  the  ^lainland 
clui'ing  tlie  heat  of  tlie  gold  excitement,  had  not  been 
unmindful  of  those  of  the  subjects  or  citizens  of  other 
govi-rnnu'iits.  Tlie  United  States  steamer  Activeh-dd 
taken  her  station  in  Victoria  Harbor  the  2d  of  Au- 
gust previous. 

Again,  on  tlie  17tli  of  Novcmb(>r,  in  company  with 
lieur-iulniiial  Bayni  s,  David  CanuTon,  chief-justice 
of  Vancouver  Island,  and  ^Matthew  B.  Bi'gbie,  chic  f- 
justice  of  British  Columbia,  embarked  on  board  If. 
B.  ^[.  steamer  Hatdlitc  for  Fraser  Kiver,  the  (HUr 
attending.  At  the  mouth  of  tlie  River  was  moored 
the  Hearer,  and  at  Langley  the  Jiecorcn/,  now  turned 
into  a  revenue-cutter  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company. 
Arrived  at  Fort  Langley,  Begbie  and  others  holding 
•imperial  appointments  took  tlie  oaths  of  office,  and 
Douglas  was  sworn  in  as  governor  of  British  Columbia, 
rroclamations  were  read  revoking  the  Hudson's  ]^ay 
Company's  license,  indenmifying  past  irregularities, 


I 


ill 


*i!S"~'l 


406 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


I 
llfl!: 


and  adopting  English  law.  Guns  were  fired,  flags 
flaunted,  and  amidst  a  drizzling  rain  mother  England 
was  delivered  of  a  new  colony. 

Thus  the  Mainland  wilderness,  called  by  the  fur- 
traders,  according  to  its  respective  parts.  New  Cale- 
donia, and  the  districts  of  Thompson  River,  the 
Columbia,  and  the  like,  was  erected  into  a  crown 
colony  under  the  name  of  British  Columbia,^®  with  for 
a  time  the  governor  of  Vancouver  Island  its  governor, 
and  the  capital  of  Vancouver  Island  its  capital,  Wil- 
liam A.  G.  Young  acting  as  colonial  secretary. 

Such  acts  as  had  been  performed  by  Douglas,  or  by 
his  order,  for  the  collection  of  revenue  and  the  maiii- 
tenence  of  order  while  the  country  was  3  et  without 
law  or  established  government,  were  by  proclamation 
of  the  governor  made  valid.  English  law  was  then 
declared  in  force  in  British  Columbia,  and  the  gov- 
ernor, by  proclamation,  was  enabled  to  convey  crown- 
lands. 

After  Hope,  Langley  was  for  a  brief  period  distin- 
guished as  the  capital  of  the  Mainland.  The  former 
site  of  the  old  fort  and  the  land  about  it  was  sur- 
veyed by  Pemberton  and  Pearse,  and  laid  out  as  a 
town,  to  which  was  given  the  name  Derby.  On  the 
25th,  2Gth,  and  2l)th  of  November  the  lots,  sixty- 
four  by  one  hundred  feet,  were  sold  by  auction  at 
Victoria  at  an  upeot  price  of  one  hundred  dollars. 
Adjoining  the  town  site  were  ten  square  miles  of 
land  reserved  by  the  Hudson's  Bav  Company.  The 
sale  occupied  three  days.  About  400  lots  were 
sold  at  from  $40  to  $725,  aggregating  $G8,000,  a 
pretty  sum  for  a  piece  of  swa?npy  wildf^niess;  but 
Derby  was  at  this   tune   to  be  the  capital  of  tht' 

'•Soveral  names  wuro  HUguusteil  l>y  varinuH  jiersoim  for  tlio  MaiiilaiDl.  In 
pai'liauient,  UiiiiHanl'i*  I'nr.  JMi.,  ili.  1,*M7  8,  I'ac'itica  was  proposetl.  Soini' 
tlmuglit  the  tixteusif.ii  of  the  term  New  t'aletlniiia  over  the  Mainlaml  .Jtiipro 
priate.  But  the  name  C'olumMa,  from  the  advent  of  the  Northwest  Compaiiy 
to  tlie  present  time,  had  been  the  favorite  apuellatiou  for  a  largo  ami  promi- 
nent j>art,  anil  often  at  a  distance  for  the  whole,  of  the  Northwest  Cootit,  uml 
BO  British  Columbia  became  the  favorite. 


MOODY,  GOSSET,  AND  CRICKENER. 


491, 


Mainland,  and  play  the  Sacramento  to  Victoria's  San 
Francisco." 

Richard  Clement  Moody,  colonel  of  royal  engineers, 
was  sent  out  by  Secretary  Sir  Edward  Bulwer  Lytton, 
September  1858,  as  chief  commissioner  of  lands  and 
works,  and  office  for  the  sale  of  public  lands  and  the 
direction  of  public  works,  with  a  dormant  commission 
as  lieutenant-iTovernor  of  British  Columbia,  to  ad- 
minister  the  government  of  the  colony  in  case  of  the 
incapacity  or  absence  of  the  governor.  He  was  also 
cliiof  in  command  of  the  royal  engineers  destined  for 
]^ritish  Columbia,  his  second  being  J.  M.  Grant,  who 
arrived  at  \^ictoria  with  the  first  detachment  of  twelve 
men  on  the  8th  of  November ;  the  main  body  coming 
round  Cape  Horn  in  the  Thrmcs  City.  Among  tlie 
ortieers  were  H.  li.  Luard,  A.  R.  Lempricre,  H.  S. 
]*{ihnor,  and  Siddell,  surgeon  Moody's  regimental  j)ay 
was  £330,  and  his  colonial  allowance  £1,200,  making 
.l'l,r)30  per  annum.  Begbie's  salary  was  £800.  At 
this  time  Moody  was  onior  officer  commanding  all 
lier  majesty's  land  forces  in  British  Columbia  and 
A'ancouver  Island.  It  was  expected  that  the  royal 
eiii^ineers  would  act  in  a  militarv  as  well  as  in  a  civil 
t'ii[>acity,  as  occasion  recjuired.  Among  thorn  were  a 
few  experienced  in  cavalry  and  artillery  tlrill  wlio 
mlglit  form  a  nucleus  for  further  increasing  the  mili- 
tary  force  of  the  colony  by  enlistments  of  disappointed 
Jlritish  gold-seekers,  should  occasion  require.  Those 
wlio  came  with  Grant  were  first  stationed  a  F^angley, 
and  material  was  furnished  >vith  which  to  build  them- 
selves houses. 

Moody  arrived  Christmas-day,  took  the  oath  of 
oftiee,  Cameron  administering  it  the  4th  of  January 
1H59,  and  domiciled  himself  for  the  time  l)eing  at 
Victoria,  With  Moody  came  W.  J)riscoll  (Jossct, 
treasurer   of   British    Columi>ia,    and    B.    Crickencr, 

'  'Proveil  a,  failure,  ami  many  perMons  lost  money  piircliaHiii);  lot.s  wliicli 
turned  out  of  no  value.'  FhiUtjiHoit  m  V.  I.,  MS.,  (iO.  TcuilorH  were  askcil  in 
•lamiary  for  liuililing  a  oliurcli,  pai.ionuge,  court-liouae,  anil  jail  at  l^m^luy, 
vliit'li  naturally  exulted  the  [Hjojile  to  exi>eot  great  things  of  the  place. 


408 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


ni 


afterwards  chaplain  at  Yale.  The  Plumper,  Captain 
Richards,  formerly  there  in  1857  to  determine  the 
point  at  which  the  49th  parallel  touchtd  the  sea,  and 
the  boundary  line  thence  to  Fuca  Strait,  had  since 
assisted  the  Satellite  in  her  duties,  and  was  in  the 
present  emergency  generally  useful. 

The  rumors  of  the  miners'  disturbance  at  Yale,  in 
which  figured  Edward  McGowan,  of  inglorious  im  in- 
ory,  brought  the  Plumper  to  Derby  only  to  find  that 
Moody,  with  twenty-five  of  his  engineers,  had  gone 
before  in  the  Enterprise.  Between  the  fiery  justici'  of 
Bogbio,  who  was  present,  and  the  span-new  arms  (-t' 
tli*^  engineers,  the  roughs  of  Hill  Bar  had  notliiiiijf 
to  say,  and  soon  her  Majesty's  forces  were  permitted 
to  fall  back  to  Ho[)e,  where  they  found  the  Plinitper 
awaitinii'  them. 

The  story  is  told  in  this  wise,  and  begins  back  with 
the  o[R'ning  of  this  memorable  season  of  1858.  Tlio 
b<Hin(lMry  line  not  being  then  clearly  plain  in  tin- 
minds  of  some,  there  were  those  who  believed.  (»)• 
aifeeted  t(»  belio^■e,  that  the  lower  Frasor,  including 
j^angley  and  Hope,  were  in  United  States  territory. 
Tlu!  fur  niono})oly,  the  restrictions  on  shij)j)ing,  the 
duties  on  goods,  and  the  tax  on  miners  luul  rendered 
the  government  at  Victoria  very  unpopular  amoUL,' 
the  adventurers,  who  were  accustomed  to  think  and 
act  for  themselves.  On  various  occasions  duriny;  the 
spring  and  summer,  in  a  s[)irit  of  bravado  rather  than 
of  open  resistance,  the  incomei's  had  quietly  delied 
the  autliorities,  who  in  return  held  the  rude  strangers 
in  some  little  awe.  Xot  that  Douglas  entertaineil 
any  fears  as  to  tlie  result  in  case  of  war.  In  various 
w  .ys  1r'  held  the  mineis  at  a  disadvantage.  Besides 
the  fore<>  which  at  any  moment  might  be  brought 
from  the  British  men-of-war  at  the  mouch  of  the 
river  and  at  Victoria,  he  couM  have  cut  off  theif 
suppli(>s  of  food,  and  have  turned  in  upon  them  leu 
thousand  savages.  But  such  measures  were  not  for  a 
moment  to  be  thought  of;  Douglas  and  Lytton  were 


^ 


LAW  IN  THK  MINES. 


Captain 
Qine  the 

soa,  and 
lad  since 
s  in  the 

Yale,  ill 
(US  nifni- 
find  that 
lad  gone 
justice  i)t' 
arms  ot' 
nothiiiL,^ 
(crmittcd 
Pliuiijx'r 

)ack  with 

38._    The 

11    in    (lie 

ioved.  (»r 

inchidiiig 

:c!iTitorv. 

)iiig,  till.' 

roiiik'ivd 

r  among 

link  and 

[ring  the 

icr  than 

y  (h'tied 

t  rangers 

crtainod 

I  various 

Besides 

brought 

I  of  tlu^ 

off  theii' 

hem  tell 

not  tor  a 

on  were 


l)oth  decidedly  opposed  to  bloody  encounters  except 
as  a  lost  resort. 

Acting  with  his  accustomed  promptness  and  pie- 
cision  fortunately,  American  ideas  were  not  allowed 
lielligerently  to  germinate  in  British  Columbia;  so 
that  the  present  incident,  dignified  at  the  time  by  the 
\vt)rd  'outrage,'  was  the  only  occasion  of  a  combinetl 
military  and  naval  campaign  in  the  settlement  of  the 
country. 

Hill  Bar  was  now  the  richest  and  njost  populous 
mining  camp  on  the  river,  and  the  head-tjuarters  in 
the  nature  of  things  of  the  opposition  element.  This 
consisted,  firstly,  in  village  rivalry,  and  secondly,  in 
the  ascendency  of  the  foreign  element,  which  pro- 
tested a«jainst  the  onerous  restrictions  iiv  whit-h 
Douglas  liad  aiim;d  to  i)reveiit  the  country  from  being 
i|uite  overrun  and  rided  by  tlio  Americans.  Yale  was 
('(tiiservative  and  commercial;  Hill  Bill  was  inhabited 
cxchisivelv  bv  miners,  and  was  consiMiiieiitlv  radical, 
if  not  rexolutioiiarv,  rcijfardle.ss  of  cvervthiiiLj  in  fa<-t 
but  gold,  witli  fair  play  as  its  single  ten«'t  serving  as 
a  c(»de  of  law,  Untler  such  conditions,  nothing  beyond 
a  pretext  was  wanting  to  creab^  an  event  character- 
istic c»f  the  situation.  First  then'  gr«'W  up  a  rivalry 
iii'tween  the  magnates  who  served  as  magistrates 
•  if  the  two  places.  Jn  J)e«'ember  I8r)8  the  resident 
magistrate  of  J  fill  IJar,  IVrrier,  took  occasion  to  claim 
jinisdietioii  ovei*  a  prisoner  named  Farrell,  fiom  tlu' 
liar,  wliom  his  constable  had  arrested  for  an  otftnco 
"itinmitted  at  Yale.  He  was  incarceiated  at  Yale  by 
the  rival  magistrate,  Whamiell,  who  in  the  exerci.sj! 
of  his  judgment  and  prerogatives  considered  it  also 
\\U  duty  to  arrest  and  to  incarcerate  for  eoiitem[>t  of 
<'»ui-t  the  arresting  constable  of  .lustice  IN-rrier,  and 
to  refuse  to  give  u[f  either  of  his  prisoners. 

Tt)  enforce  the  majesty  of  the  law,  as  administert  d 
at  Hill  J:Jar,  Justice  I'errier  thought  proper  to  swear 
in  special  constables  from  the  J^ar,  to  recover  his  own 
constable  by  force,  antl  to  bring  the  original  prist>ner, 


410 


GOVERNMENT  OP  THE  MAINLAND. 


m 


m 


Farrell,  ""vith  the  rival  Justice  WhanncU,  under  a 
charge  of  contempt  before  the  court  at  Hill  Bar.''' 
Among  tlie  specials  so  sworn  was  a  miner  from  Hill 
Bar,  who  had  attained  some  notoriety  as  an  object 
of  attention  from  the  Vigilance  Committe  of  San 
Francisco,  an  ex-judge  of  California,  the  redoubtable 
Ned  McGowan. 

The  posse  from  Hill  Bar,  under  the  leadership  of 
special  eonstiible  Kelly,  effected  the  removal  of  tlio 
three  prisoners.  Whether  from  his  notoriety  as  u 
rough,  or  the  part  enacted  by  him  as  a  special 
constable,  McGowan  was  made  out  to  have  figuncl 
conspicuously  in  the  affair,  but  further  than  counte- 
nancing the  transaction,  and  guiding  it  within  lawful 
bounds,  such  does  not  appear  to  have  been  the  fact. 
Meetings  were  held  both  at  Yale  and  at  Hill  Bar 
for  the  purpose  of  supporting  their  respective  jus- 
tices. At  Hill  Bar  one  liundred  and  fifty  men  placed 
themselves  'under  arms'  in  the  cause  of  magisterial 
dignity  as  represented  by  Justice  Perrier.  Farrell 
was  tried  according  to  law  at  Hill  Bar,  and  fined 
seventy-five  dollars;  the  Yale  constable  vas  released, 
and  Justice  Whannell  was  adjudged  guilty  himself  o\' 
contempt,  and  fined  fifty  dollars,  and  then  allowed  to 
return  to  his  bench  at  Yale.  The  outraged  magis- 
trate of  Yale  next  invoked  the  aid  of  the  armv  aixl 
navy.     Desj)atches  were  sent  down  the  river  to  tuc 

"*Tlio  p.'irticularsof  tlie  origin  of  this  early  caae  of  inutiuil  oontemi)t  in  tlie 
k'giil  liistory  of  the  colony  are  as  foUowH:  Farrell  and  Itiirnii,  two  miners  from 
Hill  Har,  on  the  '2i)th  of  Oeci^nilxT  18.")8,  went  to  Yalo  and  got  drnnk.  Tiny 
M-ent  into  a  harhor's  shoii,  M'liere  tln^y  fell  into  an  altereaticrti  wit)',  ilio  pro- 
prietor, a  colored  man  named  lliekHon,  wiio  was  severely  beaten  by  a  pistol 
in  the  hands  of  Farrell.  Complaint  having  been  made  before  .lustiee  Whan- 
nell, warrants  were  issued  for  the  arrest  of  the  offenders.  The  Vale  constabli' 
not  being  able  to  make  the  arrest,  tlie  Hill  Bar  constable,  Hieks,  belonging  to 
I'l'rrier's  eonrt,  arrestt^d  the  miners,  and  brought  them  before  Justice  VViian- 
nell  at  Yale,  but  saying  soinetliing  whicli  oli'endcd  Whannell,  was  him.oclt' 
locked  up  with  liis  prisoner.  Justice  I'eriier  then  issued  a  warrant  for  the 
urresb  of  Justice  Wliaiinell  for  contempt.  Kelly,  the  8iH,'cial  who  was  ile- 
jmted  for  the  service,  along  with  Medowixu  and  others  from  H  ill  Ikir,  miinap'd 
the  iiusiness  so  M-ell  tiiat  no  violence  was  done,  nor  was  the  letter  of  tlit;  law 
transgressed.  MeOowan  took  caro  to  participate  in  the  procee<ling8  only  as 
adviser  and  siiectjitor.  Tlie  diiiiculty  arose  from  the  overbearing  manner, 
and  perhaps  alsi,  tlio  want  of  legal  knowledge,  of  the  justice  at  Yale.  VUiorin 
O'azcUe,  Jan.  8,  Tl,  185<J. 


ON  THE  WAP,  PATH. 


411 


effect  that  the  notorious  ex-judge,  an  outlaw  o.^  the 
worst  character,  was  at  the  bottom  of  it  rM,  and  the 
ringleader  of  a  dangerous  body  of  men  of  his  own 
stripe,  and  of  American  sympathizers  who  had  vio- 
lently rescued  a  criminal  from  the  clutches  of  the 
law  at  Yale.  Hill  Bar  was  reported  to  be  the  liead- 
quarters  of  "  as  desperate  a  gang  of  villains  as  ever 
went  unhanged."'*  The  gold  commissioner  at  Hope 
notified  the  governor,  who  applied  to  Colonel  Moody 
of  the  army,  and  to  Captain  Richards  of  the  navy,  for 
assistance  in  the  maintenance  of  the  law.  Stories 
were  rife  of  the  deeds  by  which  the  supposed  ring- 
leader of  the  incipient  rebellion  had  gained  his  noto- 
riety. Several  companic  of  marines,  sappers,  inin(TS, 
and  police  were  sent  to  Hope  and  Yale  tt)  unra^■el  tlie 
farce. 

Early  in  January  1851),  Moody  started  from  Lang- 
lev  with  the  company  of  engineers  stationed  there, 
nuinbering  twenty-five,  who  had  just  arrived  in  the 
colony,  forming  the  advance  guard  for  the  scene  of 
action.  Prevost,  of  the  Plumper,  sent  a  party  to 
sui)port  Moody,  and  lieutenants  (toocIi  and  Mayne 
embarked  with  a  Imndred  marines  and  sailors  from 
tlie  Plumper  and  Satellite,  taking  also  a  field-piece. 
This  detachment  proceedi'd  as  far  as  Langley  in  the 
Plumper,  ]Moody  having  gone  on  in  llie  steamer  Kn- 
Urprm,  the  only  steamer  on  the  river  at  the  time 
oapable  of  navigating  above  Langley.  iStayiu^  was 
sent  on  with  despatches  from  Kiehards,  recpiesting 
instructions.  The  police  force  under  ]irew  joined  the 
excursion. 

a^[r  Yale,  the  Hudson's  Bay  Comjiany's  oflicer  in 

'•  Victoria  GnwUe,  Jan.  11,  IS.')!).  A  later  iasuo  of  tli«  H;iin<»  jonnial,  o:i 
Jail,  iritli,  gave  tlio  traiiAMctiim  ({uito  a  ilitlcront  coloritiK,  iiiui  tlio  Rir  a  Ix't  - 
tcr  ii:i!!iv.  .l,\8tiu()  iVrricr  camo  out  in  a  <lefeiiov  of  1 1  ill  liar  a.s  an  iiiiUMiially 
onlirly  place,  and  exnlaiiiuil  further  that  it  was  by  tliu  iiiHiiliouH  ailvii-e  of  an 
iuiliviilual  not  nainea  that  Whaiuiell  hail  ooniinittiMl  the  iietH  which  <.'aUH*-il 
till'  (lirticulty.  This  person  iiroeeeilcd  down  the  river  after  the  ilenonenieiit 
in  tin;  courts,  aiul  'hy  his  lying  ami  drunken  r-itorts  wherever  he  Htonped  on 
liis  way  to  Victoria,  cauuitt  serious  aluriii.'  Vorrier'a  letter,  in  Virtoiti 
(i"vtlv,  Feb.  1,  1839 


4\'2 


(iOVKIlNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


cliargc  at  Fort  Laiigley,  supplied  Mayne  with  a 
eanoc  and  niiio  stout  paddlers,  four  half-breeds  uiid 
five  Indians,  under  the  command  of  Mr  Lewis.  Be- 
fore startinjjf,  Mr  Yale  harangued  the  crow  to  impress 
them  with  the  importance  of  the  service,  and  presented 
each  man  with  streamers  of  bright  red,  blue,  and  y«l 
low  ribbons,  which  were  attached  to  their  caps  as  a 
substitute  for  war-i)aint.  Travelling  through  the  niglit 
in  midwinter,  among  tioating  blocks  of  ice,  tlie  Indians 
chanting  dolefully  to  the  movement  of  their  paddles 
as  they  passed  the  miners' cabins  on  the  shore,  the  suc- 
cessive cam[)s  were  startled  and  the  sleei)ersavvaken«'(l 
to  conjure  visions  of  nuirder  as  the  only  probable 
cause  for  such  a  movement  at  such  a  tinu;. 

The  gold  commissioner  at  Jlope  was  surprisi-d  ;it 
tlie  promptness  with  which  his  re(|uisltion  for  troops 
had  been  lionored  by  the  governor,  and  was  ajtparcntly 
a  littlt!  end)arraKsed,  having  learne<l  in  tlie  mean  time 
that  the  rebellion  was  exaggerate<l,  and  that  the  fctl 
ing  of  the  mining  population  at  Yale  and  elscwliiiv 
had  In-en  Ljrosslv  misrepresented.      Lt^avinijfCii-aiit  and 
the  engineers  at  Hope,  Moofly,  I^egbie,  and  ^la\ m 
accompaniid  the  conunissioner   in  his  canoe;  to  Y.dt 
for  a  pa)iey. 

The  town  was  «piiet,  and  ^[oody  was  surpris(;d  on 
entering  it  to  nn-i  t  a  reception  the  most  cordiid, 
accompanied  by  lusty  eheering.  Finding  the  situa- 
tion peaceful,  and  the  next  day  heing  Sunday,  ^[oody, 
ills',  ad  of  "projecting  redoubts  antl  parallels,  pt  i- 
formed  divine  service  in  the  <'ourt-house — the  first 
occasion  of  juiblic  Christian  worship  in  i\io  town  of 
Yak'.  Jiut  after  church  IVIoody  cr(>ssed  the  j)atli 
of  NedMe(«owan.  The  consecpience  was,  that  Mc- 
(jlowan  said  something  and  did  something  which  was 
constiued  as  insulting,  as  an  unprovoked  assault  u|)oii 
the  majesty  of  the  law  re[)resented  in  the  person  of 
Moody.  Probably  it  was:  Xed  was  fully  cajmble  of 
such  tlnngs.  Finding  sundry  other  suspicious  circiiin- 
stances  significant  of  insubonUnation  on  the  part  ol 


NKI)  THK  UBUiUITOUS. 


m 


with  a 
oeds  uihI 
/is.  Bts 
)  impress 
)resontt<l 

and  y<l 
aps  as  :i 
tiieni<«lit 
)  Indians 
•  paddles 
,  the  sn<;- 
Lvvakened 

probaltlc 

[)rised  iit 
or  troops 
)])ar«'ntly 
lean  tiiiif 

tilO  feel 

Isewliciv 

I  rant  and 

I   ^layn( 

to  Yalr 

)ris(!d  (111 
eordial, 
le  situa- 
,  ^[ood\ , 
els,  p«  r- 
tlio  first 
town  of 
he  }>ath 
,hat  Mi- 
ll iel  I  was 

Lult  U[>oH 

)erson  ot 
ipahle  of 
s  «'irenni- 
i  part  of 


^[cGowaii's  fricndw,  Moody  directed  Mayne  to  drop 
(juiekly  down  the  river  at  niglit  and  order  up  the 
forces.  The  utmost  precaution  was  taken  to  maintain 
secrecy.  Allard,  of  the  Hudson's  Hay  Company's  es- 
tahlishment,  liad  a  small  canoe  launched  in  the  dark- 
ness an«l  taken  a  mile  down  the  river  to  a  point  on  the 
rin'ht  hank,  where  Mayne  end)aiked.  The  lattiT  was 
afraid  oven  to  lij^lit  his  pipe  until  he  had  passed  Hill 
I  Jar,  fearinuf  that  ho  would  he  stopped  hy  the  mf»l). 
Hut  the  miners  had  the  advantage  of  him  in  this 
movement,  being  well  awan;  of  it,  and  <(>nsiderahly 
amused  thereat.  To  the  surjnise  of  every  one,  how- 
ever, Grant  and  the  whole  body  of  engineers  ap- 
peared at  Yale  the  next  morninu:  bv  davlit»ht.  The 
ll(»tilla  of  canoes  lay  bows  op  beneath  tlu'  bluH'. 
When  the  sleeping  diggers  awoke,  the  atmosphere 
ajtpeared  lM>Hig<'rent.  Meanwhile,  Mayne  sped  on  to 
liangley  on  boanl  the  Knftrjiri.sc,  arriving  th(>  same 
afternoon. 

At  nightfall  tlu^  Kutcriyrixc  was  turned  u))  the 
riv(T  with  the  niariius,  sailors,  ])olice,  and  the  tield- 
|»iece  on  boanl.  At  Hope  tlu;  otKcer  in  charge  re- 
ceived despatches  from  Moody  to  the  effect  that  only 
the  marini'S  were  to  Ik;  .sent  on  to  Vale. 

When  they  arrived  at  Vale  the  next  morning  they 
foimd  the  war  was  ovtir.  XLcdiowan,  having  cnjoyt'd 
the  sensation,  pai«l  the  gohl  eommissioner  a  formal 
visit,  tendered  a  gentlemanly  apohtgy  lor  his  assault 
on  Moody,  ])rov«'d  satisfactorily  that  he  had  lucn 
acting  only  the  part  (»f  special  constable  under  the 
nrdcis  of  tlu^  magisti'ate,  committed  himself  frankly 
into  the  hands  of  justice  foi*  making'  the  assault  under 
sMpposetl  provocation,  and  [>aid  his  fine.  With  chai- 
acteristic  impudt-nce,  be  then  took  upon  himself  to  do 
the  honors  of  Hill  Jiar.  ( 'onductinn'  l)e<!bieand  Mavne 
over  the  diggings,  he  washed  some  dirt  for  thcii'  en- 
lightenment, and  joined  by  a  dozen  others,  gave  them 
a  champagne  collation,  which  all  enjoyed.  And  so 
the  affair  passed  off.     l*errier  and  his  constable  were 


414 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


'-•  'i 


li 


I 


;!■ 


Vi'i 


dismissed  from  office  for  straining  a  point  of  legal 
dignity.** 

The  fears  of  Douglas,  concerning  the  danger  to  Im' 
apprehended  from  the  unchecked  life  of  the  early 
mining  ]>eriod  in  these  parts,  appear  to  have  been 
allayed  afUr  the  event  just  described.  In  his  de- 
spatch of  January  '2'Jd  to  the  c-olonial  office  touching 
the  "  outrage  at  Yale,"  he  testifies  to  the  fact  that 
the  Americans  and  other  foreigners  had  developed  a 
stati'  of  feeling  of  the  best  description.  "Their  num- 
bers," he  says,  "are  now  so  nmcii  reduced  that  the 
danger  of  insurrectionary  movement  on  their  part  is 
not  imminent." 

Mcdiowan's  career  in  this  part  of  the  world  was 
brought  to  a  conclusion  l)y  shooting  at  a  man  at  Jlill 
l^ar,  but  though  he  missed  his  mark,  he  remembered 
the  cut  of  Bcgbie's  features,  and  deemed  it  valor  to 
depart,  which  he  did,  escaping  across  the  boundary.'' 

On  his  way  up  the  river.  Moody  had  closely  scru- 
tinized the  banks  with  a  view  to  the  best  site  for  the 
metropolis  of  Jie  Mainland.  He  did  not  like  Derby; 
perhaps  because  of  its  distance  from  the  imfutli  of 
the  river,  of  the  swampy  character  of  the  ground 
thereabout,  of  the  difficulty  of  approach  l)y  sea-going 
vess((ls;  perha)>s  because  Douglas  had  selected  it,  and 
the  Hudson's  liay  Company  liad  ten  scjuare  miles  of 


''"  Miii/m't  li.  C. ,  58-70.  DougliiH  said  Wliaiiiicll  was  not  properly  suppnrtcil 
liy  tlie  l"'ort  Villi!  policf,  M'lio  fell  away  at  tiu;  first  apiioaranue  of  (laii^ci'. 
Di'spatfli  .(an.  H,  Ih.'iK,  to  tlio  colonial  otlico,  in  IJ.  Col.  /'hjmth,  ii.  .Vi  li. 
Tin-  niovoint'iit  from  Mill  liar  was  oviik-ntly  orj^anized  and  timed  with  a  viiw 
of  pri'Vunting  tiir  chances  of  a  collision. 

"  Maync  coninu'ntM  appreciatively  upon  Mdiowan's  gentlemanly  traits 
and  on  his  pnhlished  Miitoliio^raphy  \\  liile  at  Hill  Har  he  was  tiie  owm  r 
of  a  rich  claim,  and  i)o]iidar  anion..^  his  fellows.  Not  havin;;  citiier  the  l^ve 
or  fear  of  Itruish  rule  in  his  'leart,  he  was  a  character  f)l»noxious  to  tlie 
authorities  at  this  ;<nictnre.  <t  the  course  of  this  ditiicnlty  he  hail  also  a 
personal  altercation  w;t!:  *.i.  W.  I'liifer.  See  \' if toiiti  <iiiZ)'H>\  •hui.  '2^2,  1S.'>.S, 
and  ill  St; II  I'mnfitio  lUiUitin,  Feb.  'J8,  18.V.(,  article  entitled  'Ned  MctJowaii 
and  his  eoloiiy,'  in  whieii  a  writer  speaks  of  the  judge  as  '  lord  of  the  manor,' 
■who  'entertains  on  liehalf  of  his  sulijects  all  distinghished  strangiTs. .  .p"i'- 
Hoiial  like  or  liislike  of  tile  host  is  not  considered .  .  .pledges  the  ((ueen's  healtil 
in  chaiiipa;;iie.  .  .Tliere  was  a  row  Imt  Met  towaii  apologized  and  pledged  him- 
8j!f  a^auist  any  reenrreiice, ' 


V 


FOUNDING  OF  NEW  WESTMINSTER. 


415 


of  legal 


rcr  to  bo 
he  early 
ivo  been 
.  his  (Ic- 
touehinin; 
faet  that 
kreloped  a 
leir  iiuin- 
that  the 
r  part  is 

'orkl  was 
II  at  Hill 
iR'inbend 
b  valor  to 
)un<hiry.-' 

iSol}'  8<-'l'U- 

^  tor  the 
Derby; 
mouth  ttl' 
jTrotiiul 

sea-goiii'j; 
I  it,  aixl 


ee 


ileh  t»t' 


lU 


rly  suiiportcl 

.•c  (if  liaiin^i'. 

'l■■^,    ii.    •"'■"'  ''■ 

with  a  viiw 

•manly  traits 
IS  til*'  iiwini- 
,lier  till'  1"V.' 
ixious  t"  till' 
V  liail  also  .1 
an.  '2'2,  lS.-»i. 
•d  Mt'«io\v,iii 
it  tlif  iiiaii'T, 
inj{(;r». .  -l'"'- 
u«'L'irnlit'altli 
|l>U!ilgt'<l  hiiii- 


land  in  reserve  adjoining  it.  Of  what  avail  were  the 
r(»yal  engineers  with  their  technical  training  if  they 
could  not  see  further  into  the  mysteries  of  forest- 
taming  and  empire-building  than  common  fur-traders  i 

On  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  just  above  the 
tlilta,  a  high  beach  had  been  noticed,  a  l)each  which 
was  thought  a  fitting  place  for  an  imperial  city.  The 
iil)i)roach  from  either  direction  was  magnificent,  and 
any  siiip  that  could  enter  over  the  bar  at  tiie  mouth 
(if  the  river  might  moor  beside  its  wharves.  True, 
the  expeust!  of  city-building  there  w<>uld  be  greater 
than  at  I)er])y;  the  former  spot  was  high  and  thickly 
f(»refste<l,  while  the  latter  was  low  and  open;  but  surely 
!:;(»ld  was  now  plentiful  enough  to  allow  them  to  choose 
the  best. 

So  that  when  the  Plumper  dropped  down  the 
fjcream  some  fifteen  miles  from  Deiby  t<;  the  beach 
hel'ore  mentioned,  it  was  determined  that  both  from 
Ideographical  and  stratcjgical  points  of  view,  this  was 
the  best  })lace  on  the  river.  The  men  therefore  wei'c 
jiiit  to  work  cutting  trees,  and  soon  a  field  of  stumps 
ii|»|M'ared  which  outnumbered  the  houses  built  for 
twenty  years  and  more."  To  this  imi)erial  stum|)- 
lield  was  given  at  fiist,  and  until  her  majesty  should 
indicate  her  royal  pleasure,  the  name  Queeiisborongh; 
li\it  when  such  })leasure  was  known,  it  was  called  New 
Westminster.-'' 

Notice  was  given  by  the  governor  tlij  14th  of  F«'b- 
niaiy  18;V.),  that  it  was  intended  innnediately  to  lay 
nut,  on  the  north  bank  of  tlu^  lower  Fraser,  the  site 
et'  a  city  to  be  the  capital  (»f  liritish  (Columbia,  the 
Ints  to  be  sold  by  auction  in  April,  one  fourth  of  them 
tn  bf  reserved  in  blocks  for  purchascTs  in  other  ]>arts 
"f  her  majesty's   dominions.     Purchasers  of  lt)ts  in 

■"  '  ))r  Campliell  ami  I  went  to  examine  a  part  a  little  north  of  where  the 
liiwu  stands,  ami  ko  thick  was  the  hush  that  it  took  uh  two  "hours  to  force  our 
w.i.v  ill  rather  less  than  a  mile  and  a  half.'  MitynrH  Ii.  ('.,  7-. 

-'On  the  '2()tii  of  .Inly  IS.W,  it  was  jiuldicly  iiroclainn-il  tliat  tiie  town  liere- 
t'.tMi'r  known  as  (juuunaboruugh  or  Queunltorough  uhould  be  hereafter  cuUecl 
N'  w  Westminster. 


«1« 


(lOVEUXMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND. 


1i 


P. 


1:1 


11 


II 


Derby  the  Xt)veinbi'r  previous  were  at  the  same  time 
informed  that  thiy  might  surrender  such  h)ts  and 
receive  their  equi'ak'nt  in  Queenshorougli  |)ro|toitv. 
Ah'eatly  a  revenue  otticer  was  stationed  near  C^  U'»'ii>- 
borough  t(M-ollect  tolls  from  those  failing  to  tall  fur 
tliat  purpose  at  \  ictoria,''  and  from  the  15th  of  Juiif 
tlie  port  of  Queensborough  was  the  publicly  declarti I 
j)ort  of  entry. 

lleturning  to  A'^ictoria,  the  Plumper  spent  a  week 
.surveying  the  harljor;  then  on  the  10th  of  A]>ril  she 
sailed  for  Xanaimo,  crossed  thenct!  to  tlic  mouth  (if 
the  river,  rnibarked  from  her  the  marines  hroughr 
out  by  the  Trihioic,  and  with  twenty  engineers  landtd 
them  at  Queensborough,  which  place  was  already  th»' 
military  hejid-<(uarters  of  ]^ritish  Columbia.  l*it(hiii.r 
llicir  tents  a  mile  ea.st  of  tlu!  town  site,  they  joined  in 
the  work  of  clearing,  (irlm  as  was  the  pleasure  of  in- 
exjierienced  axemen  in  felling  trees,  that  labor  w;i> 
light  as  comjKired  with  removing  the  logs,  stump-. 
and  the  network  «>f  roots  which  the  centuries  had 
been  v, ('avin<if  under<jround.  Nevertheless  a  cliurdi. 
a  treasury,  and  a  court-house  soon  disputed  posstssiun 
with  the  bears;  also  dwellings,  restaurants,  stores,  and 
wharves 


25 


An<l  so  affairs  c<mtinued  until  the  first  gold  flush 
had  ])ass(<l  away.  Moody  took  up  his  residence  at 
Xcw  Westminst«'r,  built  the  government  house  thtir. 
o]»enetl  roads,  and  sold  lands,  J)ouglas  s[)ending  mi»>t 
of  his  time  at  \  ictoria."'"     AEore  gun-boats  were  want'  d 

^'Opi'ii  hoats  not  carrying  lifiuors,  imr  nioro  than  4(M)  ll>t.  of  iirovisioiis  i'i>r 
each  pii.s.si'ngri-,  and  not  having;  I'luarcd  at  Victoria,  wcrt;  now  allowcil  to  jia.-s 
up  tliu  river  liy  ]>a\  ing  forty  Hliillings,  and  livu  MliillingM  for  every  pa.-'*<iii.''T. 

^■'Tlie  Kale  of  t,tiiccn.sliorougli  lots  did  not  take  place  until  the  1st  of  .luin, 
at  wliii  h  time  l.'tv!  lots  tiO  liy  l.t'2  feet  fouml  purchasers  at  prices  from  S^I  li'  tn 
.^jl.HT.")  earn,  agi,'ngating  over  .^4(),(HtO.  This  for  the  first  day  only;  at  tin- 
second  ilay's  sale  an  etjual  nnniher  of  lots  was  disposed  of,  hut  at  lower  priie.i. 
]'irti)ri(i  tldzttti;  June  15,  l.S.">lt. 

■^"For  the  government  of  the  colony  of  British  Colunihia  the  following'  [irn- 
visional  appointments  were  made  hy  (itivernor  Douglas,  between  .laniiary  I 
and  June  M),  18.VJ:  Stipendiary  magistrate  and  justice  of  the  pea<'e  at  t^neeii.<- 
horongh,  W.  K.  Spaulding;  at  Langley,  Poter  O'Reilly;  at  Lillnct,  Tlio'iiaj! 
i;iwyn;  at  Lyttou,  H.  M.  llall.     High-sheriff  at  Port  Douglas,  Charlei  s. 


INCOUl'ORATION  iW  THK  MhmtOl'OLIS 


417 


by  T^ouffliis,  and  tlie  T('rniii)/(iuf,  Tojtazc,  uinl  Clio  wore 
i»rilorc(l  to  join  tlio  nortli-wcst  sijuudron. 

In  iL'j^ard  to  revenue  and  I'xpenditure,  tlianks  to 
tlie  |)aternal  precepts  of  the  sfcretarv  of  the  (polonies 
L'vrv  ineul<"atin!^  Helf-suj»[)ort  and  eeononiy,  tlieso  wcie 
well  niannued.  Ineludinij;  niinin;^  anil  sjjirit  licenses, 
(ustoins  duties,  and  sales  of  lands  and  town  lots, 
and  after  l»«iyiiig  f'«>r  road-ltuildin*;  and  <»tlier  ]tul)lie 
wuiks,  extra  ]»ay  for  services  performed  l>y  the  Safrl- 
lllc  and  the  J  ItuiijK'r,  <((»vernnient  evpcditions,  and 
salaries  of  niaj^istrates  and  otlu'r  ofti<  ils,  there  was  a 
halanco  on  the  8th  of  April  I  8j'J  of  over  £8,000  in 
favor  of  the  colony. 

Sniu<»;<^lin<;  was  pra<'tised  lari^ely  from  the;  first  ap- 
•e  of  the  <'()ld  fever.      Particularlv  alony  the 


praranc 

I'nited  States  border  it  was  found  impossible,  where 
all  was  hurry  and  lu'lter-sk«lter,  and  j^oods  were  carried 
oM  men's  backs  as  well  as  by  horses  and  canoes,  to  pie- 
vt  lit  lart,^e  <|uantities  of  merchandise  from  jiassini,^  tlu' 
liiM-  untaxed.  So  "jfreat  bi'came  this  contiaband  traf- 
lie,  that  a  serious  commercial  depression  which  pif- 
vailed  at  New  Westminster  in  the  wiiit<r  of  IHOO  I 
w.is  char^rd  directly  to  it.  This  view  of  it,  however, 
the  i^ovirnor  did  not  take,  but  thought  it  rather  the 
result  of  over-importation. 

J 11  the  sununer  of  18(50  the  inhabitants  of  Xew 
Westminster  asked  the  privilege  of  incorporating  their 
town,  appointing  nmnicipal  ofticers,  taxing  themsrlvcs, 
and  im[»roving  the  metroi)olis.  'i'lu^  ])oweis  of  tlu; 
(iiuncil,  which  was  to  consist  of  si  v«'n  nn-mbcrs,  wire 
liiiiited  on  the  one  side  by  the  conunissicjuer  of  lands 


Nicdll.  At  Flirt  Vail!,  asHistant  K^l'l  coiiimis.sioin'r,  K.  H.  SaiuicliTs;  cliitf 
tli'ik  I'oloiiial  «cori!tary'n  olliix',  CliaiU's  (hmhI;  i-hirf  clerk  <'l  tiio  treaKury, 
•liiljii  (doin'r;  I'li'rk  in  tho  oii.stniii-liuii.sn,  W .  II.  McCrra;  rii;i.strar  of  tlic 
Miiiri'iin'  court,  A.  I.  Bu.ililiy;  revciiiu'  ollicor  at  I^aiiglcy,  CliarUss  WyMf. 
Oilier  olliccrs  wurc  apitoiiuHl  at  other  times  aii<l  iilacu.s  as  necessity  seciiicd  to 
<li!iiiaiic|.  Ciiloiiial  oliiccrs  resiiling  ut  New  Westiiiiiister  in  the  autumn  ol 
\SM  Were  U.  i'.  Mooily,  lieutenant-governor,  military  commaniier,  ami  com- 
luissioner  of  laiuls  ami  workH;  Matthew  H.  li«'j;l)io,  jmlge;  Cliartres  Hrew, 
•  hief  ins]:)ector  of  police;  W.  1>.  (ioNset,  treasurer;  F.  <i.  Clamlct,  assayer; 
('.  A.  Itiicnn,  inciter;  VVyiiiond  ilanilcy,  collector  of  custoiiiH;  W.  R.  Spaultl- 
iiig,  postmaster. 

JIisT.  Brit.  Col.    27 


418 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  MAINLAND, 


IP 


"I, 


Ml! 


1 


ami  works,  and  <>ii  the  other  by  the  tax-|)ayors.  Tin- 
pr()iK)S('(l  tax  for  eadi  of  two  years  was  two  per  cent 
on  tlie  assessed  value  of  town  property.  The  j^ov- 
crnor  reeonnni-nded  the  measure,  and  it  was  iliily 
[iroelainied  at  Victoria  on  the  HIth  of  July  18G0.  To 
itii,   it  was  ordered    that    uiion  notice    <j;iv(ii 


Iiro( 
)e^r 


rni  w 


ever'    man  should  fell  the  trees  on  his  own  lot. 


\y  ctoii  asked    Douijlas  what  thev  should   do  witli 


the  1 


nOians,  aii< 


lift 
tl 


MC 


!ia<l  not  hotter  settle  them  in 


•linion, 


and 


VMla<»»s,  and  jjfive  them  law,  taxation,  re 
woik.  DoUi^las  answered  yes;  that  is  the  hest  that 
can  he  <lone  with  thiin,  hetter  than  the  United  8tat»  s 
way,  that  and  a  land  ivserve   with  <-ivili/.ed  self-siip- 


portmn"  savau^es. 


Th 


le  natives  themselves,   had  tl 


IHV 


been  asked,  miujht  have  solvi'd  t]\v  dilliculty  better 
than  any  kin<;<lom  t)r  republic,  better  than  any  min- 
ister or  i^'ovcrnor  in  Christendom.  "Jict  us  alone," 
tluy  would  ha\e  siiid,  "or,  if  you  will  not,  what  mat- 
ters it  bv  what  rules  of  stranijulation   you  rob  and 

a.  O  *■ 

nmrder  usT'-' 


■-'  Furtlii'.-  I'l'forono  may  he  mado  to  D>'  CoitmtM,  fl<ii\  B.  C.,  MS.,  jiai^r'iiM; 
< 'oojHr's  Mil,-.  Md/fir-^,  MS.,  l;{-)7;  Ol'inqihi  ('lull  Cnitr.i.,  M.S.,  IK;  (lixul.^ 
li.  i '.,  MS.,  (•.:•;  AV.»;/s'  />'(.>'(•  Ilirir,  MS,  'l'J-*JO;  Ltninn'iii'x  AV;-/.,  I ;  MrToii.^li'.t 
1>']K,  iKi.ssiiti;  Jl.  li.  <\t.  Ei:,  ill  11.  H.  Co.  Cluimti,  5<S;  /IowiOim'  ,1  (/<//•< .<.« .<  ((//'/ 
Mr„>.,  .")l;  AiuKiU  liril.  /.<;!.,  viii.  ]M'i;  Ji.  ('.  .\fh  •mil  <),:,  IS.'iS  7(»;  //<'«• 
xiii-i/'k  /'iir.  /)</,.,  I'li.  i:n7-«;  fliv.  .")'."_'  5,  vc.to  f4'-','.KW  lor  su]iii<irt  of  jjovcni- 
iiiuiit,  IIS!>-'.».")  ami  1401;  clx.  i:Ui:M,  .t;i."),(K)l»  iiioi-f  v.itcil  iiiiilst  iimdi 
griiinliliiii.';  clxiv.  KtllS;  clxvii.  4'.Mi-7;  cl.vxii.  ."il4  17,  wln'i-o  coiiipbiiiits 
ai;ailist  goVLTiiiinjiit  otliecrs  of  VailcouviT  l.slaml  an;  iiiti'i>chu;cil;  Fur  I  at' 
Amiii/,  J]ij}.,  17;  Mr/k>iiiil<ri  B.  C,  374-7;  ('(UkU'm  llixt.  Kinj.,  viii.  iV.'."); 
('iiniinitlls  S^iir  Kl  J>or<iil(>,  !.'{;  .MiiUiiinlniiK's  I'irsI  \"n\  l>ir.,  \'2;  Br'il,  ("I. 
Jitiif  liiHiks,  iia.s.siiii;  Vii-loriii  (•'iizHli;  .lulv  "JS,  Sopt.  '2\  '.i,  .'$<>,  Oct.  1,  ami 
Nov.  IS  •_'.-),  )!S.-,8,  an.l  Mairli  U),  May  h,  14,  17,  lit,  ami  .luiiu  4,  IS.V.l; 
Jlil>l,<u.t  (.'ii!,/,-  li.  C,  1;  /}.  ('.  <'<)/()»yV,  May  19  aiul  Dec.  'A',  1871;  T<i>il<»'^ 
Biit.  ,4/».,  I.'l,  14;  /liinrt/.-Lcnniiri/'i  Tnir.,  '2<M-'M1;  Mwjii's  B.  ('.,  v.,  xiii.; 
(•'or.  <l>izA.Uv,  18G;{-4;  Tolmk's  ('.  /'.  liailway  JioiiU;  Jul.;  Turbcll'n  Vklurin, 
MS.,  5. 


•S.       The 

Mie  };'<»v- 
'a^s  duly 
iGO.  To 
.'o  jjjivcii 
t. 

do  with 
■  them  ill 
;i(>u,  and 
)t'st  that 
•a  states 

St'lf-Sll]'- 

had  they 
tv  hotter 
any  miii- 

IS    al<»!K', 

rhat  luat- 
.  rob  and 


MS.,  jiaf^r'iiii; 
4.,  l'.»;  '>'<x«/'i 
1;  MrTiiii^li'i 
I (/<//•(. i.-'<  mill 
Is.'iS  70;    //"«■ 

H-t  111'   M,,\  (Tll- 

iiiiclst  iinuli 
;!  ciinipliiiiit'* 
U'lul;  t'lirliK 
|,,/.,  viii.  ">-■"'; 
i-_';  liril.  '■■'. 
Dct.    1,   aii.l 

uiio  4,  IV.'.l; 
1871;  7'".'//"'  < 
('.,  c,  xiii.; 
lt»'(<    Vkl'irhi, 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

ADMINISTRATION   OF   JUSTICE. 

1856-18S0. 

JusncE  wrraouT  Form — Inapopration  of  tue  Judiciauy  Systkm — 
JpRisDicnox  OF  Camadun  Courts  Withdrawn— Peaukes  Drafts  a 
Plax  for  the  Mainlani) — Lytton  Eefers  tue  Matter  to  Beobie— 
The  Gold-fields  Act— Appointment  of  Mattuew  Uaillie  Beouie — 
Ox  Unitino  the  Courts  Disestablisued  and  Rkokgaxized — Need- 
ham  Declines  to  Rktire — Two  Courts  both  Scpuemk— Cilvracikh 
of  Begbie — He  Assists  Douglas  in  Organizing  Government— Jus- 
tice at  Cariboo— Jurors  Rebuked — Stipendiary  Magistrates — 
Justice  at  Kootenai  and  Metlaiik-vti^vh — Convict  Labor — ^Nobles 
ALONG  the  Border — Vigilance  Cojimittee. 

We  have  seen  the  forms  of  justice,  or  rather  justice 
without  form,  as  administered  by  the  factors  and 
traders  of  the  fur  company,  by  poor  Blanshard  who 
could  not  afford  to  keep  a  judge,  by  the  petty  justices 
of  the  Island  and  Mainland,  and  by  the  brother-in- 
law,  Chief-justice  David  Cameron,  And  must  we 
confess  it,  that  although  far-reaching  and  strong 
enough,  justice  hitherto  has  been  barely  respectable, 
appearing  oftener  in  elk-skin  than  in  ermine,  and  quite 
frequently  with  gaunt  belly  and  tattered  habiliments. 
Now  we  come  to  the  refined  and  assayed  article;  no 
more  retired  drapers,  but  a  genuine  judge,  stamped 
sterling  by  her  Majesty's  commissioner,  and  bearing 
upon  his  brow  nature's  most  truthful  impress. 

The  administration  of  justice  under  a  formally  con- 
stituted judiciary  began  with  the  order  in  council 
of  April  4,  1856,  wherein  her  Majesty  created  the 
supreme  court  of  civil  justice  of  the  colony  of  Van- 
couver Island  with  a  chief-justice,  registrar,  and  sher 

(il9) 


V: 


h 


4-M 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  JUSTICK. 


itf  By  patent  from  the  n^overnor,  the  functions  of  tlir 
clncNJustice  were  extended  to  criniiiuil  eases;  lie  acted 
also  as  judge  of  the  vice-adniiridty  eourt  of  A'aii- 
(U)uver  Island.  Prior  to  the  establishment  of  a  lei^ns- 
lative  council  and  assemhly,  the  stt'itutory  laws,  as 
Avell  as  the  common  law  of  Enj^land,  were  in  force. 
Of  the  supreme  court,  there  were  two  branches,  tlif 
supreme  tribunal  and  the  summary  or  inferior  court, 
tiio  latter  havinj^  orij^inal  jurisdiction  in  sums  n<it 
exccediii!^  fifty  pounds.  On  Vancouver  Island  tlinv 
was  a  j)oliee  ma<jfistrate  and  constabulary  force,  and  at 
Victoria,  Es<juimalt,  Xanaimo,  and  Barclay  Sound 
there  were  in  all  six  or  seven  persons  holding  com- 
missions as  justices  of  the  peace;  in  18()2  there  were 
tiiree  practising  barristers,  and  four  ])roctising  .solici- 
tors. In  the  province  of  British  (Ndunibia,  in  187i3, 
there  were  three  supreme  court  and  five  county  judges. 

The  act  <»f  parliament  of  the  2d  of  August  is.lS, 
authorizing  the  estal»lishment  of  a  colonial  govern- 
ment for  the  ^[ainland,  ammlled  the  jurisdiction  nt 
the  courts  of  Canada,  which  had  hithei'to  extendeil 
over  this  region. 

( )n  being  asked  to  draw  up  a  plan  for  a  judiciary  m 
Frascr  liiver,  (ieorge  Pearkes,  crown  solicitor  of  ^'an- 
couvcr  Island,  appointed  by  Douglas,  proposed  a  sii- 
])rcme  court  with  a  chief-justice  and  two  puisne  judges. 
Iiolding  7//,9/ j>r/».<?  and  a.ssi/c;  in  the  several  districts, 
a  registrar,  a  district  judge  presiding  at  tiie  coui't  n| 
<piartcr-si>ssi(»ns,  two  or  more  justices  of  the  peaiv. 
a  high-sheriff  for  each  district,  and  an  efficient  con- 
stabulary, l^eing  referred  to  Lytton  for  his  aj)i)rti\al, 
the  secretai-y  for  tlu^  colonics  remarked  that  it  ap 
peare«l  well  adapted  to  the  purpose,  being  sim))le  and 
practical,  but  tliat  Hegl)ie  had  by  tliat  time  airivfd, 
and  that  it  might  as  well  be  refi'rred  to  hiui. 

iVcting  upon  the  suggestion  of  Ijvtton,  made  the  -id 
of  Septend)er  1H.')S,  on  the  .'{1st  of  August  following; 
was  instituted  bv  proclamation  at  Victoria  the  gold- 
fields  act  of  1851),  under  which   gold  eommi-ssioiicrs 


GOLD  COMMISSIONER. 


4l'l 


ilin«»;  coni- 


injjf  solici- 


niSSlOIRTS 


appointed  by  the  governor  might  grant  licenses  to 
mine  for  one  year  for  five  pounds,  which  gave  the 
miner  holding  it  the  exclusive  right  to  his  claim  during 
the  time  covered  by  the  license.  Leases  of  auriferous 
lands  might  likewise  be  granted  by  the  gold  commis- 
sioner for  a  term  of  years. 

In  .so  wild  and  extended  an  area,  with  population 
drifting  hither  and  thither  before  whirlwinds  of  ex- 
citement, the  creation  of  this  office  was  a  most  wise 
and  l)eneficent  measure.  Such  an  office  properly  fille«l, 
and  its  duties  ))roperly  enforced  by  the  l^^nited  States, 


would  have  saved  t<»  society  rume  of  the  worst  features 
of  the  California  '41)  Infern;). 

In  tht  absence  of  otlier  imperial  authority,  execu- 
live  or  judicial,  the  gold  commi.ssioiier  was  both  gov- 


1  indi 


II. 


e  was  uuanlian  of   ''overiimei 


crnor  and  j 

interests  and  custodian  of  government  property  witliin 


Ins  )uri 


sdicti 


on. 


I 


I    s 


ueh   jil 


ices,  w 


here  one  but  not 


both  the  offices  of  gold  conimlssioner  and  Justice  of 
the  peace  wi're  filled,  the  former  fulfilbxl  all  the  func- 
tions of  the  latter,  and  ricr  verm,  a])peal  being  hail  to 
the  supreme  court  from  [»enalties  beyond  thirty  days' 
iiripris(»nment  t>r  a  fine  of  twenty  pounds.  Alining 
disputes  were  cUtei mined  absolutely  by  the  gidd  com- 
missioner, who,  without  a  jury,  was  sole  judge  of  law 
.111(1  facts.  In  the  larger  districts,  mining  boards  were 
instituted,  consisting  of  six  or  twidve  niendtfi's,  (dccted 
l>y  the  {'vrv  nuners,  with  ])ower  to  make  and  execute 
mining  regulations,  subject  to  the  ai)proval  ot'  t!ie 
govi-ruoi. 

I'nder  the  g<dd-lields  act  of  I8")i),  it  was  ordaiiud 


loss 


hi. 


that  mining  claims  must  all  be,  as  nearly  as  | 
rectangular  in  tbi-m,  mark.d  by  four  pegs,  the  si/.', 
when  not  otherwise  l(»cally  establishe<i,  to  \n\  for  dry- 
.li'igings  twenty-live  by  tldrty  feet,  .ir  if  bar-diggings, 
a  strip  twenty-five  feet  in  width  acr<.)ss  tin?  bar  fr.»m 
lii;.;h-water  mark  down  int.>  the  liver;  (|uart/,  claims 
<'M.  lumdred  feet  along  the  seam.  The  first  diseoM-r.-r 
of  a  mine  was  entitled  to  two  elaim.s,  or,  if  a  party  «d' 


422 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  JUSTICK. 


'II ; 

lli 


irMiii 


-  ( .: 


I!,;  !i 


lill 


four  or  five  wore  first  discovcrors,  tlu-n  a  claim  and  a 
lialf  tacli.  Claims  must  l>o  rojjfistorod,  and  could  only 
bv  li'ijally  transferred  l)y  entry  at  the  <jfold  commis- 
sioner's office.  Ditch  and  leased  aurifiTous  lands  were 
under  seven  s[tecial  ro^-ulations. 

Simultaneously  with  the  appointment  of  Doujjflas 
as  iTovernor  of  the  Mainlan<l,  tliat  is  t(»  say,  the  'Jd 
of  Si'jitemher  1858,  a  conunission  was  issued  hy  the 
imperial  j^ovirnment  to  ]Matthew  l^ailTu-  Be«^d)ie  as 
chief-justice  of  liritish  C\>luml)ia,  sii"  which  time 
to  thti  ])resent  writiu'j;,  throujjfh  all  the  vicissitudes  of 
ct>nsol illation  and  confederation,  he  has  <-ontiimed  to 
hold  it. 

It  was  proclaimed  hy  the  jj^overnor  at  Victoria  tlie 
Hth  of  June  ISol),  that  this  should  he  the  supreme 
<'ourt  of  civil  justice,  with  jurisdiction  in  ci'iminal 
cases  as  well.  IJe^hie  was  ;it  first  conunission»'d  only 
for  the  ^fainland,  and  early  in  1800  he  took  up  liis 
residence  at  Xew  Westminster;  hut  after  no  sinidl 
talk  amoni«'  tlu>  maixiiates  of  tin*  three  <jovi'rnments, 
home  and  col(»nial,  he  hecame  cliief-justicc?  of  the 
wht»le  of  British  ColumhiM,  supersediiiL,^  Xei'dham  iit 
\'ictoria,  where  he  d'terwaril  resided. 

Accompanied  hy  iiis  hin'h-sheriff,  XieoH,  and  hy  liis 
cl(>rk  and  re.i;istrar,  l?ushi)y,  the  2Hth  of  March  IBJ'.*, 
!Mr  Justice  JJej^bie  hei,'an  a  notuhle  journey,  notahlr 
hy  reason  of  the  shortness  of  the  journey,  and  for  the 
len!j;tli  of  its  descri[»tion.'  A  report  of  the  trip  was, 
addressed  to  (Jovernor  Diumlas,  who  sent  it  ti»  the 
duke  of  Xewcastle,  wh(>  i;avi'  it  to  the  uft'OLTraphiciil 
society  peojije,  who  jtrinted  it,  which,  when  dt)ne, 
noihinn"  more  remained  to  he  said  of  it;  for  the  infoj' 
mation  it  contains,  however  inten-stinj^  at  the  tim» , 
is  of  little  ])resent  or  permanent  viduo. 

David  Cameron  was  ]«  rmitted  hy  act  of  the  I  Ith  of 
^far.'h  180  t,  tt»  retire  from  the  judiciary  «»f  Vancou- 
ver Island  on  a  pi-nsion  of  five  hundred  pounds  ster 

'  It  iH'cnpit'M  clcvi'ii  iiiiyi'M  (if  tin'  /.nni/on  Widij.  Six'.,  Jimninl,  xxxi,  2H7  •l'^- 


MATTHEW  BAILLIE  BEOBIE. 


423 


linjjf  per  annum, to  be  paid  out  of  the  general  revenuo 
of  the  colony. 

A  little  tracasscrie  attended  Needham's  rctiro- 
ni'nt.  The  act  of  union  terminated  the  court  offices. 
N<  'tice  to  that  effect  was  served,  among  others,  i>n  Ucg- 
hit  and  Needham,  but  accompanying  Bcgbie's  notice 
Nvas  his  commission  as  judge  of  British  Columbia. 
Nt'odham  toi)k  exceptions  to  Governor  Seymour's 
abolition  of  the  ofHce  of  chief-justice  on  the  Islaixl, 
ami  appealed  to  England,  and  for  a  time  h(^  managed 
tt)  sustain  himself  in  his  position.  An  anomalous  .s*tate 
of  afllairs  ensued.  For  a  time  there  were  two  dis- 
tinct judicial  establishments,  with  nothing  roordinate 
or  subordinate  between  them;  each  was  indcpendi'iit 
of  the  other,  and  n(>ither  ])ossessed  jurisdiction  further 
tli;m  before  the  uiiit>n.  IJei^bic!  was  the  commissioned 
jiKJge  of  British  Columbia,  and  Needham  was  liojd- 
iiig  court  upon  the  strength  of  what  was,  jirior  to 
the  union,  chief-justice  of  Vancouver  Island.  The 
source  of  the  trouble  was  in  the  framiii'''  of  the 
union  bill,  which,  while  consolidating  every  other 
hranch  of  the  colonial  government,  left  the  courts  as 
distinct  as  ever.  The  Island  office  was  fuially  in  due 
form  abolished,  and  Sir  Matthew  reigned  alone 

Probably  more  than  to  any  one  jiersou  the  com- 
monwealth of  British  Columbia  owes  obligation  to 
Mr  Hegbie  for  its  healthful  ordinances,  for  the  wise 
iiiwl  liberal  provisions  of  its  govermnent,  and  for  the 
jiiniost  uid)roken  reign  of  peace  and  order  during  his 
lung  term  of  office.  Nfoi-e  than  any  person  I  have 
met  in  my  long  historical  pilgrimage  lVon\  l)aricn  to 
Alaska,  he  was  the  incarnation  of  just  ice,  the  embodi- 
niciit  of  that  restrainini;  inllucjice  \vhi<*h  society  is  so 
strangely  forced  to  jdace  uj)on  its  members,  a  man 
nitist  truly  sims  jtcur  vt  satis  irprin'lic.  Setting  aside 
lii>  early  training,  his  education,  which  gavi-  him 
,L;ivat  advantage  over  hi-"  asNociates,  an<l  placii  i;  him 
upon  the  plane  of  inherent  manhood,  there  were  none 
t"  match  him.     Physically  as  fearless  as  Tod,   .Mc- 


424 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  JUSTICE. 


r-  'i'j 


Tavisli,  or  Yale,  in  that  highest  attribute  of  human- 
ity, moral  courage,  ho  far  Hurpassed  Douglas. 

Ih  Htudying  the  requirements  of  the  colony,  in 
maturing  plans  for  the  Jidministration  of  affairs,  ami 
in  bringing  in  and  punishing  offendijrs,  Mr  BogKic 
was  ever  active.  '*  Although  invested  with  the  very 
important  office  of  judge,"  wrote  Lytton  to  Douglas, 
"lie  will  ncvcrtluilcss  have  the  kindness,  f<»r  the  ptcs- 
ent  at  least,  to  lend  you  his  general  aid  for  the  rf)ni- 
pilation  of  tlu;  ni'cessary  laws,"  wiiicli  was  efficiently 
and  faithfully  done.  For,  reporting  to  the  eail  nt' 
Xewi'ustle  the  2()tii  of  January  liS(>0,  the  governor 
says:  "The  day  after  the  arrival  of  Mr  liegbie,  tlie 
judge,  hi!  accompanied  me  to  ihitish  Columbiu,  and 
after  his  return  to  Victoria,  he  was  of  tiie  greali  st 
assistance  to  me  in  discharging  the  functions  (•!' 
att(niiey-general,  which  otHi-e  he  kindly  fulHlle«l  with 
the  concuii'ence  of  her  majesty's  govi'rnini'nt.  Sint c 
the  ai rival  at  N'ictoiia  \)\'  tlu>  attorney-general,  Mr 
Jjeghie  lias  passed  long  [teriods  in  and  lias  iK-en  nu 
ciivuit  over  the  gi'catir  jioition  of  ihitish  ('oIunilt"a, 
and  his  personal  <'onnnunieations  to  me  ujx)!!  his  ict  in  ii 
have  l)«in  most  valuable,  and  have  assisted  ine  niate- 
rially  in  framing  laws,  and  in  adapting  the  general 
system  of  government  to  the  actual  rinjuirements  of 
the  people." 

lie  was  an  eecentiic  man,  but  his  eccentiicities 
se»'med  always  to  take  a  sensible  ilireetion.  I  iilike 
Xeedliam,  be  came  to  th»!  colony  whil-  \et  his  luaiii 
was  acti\»'  and  his  tbouulits  oi-iyinal  and  iVesJi,  and 
before  being  wholly  and  hopelessly  bound  to  the  ser- 
vice of  foolish  traditions,  lie  was  an  ardi-nt  lovt  r  >•[' 
music,  and  also  of  athletic  spoit.s.' 

it  is  inqiossible  that  such  a  man  should  live  witiieiit 


'On  till)  'JlUli  of  .fiinuary  IHrtl*  tlio  Vietnria  I'liilliiuiiioiiic  SiM-ii.ty  wn*  <'i- 
gaiii/uil,  witli  till' I'liicf-jiiMtiro  a.H  )ii'<'r.iili>iit;  Siliiii  l''niiikliii,  vii'i'iii'i-siiliiit; 
Artliiir  l>.  UiiNliliy,  Hi'i'i'i'liiry;  Ali'XiiuiUr  I'".  Mam,  trriutiiii't ;  .lulm  lliily,  run- 

illli:t<ii';    ailil    AllUllMtilH    I'l'liilirrtdll,    A.    ( ',    AlliIrt'Hiiii,    .liiK<'|iii    I'urtrr,    .l.liiH'H 

Jx-iuli.    H.    W.    I'lsirN)',   l^iiiiili'y  Fruiikliii,  uiul  Jiiiiica  F.  Cruwly,  iliri'<  im's, 
I'icluriii  <t'iiZiUi,  l''t;li.  I,  lMr»W. 


D.  G.  FORBES  MACDONALD. 


425 


making  enemies.  Every  bad  man  was  his  enemy. 
Every  sycophant ;  every  pohtieian  whose  airbition  was 
greater  than  his  honesty;  every  coward  who  dare  not 
uiaintain  the  right  in  the  face  of  pubhc  opinion;  every 
schemer  for  personal  profit  or  advancennmt  at  the 
expense  of  pubhc  good — these  and  the  like  were  his 
natural  opponents.  With  Douglas,  who  loved  too 
well  at  times  to  try  to  reconcile  public  polity  to  j)er- 
soual  caprice  or  interest,  and  at  other  times  would 
ijriKue  legal  forms  altogether,  he  was  not  always  ou 
the  best  of  terms.  As  to  the  succeeding  governors, 
who  were  most  of  them  professional  [)oliticiaiis,  serving 
for  [)lace  or  pay,  ho  troubled  himst^lf  but  little  about 
them.  His  own  duty  was  always  plain,  and  hv  did 
it;  and  the  service  he  rendered  was  a  lit  se<|U(l  to 
thiit  so  well  begun  by  the  Hudson's  ]?ay  (V)ni[>any. 
Considering  the  circumstances  surrounding  the  bigin- 
ning,  the  unruly  wild  nun  and  the  unruly  gold-gath- 
I  rtis,  society  during  theso  iiicij)ient  stages  was,  1  say, 
a  marvel  of  order  and  »)be«lien('t;  to  law. 

It  is  truo  that  when  iawKss  u\cn  first  flocked  in 
along  the  Frasci',  and  began  shooting  natives  afUr 
tlii'ir  old  fashion,  with  as  little  com[)un('tion  as  iUvy 
wiiiild  shoot  deer,  the  Indians  re'taliated,  and  between 
tlir  two  there  wi  r»'  manv  nuu'ders.  liut  when  tlu; 
niiiicrs  found  by  cxpcrienci!  (hat  crinios  connnittt'd 
ujioii  the  person  of  a  sjivagc^  were  as  sv.  iltly  ;ind  as 
scMvi'ly  punished  as  were  crimes  (joniniitted  by  sav- 
ages, tliey  were  more  careful  how  they  threw  iUv'ir 
shots  about. 

!  have  found  no  one  more  ready  to  find  fault  w  <th 
the  a<lniinistration  <»!'  justiee,  as  indeed  with  most 
ether  niattiU's  in  the  early  days,  than  D.  (i.  l-'orlxs 
Maedonald,  who  with  many  initials  of  honor  to  his 
I'.iiiie  wrote  a  book''  on  this  eountry  in  I  H(»«,  elegjuit 
enough  in  tvpogiapbv  and  paper,  but  noj  wh(»ilv 
tnitliful. 

'  l!ritlnh  (olumhia  ami  Viiuv(iUVi'i''»  IhUiihI,  i-imii<rliiii',i  <i  dfticriptioii  ••»'  Ihmf. 
ilijirntlnifiiii,  i'tc.  Till!  lMH)k  i-oacl'od  a  tliinl  'tlitiini  in  |H»i;i.  A  larir  ami 
much  iiioiu  trIiubW    authority  wiys;  ' ']'hc  pcojilo  aro  u  lau-ubi<ling  ixtiplv, 


Iflfn 


420 


ADMINISTRATION  OP  JUSTICE. 


"  How  is  it  that  crime  is  on  the  increase?"  he  ex- 
olairas.  "  Neither  Htb  nor  property,  female  chastity, 
1  louse  nor  home  is  safe  from  the  depredations  of  the 
many  villains  who  sojourn  there."  "  Because,"  he  an- 
swers, "puni:  liniont  is  invariably  over-lenient!"  Were 
it  any  oilier  writer  I  should  regard  his  words  as  in- 
tended irony.  Bcg'oie  over-lenient!  The  man  is  ditli- 
cult  to  please,  and  were  he  once  on  trial  before  Sir 
]\Jatthew,  as  he  deserved  to  be,  he  would  erase  i'nmi 
future  editions  the  lies  he  has  told,  in  which  case,  in- 
deed, there  would  be  little  left  of  his  book. 

When  we  consider  for  hov  many  unknown  centu- 
ries the  savajxes  had  been  rijj^itintj  their  own  wrongs, 
how  reveng(^  with  them  was  the  highest  form  of  jus- 
tice, how  widely  scattered  they  wer(\  and  so  compara- 
tiscly  little  under  the  influence  of  white  men,  it  is 
wonderful  how  <|uickly  they  were  brought  to  place 
theuiselve;'  under  restraint,  especially  where  white  men 
were  concerned. 

(*.  A.  Bayl(>y,  coroner  at  Nanaimo  in  1853,  was 
coi'-nizant  (if  as  manv  cool  nnirders  among  the  natives 
as  one  often  tiiids  in  Christendom.  "Indian  law  pre- 
vailed for  many  yoars,"  he  says,  "  until  the  colony  had 
f nined  a  legislalivt^  and  executive  council,  and  the 
coloni.sts  felt  they  had  tlu'  power  to  enforce  the  laws." 

'fhe  natives  wei'e  qtiite  curious  as  to  what  was  going 
on  amoug  llu^  white  men,  an<l  woidd  ol'len  come  from 
a  (listaiu'e  and  in  large  numbers  to  see  the  strangers. 
They  eanje  down  iVoni  Queen  C'harlo<t(>  Islands  dur- 
ing .summer,  in  bands  of  \'nm\  live  to  iifteeii  hundred; 
and  the  little  colony  at  Fort  Victoria,  near  whi<'li 
th* y  encamped,  was  seriously    I'rightened  by  them  in 

criiiU!  of  any  Hvrioim  inoinotit  lieing  .ilni<>.st  uukuown.  I  i-lioultl  tliink  it  (|uitc 
within  ll)c  iiiarU.  that  not  nioro  thnn  ••  w  \h-v  cnxi  it  tliu  Imliini  |M)]iuluti(in  of 
tliu  iipjMT  1  •)untiv  i»i'«  f>'<«tnil  in  mir  priMonx.  M-liieli  «|H>akH  vohiiiii'ii  in  bchiili  of 
tlifir  iVKiKvl  for  fuw,  aiui  may  In-  wiiil  to  Ih.-  in  pari  attrihnUilih',  liist,  to  thiir 
ndiiiifalifo  m.uuiv'  ■•K'oi  iiiiiltrthf  UnilHoii's  Hay  ('"mpany"*  r<i/i«i(' .  wcond,  to 
till'  iiiiiuiriMl  mliniiiistralioMof  juHtici';  iiiul  thiri!  to  thti'tloi'tH  niaihi  in  thiir 
bfhaif  l>\  th«  various  iiUHMonary  cntcrpriKCH  whii  h  liuvu  tiofii  ciiKa^'i-il  umlcr- 
takmu  to  pi"»)inotc  th«ir  t«MK>Ht  welfuiv.'  (!ihkI'»  llwt.  It.  <'  ,  MS.,  I  III. 


INIHAN  KILL1N<!. 


427 


e?"  he  CX- 
3  chastity, 
ons  of  the 
se,"  he  an- 
tit!"  Were 
Drds  as  in- 
lan  is  ditH- 
bcfore  Sir 
:)rase  IVom 
jh  case,  in- 


)\vn  coiitu- 
vn  wrongs, 
►rni  of  jus- 
3  compara- 

incn,  it  is 
it  to  place 

white  men 

1853,  was 

he  nativcis 

II  law  j^re- 

poloiiy  had 

,  and  the 

tlio  laws." 

wast'oiiii' 

otne  from 

HtranL((rs. 

.'Uids  diir- 

hundrod; 

■ar  which 

►y  them  in 

tliiiik  it  iiiiito 
|MiI)iit:tti(in  (if 
•a  in  bvliali  of 

,  lili<t,  to  their 

'Ml' .  H«'con<l,  to 
iiiiiiIk  in  tluir 

n><u/if<l  unik'i- 

<..  IKJ. 


isr)4.  The  Haidahs  wen;  fierce  and  in  had  repute; 
t!i<y  had  <aptured  numy  wliite  men,  iiaini^,  th<>  ship- 
hiiilder,  and  J^enjaniin  (lihhs,  and  othors  from  a 
r  lilted  States  vessel,  and  hold  tlu-m  as  slavos  until 
i;iiis()med.  On  this  occasion,  J)onL!:lusi'alh'd  hiscoun- 
ril  to  sit  upon  the  matti'r.  an<l  loaded  tho  fort  iirnns; 
hut  the  Haidahs  did  not  moan  mischief  now.  'I'hey 
eiily  happened  to  remeinher  tiiis  sunumr  wiiat  their 
old  \varri«>r-nod  J^elus  had  ](y\\*x  a^^o  told  tht'in  of  the 


CO 


iiinj.^  of  whit»!  njen  witii  whom  they  should  shake 
hands  and  ira<Ie. 

During  the  Knisi'r  excitement  the  sa>an"s  as  well 
jis  others  swarmed  at  N'ictoiia  on  theii-  wy  to  and 
f'nMii  the  mines,  and  so  great  was  their  love  for  the 
|ii>illigat«'  life  of  civilization,  that  it  was  only  hy  moral 


>ii;:sion  and  force  eo 


tml»ined  that  thev  ccuild  aKva\  s  h 


lli(|l|ce( 


1    to  1 


novo  on. 


'I'l 


ley  weic  n<'t.  long  m  learning 


iiow  to  dig  I'or  gold;  «>!•,  having  it,  h«»w  to  dissipate  it, 
I  have  noted  the  indivi«hial  issues,  seldom  hloody, 
hit  ween  the  white  fur-huyers  and  tin-  red  fur- 
si'licrs  that  spi'ang  from  this  interc(tiu'se  up  to  the 
tiiiu>  of  .settlement,  TIm-ii  came  the  alfair  ending  in 
tile  apjK'araiice  of    I  )oug!as  with  a  vessel    <»f  wai"  at 


( 


e\VI( 


hit!  in  185:).     'i'he  lirst  old-fashiomd  American 


iiiassaj're  in  the  interior  of  Ihitish  (  'olumhia  was  that 
oil  Kra.ser  Jiiver  in  1S.)S,  when,  if  we  may  credit 
\\  addingtctn,  the  miners  iVom  (  'alifornia  surprised  and 
massacred  thirtv-threi  umoeeiit  pi-rs(His  uf  a  iViiiidly 
tiihe.* 


rile  liiig  Siri.^s  llui/,  ( 'aptain  Weldeii,  of  San  Vr 


an- 


ci-eo,  on  the  way  from  J'ort  ( >r(  hard  to  \'ictoiia,  put 
into  Xitinat  Sound  ahout  the  .'Mst  ot'  .lanuary  ls.V.>. 
Ne\t  day   several    h'liulfed    .savages  appeai'ed,  .sei/.f«l 


aiK 


I  .str 


ipjtei 


ri 


I  th 


NeS.st 


1,  and    held   the   caiitain  nud 


'Vowill,  V/z/JH:/  Dhf,-i,-t  n.  '■.,  NfS  ,  31  •_',  stntts  that  mi  Hum  nrcaKJon 
lillv  iiii'ii  iiimIit  ouv  SiiyliT,  I  .\in<'i'ii'aii.  iilkIc  iIic  unsluiiii^jil,  ithij  thit  ^ii'.it 
Biilli'i-in^' fiiUt'Mc'il  tile  !>iiro\  oi-H  III  tlic  ni.tM.nri',  iiiwliiiliail  tluir  i.^hI  v\.iit 
<li'>lii.yt'(l.  Killnn,  .!</»■.,  MS.,  I".',  utlirin^  tliut  tin'  IniliiiU'-  liiMt  kili< 'i  wliitu 
111!  II,  iinil  that  the  shiunhtcitHl  uiiih'r  SnyiUr  riiiinlH'ii'cl  fi^lituun,  ainl  llial 
thM  wuH  tlic  (inly  luihiui  w.iv  llicrc. 


n 


i 


! 


! 


428 


ADMINISTRATION  OP  JUSTICE. 


crew  prisoncrH  for  several  <iays,  they  at  length  luckily 
escaping  with  their  lives.  The  Satellite  immediately 
went  nn«l  recovered  the  brig  and  cargo,  which  was  of 
liiinlHT,  but  everything  that  could  be  carried  away 


was  missing 


Seventy  canoes  from  Queen  Charlotte  Islands  with 
six  liiiii(lred  Ilaidahs  on  board  entered  Victoria  Har- 
bor oil  the  30th  of  March.  And  these  wore  but  tlu; 
vangujird  of  a  general  convention  reported  by  tlio 
ftteanier  f/ihoiichere  as  on  the  way  hither.  They  iii- 
t'aniiud  luiir  rinlayson's  farm,  and  the  whole  town 
turned  out  to  see  them.  The  company  consisted  of 
men,  women,  and  children,  with  their  effects.  A 
second  nrrival  the  'Jlstof  April  increased  the  nunilur 
to  thirteen  Imiidr^d.  A  few  of  them  had  a  veiy  little 
gold-dust  to  sell.  Besides  the  Ilaidahs,  there  were 
S(ik<ens,  ( 'iiimsyjuis,  iJell.icoolas,  and  other  savages, 
numbei'iiiy;  in  all  at  tin-  encampment  threc^  thonsaiid 
persons.  'I'lieir  \isit  was  t((  them  a[)[)arently  \tiy 
pleasant  ;  they  traded  a  little,  drank  a  gn-at  deal,  ami 
if  there  be  anything  worsi-  they  did  that  too.  A'ic- 
toiia  grew  uneasy  under  the  association,  and  inviti d 
tlu'  redskins  to  leave. 

A  |taity  sent  out  in  Ih(l4  by  Waddington  to  open 
a  trail  iVoni  Ihilte  Inlet  acro.ss  the  ('hilkotin  plains 
toward  KortAlexandiia,  was  attacked  tlu-  .'iOth  of  A  |  nil 
and  thirteen  out  of  s<!Venteen  slain.  Intt-rferenee  with 
their  women  on  the  jtart  of  the  white  men  had  ><• 
exaspei-ati'd  the  Chilkotins  that  they  resolved  to  rid 
tlu'niselves  of  the  evil  by  the  most  dii'eet  means.  A 
puek-train  under  McDonald,  en  route  from  iM-ntim  k 
Arm  to  Kort  Alexandria  was  attacked  three  weeks 
later  hy  the  ('hilkotins  at  Xancootioon  Lake.  Three 
Were  killed  and  several  wounded,  'flu'  savages  took 
the  train  woith  ."<.■),()()(),  and  committed  other  murdeis 
in  the  vicinity.  'I'lu'  marines  at  New  Westminster, 
and  volunteers  from  Victoria  ami  elsewhere,  set  o'lt 
immediately  and  caught  a  jKirtiou  only  of  the  niiii' 
deiers,  and  with  the  lo.ss  of  McLean  of  the  Hudson  > 


WAULIKK  SCKXES. 


420 


Bay  Company.     The  criminals  caujjflit  wore  tried  and 

liaui^ed.'' 

Ill  the  autumn  of  tliis  year,  Ca|>('lia,  cliief*  of  the 
Ahousets,  dt'('oyi'<l  the  tradinj^  scliooncr  K'nniji.^licr  to 
the  sliore  near  Clay oquot,  i»ri't«'ndin«^  that  hr  liad  sonjo 
oil  to  sell.  Then  Ca[)eha  anil  his  warriors  kilhMJ  the 
(■a|itain  and  rrcw,  and  plundered  the  vessel.  II.  M.  S. 
JhniKfdtinn  and  Admiral  Dennian  in  tlu'  Sii:l(j  has- 
tened to  the  spot  and  demanded  the  oflenders,  and  as 
tiny  i'ailed  to  appear,  openeti  fire  and  destroye<l  several 
^  illaiTi'H.  Yet  on  the  whole  Capeha  r(^<^ard«'d  his  l»usi- 
iirss  op«'ration  as  a  success.  The  r//o  the  followinjif 
yeai'  was  ohlijjfcd  i-o  throw  a  shell  into  a  native  villaj^e 
lit  ar  Fort  Kupert  hef'ore  the  inhabitants  would  j»ive 
ii|i  a  munlei'er. 

These  events  are  the  nearest  approa<-h  to  war 
Ik  twe«'n  tlu!  natives  and  the  settlers  of  Hritish 
('uluml)ia  that  I  have  to  record.  The  sava'^cs  louuht 
each  other  lu.stilv,  and  it  was  some  time  l>etor»'  tlu^ 
law  thought  hest  to  intert'ere.  Even  the  siiperretined 
race  sometimes  saw  thint^s  in  a  violently  (liH'erent 
iiiaiiiier.  Then'  was  what  was  called  in  local  annals 
tlic  (irouse  Creek  War,  whi«'h  was  a  dispute  hetweeii 
t'le  Canadian  Company  and  the  (Jrouse  Creek  Flume 
( 'uiiijuiny. 

Sdiiie  j-round  <'laimed  hv  the  (Jiouse  Creek  Flume 
(I'liipany  was  in  the  early  pait  of  the  season  of  lS(i7 
'jiiiiijted'  hy  the  Canadian  ('oiiipany  and  held  in 
vitijation  of  the  oi'dei's  of  the  sliniH'.  'j'liat  ollieial 
acci >!•( I in«i|v  organized  at  Williams  Creek  a  small  arm\' 
of  several  do/en  men,  armed  them  with  such  weapons 
and  such  nerve-and-muscle-iLjeiiei'atinLj  e(|uipments  as 
tlie  service!  rcjpiired,  and  marched  over  the  niountain- 
tiail  like  Lochmvar.  The  ( 'anadiansdoi^t^edly  rtfiised 
to  suirendi  r.  (iovernor  Sevmour  then  went  into  tli<' 
licld  and  succeeded  in  (ompromisiuii;  matters  so  tar  as 
to  arran<^e  for  a  new  trial.     John  (jlrant,  the  hi'ad  of 


"nonrit  R,  C,  MS.,  .in -42;  fi.niln/'M  V.  /.,  MS.,  5<J-7;    U'hnnjx;'^ 
.VJ  Ci;    Virton.i  r/ii-oiiictr,  Miiy  14,  IHlVl;   IWthml  Ai/i:,  Miiy  •-•!,  18(4. 


Manhi, 


4:tt) 


AIJMIXISTUATION  OF  JUSTICE. 


11 


:  (M^ 


i;t 


the  Canadian  (\»inpuiiy,  wuh  meanwhile  committed  Uj 
]>rison  for  tline  uioMth.s  lor  contempt;  the  remainder 
of  his  rehellioiis  company  hein^  let  oii*  each  with  two 
days'  imprisonment.  Sevt.'ral  months  later  Jud«;e  Need- 
ham  decided  the  ease  adversely  to  the  elaims  of  the 
Ci\nadian  ( '(»m()any." 

The  n  iners  of  Cariboo  did  not  like  Mr  Justice 
|{("'l»ie's  method  of  eoiistruiny  their  mining;  laws;  so 
they  met  in  mass-meetinj^,  the  '2'Ad  of  June  1  H(W»,  and 
<lenounced  him,  after  which  thev  felt  better,  althoM<di 
the  chief-justice  still  lived.  It  was  the  lar«:;i'st  nm- 
<*ours(!  ever  ctdivt'ni'd  in  the  colony,  they  .said,  and  1 
may  add,  the  most  Ibolish.  Jt  was  the  pi'culiar  way  that 
IJeiL^bic  ha<l  of  setting"  aside  the  verdicts  of  their  juries 
and  the  decisions  of  their  ^old  eommissioneis  when 
manifestly  illi  jual  and  absurd  that  they  did  not  like. 
lie  was  aibitrary,  partial,  ami  dictatorial,  they  said, 
an<l  tluy  (hsin-d  his  removal  and  a  coui't  of  apjiral. 
Xevi'rtheh'ss,  simultaneously  with  the  publication  (»f 
these  p!(»cecdini;s,  comes  the  report  of  the  foreman  <»f 
the  ijranil  juiv  of  Cariboo,  who  "is  hi«'hlv  i)l<'a.>td  In 
notici'  t\\v  absence  of  all  crime  in  tht;  (.listri<'t,"  which, 
indeed,  was  the  stereotyped  clause  in  all  jj^rand-jury 
re|>orts  throughout  thc^  country  all  throuj^h  Jiej^bie's 
entire  term.  Jle  was  loudly  complained  of  by  a  certain 
(•la.ssat  XewWestmiiistt'r,  Lilloet,  and  X'ictoria;  nevti- 
thele.ss  he  continued  his  course,  I'etaiiied  his  place,  and 
was  finally  kni!^lite<l  in  ri'coi^nition  of  his  ,servier>, 
as  he  richly  desi-rveil. 

Be<d»itj  was  almost  as  jjfoodas  a  viijrilance  committee; 
sometimes  (pi ite  as  j^ood;  ofttimes  evi!n  better.      There 


«  rirtorlii  Coloitisf,  .Tilly  '2;\.  Au^.  (!,  i:«.  'JO,  '-'7,  Sipt.  10,  Oct.  1,  S,  \..%.  .j, 
IHr>7;  .\<ir  H'lstiiiiii-^ti  r  (  (iliimliiKii,  May  II;  /».  ( '.  K.ninir.,  .Inly  *J7  iili'l  Au){. 
*.'N,  ISti7.  .Si't>  also,  tor  till' ((Mu'cii  ( 'hurliitto  litliitiiU'rH  ami  otiii'i' liiiliaii  troiil>Ur«, 
VifUtiin  fr'.c.//.,  i.  No.-,.  1(»,  'J7,  '.'it,  :<l»  •_',  :»."),  44,  4(i,  iV.I,  aiiil  t»l.  INVS,  ii.  :?.»; 
llouM-  Coin,  h'ljit.,  II.  Ii.  Co.,  1S.")7,  !'.(-;  CiirilHHt  Sinliiirt,  i.  I;  Olyinyiii  I'imifr 
iiwl  Ihmtx-iiil.  .M.inli  IH,  l,S.V.);  C,liiil>.  Mmsii.,  Sl/i  Idyt.,  ."«>:  (iiu:  <liiZ)l/-,  li. 
No.  8;  Sprout'^  .S<-iiiis,  <»;  roinll':!  Miii.  iHsls.,  MS.,  'M  'J;  liril.  Col.  .SLrt  ■>,■<, 
MS.,  •?.•;  OI,/,;],iaCl„l,Co„r'<.,  MS.,  l.i  l.");  Dmm  HMttintiU  T. /.,  M.S., -JO  4; 
JhiiKjUiH  Printtc  Poiia-n,  MS.,  '-M  Hur.  34-0. 


DIRECT  JUSTICE. 


481 


v't'io  in  his  rulings  tlio  intensity  antl  directness  which 
K  iidur  popular  tribunals  so  terrible  to  evil-doers  with- 
out the  heat  and  passion  almost  always  inseparable 
tVoni  illegal  demonstrations.  Altlumgh  in  common 
with  jurists  generally  he  placed  law  before  justice, 
siilleiing  the  guilty  to  escape  and  go  in  search  <it* 
t'mtlier  prey  provided  they  could  not  be  convicted  by 
the  book,  yet  he  never  was  so  blinded  by  the  book  as 
to  take  wrong  for  right  because  the  law  affirmed  it. 
And  ho  would  sometimes  do  right  even  in  spite  of 
the  liiw. 

All  through  his  long  and  honorable  career  he  was 
more  guardian  than  judge.  He  was  not  .satisfied  to 
sit  upon  the  bench  and  with  owl-like  gravity  listen 
to  tli(!  wranglings  of  counsel  hired  for  the  defeating 
of  the  law's  intention,  and  with  much  winking  and 
blinkinij  to  decide  accordin};  to  law  and  then  lto  uneim- 
ccrnedly  to  dinner.  He  felt  the  peace  and  gond- 
liiliuvior  of  the  whole  country  to  be  his  immediate 
care,  and  woe  to  any  constable  or  magistrate  derelict 
in  liis  duty  in  bringing  criminals  to  justice.  Babine 
Lake  was  no  farther  from  his  arm  than  Government 
street,  and  an  injury  done  an  Indian  or  a  Chinaman 
was  as  sure  of  prompt  punishment  as  in  the  case  of  a 
wliite  man. 

The  consequence  of  it  all  was  that  never  in  the 
pacification  and  settlement  of  any  section  of  America 
have  there  been  so  few  disturbances,  .so  few  crimes 
against  life  or  property.  And  when  we  consider  the 
clashing  elements  that  came  together  just  as  Begbio 
reached  the  country,  the  nature  and  antecedents  of 
these  wild,  rough,  and  cunning  men,  it  is  wondei  lid. 
First  of  all  there  was  the  savage,  physically  unweak- 
eiied  thus  far  by  contact  with  Europeans,  though  in 
iiiihtl  subdued  somewhat  by  the  more  comprehensive 
iiitclhgi'iice  of  the  shrewd  Scotchmen.  TIkj  country  was 
his,  and  ho  was  as  tierce  and  as  ready  to  fight  for  it  as 
f'Ver,  The  fur-traders  were  their  friends,  but  these 
interlopers  who  seized  their  lands  and  robbed  them  of 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


1.0 


I.I 


144  la 


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2.0 


|{3.6 

l|40 


1.8 


1.25      1.4      1.6 

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► 

Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


*i?  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(71«)  e72.4S03 


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432 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  JUSTICE. 


their  gold  were  their  enemies  whom  it  were  righteous 
to  kill.  The  ancient  professional  prospectors  and  dig- 
gers with  whom  the  gold-fields  of  the  north  were  plen- 
tifully sprinkled,  were  many  of  them  but  little  higher 
in  the  scale  of  humanity  than  the  Indians.  Aniono- 
them  were  many  despicable  men  who  regarded  the 
natives  as  brutes  whom  to  kill  was  no  crime  Add  to 
this  the  presence  of  intelligent  and  good  men  who 
were  the  real  dominators  of  the  realm,  and  scatter 
them  over  a  wilderness  area  of  five  hundred  miles 
square, and  we  may  form  some  faint  conception  of  what 
it  was  to  hold  the  inhabitants  in  order.  And  yet  the 
intensity  of  character  and  personal  influence  of  the 
chief-justice  were  everywhere  felt.  His  presence  per- 
meated the  remotest  parts  of  the  country  like  that  of 
no  other  man.  When  once  it  was  understood  by  sav- 
age and  civilized  alike  that  justice  in  his  hands  was 
swift,  sure,  and  inflexible,  the  battle  was  won.  No 
one  cared  to  kill,  being  sure  he  would  hang  for  it. 

It  is  not  often  we  hear  from  the  bench  such  refresh- 
ing words  as  frequently  fell  from  his  lips.  They  puri- 
fied the  atmosphere,  so  that  even  Ned  McGowan 
found  it  somewhat  stifling,  as  we  have  seen.  "There 
were  not  many  of  that  class  on  Fraser  River,"  said 
Billy  Ballou.  ''They  soon  cleaned  them  out  there. 
Old  Judge  Begbie  soon  made  them  understand  who 
was  master.  I  saw  a  fellow  named  Gilchrist,"  he  con- 
tinued, "who  had  killed  two  men  in  California,  on 
trial  there.  He  killed  a  man  on  Beaver  Lake,  in  the 
Cariboo  country,  who  was  gambling  with  him.  While 
sitting  at  the  table  a  miner  came  in,  threw  down  liis 
bag  of  gold-dust,  bet  an  ounce,  and  won.  Gilchrist 
paid;  the  man  bet  again,  and  won  again,  flippantly 
inquiring  of  the  gambler  if  there  was  any  other  game 
he  could  play  better, as  he  drew  in  the  stakes.  Gilchrist 
took  offence  at  the  remark,  and  lifting  his  pistol  shot 
him  dead.  Gilchrist  was  tried,  and  the  jury  brought 
in  a  verdict  of  manslaughter.  Turning  to  the  prisoner, 
the  judge  said:   "It  is  not  a  pleasant  duty  for  me  to 


RIGHTEOUS  JUDGES. 


433 


have  to  sentence  you  only  to  prison  for  life.  Your 
crime  was  unmitigated  murder.  You  deserve  to  be 
hanged.  Had  the  jury  performed  their  duty,  I  might 
now  have  the  painful  satisfaction  of  condemning  you 
to  death.  And  you,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  permit 
me  to  say  that  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  see 
you  hanged,  each  and  every  one  of  you,  for  bringing 
in  a  murderer  guilty  only  of  manslaughter." 

Sproat  tells  some  good  stories  emanating  from  his 
experiences  as  magistrate  in  1864,  one  of  which  was 
an  attempt  at  an  inquest  at  Alberni  over  the  body  of 
a  native  shot  unintentionally  to  death,  while  stealing 
potatoes,  by  a  pea-loaded  gun  in  the  hands  of  an 
American.  Determined  to  close  their  eyes  to  the 
facts,  the  jury  first  brought  in  a  verdict  of  "worried  by 
a  dog,"  and  when  returned  from  a  second  attempt, 
found  "he  was  killed  by  falling  over  a  cliff."  The 
American  was  finally  sent  in  charge  of  a  constable  to 
Victoria,  but  effected  his  escape. 

The  stipendiary  magistrates,  or  county-court  judges, 
at  the  time  of  confederation,  were  A.  D.  Bushby, 
New  Westminster;  W.  R.  Spaulding,  Nanainio  and 
Comox;  P.  O'Reilly,  Northern  Mines;  A.  F.  Peni- 
bcrton,  Victoria ;  E.  H.  Saunders,  Lilloet ;  H.  M. 
Ball,  Cariboo.     Salaries,  from  Ji^2,250  to  $3,400. 

An  act  was  passed  by  the  province  of  British  Co- 
lumbia March  2,  1874,  for  the  better  administration 
of  justice,  but  failed  to  receive  the  governor-general's 
confirmation  The  county  judges  did  not  apj)rove  of 
a  certain  provision  of  this  act  wliich  enabled  the  lieu- 
tenant-governor in  council  to  appoint  the  times  and 
places  at  which  court  should  be  held;  hence  they 
]>ctiti(med  against  the  act.  An  act  enal)ling  the  lieu- 
tenant-governor to  divide  the  country  into  county- 
court  districts  was  passed  the  following  year. 

There  were  other  righteous  judges  in  the  land;  and 
in  due  time  the  people  began  to  like  justice  anil  hate 
bribery  and  corruption.  Those  who  cared  least  for 
popularity  became  the   most  popular.     On    his  way 

Hist.  Brit,  col.    28 


434 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  JUSTICE. 


across  the  country  in  1872  Grant  talked  with  theni 
about  itJ 

Since  1874  the  influence  of  the  mounted  police  of 
the  Northwest  Territory  has  been  felt  alonar  the  bor- 
der.  Numbering  in  all  about  three  hundred,  and  cs- 
tabHshed  in  camps  of  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  men, 
their  presence  in  those  wild,  thinly  peopled  regions 
was  most  beneficial.  They  wore  the  scarlet  uniform 
of  the  British  army,  and  made  it  their  business  to 
protect  at  once  border  settlers  and  travellers  from  hos- 
tile bands  of  natives,  and  well  disposed  natives  from 
white  ruffians  and  liquor- sellers.  This  was  a  Cana- 
dian rather  than  a  British  Columbian  institution;  the 
nearest  port  available  on  the  western  slope  was  about 
one  hundred  miles  from  Kootenai. 

Shortly  after  taking  up  his  residence  at  Metlahkat- 
lah,  Duncan,  the  missionary,  was  requested  by  the 
colonial  government  to  act  as  magistrate.  It  was 
an  exceedingly  strange  mixture,  both  of  duties  and 
material,  that  this  man  found  himself  called  upon  to 
encounter.  Here  was  law  and  barbarism,  divinity 
and  demon  ism,  incoherently  mingled  until  the  poor 
fellow  scarcely  knew  his  own  mind.  The  liquor  traffic 
troubled  him  exceedingly,  and  also  the  retaliation  prin- 
ciple of  the  natives,  who  murdered  the  last  murderer, 
in  theory  at  least,  ad  infinitum,  until  none  were  left 
to  kill.  Three  Indians  murdered  two  white  men. 
The  natives  gave  up  two  of  the  murderers,  a  life  for  a 
life  being  their  idea  of  justice;  the  other,  after  six 
months,  gave  himself  up,  was  sent  to  New  Westmin- 
ster to  be  tried,  and  was  acquitted.  This  was  brought 
about  by  the  magistrate  by  means  of  his  religious 
influence. 

' '  There  isn't  the  gold  in  British  Columbia  that  would  bribe  Judge 
O'Reilly,  was  their  emphatic  indorsement  of  his  dealings  with  the  miners. 
They  descri)  ed  him  arriving  as  the  representative  of  British  law  and  order 
at  Kootanic,  immediately  after  thousands  had  flocked  to  the  newly  discovered 

fold-mines  there.  Assembling  them,  he  said  that  order  must  and  would  be 
ept,  and  advised  them  not  to  display  their  revolvers  unnecessarily,  ' '  for,  boys, 
if  there  is  shooting  in  Kootanie  thero  will  bo  hanging;"  such  a  speech  was 
after  the  miners'  own  hearts,  and  after  it  thare  were  no  more  disturbances  in 
Kootanie.' 


POPULAR  TRIBUNALS. 


486 


Convict  labor  began  to  be  utilized  in  1859.  The 
jail  at  Victoria  was  then  the  general  receptacle  for 
Island  and  Mainland,  and  in  it  were  some  sturdy  fel- 
lows with  nothing  to  do  but  to  attempt  escape.  The 
chain-gang  system  was  then  adopted,  and  finally  a 
penitentiary  was  built.  To  George  W.  Bell  belongs 
the  honor  of  being  the  first  white  man  hanged  on 
Vancouver  Island,  which  was  done  on  the  5th  of 
November  1872,  for  killing  one  Datson  the  previous 
May. 

It  was  perhaps  more  difficult  than  might  be  im- 
agined for  a  person  to  commit  a  the^t  or  a  murder,  and 
escape  the  country.  Obviously  his  way  out  by  water 
was  difficult,  for  every  movement  on  the  coast  was 
watched.  Then,  throughout  the  interior,  the  natives 
wore  always  ready  to  lend  their  aid,  as  of  old,  in 
catching  criminals;  and  they  constituted  a  widely 
extended,  swift,  and  sure  police. 

In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  United  States  bor- 
der it  was  more  difficult  to  maintain  order.  Horses  were 
plentiful.  No  man  so  poor  that  he  could  not  own  one  ; 
or  if  he  was,  he  might  steal  from  his  neighbor.  Hence 
to  place  himself,  if  not  beyond  the  reach  of  justice,  at 
least  where  justice  soon  became  entangled  in  difficul- 
ties, the  offender  had  but  to  mount  and  ride  southerly. 
On  Perry  Creek,  where  in  1871  was  a  customs  station, 
a  case  occurred,  insignificant  in  itself,  but  illustrative 
of  the  times  and  place.  A  merchant  received  one  day 
some  hams  in  bond,  on  which  he  had  not  the  money 
to  pay  the  duty.  A  hungry  miner  swore  he  would 
have  a  ham;  the  merchant  offered  no  objection;  so 
attended  by  several  comrades,  he  proceeded  to  the 
edifice  called  the  custom-house,  kicked  open  the  door, 
and  carried  away  a  ham.  Swearing  in  special  officers, 
Carrington,  the  constable,  after  a  show  of  figlit  on  the 
part  of  the  offenders,  succeeded  in  arresting  them  and 
conveying  them,  ironed,  to  the  jail  at  Wild  Horse 
Creek.  Haynes,  the  Kootenai  judge,  being  absent, 
Carrington,  after  waiting   a  while,  started  with   his 


436 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  JUSTICE. 


HI 


prisoners  for  Victoria,  intending  to  commit  them  there 
for  trial.  But  meeting  Haynes  on  the  way,  the  party 
returned,  and  the  prisoners  were  finally  discharged 
on  condition  of  their  leaving  the  country. 

I  have  often  been  assured,  and  by  those  who  should 
know,  that  there  never  was  a  case  of  popular  or  illegal 
hanging  in  British  Columbia.  Sir  Redmond  Barry 
made  the  same  statement  to  me  regarding  Australia. 
I  am  satisfied  that  my  informants  were  in  error  regard- 
ing both  countries.^  A  mob  may  sometimes  cat<h  and 
hanj;  a  man,  makins;  little  stir  about  it.  A  han"riiiir 
scrape  at  Jack  of  Clubs  Creek  in  the  Cariboo  country 
in  1862  is  mentioned  by  R.  Byron  Johnson  in  Very 
Far  West  Indeed.  While  the  writer  cannot  be  called 
a  very  truthful  or  reliable  man,  judging  from  all  tlio 
circumstances,  I  do  not  think  this  story  is  wholly 
fiction. 

While  Johnson  was  absent  from  his  claim,  liis 
partner,  Jake  Walker,  engaged  a  man  at  Williams 
Creek  to  help  him  sink  his  shaft  a  few  feet  lower. 
One  day,  while  Walker  was  in  the  shaft  and  tlio 
hired  man  at  the  windlass,  the  latter  deserted  liis 
post,  robbed  Walker's  cabin,  and  leaving  the  owmr 
in  the  ditch  to  die,  make  tracks  across  the  mountain. 
Contrary  to  the  villain's  expectations,  Walker  suc- 
ceeded in  climbing  out.  The  first  question  witli 
Walker  was  then  whether  he  should  pursue  the  man 
alone,  and  kill  him,  or  summon  the  neighbors  to  his 
assistance.  He  chose  the  latter  course.  The  man 
was  caught,  brought  back  to  the  cabin,  and  there 
tried  by  the  miners,  and  executed.* 


In  my  Popular"  TribnnaU,  i.  644-51,  I  have  given  several  cases  of  arlii- 
trary  justice,  a  native,  however,  being  generally  the  victim. 

•  My  authorities  for  this  chapter,  which  I  am  obliged  to  make  brief,  arc 
Allans  Cariboo,  MS.,  19;  Finlaysona  V.  I.,  MS.,  101,  wliich  says  of  IJeglnc: 
'  He  dealt  out  justice  with  a  stern  and  vigorous  hand,  and  was  a  terror  to 
evil-doers,  especially  in  the  gold  excitement  of  '58  and  after  years;'  Balloii's 
Adv.,  MS.,  10,  11;  VawelCs  Mining  Districts,  MS.,  3-6;  Deans'  Settlement  V. 
I.,  MS.,  14;  Waddington'a  Fraaer  Riivr,  20;  Grant's  Ocean  to  Ocean,  315-16; 
Jlnyea'  Scraps,  iii.  66;  Olympia  Standar-d,  Nov.  16,  1872;  Consolidated  Larm, 
B.  C,  1877;  Lond.  Oeog.  Soc.,  Jour.,  xxxi.  243,  247-8;  Victoria  Gazette,  Dec. 
30,  1868;    Victoria  Direct.,  1863,  179-«9;  Mister's  Proposal,  passim;  Heviaed 


AUTHORITIES 


4S7 


tT'^'^iaS.'  ^^71;  Goi;.  <?^<te,  Aug.  9,  1873;  Cariboo  Sentinel,  June  25  and 
July  2,  1866;  Pernbertm^s  V.I.,  128-9;  Nanaimo  Free  Press,  April  22,  1874; 
forbe^  Essay,  32;  CoUmut,  Jan.  19,  1864;  Apr.  10.  June  11  Dec  11  ISfifi 
Nov.  26  1867;  Jan.  30.  Aug.  29,  31.  Sept.  2.  Lc.  17.  1869  Feb  9  Auir  24* 
1870;  Feb.  22.  Dec.  30.  1871;  Dec.  18,  1872;  July  28  Aug  6  10  12  15  fs' 
25,  29  Sept  26  Oct.  10.  Nov.  4.  1875;  Marc/4,  JuneVNov.  15.  isje- 
CoMution  Sup   Court  Acts  a„d  Or     1858-70;  SpnHit's  B.  C,  32;  Sessional 


cases  of  arbi- 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 

1858-1878. 

New  Devetopments  in  the  History  of  Mining — Character  of  the  Minks 
— Mining  Towns — Sluicing  at  Hope  and  Yale — Routes  to  the  Dk;- 
oiNGs — Steam  on  the  Eraser — Boats  Ascend  to  Hope  and  Yale- 
Extension  OF  Mining  Area— Rush  to  Lytton — Roads — Prospectors 
Push  Northward — Bars  Named — Field — Region  Round  Lilloet — 
Fountain,  Canoe,  Quesnel,  and  Thompson  Mines— Quartz  on  Cherkv 
Creek — The  Mines  of  the  Eraser  Valley — Character  of  the  Dry- 
diggings — Terrace  Composption— Gold  Distribution  and  Yield. 


It  is  as  necessary  to  tell  what  the  Californians  who 
sought  gold  on  the  Fraser  River  did  not  find,  as  to 
tell  what  they  did  find;  that  is  to  say,  what  failed 
them  in  their  expectations,  and  what  they  found  nevv 
which  will  profitably  illustrate  the  mining  history  of 
the  coast. 

First  of  all,  then,  the  forbidding  grandeur  of  the 
Fraser  canon  overwhelmed  them,  and  drove  thou- 
sands of  them  southward  no  richer  than  they  came. 
Nevertheless,  despite  this  reaction,  the  country  was 
settled ;  towns  were  built ;  and  in  the  course  of  sev- 
eral years  after  the  Fraser  excitement,  mineral  re- 
sources and  lines  of  transportation  were  developed  in 
the  great  northern  interior  of  the  Pacific  slope,  which 
were  destined  to  assume  a  national  and  continental 
significance.  The  temporary  drawbacks  were  due  to 
the  physical  features  with  which  the  advancing  tide 
of  population  had  to  grapple.  No  road  nor  trail  prac- 
ticable for  animals  existed  along  the  Fraser  canon 
during  the  early  stages  of  the  gold  excitement,  so  that 

(438) 


THE  FROWNING  FRASER. 


439 


it  was  quite  impossible  to  follow  up  and  to  support 
any  large  number.  Hence  all  but  a  few  fell  back 
until  the  completion '  of  the  road,  which  Douglas 
caused  to  be  opened  through  the  western  rim  of  the 
high  plateau. 

The  twenty  thousand  who  went  to  Fraser  River 
from  California  in  1858  were  warned  that  the  bars 
wlicre  gold  was  reported  would  remain  inaccessible 
oil  account  of  the  high  water  until  after  midsummer, 
and  that  to  wait  for  the  opportunity  to  mine  in  that 
Avilderness  would  be  costly,  to  say  the  least,  and  might 
l»c  death.^  But  reasoning  from  their  experience  in 
California,  too  little  importance  was  attached  to  this 
feature  of  the  new  mines,  as  it  was  concluded  that  in 
tlie  mean  time  the  ravines  and  the  smaller  tributaries 
could  be  more  or  less  profitably  worked.  But  here 
arose  the  first  and  most  grievous  disappointment. 
Tliey  found  no  ravine  diggings  like  those  in  the 
mountain  counties  of  California,  with  gold  lying  in  a 
concentrated  form  on  tlie  bed-rock,  and  the  latter  ex- 
posed by  the  eroding  streams.  Such  of  the  higher 
bars  of  the  Fraser  as  were  accessible,  including  the 
Hats  occasionally  forming  the  banks  of  the  river,  and 
])rospected  in  the  early  stage  of  the  mining  excitement, 
lliilcd  even  to  yield  the  prospects  of  the  American  and 
Yuba  rivers.  It  was  almost  entirely  fine  gold  dis- 
tributed in  thin  streaks  of  gravel  and  sand,  and 
through  the  benches  and  terraces  of  the  hills  and 
valleys  running  back  often  far  from  the  river.  That 
fine  gold  was  also  found  concentrated  in  really  rich 
deposits  in  some  of  these  bars  is  beyond  a  doubt,  but 
it  consisted  of  thin  layers  or  lenticular  patches,  covered 

'Frasor  River  ia  <at  flood  height  annually  in  Juno  and  July.  ArrotrsmifJi^'i 
Miip  of  B.  C,  London,  1859.  Its  gold-bearing  bars  are  really  aucessiblo  to 
advantage  only  for  a  few  months  in  tlie  autumn.  After  November  the  fi-osts 
set  in,  and  miuing  can  be  followed  only  at  intervals  during  the  ■winter.  After 
tlic  severe  ■\"co  ther  and  before  the  snowa  ai  o  melted,  between  February  and 
April,  there  were  two  months  of  favorable  mining  season.  Altho\igh  there  is 
liiw  water  about  the  1st  of  January,  both  the  climatic  conditions,  and  where 
•liiicksilver  is  used,  the  amalgamating  conditions  are  unfavorable  at  that  time. 
•Simple  and  well  known  as  were  these  facts  by  the  settlers,  the  miners  of  1858 
p;iid  dearly  before  they  became  acquainted  with  them. 


440 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


frequently  by  very  heavy  masses  of  barren  g'^ound. 
In  this  respect  it  was  comparable  to  the  higher  ground 
deposits  of  the  ancient  rivers  of  California,  the  profit- 
able handling  of  which  rendered  indispensable  an  out- 
let grade  and  the  use  of  the  hydraulic  pipe.  On  tlie 
Harrison  and  other  tributaries  coarse  gold  was  to  bo 
found. 

Before  the  river  fell,  thousands  had  left  the  country 
under  the  conviction  that  the  water  would  never  fall 
sufficiently,  or  that  they  had  seen  enough;  yet  the 
di<x(jin<ifs  were  overcrowded  when  this  event  took 
place,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  size  of  the 
claims  was  limited  to  twenty-five  feet  square.  Those 
who  had  no  claims,  or  whose  claims  were  worked  out, 
advanced  uji  the  river,  clambering  over  the  rocks  of 
the  canon  in  the  direction  of  the  fork  of  the  Thomji- 
son,  where  there  was  room  enough  for  all  who  could 
ol)tain  supplies.  The  greatest  number  were  employed 
between  Hope  and  Yale,  but  among  the  best  diggings 
were  those  at  the  Fountain,  six  miles  above  the  great 
falls,  and  for  some  time  the  northern  limit  of  mininsf.^ 
From  Murderer  or  Cornish  Bar,  four  miles  below 
Hope,  innumerable  bars,  sionifying  simply  accessible 
river-bottom  formed  by  the  angles  in  the  current,  were 
prospected,  and  most  of  them  worked,  for  a  distance 
of  140  miles  along  the  Fraser,  and  along  the  Thomp- 
son to  a  point  fifteen  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the 
Nicola.^  Nearly  all  of  these  were  wiped  out  of 
memory  as  the  inhabitants  migrated  and  the  traces 
of  their  existence  were  washed  away  by  the  recurring 
floods  of  the  rivers;  so  that  a  few  only  have  found  a 
permanent  place  in  the  geography  of  the  country. 

The  first  place  above  Langley  which  contained  gold 
in  appreciable  quanity  was  Maria  Bar,  between  tlio 
Sumas  and  Harrison,  followed  by  Murderer  Bar,  four 

^  A  few  of  the  adventurers  penetrated  to  the  Canoe  country  in  latitude  'A" 
30',  named  after  Canoe  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Fraser,  where  Simon  Fraser 
in  1808  left  his  canoes.  Nuijent,  in  U.  S.  Ex,  Doc.,  iii.,  35th  Comj.,  Hd  Si:-<.<.; 
Allan's  Cariboo,  MS.,  1-4. 

*  WiuldinijtoHS  Fniaer  Mines,  8. 


GOLD-BEARING  BARS. 


441 


miles  below  Hope,  and  subsequently  known  as  Cornish 
Bar.*  Between  these  existed  other  bars  which  were 
disregarded  at  first,  owing  to  the  fineness  of  their  gold. 
Tlie  localities  above  Hope  arc  given  as  Mosquito,  or 
Poverty,  Fifty-four  Forty,  Union,  Canadian,  Santa 
Clara,  Deadwood,  Express,  American,  Puget  Sound, 
\'ictc)ria,  Yankee  Doodle,  Eaglo,  Alfred,  Sacramento, 
Texas  Hunter,  Emory,  Rocky,  Trinity,  Hill,  Casey, 
Yalo.'^" 

It  was  observed  by  Douglas  that  the  bars  grew 
riclitr  in  ascending  order,  Hill  Bar  being  the  bc^t, 
and  appearing  to  bear  a  resemblance  to  some  of  the 
river  bars  of  California.  Discovered  early  in  1858" 
by  Hill,  an  American,  it  progressed  so  rapidly  tliat 
in  September  Douglas  laid  out  a  town  here  on  the 
system  followed  at  Hope.  Two  months  later,  the  l)ar 
proper  being  worked  out,  the  bcnclics  were  resorted 
to,  and  in  1859  a  ditch  was  constructed  at  a  cost  of 
twelve  thousand  dollars,  which  yielded  a  monthly 
jtrofit  of  fifty  per  cent.  This  ground  also  declined, 
and  tlie  population  was  transferred  to  Yale.' 

In  June  1858,  the  miners  were  distributed  between 
Langley  and  the  canon  thirty  or  forty  miles  »  bove 
Y;ilo,  and  advancing  in  successive  stages  toward  the 
Folks,  where  it  was  known  that  the  authors  of  the 
Fraser  excitement  had  been  mining  successfully  dur- 

*  1  >ougla8  found  125  men  at  work  here  in  September  1858,  and  doing  fairly. 
I'rimtr  Papers,  MS.,  i.  103;  Tnttck's  Map  of  li.  C,  1871. 

•'  To  these  may  be  added  Cameron  B;ir,  which  was  discovered  by  Thoniaa 
Sjiuiicu,  a  steamer  striking  tlie  bar  and  revealing  the  goM  to  liini.  Vowcll'n  B.  ('. 
Miiifn,  MS.,  20-7.  Waddington'a  list  of  bars  is  the  most  complete,  as  given 
ill  Virtoriii  Gazette,  Sept.  15,  1858.  Douglas  records  a  shorttT  list  at  the  same 
tiiiK',  \\i  Primtte  Papers,  MS.,  i.  104-5.  Tndrlis  Map,  1871,  locates  Ameri- 
can lirst,  then  Emory,  and  Texas  Bar  last  and  next  to  Yale.  Vornwallis'  X. 
El  Dorai/o,  285.  O'Reilly,  the  gohl  commissioner  in  I  S(!0,  mentions  also  Trafal- 
gar and  French  bars,  and  by  Cornisli  Bar,  below  Hope,  lie  places  I'rospect, 
UliR!  Nose,  and  Hudson  bars.  Ji.  C  Papers,  iv.  10.  Several  of  the  bars 
cannot  lie  exactly  located. 

"  It  was  here  that  the  first  discovery  of  gold  upon  the  lower  Eraser  M'as 
made,  Emory's  and  Union  being  found  next,  followed  by  Chapman's  and  Bos- 
tdii,  above  Yale.  Alhn's  Carilioo,  MS.,  1-4.  Waddington  names  Hill  iia 
the  richest,  then  Emory,  Texas,  and  Puget  Sound;  the  jioorest  as  Eifty-four 
Forty,  Express,  and  Yale.    Virtoria  QazeMe,  Sept.  15,  1858. 

'  Soon  every  vestige  of  Hill  Bar  was  gone.  CornwalUs'  N.  El  Dorado,  195; 
Douylus'  Private  Papers,  MS.,  ser.  i.  103-4,  106;  Howe's  Col.  Empire,  i.  131. 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 

ing  the  winter  and  spring,  till  scarcity  of  supplies  and 
high  water  obliged  thein  to  retreat.  By  October, 
according  to  official  estimates,  a  population  of  ten 
thousand  was  distributed  along  the  river.  The  num- 
ber between  Cornish  Bar  and  Yale,  in  November, 
was  four  thousand,  Hope   contained   four  hundred 


The  Lower  Minino  Region-. 

more,  and  Yale  thirteen  hundred.*  In  Hope  district 
an  ounce  a  day  was  common  wages,  while  some  miners 
earned  two  or  more  ounces  for  weeks  together;  so 
that  most  of  those  who  had  been  engaged  with  rock- 

^Douglas,  in  B.  G.  Papers,  ii.  29.  Waddington  counted  early  in  Sep- 
tember 800  rockers  actually  at  work  between  Hope  and  Yale,  and  doing 
well.  Victoria  Gazette,  Sept.  15,  1858.  Smith,  of  Kent  and  Smith's  express, 
reported  to  the  same  paper,  of  Aug.  20th,  that  Puget  Sound  Bar  had  40  rockers 
and  120  men  at  work;  Texas  Bar,  8  comi)anies,  who  were  partly  sluicing  and 


SLUICES,  DITCHES,  AND  FLUMES. 


443 


crs  on  these  bars  up  to  Yale,  returned  at  the  close  of 
the  season  of  1858,  with  from  two  to  four  thousand 
dollars  clear  of  expenses. 

Toward  Yale  sluicing  entered  largely  into  mining 
operations,  and  the  yield  rose  as  high  as  twenty-five 
dollars  a  day  to  the  man,  although  the  general  aver- 
age was  considerably  lower.  Occasionally  rich  strikes 
were  made,  and  created  more  or  less  wide-spread  ex- 
citement. In  October  1858  the  benches  at  Yale 
developed  some  coarse  gold,  and  the  miners  were  with 
difficulty  restrained  from  digging  away  the  town.° 

Sluicing  yielded  about  twice  the  return  obtained 
with  rockers,  but  as  this  method  involved  considerable 
preliminary  and  often  costly  labor,  the  wooden  p;;!, 

Sn,  and  rocker  retained  the  favor  of  the  majority, 
any  places,  particularly  the  benches  and  higher 
ground,  could  not,  however,  be  worked  advanto  .;  ously 
without  ditches,  and  these  came  into  use  quite  early 
ill  the  seas.i  .f  1858.  Between  Cornish  Bar  and 
Hope  alone  there  were  thirteen  ditches  in  operation 
ill  November,  and  more  in  process  of  construction.'" 
The  yield  of  forty  sluice-heads  in  April  1859  was  six 
thousand  dollars  a  day,  and  the  ditch  company  at  Hill 
Bar  received  five  dollars  a  day  from  forty  claims." 

making  §15  to  $40  to  the  hand;  Sacramento  Bar,  15  rockers;  Emory,  36 
rockers,  averaging  $6  to  $8  to  the  hand;  Hill,  100  rockers  and  400  men, 
averaging  $10;  Yale,  9  companies,  averaging  $15  to  $20  to  the  man. 

"The  consequence  was,  however,  that  garden  leases  on  the  left  bank 
between  Hill  Bar  and  Yale  v.ere  refused,  and  the  ground  held  for  mining. 
Douylas'  Private  Papers,  MS.,  ser.  i.  105-6.  In  May  miners  here  made  an 
ounce  and  a  half  a  day.  Id.,  90.  Victoria  Gazette,  Sept.  15,  1858,  classes  the 
Yale  diggings  among  the  poorer.  Five  sluices  here  yielded  in  August  $25  a 
day  to  the  hand.  Id.,  Aug.  24th;  and  on  Aug.  13th  the  150  rockers  yielded 
723  ounces.  Id.,  Aug.  25,  1858,  Macfie'a  V.  I.,  240.  At  Cameron  Bar  nineteen 
miners  made  each  $75  a  day  for  three  weeks.  VowdVa  B.  C.  Mines,  MS.,  26-7; 
Comwallis'  iV.  Eldorado,  203-15.  At  Hill  Bar  the  men  were  making  from 
82.50  to  $25  a  day.  B.  C.  Papers,  iii.  9,  etc.  Ten  ckiims,  each  with  20  feet 
frontage,  produced  in  June,  July,  August,  and  part  of  September,  $30,000. 
Duii'jlas'  Private  Papers,  MS.,  i.  106.  Eight  of  these  companies  were  making 
$15  to  §40  a  day  to  the  hand.   Victoria  Gazette,  Aug.  20,  1858. 

^"  Some  cabins  erected  in  connection  with  one  of  these  enterprises  received 
the  name  of  Mariaville,  after  the  steamer  Maria.  Victoria  Gazette,  April  1 9, 1 859. 

"  Four  men  sluiced  out  $4,000  in  six  days.  Douglas,  in  B.  C.  Papers,  iii. 
9.  At  Hudson  Bar,  just  below  Cornish  Bar,  a  flume  a  mile  in  length  was  in 
operation  in  April  1859;  and  still  further  down  the  river  was  a  wheel  30  feet 
in  diameter,  used  in  raising  water  for  a  sluice  which  paio.  ^ve  dollars  a  day  to 
the  man.  Victoria  Gazette,  April  19,  28,  1859. 


'iili ' 


I'll  I 


i 


44i 


ERASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT, 


In  the  spring  of  1860,  the  Hope  district  was  still 
occupied  by  o^er  two  hundred  miners,  who  were  mak- 
ing an  average  of  six  dollars  a  day  on  old  ground/- 
This  rate  was  approximately  maintained  for  a  long 
time,  chiefly  by  means  of  sluices,  since  the  ground  all 
alonjr  the  river  was  in  a  sense  inexhaustible.  The 
winter  of  1876-7  was  particularly  favorable  for  sluic- 
ing. The  operations  were  desultory,  however,  and 
the  field  was  left  more  open  for  Chinese  and  Indians, 
who  followed  improved  methods,  and  continued  year 
after  year  to  dig  up  the  bars  and  enter  into  the  benches. 
Already  in  18G1  two  thousand  Chinese  were  digging 
around  Yale.^* 

During  the  first  half  of  1858,  Langley  was  regarded 
as  the  head  of  steam  navigation,  and  consequently  as 
the  centre  of  Fraser  traffic,  to  which  the  Otter  and  tlio 
Sea  Bird  were  making  regular  trips  from  Victoria. 
Deterred  by  the  passage  rate  of  twenty  dollars,  canoes 
ventured  also  to  cross  from  Victoria  and  other  points," 
and  proceeded  up  the  Eraser  direct  to  Hope  and  Yale, 
while  steamer  passengers  were  often  detained  at  Lang- 
ley for  want  of  boats.  This  inconvenience  induced  tlio 
steamer  Surjmse  to  try  the  current  above,  and  on  Junt; 
4th  she  reached  Hoi)e  without  difficulty,  transferrin^' 
by  this  coup  the  head  of  steamboat  navigation  to  tlio 
latter  place.  But  this  was  only  for  a  while,  shice  tlu' 
feat  of  the  Surprise  was  surpassed  on  July  21st,  wlu'u 

*•'  The  official  report  for  the  spring  gave  Victoria  Bar  40  men,  earning.'  SI^ 
to  .95  a  (lay;  I'ugct  Sound,  50  men,  $\i  to  §5  a  day;  Frcncli,  15  men,  §10  to 
§12  a  day;  Trafalgar,  9  men,  §5  to  §7  a  day;  Mariaville,  10  men,  $4  a  day; 
Union,  20  men,  §4  to  §5  a  day;  Cornish,  lo  meii,  $\i  to  .54  a  flay;  Prospect,  () 
men,  §4  a  day;  Blue  Nose,  8  men,  §4  a  tlav;  Hudson,  30  men,  $8  to  §10  a 
(fay.  Ji.  C.  J'<ipi-r.s,  iv.  10. 

'^if.  V.  Piqwr.'i,  iv.  40.  In  18(55,  the  Cliineso  between  Hope  ami  Yalf 
were  making  §2  to  §5  a  day.  Mdcjic'n  V.  I.,  240-1.  A  company  of  Indians 
took  out  §1,800  near  18  Mile  Post  in  the  spring  of  1877;  and  some  San  Fran- 
cisco capitalists  applied  for  extensive  terrace  grounds  opposite  Yale.  Jiq>t 
Min.  Mines,  1872,  400-7. 

"On  July  (),  1858,  50  boats  with  400  miners  left  Victoria  for  the  Fraser. 
Victoria  Onzetle,  July  7,  1858.  T)  j  following  night  there  arose  a  gale  v.hiili 
caused  much  fear  for  their  safety.  M.,  July  10th.  On  July  13th  anotluT 
tloet  of  75  boats  left  Victoria.  Id.,  July  14th. 


ENT. 


RIVER  NAVIGATION. 


445 


'ict  was  still 
o  were  mak- 
•Id  ground.  ^^ 
[  for  a  lono; 
iG  ground  all 
stible.  The 
jle  for  sluic- 
owever,  and 
and  Indians, 
itinued  year 
the  benches, 
v^ere  digging 


vas  regarded 
scqucntly  as 
Jtter  and  tlu' 
>in  Victoriii. 
)llars,  canoes 
pier  points," 
10  and  Yale, 
cd  at  Laiin- 

induccd  tlic 
and  on  Juno 

transferrin  <;• 
ation  to  tlie 

c,  since  tlio 

21st,  when 


men,  earninp  §3 

15  men,  .?10  to 

men,  $4  a  <lay; 

(lay;  Prospect,  li 

lien,  $8  to  $10  a 

Hope  anil  Yalo 
pany  of  Indians 

some  San  Fran- 
)sito  Yale.  J{qit. 

a  for  the  Frascr. 
nae  a  gale  v.hii'li 
ly  13th  another 


the  American  boat  U7natilla  succeeded  in  reaching 
Yale,  and  made  this  the  steamer  terminus.  In  an- 
nouncing this  triumph,  Douglas  informed  the  colonial 
office  that  he  had  licensed  two  American  Acssels  to 
ply  on  the  Fraser.  He  also  claimed  the  merit  on 
behalf  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  of  having  laid 
in  large  supplies  and  tools  for  the  miners,  and  of  sell- 
ing them  at  barely  remunerative  prices;  and  yet,  a 
month  later,  the  papers  were  complaining  of  the  mo- 
no[)oly  in  Fraser  trade  and  navigation  in  the  interest 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company. ^"^ 

Canoes  could  readily  come  u[>  to  Yale  near  the  falls, 
but  beyond  this  the  difficulty  and  danger  of  the  jour- 
lu  y  were  appalling,  even  at  low  water.  The  obstacle 
consisted  in  the  rapids  of  the  lower  canon,  four  miles 
above  Yale,  and  in  those  of  the  great  canon,  eighteen 
miles  below  the  Forks.  The  route  by  land  along  the 
Fraser,  from  Yale  to  Quayome,  afterward  Boston 
]iir,  was  a  mere  goat-track  with  inclines  of  thirty  to 
thirty-six  degrees,  and  with  yawning  precipices.**'  80 
long  as  the  miners  had  to  carry  everything  on  their 
back  through  these  canons,  partly  for  want  of  horses, 
mining  was  necessarily  retarded;  for  travelling  to 
and  fro  with  heavy  loads  was  a  sc^vere  task  on 
energy,  time,  and  labor,  and  this  was  besid<\s  in- 
ternipted  by  the  snow  and  cold  which  set  in  with 
J)e('einb('r, 

At  Spuzzuin,  six  miles  above  the  Fraser  falls  and  ten 
miles  above  Yale,  an  old  horse-trail  formerly  reached 
the  river  from  the  Siniilkaineen  on  the  plateau,  and 
followed  the  Kequeloose  River  for  six  miles.  It  had 
hi'cn  opened  in  1847-8,  but  was  abandoned  as  iui- 
])ra('ticablo,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  break  caused  by 
the  falls.     When  the  miners  came  into  the  field  the 

'•''/?.  C.  Pafters,  i.  2;»;  Victoria  Gmcttc,  Sept.  2-4,  18r>8;  Cnniintllh'  A'. 
I'll  Dortiilo,  170-4.  Tho  EnterprtKe  anil  J/dciVr  raised  the  freights  in  October 
from  Victoria  to  Hope  to  5!>t>0  a  ton.    Vir/oria  Oazfttf,  Oct.  Id,  1».")8. 

"Lieutenant  Mayno  declares  it  the  roughest  trail  he  ever  travelled.  li.  C. 
I'lilH-rs,  iii.  40.  Justice  Begbie,  who  went  up  this  way  in  April  1859,  and 
returned  by  Harrison  River,  remarks  on  this  roughness.  Id.,  17-24. 


m 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


route  up  the  Fraser,  first  used  by  theni,  followed  the 
old  Kequeloose  horse-trail  away  from  the  river  some 
distance,  and  then  descended  H'long  Anderson  Kiver 
to  tlie  Fraser  at  Boston  Bar.  From  five  to  eight 
days  wore  usually  expended  between  Langley  and  the 
falls,  and  thence  onward,  according  to  the  load. 

Anothc.  route  for  which  great  advantages  were 
claimed  was  by  the  Whatcom  and  Smess  trail,  con- 
tinuing along  the  Fraser  to  Hope,  and  thence  across 
the  mountains  and  along  the  plateau  to  Thompson 
River,  by  which  it  was  possible  to  reach  the  mines 
above  the  canon  independently  of  canoe  navigation 
and  canons/" 

The  acliievcment  of  the  Umatilla  decided  the  ques- 
tion in  favor  of  the  more  direct  road  along  the  west 
side  of  the  Fraser,  and  the  marches  then  on  the 
Hojie  and  plateau  trails  were  transferred  to  it,  when 
the  part  between  Yale  and  Spuzzum  was  opened  for 
pack-trains  in  August  1858.  At  Spuzzum  a  bridge  had 
been  constructed  by  Frank  Way,  and  a  mile  above 
he  conducted  the  ferry  which  could  carry  ten  loaded 
animals.  Although  the  road  was  not  yet  quite  clear, 
five  hundred  mules  were  on  the  way,  and  the  first 
train  reached  the  Forks  September  lOth.^^  Pedes- 
trians still  preferred  the  foot-trail  along  the  bluffs,  and 
in  1859  a  ferry  was  established  at  Boston  Bar,  which 
enabled  them  to  pass  by  Spuzzum.     This  trail  had 

blocked  by  snow  early  in 


the  disadvantajje 


of  being 


''Some  miners  from  Whatcom  reached  Hope  1>y  this  trail  about  tlic  first 
of  July;  but  theywere  reported  as  sorry-lookiug  objects,  their  clotlies  torn  to 
rags,  and  they  were  represented  as  'cursing  the  Whatcom  trail.'  The  lirst 
party  to  reach  the  forks  of  the  Thompson  by  this  route  came  in  August  IS-'iS. 
They  were  also  represented  as  complaining  of  the  route.  But  these  reports 
came  through  the  Victoria  press,  actuated  by  jealousy,  perhaps,  of  a  ri\;il 
and  outside  route.  Tlie  partisans  of  the  route  declared  that  it  was  as  easy  as 
it  was  direct.  The  trail  had  been  cut  for  ten  miles  into  the  wood  and  tlu'ii 
abandoned.  Bai/li'i/'x  V.  I,,  MS.,  42. 

'"The  trail  to  Spuzzum  was  opened  by  60  volunteers.  In  September  it 
was  opened  to  the  ferry.  The  freight  by  the  first  train  was  40.^  cents  a  pound 
from  Yale  to  the  Forks.  Victoria  Gazette,  Sept.  1,  15,  18i)8.  Many  could  ill 
aflford  this  rate,  and  as  the  water  fell  they  ventured  to  tow  canoes  through 
the  cation^  at  the  risk  of  life  and  property.  Seven  men  were  drowned  whdu 
I^ouglas  was  at  Yale  in  October.  Ji,  C.  Papers,  ii.  G;  Waddingto/i'a  Fraser 
Jiiver,  8. 


ROUTES  TO  THE  MINES. 


447 


the  winter,   a   difficulty  averted   by  the  opening  in 
Xoveinber  of  the  Harrison-Lilloet  road. 

Another  route  to  the  upper  country  in  1858  was 
the  ^IcLouglihn  trial  by  way  of  Priest  Rapids,  fol- 
lowed by  the  regular  Oregon  packers.  It  was  more 
direct  than  the  Palmer  branch,  and  ascended  the 
Siniilkameen  to  Red  Earth  Fork,  whence  it  struck 
across  a  divide  to  Nicola  Valley,  reaching  the  Thomp- 
son at  Nicaomeen,  thirteen  miles  above  its  mouth.^" 
The  oldest  travelled  route  on  the  plateau  beyond  this 
was  the  brigade  trail  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company, 
which  connected  at  the  Forks  with  the  Hope-Spuzzuni 
trail,  and  passed  northward  by  way  of  the  Fountain. 
It  had  been  brought  into  use  on  the  abandonment  in 
1847  of  the  Columbia  River  route.-*^  The  land  and 
water  route  opened  between  Harrison  River  and  Lil- 
loet  l)y  October  1858,  became  for  a  considerable  time 
tlic  main  line  for  traffic  with  the  upper  country,  ]^y 
October  18 GO,  a  new  and  easier  road,  practicable  dur- 
ing winter,  was  opened  between  Yale  and  Lytton,  and 
it  needed  only  the  Cariboo  excitement  to  set  in  motion 
the  transformation  of  the  trail  into  a  wagon-road,  the 
cutting  and  blasting  for  which  began  at  Yale  in  18G2. 
The  road  was  gradually  extended  under  different  con- 
tracts, and  by  1864  the  era  of  freight-wagons  had  set 


in 


21 


Above  the  little  canon  at  Yale,  mining  was  prose- 
cuted to  a  considerable  extent  even  in  1858,  notwith- 
standing the  difficulty  of  transporting  supplies;  and 
Boston  Bar  and  Lytton  rose  to  be  geographical  points 
of  note.     Boston  Bar  lay  at  the  mouth  of  the  An- 

"5.  C.  Papers,  i.  79-83, 

^"William  Hutchinga  of  California  travcllcil  \>y  it  in  July  1S58,  on  his  way 
fmm  Hope  to  tho  Fountain.  In  May  the  trapper  Wolfu  led  'M>  Oregonians  ti» 
tlio  saino  place  by  the  old  Colvillo  brigade  trail.  Vkloriu  Guzi'ltc,  July  !.".•, 
lS-)8. 

^' Replacinc  tho  pack-trains,  which  had  charged  $1  to  $l.r)Oa]>ouud  freight 
to  Cariboo.  Tlie  operations  on  the  trail  had  been  under  the  direction  of 
SiTgoant  McCann;  these  were  under  Captain  (Jrant,  K.  E.  Fiiilttj/soiis  ['.  I., 
MS.,  Gl;  Victoria  Gazette,  May  5,  July  7,  Sept.  10,  1858;  Ji.  V.  Directory, 
lbG7,  203. 


,|  .!:r 


448 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


derson  River,  midway  between  Yale  and  Lytton,  and 
was  the  representative  camp  of  the  uunavigable  por- 
tion of  the  canon.  It  was  often  referred  to  by  its 
Indian  name  of  Anayome.  The  buildings  were  pleas- 
antly situated  on  a  low  flat,  and  a  ferry  connected  with 
the  rich  island  bar  on  the  opposite  side.  BetwcL'u 
Xale  and  Spuzzum,  known  also  as  Rancheria,  were 
named  Wellington,  Sailor,  Pike,  Madison,  Steamboat, 
Humbug,  Surprise,  AVashington,  and  Kelly  bars;  and 
between  Spuzzum  and  Boston  Bar,  the  ferry,  Chetman 
or  Chapman,  Steamboat,  Cross,  and  Nicaragua  bars.'' 
At  all  of  these  places  mining  was  at  first  almost  en- 
tirely confined  to  the  river-bed,  and  within  six  inclies 
of  the  surface,  so  that  the  deposit  did  not  last  lon<;-. 
Similar  strata  existed  beneath,  but  they  were  not  so 
readilv  found,  nor  so  accessible  on  account  of  tlio 
water,  combined  with  much  barren  ground.  Most 
claims  yielded  early  in  1858  twelve  dollars  to  the 
man,  but  Sailor  diggings  were  reported  in  June  as 
the  richest,  and  averaging  one  ounce,  thousch  four 
ounces  were  not  uncommon."^  Before  the  completinu 
of  the  mule-trail  above  Yale,  mining  was  necessarily 
interrupted  by  intervening  journeys  for  supplies,  and 
in  A  :gust  the  Indian  campaign  brought  it  to  a  stand- 
still for  a  short  time.  In  November  1858,  the  po|)U- 
lation  of  the  district  M'as  three  hundred,  who  carried 
on  tliolr  mining  throughout  the  winter,  and  made 
good  wages,  although  the  ground  had  frequently  to 
be  thawed  by  fires."* 

"Pi^iTO  Maqiiais  of  Hill  Bar  lia<l  also  a  store  fivo  miles  ahovo  Yale,  ami 
York  kojit  a  boariling-houso  a  short  distance  from  the  town  in  May  IS.'S. 
Doiijldti'  Prir  '/e  Payers,  MS.,  scr.  i.  !)0-l.  At  the  nim'h'ria  were  G  or  8  \\\\x- 
■warns  with  200  Indians.  The  ferry  was  one  mile  and  Cross  Bar  1)  miles  ahovo 
it,  i:i  the  h'g  canon.    Virforid  <!a:.itlc,  ^lay  ">,  IS.")!). 

-^  Don^l  IS  heard  in  Juno  18^/8  of  3  men  here  who  had  saved  nearly  9  ounces 
a  day  to  the  hand;  '2  otiiers  had  made  4  ounces  a  day  each  with  a  rocUi  r. 
For'.;,  Hour,  and  coCee  sold  at  %!l  a  pound.  7>o»;//(w'  Prinxte,  Pa}H'rs,  MS.,  h;ir. 
i.  92-ii;  B.  C.  Pnyif-t,  i.  13.  MeCaw  got  50  ounces  from  Indians,  with  nu;,'- 
gcts  of  i'.i  to  ^4  in  wei;:ht.  Oirrldiid/rom  Miiinvsola  to  Fraser,  40.  At  Nii- 
aragua  Bar  5  men  showed  §118  an  a  day's  yiuKl.  y^ictoria  Oazvttc,  Mav  5, 
ISijy. 

"$25  a  day.  Virforia  Gazette,  May  5,  7,  1859.  In  March  1859,  3  men  took 
out  S10,(XK).  /'/.  Two  men  came  from  Boston  Bar  in  April  with  GOO  ounces 
of  uuot,  wadhud  out  during  the  winter.  B.  C.  Papers,  iii.  G. 


ON  THE  THOMPSON. 


449 


The  prevalent  impression  that  the  country  at  and 
beyond  the  confluence  of  the  Thompson  was  rich  and 
contained  coarser  gold,  had  attracted  many  to  Lytton 
A  party  of  miners  returning  from  the  Forks  reached 
Victoria  in  April  1858,  and  reported  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men  at  work  there,  while  as  many  more 
wore  on  the  way  to  the  place."^  The  mule-trail  from 
Yale  not  being  opened  yet,  the  Forks  were  precari- 
ously situated  from  want  of  supplies,  and  several 
miners  returned  to  Yale  empty-handed  in  conse- 
quence, though  the  diggings  were  believed  to  be  rich. 
The  Hudson's  Bay  station  at  the  Forks  being  the  ob- 
jective point  of  all  those  who  advanced  beyond  Boston 
Bar,  and  the  depot  for  the  miners  who  reached  the 
Forks,  was  itself  so  far  reduced  in  June  and  July 
1858,  that  the  company's  men  were  glad  to  avail  them- 
selves of  berries  for  food,  while  the  miners  all  along  the 
river  above  Boston  Bar  were  reported  to  be  actually 
starving.'-'  The  transportation  difficulty  was  over- 
come in  September,  when  the  mule-trains  and  express 
companies  poured  into  the  camps,  and  mining  was 
entered  upon  with  spirit,  chiefly  within  a  circuit  of 
six  miles  from  Lytton.  Before  the  close  of  the  year 
some  of  the  high  branches  were  prospected,  and  found 
to  yield  coarse  gold  up  to  five-dollar  lumps.  In 
Januarj'  1859  a  hundred  men  were  digging  around 
Lvtton,  and  averaging  eight  dollars  a  day.  Favorable 
rc})(»rts  were  freely  circulated  by  traders  and  others, 
and  early  in  1859  the  influx  from  the  lower  country 
l)egan  on  a  large  scale.  By  March  24th  it  was  re- 
ported tliat  three  hundred  boats,  carrying  an  average 
of  tive  miners  each,  had  passed  Yale,  and  were  try- 
inj^r  tc  '^"^rk  over  the  rapids  during  the  low  water.  A 
still  larger  number  proceeded  by  land,  so  that  upward 
of  three  thousand  persons  had  entered  the  Cascade 
region  before  the  end  of  the  month.'^''    Many  of  these 

"  Douglas,  in  Coriiwallia'  N.  Eldorado,  304. 
'■'«  Post,  in  Victoria  Gazette,  July  14,  1858;  B.  V.  PaperK,  iii.  ."ia. 
"  DoiKjlas,  in  B.  C.  Pupern,  ii.  02;  iii.  0;  Victoria  Gazette,  Feb.  5,  1859. 
Hist.  Brit.  Cor,.    39 


450 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SEiTLEMENT. 


i    ,';l 


remained  round  Lytton,  which,  in  October  1858,  had 
already  attained  to  fifty  houses  or  tent-dwellings,  and 
promised  to  advance  rapidly. 

Determined  to  further  its  prospects,  Douglas,  in 
September  18  GO,  despatched  a  party  to  seek  a  route 
in  the  direction  of  Van  Winkle  Bar  and  Lilloet, 
and  granted  twenty-five  hundred  dollars  for  opening 
the  I'oiid  to  Bonaparte  River  by  way  of  Hat  Creek. 
His  object  was  afterward  attained  in  a  more  decisive 
manner  by  the  construction  of  the  wagon-road  along 
the  Thompson  to  Cache  Creek,  which  branched  to 
Cariboo,  and  commanded  the  entire  area  between 
Kamloop  and  Okanagan  Lake.  In  September  1800, 
Douglas  found  two  hundred  white  and  five  hundred 
Chinese  miners  in  Lytton  district,  yielding  a  license 
revenue  of  four  thousand  dollars.  In  18G4  several 
companies  were  still  taking  out  considerable  sums 
from  the  river-bed  at  Kanaka  Creek,  tv>'elvc  miks 
below  Lytton,  and  at  other  points,  the  dirt  being 
secured  while  accessible,  and  washed  afterwards."^ 

We  have  now  ascended  the  Fraser  to  the  borders 
of  the  region  referred,  to  by  Douglas,  in  hisdespatelii's 
at  the  bcijinnini::  of  the  cfold  excitement  in  British 
Columbia,  as  the  Couteau  minino:  countrv.""  At 
Lytton  the  Fraser  receives  the  waters  of  the  Thomp- 
son, a  large  river,  which  after  draining  the  soutlunu 
sides  of  some  of  the  Cariboo  parallels  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  traverses  the  northern  plateau,  containing 
the  earliest  found  placers  in  the  Fraser  River  basin. 
Here  the  stream  of  prospectors  pressing  inland  iu 
the  spring  of  1858  divided;  but  owing  to  the  larger 
extent  of  the  river  bars,  and  profitable  ground  on  the 
Fraser,  the  great  majority  continued  up  the  main 
artery.  In  April  1858,  both  bank  and  river  mining 
were  in  progress  between  the  forks  of  the  Thompson 
and  the  Fountain,  and  miners  were  reported  to  bo 

^*  At  Dog  Creek  some  miners  claimed  that  they  couhl  take  out  S250  a  clay 
each.    Weeklif  Colonist,  January  10,  lo(J5.  Dow/Ian' Primte  Papers,  ^l!i.,\'22-'.\. 

'''^  Couteau,  a  knife.  In  the  earliest  mining  on  the  Thompson  croviciug  was 
tlono  with  knives. 


FOSTER  AND  OTHER  BARS. 


451 


making  from  eight  to  one  hundred  dollars  a  day,  the 
average  being  from  nine  to  ten  dollars.** 

By  November  the  number  of  those  engaged  in 
mining  between  this  point  and  the  Fountain  had 
greatly  increased.^^  Mormon  Bar,  Spindulen  Flat, 
Cameron  Bar,  McGoffey  Dry-diggings,  Foster  Bar, 
Willow  Bank,  and  the  great  falls  were  localities  in 
order  between  the  Forks  and  Cayoosh,  afterward 
known  as  Lilloet,  at  the  junction  of  the  Harrison 
River  route  with  the  Fraser.  Robinson's  Bar  and 
French  Bar  were  between  Lilloet  and  Bridge  Biver, 
and  a  few  miles  above  that  were  upper  Mormon  Bar 
and  the  Fountain,  the  limit  of  extensive  or  profitable 
mining  in  1858,  Wing-damming  was  tried  at  Mormon 
Bar,  and  succeeded  well,  even  after  the  bed  had  been 
worked  for  some  time.  Ditches  were  also  introduced 
at  several  bars  with  success,  particularly  at  McGof- 
fey Dry-diggings,  where  the  benches  were  reported 
very  rich.  Lumps  were  obtained  here  weighing  from 
fifty  cents  to  twelve  dollars,  and  at  the  falls  coarse 
gold  was  found  in  considerable  quantity  i;p  to  six- 
ounce  pieces " 


Si 


^^  London  Times,  cor.  from  San  Francisco,  May  19tb,  quoted  in  Overland 
from  Minnesota  to  Fraser  Itiver,  39.  A  miner  who  arrived  at  Victoria  on  May 
Sth  from  these  diggings,  estimated  the  total  number  of  miners  on  the  Fraser 
at  1,000. 

^'  Three  thousand.  Douglas'  Despatch,  Xov.  9,  1858,  in  /?.  C.  Papers,  ii.  29. 

'■At  Monnon  Bar,  five  and  a  half  miles  above  the  Thompson  forks,  Com- 
missioner O.  Travaillot  reported  in  July  1858,  that  a  single  rocker  obtained  in 
Light  davs  $830  from  the  bed  of  the  river,  another  $800  in  twelve  days,  and 
ii  third  J!248  in  live  days.  B.  C.  Papers,  i.  19.  During  the  winter  of  1858-0 
two  little  wing-dams  were  constructed,  from  which  several  parties  took  out 
^'4,000.  lu  May  1859  the  same  parties  dug  a  ditch  to  wash  the  bank.  Curioso, 
lioston  Bar,  May  6th,  cor.,  Victoria  Gazette,  May  17,  1859.  Spindulen  flat,  fif- 
teen miles  above  the  Thompson  forks,  and  named  after  an  old  chief,  averaged 
from  §8  to  §10  a  day  to  the  man  in  May  1859.  A  small  water  supply  was 
obtained  from  a  little  stream.  Victoria  Gazette,  Jlay  7,  1859.  Cameron  Bar, 
toil  miles  below  Foster  Bar,  paid  well  with  rockers  iu  1858.  Early  in  the 
sapling  of  1859  a  company  of  eleven  men  brought  iu  at  great  expense  a  ditch 
upon  a,  flat  opposite  the  bar,  half  a  mile  long  by  three  hundred  yards  wide, 
■\vhcro  it  was  necessary  to  sluice  ofT  ten  feet  of  surface  ground  before  the  pay 
(lilt  was  reached.  Foster  Bar  cor.,  May  5th,  Victoria  Gazette,  May  17,  1859. 
At  McGofl'ey  Dry-diggings,  three  miles  above  Cameron,  and  seven  miles  below 
Fostor  Bar,  was  a  wide  flat  overlooking  a  cafion,  on  which  McGofl'ey  and  Com- 
pany had  sluices,  and  were  washing  ofi  six  feet  of  surface  dirt  to  reach  the  jmy 
stratum.  This  was  said  to  be  rich,  and  the  company  were  reputed  to  bo  taking 
out  fortunes.     At  the  great  falls  the  Indians,  in  May  1858,  were  said  to  be 


452 


FRASER  RIVER  MIXING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


11 


Foster  Bar  was  one  of*  the  earliest  and  best  known 
localities.     Here  Cornwallis  and  his  party  in  July 

1858  washed  out  with  rockers,  in  six  hours,  from 
three  to  five  ounces  of  gold  each;  and  the  Indians 
at  the  same  time  were  carrying  in  skin  pouches  from 
$1 00  to  $500  worth  of  gold-dust.  In  May  1865  there 
were  still  some  sixty  miners  at  this  place,  working 
chiefly  with  rockers,  and  making  from  $3  to  §8  a  day, 
while  a  sluice  company  was  averaging  $8  to  the  man. 
This  bar  was  noted  for  the  only  case  of  open  resistance 
to  the  authorities  that  took  place  during  the  whole  of 
the  Fraser  excitement  in  1858.  A  man  named  D. 
Brown  being  charged  with  some  criminal  offence, 
jour  of  the  miners  posted  themselves  in  a  log-house 
and  undertook  to  defend  their  companion  against 
arrest.  A  severe  fight  ensued,  in  which  Brown  was 
shot,  and  the  pa-^t-y  was  forced  to  surrender.^ 

Some  distance  ."bove  Foster  Bar  lay  the  Indian 
village  of  Cayoosh,  where  miners  had  been  occupied 
long  before  the  Harrison  River  route  transformed  the 
place  into  the  trading  town  of  Lilloet,  which  by  May 

1859  boasted  of  several  houses  and  a  number  of  tent- 
buildings.  With  the  opening  of  this  route  mining 
sprung  up  at  several  points  along  its  course,  for  the 
loam  on  Lilloet  River  covered  a  bed  of  clay  which 
was  associated  with  placers ;  while  quartz  veins  cropped 
out  along  the  banks  of  Lilloet  Lake,  and  extended 
through  the  entire  ridge  to  the  Fraser  at  Lytton. 
The  yield  on  Lilloet  River  was  not  very  alluring,  how- 
ever, and  varied  in  March  1859  from  $2  to  $4  with 

digging  out  great  quantities  of  geld  with  the  simplest  of  all  implemeuts— 
mere  sticks.  IV.  C.  Johnson's  Statement,  in  Douglas'  Private  Papers,  MS.,  i.  99. 
Thirty  miners  from  the  great  falls  returned  for  provisions  to  Yale  in  May 
1858,  and  reported  to  Governor  Douglas  that  they  had  been  making  from 
$\0  to  $S0  a  day  in  coarse  gold.  Dowjlas'  Despatch,  June  10,  1858,  in  I>.  C. 
Papers,  i.  14.  At  the  Willow  Bank,  a  locality  near  the  falls,  Cornwallis' 
party,  in  July,  found  in  the  gravel  of  the  river-bed  half  a  dozen  nuggets 
weighing  from  four  to  six  ounces.  Cornwallis'  N.  El  Dorado,  203-215. 

'^Douglas'  Despatch,  Dec.  24,  1858,  in  £.  C.  Papers,  ii.  46.  A  miner 
pursued  hence  a  partner  whom  he  accused  of  absconding  with  the  joint 
snvincs.  He  found  and  shot  the  man  at  the  mouth  of  the  Fraser,  in  May  1858, 
and  thereupon  escaped  across  the  boundary,  but  was  arrested  at  Whatcom. 
Cornwallis'  N.  Eldorado,  203-15;  Victoria  Gazette,  May  17,  1859. 


LILLOET  AND  VICINITY. 


453 


the  rocker,  and  $5  to  $S  with  the  sluice.  These 
rates  were  still  obtainable  in  18G7,  when  sluicing  was 
carried  on  by  several  parties.'* 

Some  of  the  most  successful  mining  operations  on 
the  Fraser  from  June  1858,  and  throughout  1859,  were 
witnessed  between  the  great  falls  and  the  Fountain, 
including  the  Bridge  River,  which  entered  the  Fraser 
a  little  above  Lilloet.  At  Robinson  Bar,  near  Lilloet, 
about  one  hundred  miners  were  engaged  in  June  1858, 
making  from  $80  to  $90  a  day  each  during  the  first 
four  or  five  days,  after  which  the  yield  fell  to  $5  or  $6.^^ 

At  French  Bar,  close  above  Lilloet,  the  prospects 
justified  the  construction  of  two  ditches,  each  a  mile  in 
length,  which  were  worked  in  the  beginning  of  1859 
by  a  dozen  miners.  Their  receipts  in  jMay  were  from 
eight  dollars  to  twelve  dollars,  while  rockers  made 
about  half  of  this  amount  to  the  man.  Here  a  ferry 
crossed  the  Fraser  to  Fort  Behrens,  and  connected 
with  a  trail  to  the  Fountain.^^  Bridge  River,  .so  named 
from  the  bridges  constructed  hy  Indians  as  well  as 
white  men,  became  popular  in  1858  from  the  discovery 
of  some  coarse  gold,  not  exceeding  one  and  a  half  ounces 
in  size;  but  it  was  soon  found  that  the  chief  yield  was 
scale  gold,  which  required  great  care  and  much  quick- 
silver. The  river  was  prospected  to  the  Cascade  Moun- 
tains, wing-dammed,  fiuined,  and  mined  in  the  bed  as 
well  as  in  the  bank;  and  although  the  diggings  were 
shallow,  the  prospect,  as  reported  by  Bishop  Hill  and 
others,  was  so  encouraging  that  the  fliith  in  their  pro- 
ductiveness became  abiding;.  Nuo^cnt  estimated  that 
it  possessed  suitable  placers  for  fifteen  hundred  miners. 
A  little  town  was  founded  here  by  Frai:er  and  Davis, 

'*  X.  Wrxtminxter  Eramhwr,  July  6,  1SG7;  Douj las'  Private  Papers,  MS., 
i.  !IS  9;  B.  C.  Pnper.-^,  ii.  G7. 

^"  Hutchings,  iu  I'ictoria  Gazelle,  July  29,  1S5S.  Cornwallis  records  that 
w  liL'u  he  reached  this  point  in  July  1858,  another  party  had  already  diverged 
many  miles  iu  the  direction  of  the  coast  mountains  toward  the  south-west, 
wiiure  it  was  reported  they  had  found  good  diggings.  -V.  El  Dorndo,  '203-15. 
Ki'ference  was  hero  made  probably  to  Cayoosh  River  and  Anderson  Lake. 
At  Horse  Beef  Bar,  three  miles  below  French  Bar,  miners  were  digging  out 
iu  February  1859  from  |!2  to  86  a  day. 

^"  Lieutenant  Palnier,  iu  B.  C.  Papers,  iii.  47. 


454 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


which  in  May  1859  contained  seven  business  houses 
unci  several  tents.'' 

Impressed  with  the  common  behef  that  richer  phicors 
miglit  be  found  farther  up  tlie  river,  the  government 
fitted  out  a  prospecting  expedition  under  Andrew  J. 
Janneson,  which  started  from  Lilloet  August  7th,  and 
ascended  the  south  fork  of  Bridge  River  for  seventy 
miles  above  its  junction  with  the  main  stream.  Here 
was  found  a  slate  nmch  resembling  tliat  of  Williams 
Creek  in  Cariboo,  with  stream  placers. 

The  pay  dirt  was  from  three  to  five  feet  deep,  and 
resembled  the  deposits  of  so  many  other  places  already 
described  in  not  occurring  on  the  bed-rock.  Quartz 
veins  and  indications  of  silver  were  found  everywhere, 
and  on  Gun  Creek,  a  tribn+ary  of  Bridge  River,  fifty 
miles  by  the  trail  from  Lilloef,  fine  gold  placers  were 
discovered,  yielding  from  six  to  fifteen  dollars  a  day. 
One  feature  of  the  entire  region  was  the  abundance 
of  black  sand  in  the  bed  of  the  river.  A  map  of  tlio 
country  explored  was  made,  and  exhibited  at  A'^ictoria, 

The  Chinese  formed  a  large  portion  of  the  influx 
to  the  new  field,  and  soon  became  the  chief  holders 
of  claims,  carrying  on  quite  extensive  dam  operations. 
One  of  their  wing-dam  claims  yielded  hi  1806  $55,000 
to  a  party  of  twelve.  Ten  years  later  the  Indians 
were  in  almost  exclusive  possession,  and  still  securing 
fair  returns.'" 

The  Fountain,  or  Fountains,  a  few  miles  above 
Bridge  River,  at  the  mouth  of  Fountain  Creek,  on 
the  left  bank  of  the  Fraser,  was  so  named  by  the 

^'  It  stood  a  few  hundred  feet  from  tlie  mouth  of  the  river,  where  this 
firm  had  replaced  the  Indian  bridge  by  a  40-foot  toll-bridge,  costing  $1,450. 
NtKjeut's  Report,  in  U.  S.  Ex.  Doc.,  Ill,  35lh  Coixj.,  i.'(l  SeM.;  Victoria  Gazettt; 
May  28,  1859;  B.  C.  Papers,  iii.  35. 

»8  Victoria  Colonist,  Oct.  17  and  Oct.  24,  1865. 

**  Brown  s  Emny,  35.  The  Chinese  had  costly  fluming  works  thirteen  miles 
above  Lilloet,  on  Bridge  River,  in  Nov.  1805.  Victoria  Colonist,  Nov.  28, 
1805.  '  Nodules  of  pt  re  copper '  (copper  pyrites)  were  found  in  the  bed  of  tlio 
stream.  Rawlimja"  ConfedenUion,  117;  N.  Wedminiiter  Columbian;  Victoria 
Colonist,  April  7,  1866.  A  family  of  Indians  took  out  in  March  1876  $1,500 
ten  miles  below  Lilloet.  Min.  Mines  Rept,  1870,  423.  One  of  the  largest 
nuggets  found  in  the  Fraser  country,  ^\0  in  weight,  was  obtained  on  this 
river  in  January  1859.    Victoria  Gazette,  Feb.  8,  1859. 


38 


TlIK  FOUNTAIN. 


455 


Fit'iicli  Canadians  on  account  of  some  natural  fea- 
tures of  the  vicinity.  It  was  the  ultimate  camp  of 
the  nunin<]j  emigration  of  1858,  and  had  in  1859 
licconie  a  village  of  half  a  dozen  log-huts  and  two  or 
three  large  stores  scattered  over  the  lower  of  two 
vast  terraces  that  swept  around  the  base  of  the  moun- 
tain behind.'"^  Its  mining  consisted  in  1858  of  dry- 
diggings,  thirty  yards  from  the  bed  of  the  river, 
wliich  yielded  remarkably  well/^  The  auriferous  de- 
posit came  evidently  from  the  hills,  for  a  ])arty  of 
eight  persons  averaged  two  ounces  a  day  to  the  hand 
with  rockers,  thirty  feet  above  the  highest  water  level 
ill  tlie  river,  and  finding  the  ground  rich  from  the 
level  of  the  stream  to  an  altitude  of  eight  or  nine 
liundred  feet,  they  threw  up  a  ditch  seven  miles  in 
length,  which  was  completed  before  the  coming  of 
frost  in  the  autumn  of  1858.  In  the  first  five  days' 
washing,  before  they  were  interrupted  by  the  frost, 
the  company  took  out  of  the  sluices  one  thousand  one 
liundred  and  ninety-eight  dollars.*' 

In  187G  the  placers  were  still  yielding  a  little  gold, 
and  the  sixty  Chinese  then  engaged  on  the  river  banks 
Avere  making  about  two  dollars  and  a  half  a  day.  One 
of  them  had  just  constructed  a  ten-mile  ditch  from 
tlie  Fountain  Creek,  one  third  flumed,  at  a  cost  of 
fourteen  thousand  dollars,  and  was  delivering  five 
hundred  inches  of  water  along  the  left  bank  of  the 
Fiaser.*^  Above  the  Fountain  on  the  Fraser  were 
])ay  Bar,  Haskell  Bar,  Big  Bar,  and  Island  Bar  in  the 
Canoe  country,  and  British  Bar  and  Ferguson  Bar,  ex- 


different 


*° Bvi/hlc,  ill  B.  C.  Papcr.i,  iii.  17-24;  Mm)ne,  in  Id.,  35. 

"Douglas  inentioiia  in  liis  despatch  of  July  1,   lH'tS,  that  five  diffc 
rdokcrs  M'ero  each  averaging  at  this  place  447  a  day.  B.  C.  J'apcm,  i.  19. 

*^  Walter  Moberly,  who  visited  this  ground  in  the  winter  of  1858-9,  was 
of  the  opinion  that  tlic  river  gold,  at  the  Fountain  in  particular,  wa.s  rusty, 
and  came  primarily  from  the  hills  and  mountains,  then  from  the  terraces  and 
lihiffs  in  slidos,  and  did  not  travel  far.  JUoherly'n  Jonrnei/,  in  Victoria  Oazr/le, 
I'ol).  17,  1859.  Opposite  the  Fountain,  on  tiie  right  bank  of  the  Fraser,  was 
the  upper  Mormon  Bar,  where  rockers  in  May  1859  were  saving  from  $4  to 
$12  to  the  man,  an<l  sluices,  $\G  to  $25.  B.  C.  Papers,  iii.  48-75. 

"  The  season  for  hydraulic  mining  lasted  from  March  to  November.  Miii. 
Mines  liept,  1870,  422. 


4.-0 


FRASER  RIVER  MIXING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


tending  for  ov^cr  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  to  the 
mouth  of  Qucsnel  River  and  into  the  Canoe  country, 
and  forming  the  stepping-stones  to  Cariboo.  The 
Canoe  country  so  designated  from  Canoe  Creek,  in 
51°  30',  is  described  as  beginning  fifty  miles  above  the 
Fountain,  and  extending  indefinitely  to  the  north,  over 
the  undulating  plateau,  through  which  the  Fraser  cuts 
a  deep  channel." 

In  1858  this  region  was  scarcely  touched  except  by 
prospectors.  In  May  and  June  1858,  Aaron  Post,  a 
miner  from  El  Dorado  County,  California,  penetrated 
alone  to  near  Chilkoten  River,  one  hundred  and  sixtv 
miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Thompson,  prospecting 
on  every  bar,  and  finding  plenty  of  gold.  His  pro- 
visions giving  out  he  had  recourse  to  berries,  and 
occasionally  to  horse-flesh,  obtained  from  the  Indians, 
though  ho  reported  them  as  generally  hostile.""  Sev- 
eral prospectors  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  Post,  and 
although  none  were  able  to  remain  for  want  of  provi- 
sions, yet  all  brought  gold  and  good  reports.  The 
opniing  of  the  southern  roads  brought  to  this  region 
a  fresh  influx  of  permanent  diggers,  who  made  from 
five  to  sixteen  dollars  with  rockers  on  the  various  bars, 
with  occasional  rich  discoveries.  It  was  not  rare  to 
find  })laces  above  high  water  which  yielded  better 
than  those  below  it,  but  tlie  bars  remained  the  chief 
resort  during  1859  and  18G0.  At  Island  Bar,  so 
named  from  the  island  formed  here  at  high  watrr, 
w^erc  several  parties  who  in  December  1858  had  each 
from  eight  hundred  to  three  thousand  dollars'  worth 
of  dust,  yet  this  autumn  had  proved  a  hard  time,  for 
want  of  supplies,  and  numbers  had  been  compelled  to 
depart.*" 

■"  The  origin  of  the  amo  Canoe  Creek  is  thus  accounted  for  by  A.  C. 
Anderson.  In  1807  Sin  ■  Fraser  of  the  Northwest  Companj',  after  descend- 
ing the  Fraser  to  this  ce,  here  caeheil  liis  canoe  and  travelled  on  foot  to 
the  upper  Tcet  village,  the  site  of  Fort  Yale.  His  Canadian  voyagcurs 
in  referring  to  the  cache  v  led  the  village  there  Lf  I'aiiot,  and  the  stream  I. a 
Riviire  duCanot.    I'icloru.    ■azetie,  Feb.  1,  18.}9. 

**  PoDl's  IStiitemeiit,  in  I     toria  Gazette,  July  14,  1858. 

'"At  Day  Bar,  two  m  ;s  above  the  Fountain,  worked  by  Captain  iJ.iy 
and  four  others  in  the  wi    er  of  1858-9,  the  pay  averaged  from  $8  to  §10  to 


QUESI.EL  RIVER 


m 


The  bars  above  Alexandria,  as  far  as  the  mouth  of 
the  Quesnel,  and  also  those  of  Quesncl  Kiver,  were 
first  occupied  in  the  spring  of  1859  by  the  advancing 
prospectors,  who  wandered  restlessly  from  bar  to  bar, 
looking  further  all  the  while  for  coarser  gold  and  moie 
of  it.  As  early  as  May  1859,  rumors  began  to  reach 
Bridge  River  of  rich  discoveries  in  this  direction; 
vague  as  tliey  were,  they  travelled  fast,  and  attracted 
enough  attention  to  induce  many  persons  who  wore 
arriving  at  Bridge  River  oi  route  for  the  lower 
Fraser  to  hesitate  and  turn  back/" 

Late  in  the  season  of  1859  definite  reports  came 
that  the  search  for  gold  had  proved  successful  on  tiie 
Quesnel;  and  in  18G0,  by  the  time  tlie  i)ioneers  of 
the  column  reached  Antler  ^^reek,  six  hundred  white 
miners  were  said  to  be  engaged  on  tliis  river,  making 
from  ton  to  twenty-five  dollars  per  day,  and  occasion- 
ally turning  up  nuggets  weighing  from  six  to  eiglit 
ounces.  Simultaneously  with  these  developments,  sev- 
eral bars  above  Alexandi'ia  were  brought  into  promi- 
nence, and  mining  advanced  so  ra})idly  that  this  very 
year  a  gold  commissioner  was  appointed,  who  stationed 
himself  at  Williams  Lake. 

At  British  Bar,  al)out  fifty  miles  above  Alexandria, 
tlie  yield  was  so  promising  as  to  induce  six  Cornish- 
men,  in  Novemher  18G0,  to  open  a  ditch  five  miles  in 
length.  At  Ferguson  Bar,  three  miles  higher,  sixty 
dollars  to  the  man  were  made  for  some  time,  and  the 
sand  overlying  the  pay  streak  was  found  sufliciently 
rich  to  justify  the  construction  of  a  four-mile  ditch, 
ut  a  cost  of  $12,000.     Tliis  region  continued  for  years 

the  man,  ami  was  better  above  liij,'li-watcr  mark  tliati  lielow;  the  hirgest 
Jiioec  of  gohl  taken  out  weighing  eight  dolhirs.  Vitlorin  (I'lizif/i;  Feb.  17, 
Is,")',).  Lieutenant  Palmer  staU-.s  t'lat  in  May  IS,")!)  roukiTS  here  were  aver- 
aging from  §8  to  §12.  £.  C.  I'opvr.f,  iii.  47.  H:i*k<:ll  Har,  eii^htecu  niih'.s 
alicivo  the  Fountain,  yielded  from  $!(>  to  $\'2  with  rockers,  and  .'ji(j  to  i'"M  iit 
shiicing;  and  Big  Bar  yielded  at  tlie  same  time  from  5=.')  to  i^i  with  rockers.  ./(/. 
*'  Victoria  Gazette,  Miiy'28,  IS")!).  'Curioso,'  my  aiithority  in  this  instaneu, 
Weighs  in  his  own  mind  the  points  in  fjvvor  of  going  to  these  new  diggings, 
being  satisfied  apparently  that  'some  few  claims  '  might  lie  ricli;  but  he  de- 
scribes the  route  as  much  more  difficult  and  daUgerous  than  any  so  far  experi- 
cn;;e(l,  while  the  country  was  so  far  removed  from  the  base  of  supplies  as  to 
rciuicr  tlij  venture  extremely  hazardouij. 


'\  '\ 


408 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


to  give  empnyment  to  miners,  and   occasional  ricli 
strikes  served  to  keep  up  the  interest  of  prospectors.*^ 

Thompson  River, .  the  principal  tributary  of  the 
Eraser,  and  the  first  to  disclose  its  auriferous  ground 
after  the  announcement  of  the  discoveries  on  the 
Columbia,  had  a  comparatively  insignificant  mining 
record  after  1858.  Early  in  the  Fraser  excitement 
the  small  nuggets  at  Nicoutameen,  ten  miles  from  the 
mouth,  attracted  much  attention;  but  the  supply  ap- 
jiears  to  have  been  soon  exhausted. 

The  whole  course  of  the  stream  lay  in  a  gold-bear- 
ing formation,  but  the  yield  never  equalled  that  of  the 
Fraser,  nor  was  the  mining  population  ever  extensive, 
and  the  towns  of  Cache  Creek,  Kamloop,  and  Sey- 
mour grew  up  rather  as  transportation  depots  than  as 
mining  villages.'*''  In  1858,  Wanquille  River,  on  the 
north  sh'  j  of  Kamloop  Lake,  was  prospected  for 
some  forty  miles,  and  found  to  promise  from  five  to 
six  dollars  to  the  man  with  sluices.  Mininj;  here 
attained  a  greater  degree  of  permanency  than  else- 
where along  the  Thompson,  and  cradling  and  hill- 
digging  were  for  several  more  years  carried  on  by 
whites,  Chinese,  or  Indians.  The  discovery  of  coarse 
gold  in  pieces  up  to  three  quarters  of  an  ounce  in 
weight,  and  of  a  layer  of  pay  dirt  three  or  four  feet 
in  thickness,  above  the  level  of  the  river-bed,  caused 
an  increased  activity  in  18G1,  with  a  larger  yield.'"* 
Several  other  parts  of  the  Thompson,  though  less  per- 

■''^  Black  water  tributary,  45  miles  from  Quesncl,  created  a  brief  excitement 
in  1870.  Victoria  Colonist ,  July  20,  1870;  B.  C.  Papers,  iv.  41;  Marjie's  )'./., 
24:}-4. 

*'  Victoria  Gazette,  Jan.  2r>,  1859;  Overland  from  Minnesota,  .39. 

''"Tlie  Cliinese  were  averaging  §7.15  each  in  June  18G1.  Brown's  Essai/, 
34.  In  I8G7  forty  men  were  at  work  liere,  many  of  whom  settled  down  ami 
cultivated  gardens.  Cnarso  gold  was  the  chief  attraction,  but  preparations 
vere  made  to  work  the  hill-diggings.  jV.  Westminster  Esaminer,  July  10, 
Aug.  .",  1807.  T,ater  still  the  mining  population  consi8te<l  of  about  50  C'hiua- 
inen,  who  were  reported  as  taking  out  half  an  ounce  to  the  man  near  tli< 
mouth  of  the  river.  Dawson  on  Mines  40.  In  1870  there  were  20  Chinese 
miners  with  0  claims,  yieldinc  $7,000  for  the  season.  In  1877  only  a  dozen 
remained,  earning  §3,500  for  tlio  season.  Min.  Mines  Rept.,  1870,  1877;  B.  V- 
PaiKrs,  iv.  55. 


ENT. 


THE  UPPER  COUNTRY. 


459 


)asional  rick 
Drospectors.*^ 

tary  of  the 
rous  ground 
ries  on  the 
cant  minin<' 
'  excitement 
lies  from  tlie 
16  supply  ap- 

a  gokl-bear- 
[l  that  of  the 
er  extensive, 
)p,  and  Sey- 
spots  than  as 
liver,  on  the 
ospected  for 
from  five  to 
^lininof    here 


than  else- 

g  and  hill- 

rried  on  liv 

ry  of  coarse 

Hn  ounce  in 

or  four  feet 

jed,  causeil 
rger  yield.''" 
gh  lews  per- 


hrief  excitement 
Murjies  V.  J., 

.39. 

Brown  H  Eftxai/, 
ttled  down  anil 
nit  preparatiiins 
mine?;  July  10, 
about  50  C'hiaa- 
a  man  near  t\\v 
rcro  20  Chinese 
77  only  a  dozen 
7(5,  1877;  B.  C. 


manent,  yielded  good  returns.  At  one  place  five  men 
were  in  1859  making  nearly  three  hundred  dollars 
a  day  with  the  sluice,  while  others  obtained  ten  to 
twelve  dollars  with  rockers.  In  September  1860, 
two  hundred  Chinese  were  digging  near  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  and  in  the  autumn  of  18G1,  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miners  were  reported  at  work  not  far  from 
Wanquille  River,  making  sixteen  dollars  a  day.®^ 


The  Upfeb  Gold  Districts. 


The  deposits  on  the  north  branch  of  the  Thompson 
came  first  into  notice  in  18G1,  when  a  tributary  from 
the  east,  twenty  miles  above  its  mouth,  was  mined  to  a 
small  extent  and  yielded  eight  to  ten  dollars  a  day.  At 
the  same  time  the  Indians  found  coarse  gold  above  the 
junction  of  the  Clearwater,  and  on  the  Barri6re  Riv- 
er a  community  of  French  Canadians  was  making  as 

''^Douglas'  Private  Papern,  MS.,  1.  122-3;  liawUnga'  Confederation,  110; 
B,  C.  Papers,  iii.  CO.  Seven  miners  on  Lake  Kamloop  were  in  1804  earn- 
ing $10  a  day.  Afacjie'a  V.  /.,  243. 


jTiiUttaitiiii'""' 


Illll  in 

III 


460 


FRASER  RIVER  J^IIXINO  AXD  SETTLE:SIENT. 


"■it 


11! 


¥l     li 


i;  ^1 


much  as  fifty  dollars  a  day."^^  In  that  creek  rich  quartz 
and  alluvial  diggings  were  reported  in  the  summer  of 
1869,  and  regarded  as  a  rediscovery  of  the  spot  whore 
a  Swiss  miner  ten  j-ears  before  claimed  to  have  found 
some  ledges.^^  Besides  these  localities,  Moberly 
Creek,  Adams  River,  Shushwap  River,  and  Cherry 
Creek  received  considerable  attention  during  the  Bisr 
Bend  and  upper  Columbia  excitements,  between 
18G4  and  1867.  In  1864  Factor  McKay  bi ought  the 
news  to  Victoria,  that  all  along  the  Shushwap  and  its 
tributaries  four  to  five  dollars  a  day  could  be  made  with 
the  rocker.  This  pay  was  also  obtained  on  the  Cherry 
Creek  tributary,  better  known  for  its  silver  ledges. 
In  1869  a  quartz-miner  from  Nevada  opened  the 
Cherry  Creek  silver-mine,  without  making  any  very 
substantial  developments;  and  in  1876  the  company 
of  I.  Christian  was  workinij  an  eifjht-foot  vein  whicli 
yielded  one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  in  a  month 
and  a  half,  while  at  the  same  time  Bissctt  discovcretl 
a  ledge  of  gold  and  silver  ore,  five  feet  in  thickness,  on 
the  north  branch  of  the  Cherry.  The  following  year 
new  placers  of  coarse  gold  were  found  on  a  hin'Ii 
bench  further  up  the  creek,  yielding  twenty-five  cenis 
to  the  pan,  so  that  between  quartz  and  placer  dr- 
posits.  Cherry  Creek  continued  to  stand  high  among 
mining  localities.''* 

Moberly  Creek,  on  the  upper  Thompson,  was 
brouojht  into  notice  at  the  commencement  of  the  Biij 
Bend  excitement,  by  W.  Moberly  and  Mountaineer 
Perry,  who  examined  it  in  1865,  and  gave  a  good 
report.  On  Adams  Lake,  and  Adams  Creek,  ex- 
tending into  Shushwap  Lake,  there  was  found  in  July 

•*' Factor  !McKny  of  Kamloop  reported  in  1804,  that  seven  or  eight  niiles 
from  tlierc  some  CaniiiUans  were  making  ^40  a  day.  Victoria  Wcekli/  Colonial, 
March  129,  1804;  liattiiiigH'  Vouj'ede.raiion,  115-10;  Map,  in  U.  O.  Papers,  iv. 
-|4. 

-'■'  The  Swiss  died,  says  the  record,  without  making  them  known.  Victoria 
Wcekhj  CohiiisI,  July  31,  1809. 

**The  Chinese  were  making  from  §4  to  $10  in  1876.  Victoria  Daily  Coh- 
vist,  Nov.  10,  1870;  May  18, 1877.  Victoria  Weeklif  Colonist,  March  29,  1804; 
July  24,  1809. 


CHARACTER  OF  DEPOSITS. 


m 


lountainccr 


Iknown.  Victoria 


1SG6  a  bed  of  gravel  eight  feet  in  thickness,  yielding 
from  three  and  a  half  to  four  dollars  a  day.^^  The 
Thompson  River  bars  continued  on  the  whole  to  yield 
steadily  throughout  the  decade  of  18G0-70,  and  Talie- 
stn,  Evans,  and  others  estimated  the  annual  product 
at  from  twenty  thousand  to  thirty  thousand  dollars.^ 

Tliroughout  the  Fraser  and  Thompson  placer  dis- 
tricts the  operations  upon  the  bars  led  into  the  banks ; 
aiul  tliese  on  the  Fraser  and  its  tributaries  consisted 
of  benches  rising  in  successive  levels  behind  each 
other  to  great  altitudes.  At  first,  all  the  remunera- 
tive gravel-beds  a  little  above  the  level  of  the  river 
wore  called  dry-diggings,  a  classification  wliich  im- 
plied that  the  earth  had  either  to  be  carried  to  the 
river  to  be  washed,  or  that  water  had  to  bo  carried  to 
tlio  ground  in  ditches.  This  class  of  diggings  did  not 
receive  much  attention  until  the  deposits  accessible 
by  the  natural  sluice-ways  of  the  country  were  nearly 
exhausted ;  yet  the  line  of  demarcation  between  bench, 
bank,  and  river-flat  diggings,  where  sluicing  was  car- 
ried on,  was  scarcely  perceptible,  as  the  river  occa- 
sionally rose  above  them  all.  The  term  'dry-diggings' 
came  to  be  applied  after  a  while  more  jiarticularly  to 
tlio  higher  ground,  as  equivalent  to  bench-diggings, 
Avhicii  were  never  touched  by  the  flood-waters,  and,  in 
lAhort,  to  the  terraces  of  the  Fraser.  The  terrace  de- 
posits of  the  northern  plateau  covered  many  thousand 
sijiuire  miles  of  territory,  following  not  only  the  river 
Viilkys,  but  extending  far  back  over  the  plains,  and 
Hanking  the  mountain  ranges  of  tlie  interi(»r;  and 
tliey  cimsisted  of  tlie  more  or  less  rich  gravel  and 
sand  so  eagerly  sought  for  by  the  river,  placer,  and  hy- 

''■'Tliia  was  underlaiti  by  a  solid  blue  cement,  said  to  resemble  deposits  on 
Williiims  Creek.  From  ten  feet  down  the  cement  contained  plenty  of  quartz, 
wiHlioil  travel  bowlders,  Bulphurets  of  iron,  and  black  sand,  with  every  intli- 
c.ition  of  good  placer  ground.  Fifteen  miles  below  this,  seven  Frenchmen 
Were  engaged  at  sluicing  in  the  summer  of  186G.  '  Ji.  D.,'  iu  Victoria  Wechly 
VoloniM,  Sept.  18,  18(56. 

'•''(hrrliiiid  Monfhlt/,  March  1870,  262;  Yale  Euamhwr;  Virtori>i  We.vkly 
Colonist,  April  24,  186«. 


illMttl)ll»K 


nil  I 

ii 


Jl 


'. 


ill 


468 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


draulic  miners.  It  was  not  long  before  the  intelligent 
miner  became  aware  that  the  river  diggings  must 
soon  yield  to  these  extensive  terrace  and  lake-sliorc 
deposits,  for  the  bar  formations  were  different  from 
those  of  California  streams;  tliey  were  recent,  made 
since  the  formation  of  the  bars,  while  the  bed-rock 
contained  nothing  of  value.  Bright  prophecies  were 
indulged  in  touching  the  yield  of  the  higher  benches; 
buc  the  change  was,  on  the  whole,  not  to  the  taste  of 
the  diggers,  and  terrace  operations  form  so  small  a 
portion  of  mining  on  the  middle  and  lower  FrastT, 
that  in  omitting  the  narration  concerning  them  the 
incompleteness  of  the  record  is  scarcely  observed.  Yet 
there  is  in  reality  no  subject  more  vital  to  the  mining 
history  of  these  districts. 

The  gold  of  the  river  bars  consisted  of  fine  Hat 
scales,  comminuted  by  long-continued  liannnering 
between  bowlders  during  its  transport  from  the  origi- 
nal sources.  All  the  gold  found  below  Yale  was  so 
fine  that  even  with  the  use  of  blankets  in  the  rockers 
there  was  a  loss  of  about  half,  and  with  the  use  of 
amalgamated  coi)pcr  plates  and  quicksilver  there  was 
still  a  considerable  loss."''  The  abundance  of  tliis 
fine  n'old  in  the  river-beds  of  the  j]freat  Columbia  and 
Fraser  was  not  unjustly  regarded  by  the  Californians, 
when  the  discovery  was  first  announced  to  them  in 
1858,  as  evidence  of  untold  wealth  in  these  river 
valleys. 

Ninety  per  cent  of  bhe  gold  extracted  during  the 
first  year  of  mining  in  the  Fraser  basin  was  fine  gold, 
which  had  been  distributed  by  river,  lake,  and  ice 
agen(ues,  and  finally  concentrated  at  different  points. 
Moberly's  observations  at  the  Fountain  traced  tlie 
deposits  from  the  dry -diggings  into  the  higher  ter- 
races, and  a  number  of  transient  geologists,  travellers, 
engineers,  and  scientific  ex})lorers  have  followed  simi- 
lar investigations,  the  principal  of  them  being  aUat'}tr'< 
of  the  army  and  navy,  stationed  for  a  time  at  the 

*'  Wiuldinfjton'n  Fraser  MIiim,  41. 


VARIATIONS  ACCORDING  TO  LOCALITY. 


m 


3  intelligent 


served.  Yet 


colony  ;^^  but  the  results  were  detached  and  incom- 
plete, and  before  the  beginning  of  the  geological 
survey  no  systematic  attention  was  given  to  tiic  sub- 
jeet.  The  mining  operations  simply  proved  the  fal- 
liU'V  of  the  Californian  idea  that  the  river  itself  had 
eiirried  the  gold  from  some  extensive  placer  basin  a 
long  distance  above,  and  the  terrace  or  lake  detritus 
completely  batfled  the  pursuit  of  its  sources. 

While  the  fine  gold  could  be  found  along  the  Fraser 
from  its  sources  to  the  sea,  the  coarse  gold,  indicatir.;:^ 
the  origin  of  the  particular  tine  gold  on  tiic  middle 
anJ  western  plateau,  coincided  in  its  distribution  witli 
the  slaty  rocks  of  the  And<.^rson  lliver  and  J^oston 
Ikr  series,  recurring  in  spots  of  undetincd  area  along 
tlie  principal  streams. ^^  Beyond  the  region  of  the 
iUK-ient  plateau,  lake,  or  lakes,  described  by  Begbio 
and  Selwyn,  far  up  in  the  slaty  mountains  of  Cariboo, 
coarse  gold  was  finally  found  in  quantity  witliin  tlie 
leach  of  practicable  mining  operations — in  the  beds 
of  the  ancient  streams,  meandering  ])eneatli  the 
howlder  clays  and  the  ice-marked  gravels  of  the 
modern  river-channels.  It  has  been  asserted  tliat 
tlie  auriferous  sections  of  California  and  of  the  Fraser 
do  not  bear  any  resemblance  to  eacli  other;  but  on 
LiUoet  Lake  the  eye  readily  detects  many  of  tlie 
characteristics  of  the  California  gold-regions.""     In  fol- 


"" Doctors  Forbes,  Brown,  and  Rattray,  Lieutenant  Mayne  of  the  navy, 
and  Lieutenant  I'alniLT  of  the  army,  made  ollieial  ve[)orts.  l)e(lroot,  Ri','^- 
liii',  Harnett,  Sproat,  and  in  fact  nearly  all  the  writers  on  JJritisli  C'olunihia, 
tiiiK'hed  paragraphieally  on  the  sulijeet. 

■''•'/>(( H'.soH  on  Minis,  ;{().  Scale  and  dour  gold  were  found  along  the  wliole 
course  of  the  Fraser  without  regard  to  the  formations  over  whieii  the  river 
]i.issed.  Coarse  gold  was  foun<l  hesiih's  at  t)ie  localities  of  '^,'icoutanieeii,  ( J  reat 
i'"al!s,  Briilge  River,  etc.,  already  mentioned,  also  at  ■'''iika  Flat,  near  J^ytton, 
and  from  that  point  down  to  Roston  Rar.  /(/.,  Hi.  iJeghie  and  Silwyii  in  their 
reports  lioth  noted  tlie  occurrence  of  slates  alon,thiH  portion  of  Fraser  River. 

'"' '( 'urioso,'  an  intelligent  and  experienceil  Californian,  who  witiiesseil  and 
iloscrihed  in  a  series  of  letters  the  mining  in  progress  hetween  Yale  and  (ho 
i'oUMtain  in  ]Sr)8-l>,  stated,  in  summing  up,  that  tlie  tine  Hat  scales  found  in 
tile  river  were  '  precisely  sinular  tr)  those  found  in  nearly  every  [iirt  <>f  the  earth 
wished  inindreds  of  feet  ahove  the  pres(!iit  bed  of  tiie  river, '  in  from  one  to 
liUy  colors  to  the  pan.  'This,'  says  the  correspondent,  '  sustains  tlio  theory 
tliat  tlie  bars  are  tlio  resnlta  of  lieavy  Ifvndslides,  tlio  lighter  soil  of  whicli  is 
tikeii  almost  entirely  away  by  tlie  current.'  The  formations  at  Nicaragua 
IJar  proveil  this  to  lie  ;i  fact.      The  I)ar3  previously  worked  paid  a  second  timo 


iTi  II  ki  II II 11 1 "  1 


464 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


lowing  the  Lilloet  River  to  Harrison  Lake,  the  Cali- 
fornian  is  at  home.  Quartz,  so  scarce  on  the  Fraser, 
here  abounds;  and  the  hills  are  of  that  reddish  gravel 
with  a  blue  clay  from  which  so  much  gold  has  been 
extracted  in  California.  B'^idge  River,  which  yielded 
so  many  nuggets,  traversed  the  same  formation. 

Dry-diggings  first  received  particular  attention 
between  Hope  and  Yale  about  the  middle  of  Octobci- 
1858,  when  it  was  observed  that  they  extended  along 
both  sides  of  the  Fraser  to  the  foot  of  the  mountains,'^' 
Among  those  that  were  successfully  worked  in  1858 
and  1859,  named  in  ascending  order,  were  Emory  Bar 
and  Hunter  Bar  diggings,  seven  miles  below  Yale; 
Bond  dry-diggings,  five  to  seven  miles  below  Yale;  the 
Prince  Albert  diggings,  four  miles  below  Yale*  the 
benches  at  Hill  Bar;  the  George  dry-diggings,  three 
miles  above  Yale;  the  benches  at  Nicaraijua  Bar  in 
the  great  canon,  a  little  below  Boston  Bar;  McGof- 
fey  dry-diggings,  seven  miles  below  Foster  Bar;  the 
benches  at  Cameron  Bar;  Hovey  bench-dig- Ings  on 
the  left  hand  of  the  Fraser,  eight  miles  below  the 
CO  ifluence  of  Bridge  River;  and  those  at  the  Fountain 
already  described.  Bond,  tlie  George,  Hovey,  and 
the  Fountain  dry-diggings  were  worked  in  the  autumn 
of  1858;  the  rest  in  1859.  At  Lytton,  and  at  many 
other  places  not  mentioned,  bench-diggings  were  trietl 
in  later  years  at  times  with  rockers,  but  as  a  rule  the 
benches  were  found  to  be  unprofitable  without  the  use 
of  water  delivered  in  ditches,  a  want  which  could  not 
always  be  supplied  in  a  country  where  the  rainfall 
itself  was  rather  light. 

for  working.  .  The  operations  of  the  miners  were  almost  entirely  superficial,  in 
heiiig  conlined  to  the  bars  and  immediate  edges  of  the  banks.  Victoria  Oazvttr, 
Juno  16,  1S,")9.  A  correspondent  of  the  London  Times  in  1863  also  described 
fully,  and  dwelt  largely  upon,  the  fine  gold  contained  in  the  terraces  extendin;^ 
along  the  whole  course  of  the  Fraser  from  Hope  to  Alexandria.  Lundin 
Brown  described  the  gold  of  the  Fraser  'as  remarkably  fine,*  incapable  of 
being  saved  without  quicksilver,  and  as  ooming  from  the  terraces.  Brown  a 
Eumy,  28.  It  was  associated  with  black  sand  not  unlike  that  of  the  Australian 
diggings.  McDonald's  B.  C,  91-2.  Specimens  of  the  black  sand  of  the 
Fraser  were  described  by  Dr  James  Blake.  Procecdimji  Col.  Acad.  Sciences. 
*^  Waddintjton's  Fraser  Mines,  46-7. 


»;    H 


T. 

,  the  Cali- 
de  Fraser, 
lish  gravel 
1  has  been 
ich  yielded 
tion. 

attention 
of  October 
ided  alono- 
lountains.*" 
ed  in  18o^i 
Emory  Bar 
slow  Yale; 
vYale;  the 
•  Yale*  the 
fings,  three 
^ua  Bar  in 
ir;  McGiot- 
T  Bar;  the 
lig^.ngs  on 

below  the 
e  Fountain 


[ovey, 


and 


ihe  autumn 
|d  at  many 
were  tried 
a  rule  the 
»ut  the  u^^e 
could  not 
he  rainfoll 


ly  superficial,  in 
Victoria  Gazette, 
alao  described 
tacea  extoiuliu^ 
idria.  Lundin 
p,*  incapable  of 
rraces.  Browni 
1  the  Australian 
sand  of  the 
\ad.  Sciences. 


COARSE  AND  FINE  GOLD 

Coarse  gold  was  much  more  frequently  met  with  in 
the  terraces  than  in  the  river-beds;  and  the  yield  by 
sluicing  ranged  from  four  to  twenty  dollars  a  day  to 
tlie  man.  At  Prince  Albert  diggings  the  extensive 
terrace  or  table-land,  which  rose  sixty  feet  above  the 
hii^hest  water  level  of  the  Fraser,  was  pronounced 
liighly  auriferous,  and  extensive  enough  to  give  em- 
ployment to  four  thousand  miners,  allowing  each 
tw(>nty-five  feet  frontage  and  five  hundred  feet  depth. 
Shafts  were  sunk  in  October  1858,  and  as  there  was  m> 
water  on  the  ground,  several  companies  organized  to 
hrino;  in  ditches.  ^IcGoftey  disjcmnLjs  were  amouijcthe 
richest  in  coarse  gold,  the  pieces  weighhig  from  fifty 
cents  to  twelve  dollars."'" 

]\Ir  Justice  Begbie  was  one  of  the  first  to  comj)re- 
heiid  the  nature  of  the  terrace  detritus  as  observed 
during  his  journey  to  Lilloethi  April  1859.  To  him 
tlie  terraces  recalled  the  Grampian  formation  in  Scot- 
land, and  he  traced  in  them  the  shores  of  a  former  lake 
covering  most  of  the  country  brought  into  notoriet}' 
by  the  Fraser  mines,  and  extending  from  Boston  l^ar 
to  some  miles  above  the  Fountain,  a  distance  of  eii>htv 
or  ninety  miles.     The  tine  <xold  phenomena  of  the  river 


"-/?.  C.  Pnpert),  ii.  27.  Hond-diggings,  discovered  by  T.  Bond,  early  in 
1S,">8,  and  located  on  the  hij^her  portion  of  lluntor  IJar,  yielded  coarse  gold, 
.siHiie  pieces  wcigliing  six  dollars.  Victorid  (liizttlc,  .luiie  '2.'),  ISoS.  At  Hill 
and  ilniory  bar,  the  Iiar-diggings  were  abauiloned  after  1S5S,  ami  iu  Mardi 
IS.'iit  the  miners  began  to  construct  ditches  for  sluicing  the  benches  or  table- 
lands. jy.odiUiH  Dis]Hiti-li,  March  10,  18r)0,  in  li.  V.  r<i}»r.t,  ii.  (17.  Tlio 
Oidigo  ilry-diggings  yielded  eight  dollars  a  day  wilii  the  rocker,  and  twenty 
dolliii's  at  sluicing.  JhiUijldK'  I'rinile  I'njifiv,  -MS.,  1st  ser.,  ]().")-().  On  the 
Iiiiili  terrace  at  Js'icai'agua  IJar.  l.">0  feet  above  the  river,  some  miners  were  in 
April  KS.")"J  engaged  in  bi'ingiiig  in  a  ditch.  Virlitrld  (iazitlc,  .May  7,  IN.'lt. 
1  lie  gold  was  a  dirty  yellow,  rather  coarse,  not  water-worn,  yielding  .'?10lt  a 
d.iy  to  the  sluice.  Jonah  Yale,  May  'J4th,  cor.  Virforia  Oaziiti;  May  'M,  bS.")'.l. 
Tlio  bar  itself  was  at  the  same  time  paying  handsomely.  At  (.'ameron  ]{,ir 
till'  sluicing,  partly  by  costly  Ibimes,  was  conducted  at  a  considerable  altitude, 
and  yielded  four  dollars  a  day  to  the  hand.  Virloria  (/icr^c,  .Inno  14,  IS.'i'.). 
-NbiidU'ey  dry-diggings  Were  fifty  feet  above  the  river,  and  contained  Inmii.s 
ot  gold  from  50  cents  totl-.i'jO  in  value.  Hovcy  diggings  were  I'J.")  feet  aboMj 
tlie  river,  and  yielded,  iu  the  fall  of  18.")8,  148  ounces  of  sh.it  gold,  in  tiiri'o 
Weeks'  time,  to  tea  men  using  four  sluices.  DowjUis,  in  B.  (\  Pim-v^,  ii.  ;<!•. 
Tile  rocker-diggings  at  the  P\)untaiu  were  rich  to  an  altitude  of  S0()  or  St(M) 
feet.  These  devi'lopments  established  pretty  conelusively  that  the  sources  >  if 
tlie  lino  river  gold  were  in  the  terraces;  but  it  existed  there  in  a  less  concen- 
trated form. 

Hist.  ]!rit.  Col.    30 


mi 


'"  if 


4GG 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


i  '  ^'  i. 


above  and  below  the  outlet  of  the  ancient  lake,  ho 
compared  to  the  results  of  the  M'orking  of  a  rocker; 
remarking  that  all  the  gold  found  between  Hope  and 
Yale  was  transported  'Hour  gold,'  not  a  'scale'  iiaving 
ever  been  found  below  Yale;  while  at  Lvtton  eightv- 
five  per  cent  of  the  gold  found  was  scale  gold,  and 
but  fifteen  per  cent  Hour  gold."''  The  material  of 
the  terraces  was  shown  by  others  to  be  neither  more 
nor  loss  than  the  ordinary  detritus  of  the  surrounding 
country — loam,  gravel,  sand,  and  more  or  less  water- 
worn  bowlders.  Milton  and  Cheadle,  who  were  in  the 
country  in  18G3,  conceived  that  there  were  three  suc- 
cessive tiers  of  terraces,  representing,  as  in  some  other 
terraced  countries,  three  successive  epochs  of  elevation. 
They  described  them  as  universally  impregnated  with 
fine  gold,  and  remarked  upon  their  co-extension  with 
the  bunch-grass  country  of  the  plateau.** 

The  odium  of  the  'Fraser  humbug'  has  been  out- 
lived. It  is  not  necessary  to  do  more  than  refer  to 
that  title,  proclaimed  as  it  was  in  1858  and  1859,  likt' 
a  political  shibboleth  without  fairness  and  for  a  single 
object — to  turn  the  tide  of  emigration.     But  the  dis- 

• 

"^VA  ('.  Pafcfx,  iii.  17-20.  Begbic  expressed  lii's  belief  that  the  benches 
might  pay  iiiulor  a  suliicicmly  large  system  of  mining.  The  terrace  deposits, 
fr(Mii  100  to  ],(K)0  feet  in  tliickness,  eontained  in  las  opinion  not  a  spadeful  nf 
dirt  that  was  not  auriferous.  Whenever  beueh-digging.s  have  been  worked, 
said  the  eorrespondent  of  thi'  London  Thnvs,  Victoria,  .Ian.  20,  18G2,  '  Wwy  have 
paid  Well,  but  they  have  been  neglected  for  the  placer-diggings.'  With  an 
aliundaiu'o  of  water,  and  of  timber  for  Humes,  an  inviting  field  here  opened 
itself  for  I'jiglish  capital.  J/nzli/t'n  Citrilino,  l.'iS— 1.'5. 

*'*  X<irf/iiri.-<t  P<iK,s-ii<je  1)1/  Li  I  ml,  SSi).  ])r  Robert  Brown's  scientific  exaiiii- 
nation  and  descrij)tion  was  the  first  comprc'hensivo  treatment  of  the  subjeit, 
and  lie  assunie<l  thiit  the  terraces  were  formed  by  the  successive  cutting  away 
fif  the  barriers  of  interior  lakes.  Loud,  (tco'j.  Soc,  Jour.,  xxxix.  125-G.  Tlic 
prairie  character  of  so  much  of  the  terraced  interior  he  showed  to  be  due  to 
c  .•■.parative  dryness,  caused  either  by  scanty  rainfall  or  by  the  porosity  of 
the  soil,  niodilied  by  prairie  fires  and  other  local  causes.  Jd.,  127-9.  This 
•was  also  the  belief  of  Newberry,  promulgated  in  his  Or'nfmof  Pntirks,  Tmiif. 
Am.  Scii'iitijtc.  Axxoi'hUion,  Bufl'alo,  18G(i;  and  of  Foster,  in  his  M Usix.siirpi  I'ul- 
If'!/.  Hector's  stutly  of  the  terraces  of  the  Columbia,  in  connection  with  tlie 
I'alliser  expedition  in  ISGi),  extended  through  two  or  three  years  of  explora- 
tion, anil  were  very  valuable.  Miiiiiii/  in  the  Umtcr  C'obunhia  Hirer  jinsin. 
Selwyii  made  a  comprehensive  rcxitnii  of  the  whole  subject,  and  added  a  gninl 
deal  from  his  own  observations  made  in  a  journey  from  \'ictoria  to  Ycllow- 
hcad  Pasa  iu  1S71.  Canada  ileol,  Sitrrci/  /'qiort,  1871-2,  54-(5, 


RUSHES  AND  REACTIONS. 


409* 


b  lake,  ho 
a  rocker; 
Hope  anil 
le'  having 
on  eighty- 

ofokl,  and 
laterial  <  »t 
thcr  move 
irrounding 
less  water- 
A^crc  ill  the 

three  suc- 
5oine  otlKr 
f  elevation, 
nated  with 
iiision  witli 


,  been  ont- 
in  refer  to 
.  1859,  like 
'or  a  singli' 
lut  the  dis- 

iat  the  benches 
jrrace  (loposits, 
)t  a  spadofnl  nf 
le  been  worked, 
l8G2,  '  they  hiivo 
ligs.'  With  ail 
lid  here  openeil 

[icntitle  exauii- 
lot  the  sulijeot, 
cutting  away 
^.  ]>J5-G.     The 
pel  to  be  ihic  to 
the  porosity  of 
[,  127-9.     This 
P/v»'/vV-»,  Tram- 
y'i.t.-iiMqrpi  Val- 
Iction  with  the 
irs  of  exjilora- 
|i  Hirer  Bai^in. 
aiMed  a  f,'oi"l 
ria  to  YeUiiw- 


appointments  experienced  by  the  thousands  who  went 
to  Fraser  River,  and  failing  to  be  successful  returned 
in  inisfoi'tune,  are  worthy  of  a  candid  record  in  the 
history  of  the  times,  while  a  picture  of  the  wave  of 
depression  into  which  the  colony  was  plunged  belongs 
to  the  history  of  the  country  itself.  British  Coluin- 
1  )ia  was  called  the  Land  of  Hopes  Unfultilled."''  Thirty 
tlioLisand  Californians  rushed  north  to  Victoria,  and 
as  hastily  returned.  A  large  part  of  this  migrating 
population  being  moved  by  incentives  of  trade  and 
spi'culation,  incidental  t«)  the  mining  discoveries,  came 
no  nearer  to  the  mines  than  this  port;  but  those  who 
ai>j)roched  them  did  so  at  the  very  worst  time,  when 
the  river  bars,  then  the  only  diggings  looked  for,  were 
e(Aered  by  water.  They  found  themselves  further- 
more in  a  wild  country,  aftbrding  none  of  the  com- 
forts and  conveniences  of  a  miner's  life  in  California, 
tl;e  greater  part  of  it  being  beyond  the  reach  of  sup- 
plies and  almost  untrodden. 

To  the  natural  diiiicultics  wei-e  added  the  illiberal 
restrictions  of  trade  enforced  by  tlie  governor  and 
oilicers  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com])any,'"'  who  allowed 
no  trading  with  the  Mainland  and  interior  to  be  cai- 
licd  on  by  the  merchants  of  Victoria  and  Whatcom 
till  after  midsummer.  The  only  exception  to  their 
own  monopoly  of  the  trade  of  the  mines  was  the  pcr- 
missuni  ufranted  bv  (loveriior  IJouulas  to  several 
])arties  to  sell  fresh  meat  and  vegetal)les.  The  coii- 
st'([uence  was,  that  even  the  departure  of  the  miners 
from  Victoria  into  the  interior  after  the  lirst  rush 
had  the  eflect  of  making  Victoria  dull. 

The  foundering  of  the  steamer  Brother  Jonatlian 
olF  Crescent  City,  July  8,  1.858,  with  the  loss  of  many 
(»r  lu'r  passengers,  was  a  shock  which  gave  the  final 
iiu[)ress  to  the  idea  that  the  rush  had  continued  too 

'"  Wriijlit,  in  OrrrliOiif  MoiiMif,  Deceniher  1S()0. 

'"'Sonio  attribnted  the  hard  times  to  the  fact  tliat  the  f.'oM-dust  was  kept 


mt  of  circulation  by  tlie  company's  reeeivin;,'  it  for  floods,  wliich  were  only 
|iiiiil  for  liy  bills  of  cxchanue  on   IjOiidoii.   ('nrniiutUW  AVw  El  Dormlo,  300; 


( 

piiiil  for  liy  bdls  ..   _-     -    - 

Vitildiiujtons  Fnvsvr  Miius,  '_'2-4;  Browii'-i  Essay,  3,  4. 


4C8 


FRASER  RIVER  MINING  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


long.  The  immigration  suddenly  stopped ;  and  more : 
in  a  few  months  the  adventurers  were  nearly  all  back 
again  in  'God's  country,'  as  they  called  the  sunnier 
regions  of  the  south,**'  full  of  bitter  denunciations 
of  the  route,  the  country,  the  resources,  yet  knowing 
no  more,  after  their  return,  of  tlie  extent  and  wealth 
of  the  mines  than  they  knew  before  leaving  in  quest 
of  tlicm.  It  was  argued  that  the  deposits  on  the 
lower  Eraser  must  be  small,  and  if  the  hcud-wators 
contained  greater  wealth,  the  remoteness,  Indian  diffi- 
culties, want  of  supplies,  and  the  short  duration  of 
the  mining  season,  would  forever  make  them  inferior 
to  California  as  a  mining  resort. 

After  the  river  fell  there  was  a  reaction,  for  a  largo 
immber  had  with  commendable  patience  remained  t 
await  this  event,  and  now  that  the  gold  began  to  How, 
the  departures  were  not  only  clieckcd,  but  a  fresh  in- 
flux took  place.  The  yield  did  not  come  up  to  tlicir 
expectations,  however,  and  in  November  1858  tlie 
winter  exodus  set  in,  a  hundred  persons  leaving  Vic- 
toria every  wcck.*^  Good,  deputy  minister  of  mines, 
who  had  access  to  every  source  of  information,  placed 
the  total  yield  for  1858  at  $500,000,  and  for  1859  at 
$1,000,000,  while  the  known  exports  were  $390,2(;5, 
the  respective  years.  To  this  one  third  may  be  added, 
to  include  what  had  been  carried  away  by  private 
hands.     The  number  of  miners  actually  employed  in 


o 


"  Victoria  Gnzetle,  Sept.  9,  1858;  Overland  Monthh),  M.ay  18(59,  410.  Huu- 
ilreds  were  rotuniiiig  to  Victoria  with  but  little  gold,  and  were  leaving  the 
country,  to  the  dismay  of  the  store-keepers.  Business  was  dead.  Woddimi- 
ton's  Fraxcr  Mines,  38.  In  July  and  August  the  San  Francisco  newspapers 
were  filled  with  the  folly  of  the  northern  exodus.  '  The  mania,'  said  the  Jiiil- 
to(«  of  July  I'itli,  'exceeded  all  bounds  of  reason  and  priidenco.'  HungLT 
and  despair  had  now  overtaken  them.  Hundreds  who  liail  left  good  eniplny- 
ment  were  unable  to  return.  When  Nugent  arrived  at  Victoria  as  consular 
agent  of  the  United  States,  he  found  '  multitudes  in  a  state  of  actual  starva- 
tion,' and  was  obliged  to  send  numbers  of  persons  to  California  at  the  piililic 
expense.  TarMl's  Victoria,  MS.,  G;  McDonald's  B.  C,  121.  Througlinut 
the  rnontlis  of  August  and  September  the  Victoria  Gazette  contained  frecjucnt 
admissions  of  the  depressed  condition  of  affairs.  Vide  Aug.  10,  Sept.  25,  2!t, 
1858. 

^B.  C.  Papers,  ii.  39;  Lewis'  Coal  Discoveries,  MS.,  13-15.  It  was  lianlly 
just,  perhaps,  to  compare  the  fields  of  British  Columbia  with  California  bcforu 
her  deposits  had  been  fairly  opened. 


GOLD  YIELD. 


4G9 


1858  was  assumed  to  be  3,000;  in  1859,  4,000;  and  in 

1860,  4,400.  The  highest  estimates  were  those  given 
by  McDonald,  who  had  the  benefit  of  the  books  of 
McDonald  and  Company,  and  who  claimed  to  have 
based  his  calculations  on  the  returns  of  the  bankers, 
the  express  companies,  and  the  surveyor-general. 
He  placed  the  yields  of  1858  and  1859  at  $2,120,000 
and  $1,375,000,  and  the  total  population  in  1858  at 
17,000;  in  1859,  at  8,000;  in  18G0,  at  7,000;  and  in 

1861,  at  5,000 — one  sixth  being  British  subjects.  The 
United  States  consular  agent  Nugent,  on  the  other 
luiiid,  thought  that  the  entire  yield  from  May  to 
October  1858  did  not  exceed  $500,000;  while  the 
number  of  miners  employed  during  the  first  three 
months  could  not  have  been  less  than  2,000,  and  dur- 
\\\\X  the  remainder  of  the  season  10,000.  Lcavinor  the 
iirst  three  months  out  of  the  question,  he  figured  the 
average  earning  of  each  miner  at  $50  for  the  season, 
against  $350  expenses.  Waddington  estimated  the 
yield  till  October  at  $705,000,  and  the  investment  of 
labor  and  capital  in  steamers,  wharves,  Ijuildings,  real 
estate,  and  various  improvements  at  Victoria  and 
l']squimalt,    with    native    and    imported    capital,    at 

si,o(;o,ooo.''' 


"•'Alfred  Waililin;j;ton  made  an  attempt  to  show  that  the  yichl  of  the 
FrasL'P  iiiiues  during  the  first  six  months  was  as  good  as  that  of  California  and 
Australia.  During  the  same  period,  at  the  coinnicncement  of  their  mining 
history,  California  had  made  a  showing  of  $240,000,  Australia,  .^725,000, 
iind  Fraser  Rivlt,  3705,000;  allowing  for  only  .^00,000  as  a  circulation  in  the 
Frascr  mines  in  October  ISoS,  though  ho  thinks  this  must  have  been  nearer 
.•?'_'.")(), 000,  at  SoO  apiece,  among  5,000  miners.  l'cnd)erton,  another  author- 
ity, states  that  the  total  product  for  that  year  amounted  to  §!l,4',)l-,2Il,  and 
for  the  following  year  to  .*;2,000,000,  or  a  total  for  the  Iirst  t%\'o  years  of  at 
least  $3,000,000.  The  number  of  miners  actually  at  work  at  any  time  during 
this  period  could  not  have  exceeded  3,000 — the  number  of  miners'  liot'nses 
issued  indicating  only  §2,000 — which  makes  the  average  anmuil  earnings  of 
each  miner  $500.  Pvmhvrton's  B.  C,  36-41;  Vic  an-..,  April  ]!),  June  !),  1S,")9. 
The  number  of  working  miners  in  California  in  lS(iO  was  estimated  at  200,000, 
or  one  third  of  a  population  of  000,000;  the  yield  being  ,<!.")0,000,000,  or  .?250 
to  each  miner.  Dou^'ias  reported  10,000  foreign  miners  on  the  Fraser  in 
August  1858,  and  upwards  of  3,000  as  actually  engaged  in  mining.  li.  C. 
I'lqicrs,  i.  27,  41.  Douglas  wrote  in  February  1858,  that  Thompson  Kiver 
had  then  produced  an  ascertained  export  of.  500  ounces,  ami  probably  500 
ounces  more  which  re'-..ained  in  private  hands.  Coniirdlli.s'  X.  El  Donvlo,  308. 
The  amount  of  gold-dust  bought  by  the  Hudson's  15ay  Comj)any  at  Laiigley, 
up  to  May  25,  1858,  was  C4Sij  ounces.  Dowjlnn  Private  /'aptrs,  MS.,  i.  91; 


470 


FRASER  RIVER  MIN1N(}  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


Whatever  figures  arc  correct,  it  is  certain  that  tlie 
pcold  shipinerits  were  small  in  coniparisou  with  those 


of  C^ilitoniin,  .'ind    herein  wns  found  a  stron 


L,''  ar'ijfii- 


nient  a^-ainst  the  valui^  of  the  mines.  Tlu;  ])n)('ess  of 
de[)o{)ulatIon  and  the  stagnation  in  trade  <'oiitiinied 
throiiL^hout  IHiVJ  and  1 800.  Of  tlie  thousands  who 
had  suddenlv  made  Victoria  a  citv,  oidv  alumt  fifteen 
liundred  remained.      Affairs  tlu'n  readied  the  lowest 


c'hl).      There  was  hut  little  husii 


d  1 


ness,  and  Jt'ss  \\\  pros- 
pect. "  Let  us  look  disaster  in  the  face,"  couns'.'lh'd 
the  mentor  of  the  local  tlaily,  as  he  reduced  his  issues 
and  omitted  the  title  of  daily.""  Tlu^  depression  con- 
tinued foi-  some  time  aft<'-;  liopeful  intimations  canic 
at  the  close  of  1800  from  the  fork  of  the  Quiisnd, 
followed  hy  a  jjjradually  increasiniL!^  flow  of  dust,  which 
estahlished  hoyond  a  doubt  the  existence  of  rich 
placers  in  tlie  country."^ 

The  historv  of  minin<^  on  the  middle  and  westt>rii 
plateaux  was  lienceforth  chief!}'  statistical  in  char- 
acter.'"'    Enough  had   been  found  and  accomplished 

U.  S.  Er.  Doc.  ;;/.,  .l-,ih  Cnii;/.,  M  Sr.^.i.;  MrDnmUl'^  ]i.  C,  82;  J^•/^  J/;;»  s- 
Ji'ijif.,  1875,  1.  Tho  0/,Vy  arrive.l  at  Victoria,  May  S,  IS.kS,  witli  ^.H-NiMH)  in 
j,'ol(l-(lust,  ami  .S'J(),()(K)  was  tlio  listimatcil  rcci'iiits  at  Wliatuom  (hiring  tin; 
week.  Orciiniiil  j'rdiii  Jlliii/i.'iotii,  4()-'J;  \'!rforlii  d'nyt/i ,  Aug.  '20,  I85f>;  ^iilrm 
An/iix,  Sfjit.  4,  iS.")S. 

'"  Virlnr'iii  (h'~<ttf.  On  May  '28,  ISJjO,  tlio  editor  observed  that  the  pay  of 
tlireo  to  iive  (h)llar.s  a  <lay  oti'ore<l  i)y  average  claims  was  too  even  ami  low  to 
attract  tlio  gamhling  spirit  of  Calit'oriiiaiis.  Tiio  government  was  severt'ly 
rated  for  its  unwise  regulations  concerning  land,  roads,  ami  mines,  wliicli  it 
■was  alleged  had  repelled  Americans. 

^'This  was  owing  partly  to  tlio  remoteness  of  the  mines,  anil  partly  to  tlie 
want  of  hopefulness  and  energy  amoi'.g  a  not  over-prosperous  community.  On 
the  failure  of  the  Big  Bond  excitement  the  editors  were  imly  too  reatly  to 
morali/c.  'We  are  experiencing  a  season  of  depression  and  misfortune  only 
equalled  hy  the  disastrous  years  of  l8.")',)-(i0.  (Quartz-mining  was  recom- 
mended as  a  remedy.    Virtorlfi  Wirkli/  Colonist,  i^iitt.  II,  18(i(j. 

^'- Wells,  Fargo,  and  Company  shipp'id  from  \  ictoria  in  1S,")8,  .S3H7,70.">;  in 
ISoil,  ?S'23,4S8;  and  in  18()0,  §1,'_".)8,4()(}.  A'lon  Francis,  in  U.  S.  Comiwrchil 
SiiitUlrn,  1803,  li)4.  All  of  that  b'iipipcd  m  ,8r>8aud  ] 8.J1)  was  Eraser  River 
gold,  hut  a  large  part  of  the  shipment-i  in  18li0  came  from  Qiiesnel  Forks  in 
the  coatines  of  Cariboo.  A.  V.  Ai'iii-r.-i' n  augments  these  tignrcs  to  cover 
the  total  export,  thus:  for  185!>,  %i,l".  1,339;  18()0,  .«!l,3().3,32i».  Amlcrson'i 
J'Ji.i(ti/,  appendix,  iv.  Charles  Crooil,  deputy  minister  of  mines,  gives  us  the 
amounts  actually  known  to  have  been  exjmrted  by  the  express  com])'.ny  and 
banks  in  1858  at  P!K),2(;5;  in  1859,  at  $1, '21 1,304;  and  in  18(iO,  at  $1,(571,410. 
To  these  figures  he  adds  a  third  to  include  the  estimated  amount  carried  away 
by  private  liauds,  making  the  total  amounts,  for  1858,  $.V20,353;  for  bS.")!*, 
$l,(il5,072;  and  for  18(J0,  ,%»,'228,543.     The  largest  yield  was  in  18(54,  §3,73"',- 


EFFECT  OF  (}>  Ll>  DISCOVERY. 


471 


hat  the 

II  tlioso 
if  argu- 

'ocess  of 
)iitiiiiUMl 
ids  ^vllo 
t  fifU'i-n 
c  lowi'st 

ill  pros- 
luns'.'lli'd 
lis  issiu's 
siou  ('»)n- 
»us  caiiu' 
Quesiu'l, 
^t,  wliicli 

of    I'icli 

I  Avostcrn 
in  diiu- 
un)lislu'(l 

;   Mill.  Mill!  -I 

h  !?:!r),(HH)  in 

I  (hiriiij;  till! 

l!So8;  iSaleiii 

it  the  pay  of 

III  ami  low  to 

uH  s(!vcri'ly 
[us,  which  it 

Lartly  to  thu 
luuuity.  Oil 
loo  roaily  to 
[fortune  only 
Iwas   recoin- 

|s.W,7t>r);  in 

Cnmiwrci'il 
•Vaser  River 
licl  Forks  in 
Ires  to  cover 
Aiulerxoii'' 
l^ives  us  till! 
-null  ny  ami 
,§1,()71,410. 
larrieil  away 
]•  for  IS.V.t, 
504,  §3,7:!.-',  • 


cluiiuG:  the  Fraser  inininuf  (kivolopmonts  to  evolve  a 
i^ovorinuciit;  to  open  a  road  into  the  interior;  to  lead 
the  way  into  several  lieh  and  lasting'  niininiij  reunions; 
and  to  suu^jL^est  at  once  overland  ('«)ninuinieation,  and 
confederation  with  (  anada.  lentil  in  the  |)roL,ni'ss  of 
development  the  new  conditions  foreshadowed  shouhl 
he  finally  hrou^ht  ahout  hy  the  coniinenoeini'nt  of  a 
railway  throuu,h  the  Fraser  pass  to  the  Cascadi; 
.NFountains,  the  dawnintjf  of  a  lU'W  era  in  niininy'  and 
iimnis'ration  had  to  ahide  its  time. 

S.'O,  .iftiT  M-hich  it  lUrliiicd  to  !? I. SO."". 74!)  in  1S7:1;  it  roM!  ai'iiiii  to  .S'2,474,. 
!MI4  in  IH7.'>,  and  thtii  fi'll  oil'  a  sicoiiil  tiiiif,  Min.  M'uiim  I!i)>I.,  IS7.V  i!S77. 
Till'  nuiiihcr  of  jicrsoiis  fiijiaj^i'il  in  mining  tlunng  this  tfst  pfrioil-  no  dii- 
fiiiiitly  t'stimatfd  l>y  \\';iddington  and  IS'um'nt — was  ]>l:i('t'd  liy  (idud  at 
'.'.(KM)  111  KS.kS,  ;{,  UK)  ill  lS.".it,  and  :{,'.)00  in  ISC.O;  wliil.-  tlio  editor  of  the  I'/V- 
liiihi  (lir.itlv,  Mari'h  10,  IS.V.),  fstimatcil  tho  iniiiiii:,' ]io|iiilatiiiii  in  M.inli  |S,V.) 
a>  lii.^ii  lis  4,<H)0,  and  tho  antiiipated  niiiiini^  jKundation  in  May  fullnwiiiLr, 
.-)..'i(M).  Till!  lattir  authnrity  dofs  not  ilistinmii.sh  lutweeii  tln!  iiopnlatiiiii  in 
till-  minis  and  those  ai'tually  engaged  in  mining,  a  faet  whieh  may  aeemint 
fur  the  diserepaiicy.  In  1S(U)  the  iii)])ulatioii  of  N'ancouver  Islaml  was  etli- 
lially  estimated  at  o.OOO,  and  the  Mainland  at  "),fl<)0.  Curilioo  (lobl-jiiliU,  (i'.K 
Thus  it  apjiiars  that  the  tendency  of  the  gold  discoveries  on  the  Mainland 
was  to  settle  tlie  Island  ".-.ther  than  tlie  Mainland  e\en  from  the  eomnieiiee- 
lueiit,  the  jiojiulatiou  of  the  Island  prejionderatiiig  over  that  of  the  .Maiidan  1 
also  in  later  years.  Viih'  chajiters  oil  Railway,  In  ISCiI  the  Lomhni  Tiim.-i' 
e(irres])()ndt!iit  estimated  that  ;i.")(H)  miners  were  working  in  the  Fniser  and 
Cdliimliia  hasins  exclusive  of  Carilioo,  where  lie  allowed  on  general  testimony 
].■")()()  more,  or  r),000  ininer.s  in  all.  Mai/in'M  li.  ('.,  -W'l.  (Jood's  estimate  for 
that  year  was  4,"J(H);  from  Mliieh  data  it  may  he  inferred  that  .several  tliou- 
saiid  miners  were  still  distrilmted  along  the  Fraser  as  high  as  Fort  (leorge, 
ami  along  Bridge  River,  Thomiisoii  River,  .ami  others  of  the  lower  Fraser 
trihutaries.  Along  the  Fraser  they  were  earning  from  .*;{  to  .'?1.")  jier  tlay,  and 
siijiiiosed  to  1)0  averaging  !».">  a  day.  TIihk'  cor.,  in  Ihr.litt'n  ('nrHino,  lli.S-4I}. 
Ill  1S71  Lilloet  district  yielded  .s'|."i,0()();  Vale  and  Lyttoii  districts  together, 
81  lO.tHK),  scarcely  a  tenth  of  the  total  yiehl  of  the  iirovinee.  Retweeii  .sl.'),()(l() 
and  .S'JO,()(l()  was  annually  coiitrilmted  to  the  wealth  of  the  province  hy  the, 
Indians  mining  on  the  hars  of  the  Frailer  and  Thom[ison  at  low  water  in 
winter,  hodies  of  them  heing  seen  at  work  cradling  at  favorahle  times  during 
the  coldest  Weather.  I'irforin  W'nl.li/  ('itli)iii.<t,  Nov.  27,  lS7l'.  In  isy.")  the 
statistics  collected  hy  the  deputy  minister  of  mines  showed  that  ol)  Chinese, 
engaged  on  liar-diggings  in  Lilloet  district,  washed  out  .s,")(),0(M),  while  in 
l.ytton  district  'JO  Chinese  and  two  white  men  took  out  oiilj-  .S1,0((0.  In  the 
Vale  district  only  four  Chinese  were  einployeil,  getting  .SSOO.  In  187()  the 
Lilloet  district,  including  Rriilge  River,  had  (JO  Chinese  at  work,  hut  pro- 
duced only  S'2r),(XH);  wliiTo  the  Yale  ami  Hope  districts  had  two  white  and 
nine  Chinese  miners  who  obtained  .s'.),  1 14.  The  latter  in  1S77  employed  thieo 
white  mea  and  13  Chiuuso,  who  obtained  §12,000.  Min,  Mines  Ji'iil.,  187.") -7. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

GOLD  IN  THE  CARIBOO  COUNTRY. 

C.uiiiioo  Region — Its  I>ErosiTs — New  Mining  Era — Golden  Dreams- 
Early  Developments — Roads  and  Mountain  Trails — The  Great 
Prospectors — The  Influx — Quesnel  River  Mines — Horsefly  and 

QtESNEL   L.KE — KeITHLEY  and   ITS  ToWN — HaRVEV  AND  CUNNINGHAM 

Creeks — Antlek  Creek  Riches— Grouse  Creek. 


m 


i; 


!'   Ir 


On  the  head-waters  of  Fraser  River  tlie»mmmg 
operations  previously  confined  to  tlie  beds  of  the  main 
rivers  spread  in  18G0,  1801,  and  1802  over  a  lar^-e 
area  of  elevated  country  wliich  was  somewhat  iii- 
<lefinite]y  desiii'nated  as  the  Cariboo  Re^ion.^  It  mav 
bo  described  in  ^•enei-al  terms  as  situated  between 
the  head-waters  of  the  main  Fraser  and  its  principal 
tributary,  the  Thompson,  upon  the  inner  or  western 
ridges  l)ranching  from  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in  latitude 
52°  to  54"  north,  five  to  seven  thousand  feet  aV)ove  tlu' 
sea."  In  the  heart  of  the  New  Caledonia  of  the  fur- 
traders,  its  principal  river,  the  Quesnel,  and  doubtless 
a  portion  of  the  country  itself,  was  more  or  less  known 
to  them  as  far  up  as  the  lakes  of  the  Quesnel.     Tlis' 

'  Douglas  said  in  regaril  to  the  ntvme  given  to  the  rejzion  by  the  iiiiiu  r-i, 
projiei'ly  it  shoulil  lie  written  C<trth<iiij\  or  reindeer,  tlio  cimutiy  liaviii^  lutii 
ho  named  from  its  luinf,'  tliu  favorite  liau'it  of  that  speeie.s  of  the  deer  kind. 
JJniii/ld'!'  J)(!i<ya/</i,  Sept.  ](i,  18(jl,  in  JJi'zli/t'x  C'lrihim,  117.  Cirj'-li<riif(<\vi'r- 
ox)  appears  to  have  been  tlio  original.  This  was  corrupted  in  its  application 
to  the  large  species  of  reindeer  inhabiting  llritlsh  America. 

^  r.ieutenant  H.  S.  I'almer  described  this  mountainous  region  as  consistiiii,' 
of  .steep  downs,  clotlied  with  tolerable  grans,  and  dotted  with  small  jiiiii^ 
plantations,  etmtrasting  on  account  of  their  bareness  .tith  tho  valleys  aiil 
lower  slopes  in  a  manner  so  marke<l  as  to  have  received  the  title  of  tiie  15iiM 
Hills  of  Cariboo.  Lnnd.  (Itmi.  Sor.,  Jour.,  Sept.  1S04,  18().  The  samo  region 
■vvas  described  by  K.  .M.  |)awson  as  a  'high  level  plateau,' averaging  from 
r),()()Oto  5,r)00  feet  in  altitude,  and  entirely  covered,  more  or  less  thickly,  with 
drift  or  detrital  matter  concealing  the  greater  part  of  the  rocky  substratum. 
JJitirsoii  on  MiiiM,  0. 

( -in  ) 


GOLD-MINING  GEOGRAPHY. 


473 


OLDEN   Dreams— 

LILH — The    (tKKAT 

I — Horsefly  and 
AND  Cunningham 


'  the*  mining 
i  of  the  main 
over  a  largo 
r)nie\v]iat  in- 
on.^     It  may 
ted   between 
its  principal 
I'  or  Avestei'ii 
IS,  in  latitude 
t  a  hove  tilt' 
of  the  ill  I'- 
ll d  doubtless 
les.s  known 
icsnel.     Tlic 

II  liy  tlic  iniiur-;, 
itiy  liavinj^  ln'cii 
if  tlie  iluir  kiiLil. 

in  its  application 

gioii  as  cuiisistiiiL,' 
with  small  jiiiii' 

tho  valluys  aiil 
title  of  tho  B;iM 
The  sam'3  n'^'inii 

averaging  t'luni 
less  thickly,  witli 
)cky  substratum. 

( •JT'J  ) 


Hudson's  Bay  fort  of  Alexandria  and  the  old  high- 
way of  the  traders  along  the  Fraser  were  in  full  view 
of  the  Cariboo  Mountains,  and  but  forty  miles  distant. 
These  forts  and  lines  of  communication  were  estab- 
lished and  held  by  the  Canadians  in  the  peaceful 
routine  of  their  traffic  for  fifty  years  before  the  gold 
discoveries;  yet  the  region  had  received  no  general 
distinctive  name. 

The  appearance  \ipon  the  forest  plateau  of  the  upper 
Fraser  in  1859  of  a  new  and  stranu;e  order  of  white 
men,  whom  the  Indians,  by  this  time  well  accustomed 
to  tlie  fur-trade,  may  be  supposed  to  have  distin- 
guished as  the  dio-crcrs,  introduces  a  new  area  of  ex- 
])]oration  and  occupation.  The  new-comers  devised 
tor  its  geographical  titles,  in  their  own  peculiar  way,^ 
under  which  the  regions  and  the  localities  in  question 
wore  at  once  brought  prominently  Avithin  the  field  of 
industry  and  of  history.  The  Cariboo  region  seemetl 
in  the  autum  of  1860,  when  the  first  intimations  were 
received  of  mining  about  the  fork  of  tiic  Quesnel,  to 
1)0  as  remote  and  as  difficult  of  access  as  the  arctic 
legions.  Impressed  with  the  belief  that  the  coarser 
gold  of  the  country  would  be  found  higher,  a  hand- 
ful of  miners'  had  this  year  penetrated  along  the  main 
and  north  branches  of  the  Quesnel  to  the  Quesnel  and 
Caril)oo  lakes.  Launching  their  rafts,  they  voyaged 
along  the  winding  and  extended  shores,  prospecting 
the  tributary  streams  with  varied  adventure  and  suc- 
cess. The  particular  scenes,  cliaracters,  and  incidents 
(if  their  progress  must  l-o  left  to  the  imagination  of 
the  reader.  The  ])enci)  of  the  artist  will  in  a  future 
(lay  picture  the  wild  beauties  of  these  lakes  and  valleys. 
From  Cariboo  Lake  was  visible,  a  short  distance  to  the 
Westward,  a  group  of  bald  mountains,  subsequently 
known  as    the   Snowshoe,  and    ]\[ount  Agnes    ]]ald 

^In  tho  early  goM-mining  geography  of  British  Colunil)ia,  sixty  miles 
alinvu  the  Thompson  River  country  began  tlio  'Canoe  Country;'  to  tiio  nortli 
of  wli-  '  vasthe  'Balloon  Country; '  aiulbeyonil  that  figain  was  the  'Cariboo 
Com.'  '  — terms  of  an  intletlnite  character,  yet  generally  used.  J/ittelCa  Jltiiul- 
liook  of  Miniiuj,  S.  F.,  1801,  100. 


riiUMMXMI 


474 


GOLD  IN  THE  CARIBOO  COUNTRY. 


Mountains.  Behind  these  the  prospectors  were  now 
penetrating.  This  was  the  core  of  the  auriferous 
slate  country,  wkence  radiated  the  four  great  rivers 
of  the  Cariboo  region,  the  Bear,  Willow,  and  Cotton- 
wood rivers,  and  the  north  branch  of  the  Quesnel, 
hitherto  unexplored  and  unnamed,  but  destined  to 
bee  Dine  famous  through  their  respective  tributaries, 


TuE  Oaridoo  Countrt. 

Koithlcy,  Antler,  William,  and  Lowhce  creeks — insig- 
nificant streams  issuing  from  the  same  Bald  Mountain 
group.  A  year  later  they  were  the  sites  of  the  prin- 
cipal mining-camps  of  the  Cariboo  region,  known 
throughout  the  world;  and  the  Snowshoe  and  Mount 
Agnes  Bald  Mountain  chain,  like  the  Sierra  Nevada 
of  California,  the  main  range  of  the  country,  was 


DOUGLAS'  REPORT. 


475 


were  now 
auriferous 
reat  rivers 
nd  Cotton- 
3  Quesnol, 
estined  to 
:ributarics. 


5i..ii«i.»i' 


t.liii.v 


l^ 


cs — insij^- 
Vlountaiu 
the  priii- 
a,  known 
id  Mount 
a,  Nevada 
itry,  was 


rendered  familiar  to  the  sight  of  men  in  places  where 
solitude  and  the  wild  animal  had  reigned  from  a  pri- 
meval day.* 

In  August  1859,  Governor  Douglas  was  able  to 
reijort  to  the  colonial  sccrctarv  that  ''the  nowlv  ex- 
plored  tract  of  mining  country  about  Fort  Alexandria 
and  Qucsnel's  River'  possessed  "more  of  the  general 
features  of  a  gold  country  than  any  yet  known  part  of 
British  Columbia.""  This  conclusion  was  simply  a 
reflection  of  the  opinions  expressed  by  miners,  who 
luul  reached  the  Quesnel  Fork  diggings,  touching 
the  character  of  the  Cariboo  Mountain  region  in 
its  relation  to  the  gold  in  the  rivers;  abundance 
of  coarse  gold  having  been  found  in  the  diggings, 
where  it  was  evident  it  had  remained  in  tlie  vicinity 
of  the  oold-bearinij  rock.  Here  were  mountains  of 
gold-bearing  slate,  looking  familiar  to  tlie  Califor- 
nians;  yet  the  diggings  were  not  in  all  respects  like 
tliose  of  the  gold  regions  of  California.  It  was  a})- 
parent  above  all  that  this  auriferous  slate  formation 
was  more  extensively  develoi)ed  than  in  tlic  Cascade 
^Mountain  l)order  of  the  ])lateau.  There  was  no  inuni'- 
(.liate  geological  connection  between  the  fine  gold  of 
the  Fraser  mined  in  1858  and  the  coarse  gold  discov- 
ered in  tlie  mountains  of  Cariboo;'^  yet  there  was  an 
actual  and  an  historical  connection  as  well  as  continu- 
ity. It  was  partly  the  theory  concerning  the  origin 
of  til  •  former  that  led  t(^  the  discovery  of  tlie  latter. 
Mi'iing  romps  and  mining  distr'icts  on  the  Fraser  and 
it  trihitaries,  just  as  in  California  aiid  elsewhere, 
•Vi  r.:  Movitably  abandoned  at  a  certain  stage,  under 
t!ie  /-'ippi.'sioion  that  they  were  exhausted,  and  Fraser 

S^llv.  t'  \\  asatch  Mountiiiiis  of  Utah  ami  tlio  Bitter  Root  Mountains 
of  l(l:iliii,  tliu  range  waa  tlie  western  nieniher  of  tiie  system  of  tlie  Jloeky 
Minintains.  In  British  t'oluinhiau  latitudes  this  mountain  ranue  jierfornieil 
the  noteworthy  funetion  of  giving  origin  to  the  gi'eat  IhmhIs  of  tiie  Coluniliia 
and  I'raser  rivers,  which,  Uowing  to  the  luirthwanl  hehind  it,  hcnt  around  to 
tlie  southward  after  hreaking  througii  the  gohl-liearing  range,  and  then 
striuk  over  the  jilateau,  in  courses  (juite  simihir,  to  the  sea. 

''It'.sjHifrl,,  (latc.l  Aug.  '2:i,  1 «.')!»,  in  /i.  <'.  l',i)»TX,  iii.  50. 

^ '  Fine  gold  will  not  travel  far  without  the  aid  of  sonic  earthy  Huhs'^-anee.' 
7'(r»(,';'(t  Lixturvn. 


■l;1 


I 


476 


GOLD  IN  THE  CARIBOO  COUNTRY. 


River  afforded  a  direct  and  speedy  route  for  prospec- 
tors and  their  rear-guard  in  search  of  new  and  richer 
deposits  on  the  plateau  and  within  the  parallels  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  so  that  the  movement  across  the 
plateau  from  its  western  to  its  eastern  flange  was 
accomplished  at  a  comparatively  early  day.  In  the 
course  of  a  few  years  there  was  disclosed  to  the  world 
a  counterpart  of  California,  equally  rich,  and  extend- 
ing at  least  from  the  Horsefly  branch  of  the  Quesncl 
and  the  Clearwater  tributary  of  the  Thompson  at  the 
south,  to  the  Cafion  Creek  tributary  of  the  Fraser  in 
the  north-west,  over  two  degrees  of  latitude,  in  tlie 
direction  of  the  range.  But  a  new  lesson  was  to  Ijc 
learned  ' >)'  the  gold-miners.  Hitherto  the  surface  liad 
bec^n  ski;  .  '  with  the  aid  of  rocker  and  sluice,  and  a 
few  insigni.  t  liydraulic enterprises  had  been  uudti- 
takci'  on  the  benches;  Ijut  in  Cariboo,  the  mystiiy 
and  art  of  deep  [)lacer-mining  in  its  true  terlmical 
sense  were  to  be  practicallv  studied  miuI  unravelled  liv 
means  of  shafts  and  drifts,  i)umps,  ami  hoisting  nia- 
chinery.  On  tlie  Fraser,  as  in  tht  Cohuubia  ItiviT 
basin,  the  richly  concentrated  goltl  leads  of  tlie  aneiciit 
rivers  lav  in  l)uried  channels  below  the  level  of  tlir 
modern  streams,  and  drifting  underneatli  the  clay 
strata  in  search  of  tliese  deposits  became  in  Carilxio 
the  main  feature  of  mining.  Exceptionall}'  raised 
strata  on  the  streams  had  in  se\  ''al  cases  reveaKd 
the  ricjier  leads  l)elow;  but  this  indication  was  not 
always  found,  nor  was  the  lead  eontiiuious.  Peculiar 
diflicultios  were  encountered  in  following  the  winding's 
of  the  buried  channels,  ccMifused  and  obliterated  as 
they  vere  by  the  later  glariol  action,  which  had,  also, 
fretjuently  modified  or  altered  the  courses  of  the 
modern  streams.  From  Yale  to  Lilloet,  from  Al'X- 
andria  to  the  Quesnel  River,  the  miners  only  left  one 
kind  of  deposit  to  enter  upon  another.  Thus  the 
'Fraser  River  humbug'  was,  nevertheless,  a  continued 
mming  operation;  it  was  a  repetition  of  the  liistoiy 
of  gold-mining  in  California;   and  the    i.ransition  on 


EFFECT  ON  -VaCTORlA. 


477 


the  Fraser,  in  view  of  the  remoteness  and  inaecessi- 
bihty  of  the  diggings,  was  as  speedy  as  it  was  suc- 
cessful. 

Tlic  significance  of  the  discoveries  in  the  Cariboo 
countr}^  did  not  become  apparent  at  Victoria  until 
very  near  the  close  of  the  year  18G0.  After  the  sea- 
son of  depression  and  depopulation  which  had  been 
t'X}»crienccd  almost  from  the  connncncement  of  mining 
on  the  Fraser,  everything  had  the  ajjpearance  of 
pi'oniature  death  and  dissolution  in  the  colony.  But 
in  Xovember  18G0,  with  the  return  of  the  successful 
miners  from  the  fork  of  the  (^uesnel,  came  bags  of 
nuggets  which  revived  the  fainting  hopes  of  the  trading 
comnmnity  by  the  sea.  These  were  the  assurances 
that  the  country  :'as  safe.  Hesitation  in  regard  to 
erecting  permanent  >uildings  at  Victoria  gave  place  to 
confidence,"  and  the  town  gained  its  footing  for  a  sub- 
stantial growtli.  Had  the  government  been  able  to 
retain  the  twenty  thousand  Americans  and  other  for- 
eigners, whom  they  feared,  to  this  time,  wliat  stridis 
of  development  might  have  been  made  on  tlie  road  t<» 
tlio  Rocky  IVfountains  in  the  north!  What  an  aspect 
might  have  been  given  to  coinmercial  developments 
on  the  North  Pacific  had  the  first  railway  to  tlie 
llocky  ^Mountains  l)een  completed  in  J^ritish  territory! 

Fraser  River  and  Cariboo  l)ecanie  as  famous  nnd 
as  widely  known  throughout  tlie  world  as  Sacramento 
J'i\er  and  Ballurat,  and  minei's  from  California  and 
Australia  were  emphatic  in  their  declarations  touch- 
ing the  comparative  merits  of  Cariboo.^  AVith  a  po])- 
ulation  of  fiiteen  hundred  people,  the  district  sitipited 

'  Mur/lr'.'i  V.  [.  ami.  U.  <\,  73. 

*■ 'There  were  big  iiiiiu's  ill  Cariboo.  Tlie  Cunningham  claim  yieldoil  six 
(luiicca  a  (lay  to  the  hand.'  Lurii'  Conl  J>l-i.,  -MS.,  Id.  'A  coniparisim  of 
tlie  retiirnH,  says  Lit^uteiiant  J'almi'r,  '«itii  tiiose  of  the  most  notorious 
<li.striets  of  California  and  Australia,  encourages  the  heliof  that  the  aurifrrous 
rii'iies  of  Cariboo  are  the  greatest  hitherto  discovered.'  Lnml.  (lai'i.  Sur., 
Jour.,  KSlU,  171.  Tho  richest  poiiioiis  of  California  in  its  most  paliny  days, 
said  Major  Downio  of  l)ownievillu,  California,  were  as  nothing  comiiarcd 
with  what  ho  had  seen  since  he  left  Victoria  foi'Cariboo.  Viiioi-ia  Daibi  I'lrs", 
Oit.  ]."),  18(jl,  (pioted  in  J  fnzlitf'iCiirilioo,  l.'{4.  'Never  in  tiie  iiistory  of  gold- 
iiiiuiiig  have  tliuro  been  8uvh  fubuluuti  »unis  umuissed  in  so  incredibly  tihort  a 
i*pacc  of  tiino,' 


478 


GOLD  IN  THE  CARIBOO  COUNTRY. 


to  Victoria  Vicfore  tlic  cud  of  the  season  of  18G1  two 
inillious  of  dollars.  Though  the  opportunity  which 
had  proniisotl  to  place  the  Fuca  ports  on  an  equal 
footing  with  the  harbor  of  San  Francisco  was  lost,  tlie 
developments  now  made  showed  what  might  follow  at 
a  later  dav,  when  the  Canadian  l*acitic  I'ailwav  should 
])lacc  within  the  great  Fraser  basin  a  large  popula- 
tion;  and  the  reports  of  its  great  mineral  resources 
were  not  onl}'  apparently  but  really  and  undoubtedly 
justified. 


The  fii'st  effect  of  these  discoveries  was  to  prod 


luce 


i     ': 


anotluu"  movement  of  population  from  Calilbrnia  and 
Oregon  into  the  basin  of  the  Fraser.  The  abundant 
yield  of  gold  this  time  created  a  'stampede'  for  the 
new  mines,  which  held  out  with  every  elenu'nt  of 
genuinent'ss.  based  as  it  was  upon  known  develop- 
ments ratlier  tlian  on  a  fanciful  or  imperfect  and 
illogical  de(hiction  from  mining  exjieriences  in  Cali- 
fornia; and  altliough  comparatively  insignificant  in 
luunbers  beside  that  of  1858,  the  influx  carried  a  pui- 
pose  which  left  its  mark  upon  the  countiy.  From 
lS(if  to  ISfJa,  inclusive,  the  innnigration  continued;' 
and  the  losses  to  the  country  in  conseipience  (d'  tlie 
abandonment  of  the  lower  Fi-aser  after  a  temporary 
occupation  were  recovered  in  all  but  poi)ulation. 

During  the  first  sunnner  following  the  Fraser  ex- 
citement, while  mining  upon  the  ri\'er  bars  was  still 
at  its  height,  small  (.letatdiments  of  ])rospectors  from 
the  Canoe  Countiy  and  the  Balloon  Country,  above 
Fort  Alexandria,  found  their  way  a  distance  of  ninety 
miles  u})  Quesnel  Kiver,  and  worked  succ(>ssfully  upon 
its  bars.'" 

Xumerous  letters  weri^  received  at  Yale  exhausting 
every  power  of  persuasion  to  induce  miners  to  join 
their  covfrcns  on  the  Quesnel,  especially  at  Quesnel 

'•''A  far  grciitiT  stiiinpodo  that  that  of  tho  Fraser  cxcitumciit. '  /)<(Ih-' 
Si/tli'iiicii/.  V.  /.,  MS.,  (1.  'Tlie  l)i;Nt  yi'ars  of  Cariltdo  wort!  ill  KSIi.S,  lS(i4,  atnl 
ISli."!.     After  that  was  a  gradual  dei'liue.'  A  linn's  CiiriUx),  MS.,  11. 

^"Dowjliut'  Jh'tipatc/i,  Aug.  i-'.'l,  IS."',),  ill  JI.  ('.  Pnjicrs,  iii.  50. 


THE  RUSH  OP  1861. 


m 


Fork,  and  at  some  localities  on  the  southern  tributary 
called  Horsefly  River.  During  the  same  season  of 
1859  the  north  fork  of  the  Quesncl  was  ascended  to 
the  little  and  great  Cariboo  lakes;  but  no  striking  de- 
vi'lopments  appear  to  have  been  made  in  that  quarter 
imtil  the  following  summer  and  fall.  While  a  number 
of  miners,  led  by  Rose  and  McDonald,  proceeded 
to  the  head- waters  of  the  Bear  River,  and  there  de- 
veloped rich  ground,  others  continued  up  the  north 
lork  of  the  Quesnel  to  Cunningham  Crock,  to  mako 
almost  equally  great  discoveries;  but  the  excitement 
for  the  season  was  not  fully  started  till  tlie  finding  in 
January  18G1  of  the  extraordinarily  rich  prospects 
on  Antler  Creek,  about  twenty  miles  from  the  mouth 
of  Kcithley  Creek,  constituting  the  principal  attrac- 
tion ill  the  rush  of  18G1.  The  news  spread  fast;  all 
who  could  go  to  Cariboo,  or  to  the  Cariboo  lakes  and 
their  wonderful  tributaries,  went  at  short  notice,  until 
about  one  thousand  five  hundred  miners  from  the 
coast,  from  Oregon,  and  from  California  had  crossed  the 
(.livide  separating  the  waters  of  the  Quesncl  from  Dear 
lvi\cr,  and  speedily  overflowed  into  the  adjoining 
vWcY  valleys  of  the  Willow  and  Cottonwood,  around 
the  Hanks  of  Bald  Mountain." 


"  il/((r/-'',>'  r.  /.  amlB.  C,  74;  Malhindnimi's  li.  C.  Dircctoni,  IS0.1,  201. 
It  \\a»  llic  reflux  to  the  scalioard  of  the  successful  miners  on  Kcithley  and 
llarvcy  creeks  in  the  full  of  ISCO,  and  the  exhibition  of  their  gold  nt  Vic- 
toria says  Allan,  that  started  the  Caiihoo  excitement.  Allan's  Varihoo,  MS., 
3-4.  During  this  lirst  rush  to  Cariboo  there  was  enough  travel  for  a  titno  to 
crowd  to  sullbcation  the  steamer  Entcrjtrlsc,  the  only  boat  nt  that  time  ply- 
ing liotwecn  Victoria  and  the  Mainland.  I'roni  Yale  the  men  carrieil  their 
fo  !(1  ;iud  blankets  on  their  back,  ('niirtrrci/'n  Miii.,  li.  ('.,  MS.,  ■'!.  On  Antler 
Crcik  thi'i'o  were  a  few  score  of  men  in  the  autumn  of  lS(i().  Is'otwithstanding 
the  sc  crecy  the  discoverers  endeavored  to  maintain,  the  discoveries  were  so 
t('iii]iting  that  when  the  news  reached  the  Quesnel  a  rush  took  i)lacc  to  Antler 
in  ilii'  middle  of  the  wintcrof  KS(!0-1.  Up  to  its  falls,  live  miles  below  th<!  little 
t'aiiliiM)  l,akc,  the  north  branch  had  been  found  to  contain  more  or  less  gold. 
Then  there  wasablaidv  in  ascending  the  valley  of  that  stream,  where  sc.ii-cely 
anything  was  found.  Hut  the  discoverers  of  the  diggings  at  Antler  ( 'rirk, 
not  cnntiMited  with  these  results,  on  their  way  thither  had  crossed  the  lower 
Cariliiio  Lake  to  the  mouth  of  Kcithley  Creek,  and  ascended  that  stream 
into  (he  midst  of  the  Ikld  and  Snowshoo  mountains.  From  this  point  tlicy 
Were  able  to  sec  to  the  northward  in  the  direction  of  the  descent  of  Antler, 
or  Hear  Kiver  Valley.  The  route  from  the  fork  of  the  Quesnel,  taken  by  the 
l)ody  of  pioneers  who  in  the  autunni  of  l.SOO  followe<l  the  discoverers  to  Antler 
iivik,  was  up  the  left  bank  of  the  north  branch  to  Mitchell's  bridge.    Mitchell 


hi 


ill 


m 


GOLD  IN  THE  CARIBOO  COUNTRY. 


One  important  result  to  the  country  was  the  ini- 
petus  given  by  these  discoveries  to  road-buildino, 
arising  from  the  necessity  of  carrying  sup|)Hes  into  tlio 
mines.  Botli  governments  and  individuals  assisted  at 
this,  and  l)eft)re  the  close  of  18G1,  efficient  pack-trails 
gave  free  access  to  all  inn)ortant  mining  localities.'' 
Incited  by  the  discoveries  on  Keithley,.  Harvey,  Ant- 
ler, and  Cunningham  creeks  in  the  spring  of  18 01,  a 
number  of  miners  wandered  farther  in  various  direc- 
tions to  prospect.  First  Grouse  Creek,  forming  witli 
Antler  Creek  the  head-waters  of  Bear  liiver,  Mas  dis- 
covered to  be  equally  entitled  to  attention,  and  lioiii 
the  head  of  this  creek  the  valley  of  William  Creek, 
on  the  head-waters  of  Willow  liiver,  was  not  only 
visible  to  the  enterprising  explorer's,  but  within  easy 
reach.  The  same  ridge,  culminating  in  Mount  Agnes, 
disclosed  to  them  on  looking  westward  the  valKys 
of  Lightning  and  Lowhee  creeks,  tributaries  of  Swift 
and  Cottonwood  rivers.  Nothing  was  wanting  but 
the  disa])pearance  of  the  snows  to  enable  the  pros- 
pectors to  descend  these  several  valleys,  and  to  com- 
plete the  series  of  discoveries  which  in  the  course  of 
that  notable  season  made  most  of  them  famous/"^  The 
actual  mining  developments  of  18(11  began  with  the 
arrival  of  additional  forces  from  every  mining  distiict 
in  the  country,  forming  at  the  end  of  !JiIay  a  })opulatit>a 
of  from  one  thousand  to  one  thousand  four  hundretl 

luiule  bloaks  aiul  windlass,  and  built  the  piers  of  the  bridge  witliout  a.s.sist- 
auoe,  a  work  rctlucting  great  credit  upon  liiiii  for  both  skill  and  jiersevenuici'. 
Thence  the  trail  followed  the  riglit  l)auk  to  little  or  lower  Cariboo  Lake, 
distant  from  Quesnel  Fork  twenty  miles.  Crossing  lower  Cariboo  Lake,  it  l.l 
to  the  mouth  of  Keitidey  Creek,  ascended  that  .stream  for  live  or  six  iiiilis, 
and  struck  north-east  through  the  IJald,  Snowshoc,  and  Swift  Rivermountaiiis. 
JS'imI,  in  B.  C.  I'apir.i,  MS.,  iv.  Ttl. 

^-Jf>izlit\i  Citrihoo,  lli>;  Ximl\f  Jiept.,  March  18G1,  in  B.  C.  P<t2^,'r.i,  iv. 
51-'J.  See  also  Tnitrli's  Majh  Freight  from  Yale  to  Quesnel  Fork  in  If^til 
was  $1  per  pound.  Tliencc  to  Antler,  before  the  comj)letion  of  the  pack-trail, 
the  Indians  carried  provisions  in  the  early  part  of  the  season  of  18(il  for  S't 
cents  to  $1  per  pound.  By  July  the  trails  were  opened,  and  pack-traiiw 
reached  Antler,  reilucing  the  price  of  provisions  to  55  and  65  cents  a  i»ouiul, 
and  of  beef  from  50  cents  to  20  cents  a  pound,  li.  C.  Diredon/,  18ti3,  201. 

'^On  the  completion  of  the  Cariboo  wagon-road  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Quesnel  to  Lightning  Creek  in  1865,  there  was  a  reversal  of  the  order  in  which 
the  several  streams  became  known  to  the  world. 


CARIBOO  IX  CALIFORNIA. 


481 


,s  the  iui- 
l-buildinj;, 
iii  into  tlu' 
assisted  at 
|)ack-tiails 
localities.^- 
rvey,  Ant- 
of  18()1,  a 
ious  diii'*'- 
:'inin*;"  a\  itli 
^•r,  \vas  dis- 
j,  and  iVoiii 
am  Cni'k. 
,s  not  only 
^vithin  '-iisy 
unt  A;4iK'S, 
the  valli'vs 
OS  of  Swift 
antin;^"    hnt 
c  the  \-r»>s- 
md  to  eoni- 
course  o\' 
.us.^^'      Tl.r 
1  with  tlio 
n;j;  distri<'t 
population 
Lir  hundnil 


without  .-vssist- 
k1  jiorsi'VLr:iuct'. 
r  (.'aiiljixt  L:iki', 
•il)oi)  Lake,  it  U'l 
livo  or  six  iiiiUs 
Uveriuouiitiiins. 

<\  /•((})'''••'-■.  i^> 
lel  Fork  ill  I'^'il 
)f  the  pack-trail, 
,11  of  IStil  I'.M-  N.> 
ami   iiack-trams 

cents  a  itouml, 
,/,  18(i»,  201. 
le  mouth  ot  the 
10  order  in  which 


miners,  a  large  portion  of  whom  were  occupied  with 
tiansportation  trade  in  its  various  branches,  and  in 
road-making.  Further  accessions  later  in  the  season 
fuinished  a  total  prospecting,  exploring,  and  actual 
niiuing  population  of  about  fifteen  hundred."  The 
country  now  for  the  first  time  became  known  as  Cari- 
boo. This  was  simply  the  extension  to  the  entire 
ifo^ion  explored,  of  the  name  of  the  Cariboo  Lakes, 
situated  on  the  north  fork  of  the  Quesnel,  from  which 
tiic  explorations  may  be  said  to  have  started. 

The  Fraser  excitement  was  never  a  more  universal 
topic  of  conversation  in  California  than  was  Cariboo 
at  Victoria  in  the  autumn  of  18G1;  it  seemed  hardly 
n edible  even  to  those  who  had  been  accustomed  to 
SIC  rich  diggings  and  lucky  strikes.  The  news  spread 
iluther,  and  tliousands  of  people  from  California, 
Canada,  England,  and  every  other  quarter  of  the 
^lohe  ascended  the  valley  of  the  Fraser  early  in  the 
season  of  1802.  Owing  to  the  unexpected  distance, 
and  the  difficulty  of  reaching  Cariboo  before  the  com- 
pletion of  the  wagon-road,  many  turned  back  without 
entering  the  mines,  while  others  consumed  on  the  way 
the  provisions  intended  for  the  relief  of  tho.se  who  had 
wintered  in  the  mines;  consequently  there  was  almost 
a  famine  at  Cariboo.^' 

Exploration  in  18G2  was,  nevertheless,  vigorously 
prosecuted  by  an  actual  mining  poj)ulation  estimated 
at  five  thousand  in  Cariboo  district.  Although  extend- 
ing over  an  area  of  fifty  miles  scjuare,  the  operations 
were  chiefly  in  contiguous  ground,  and  resulted  in  the 

"  Lomloii  Times'  cor.,  quoted  in  Cnrilioo  GoU-Jidd.%  49-52.  At  tlie  end  of 
i\w.  sejiMoii  of  I8(>1,  the  TIiiick'  eorrespondeut  nioditiud  Homewhat  his  previous 
ligureH  of  1,400  at  the  eiul  of  May,  and  gave  the  total  number  of  actual  miners 
ill  tlie  (Jariboo  district,  including  yuesuel  Fork  and  fifty  miles  below,  during 
till'  whole  season,  at  1,500.  Lomloii  Times,  Feb.  6,  18(52,  in  Mnyne's  B.  ('., 
442.  He  furnished  no  estimate  of  the  proportion  engaged  in  trade  and  trans- 
portation, but  loft  it  to  be  inferred  that  tliese  were  to  be  added.  P  -obably 
the  l!irg(!8t  number  of  miners  actually  at  work  prospecting  and  mining  at  any 
one  time  during  the  season  ot  1801  never  exceeded  1,000;  while  the  general 
Work  of  exploration  under  consideration  engaged  the  whole  1,.')0().  In  June 
K**!)!,  Douglas  estimated  the  total  population  at  I,.'V}0.   B.  C.  Pupern,  iv.  B(J. 

''Miners  and  prospectors  togetlier  were  obliged  to  travel  out  after  pro- 
visions, paying  one  dollar  to  cme  dollar  and  a  half  per  pound. 
Hist.  Brit.  Col.    31 


482 


(lOLD  IX  THE  CAltlllOO  L'OUNTR\. 


production  of  a  total  yield  from  Cariboo  thus  far  of 
about  $3,000,000." 

Of  the  lieroic  deeds  of  the  early  prospectors  there- 
is  evidence  on  every  hand,  but  such  exploits  were  of 
every-day  occurrence  in  the  pioneer  army  that  was 
advancint^  upon  the  strongholds  of  the  country  under 
the  pressun;  of  the  <^old  mania;  and  it  was  not  the 

'*The  American  coiihuI  ustimated  the  total  initiing  ixiimlation  of  British 
( 'oluinbia  for  ISfi'iat  ir),0()(),  three  fourths  of  tlie  people  being  from  C'alit'oriiia, 
Oregon,  and  Wiishington.  Allt'it  Frnnrlit,  in  l\  ,9.  Cotnmerdul  lid.,  18(i'J,  14,S. 
Discoveries  continued  to  lie  made  as  ainattcr  of  courHt  every  year  after  JStll, 
hut  they  were  of  local  rather  than  of  geographical  iiiiportanue,  and  i)ertaiii(i! 
chiefly  to  mining  developments,  in  localities  henceforth  having  a  history  of 
their  own.  The  three  principal  niiniiig-camps  in  18(>'i  were  \\'illiam,  Li^ht- 
inng,  and  Lowhec  creeks,  employing  a  total  niunhcr  of  ."), (MM)  miners,  ('(mi- 
tcrry'n  Mill.,  B.  C,  MS.,  10.  BVom  these  local  discoveries  important  miiiiuj,' 
developments  were  made  in  all  directions.  On  Last  C'lianee  Creek,  atrilm- 
tary  of  Lightning  Creek,  hill-diggings  wtire  found  early  in  KSi;2  which 
were  deemed  highly  important;  Van  AVinkh^  ]>avis,  Anderson,  and  oUnr 
gidches  in  the  same  neighhorhood  were  sueeessfully  worked,  and  on  Kiiiiis, 
Lowhee,  Nelson,  Sugar,  and  Willow  creeks,  simihir  tli'vc^lopmeiits  were  md<\v 
the  same  season.  Ji.  V.  JJlrcrtonf,  18(W,  2(1*2.  Up  to  \SM  tlie  list  of  rii  lur 
creeks  developed  hy  sinking  shafts  into  the  deep  cliannels  eml)raeed  lv(itlih\, 
(roose,  Cunningham,  Lightning,  J.ack  of  t'luhs,  (Jrouse,  Cliisholm,  Sovcreij;ii. 
Last  Chance,  Anderson,  Fountain,  Harvey,  Nelson,  Stevens,  Snowshoe,  Cali- 
fornia, Thistle,  Sugar,  Willow,  McCallum,  Tahahoo,  Conklin,  Lowliec,  ami 
William  creeks,  etc.  Miicjie's  V.  I.  mid  li.  C,  ]4(!.  A  series  of  letters  written 
in  the  autumn  and  winter  of  18()l-2,  l»y  JJonald  Fraser,  the  Lonuon  Tiimt' 
correspondent,  pictured  the  discoveries  and  excitements  of  the  preceding  _>i';ir 
in  somewhat  roseate  but  not  overdrawn  coloring.  Fraser  simply  omitted  tin- 
dark  side  of  the  picture;  and  he  was  i>articularly  blami'<l  l>y  the  English  arrivals 
for  speaking  prematurely  of  the  stage-eoaclies  on  tlie  proposed  wagon-ioail, 
when  it  appeared,  to  their  grief,  after  travelling  7, (MM)  miles,  that  a  walk  ni 
4(M)  or  5()0  nnles  farther,  carrying  a  load,  would  l)e  necessary  to  lini>Ii  the 
journey.  Allann  Corilioo,  MS,,  8.  In  all  several  thousand  Uritisli  siil)ji'it>. 
from  England,  Canada,  Australia,  and  New  Zealand,  wtsre  induced  by  tluM' 
letters  to  undertiike  the  journey  to  British  Columbia  in  the  spring  of  ISti'J. 
Macfie  vouched  for  the  sub.stantial  correctness  of  the  statements  made  by 
Donald  Fraser.  V.  I.  and  Ji.  C,  75.  Some  of  the  British  immigrants  brought 
M'ith  them  placards  of  a  speculative  transportation  company,  circulateil  in 
England,  where  tickets  were  sold  for  Canlioo  direct,  picturing  tiie  stai;( ■■ 
coaches  that  were  to  carry  them  from  Yale.  But  the  holders  of  such  tiekitti 
ascertained  as  soon  as  they  landed  in  America  that  there  were  no  ai-raM^i- 
ments  to  make  good  the  promise.  On  the  way  from  Yale  to  Cariboo  tlu  n 
were  comparatively  few  houses,  so  that  provisions  had  always  to  be  canieil 
at  leaat  from  one  to  three  days.  An  overland  party  from  Canada  by  way  nf 
Y'ellowhead  Pass,  late  in  I8G2,  ■  '  ndoned  their  horses  at  the  head-waters 
of  the  Fraser,  and  turning  tliem  l.)0se,  built  rafts  to  float  down  the  river 
to  Fort  George.  Four  of  the  party,  not  caring  to  venture  on  so  perilous  a 
journey,  turned  back,  but  not  finding  the  horses,  they  finally  nnciertook  to 
reach  Fort  George  on  foot,  two  of  the  Ilennie  brothers  perishing  durini;  a 
snow-storm.  Those  on  the  raft  soon  entered  a  cafion  where  a  number  of  tlnin 
were  drowned.  AHaiCt  Cariboo,  MS.,  15-18.  In  1862,  V.  H.  Lewis  and  otln  r 
Oregoniaos  went  to  Cariboo  overland  by  way  of  Okanagan.  Lewis'  Coal  Dii-, 
MS.,  16. 


I,  Ilium  II  xu 


THE  HEROIC  IN  O  OLD-MINING. 


453 


cu.stoiii  of  the  time  to  dignify  the  search  for  the  sor- 
did metals  with  any  title  of  he?oisni.  Yet  had  such 
deeds  been  performed  in  the  name  of  war,  science,  t)r 
iL'ligion,  doubtless  their  stories  would  have  been  told, 
and  the  names  of  the  heroes  [)re«erved  and  honored. 
The  prospector's  fame  depended  upon  his  success  in 
fiiidinj^  gold;  and  it  was  restricted  to  the  small  circle 
tliat  shared  in  the  benefits  of  the  discovery,  to  be  lost 
si^ht  of  as  soon  as  the  last  nuggets  })arted  company 
with  him.  The  romantic  and  tragic  extremes  seemed 
iiiiturally  united  in  his  career,  but  otherwise  tiian  as 
jiiospectors  and  discoverers,  the  lives  of  Keithley,  Mc- 
J)<)nald,  Rose,  Dietz,  and  Cunningham  were  blank, 
and  might  have  been  fitted  to  any  imaginar}'  previous 
or*  subsequent  career  belonging  to  the  scene.  Kose, 
an  American,  and  McDonald,  a  Canadian  from  Cape 
Breton  Island,  are  credited  by  Governor  Douglas  as 
tlie  greatest  of  the  discoverers  in  Cariboo.  McDon- 
ald worked  hard  for  three  years,  and  amassed  con- 
siderable wealth,  with  which  he  came  down  to  Victoria 
to  recruit  himself  Kose  left  sjiortly  after  this  dis- 
covery in  (juest  of  nisw  mines,  and  was  found  in  the 
woods  dead  from  starvation.  William  ])ietz,  the  dis- 
coverer of  William  Creek,  the  richest  stream  of  all, 
survived  till  1877,  only  to  die  a  i)auper  at  Victoria. 
Keithlev,  who  mive  his  name  to  the  first  discovered 
ol  the  rich  creeks  of  Cariboo,  held  a  valuable  claim  at 
Quesuel  Fork  in  1800-1." 

''  Kiiitlilcy's  claim  at  Qwesnel  Fork  was  on  the  hill-side,  ami  was  one 
III'  tile  richest  iu  that  vicinity.  B.  C.  Ptijitiv,  iv.  50.  Kcitliley  (,'rcek,  the 
lir'st  discovered  of  the  characteristic  ricli  creeks  of  Cari])oo  proper,  was 
iinly  twenty  miles  distant.  In  regard  to  the  discoverers  of  Antler  Creek,  an 
riitry  in  Donglas  jonrnal  made  at  Lytton,  June  5,  18l!l,  mentions  that 
'Rose,  an  American,  and  McDonald,  a  Canadian,  are  the  two  great  pros- 
jicutors  who  have  discovered  tlie  Cariboo  diggings.'  Douijlnx'  Primte  Pn^icrii, 
-Ms.,  l.st  ser.,  14().  In  a  despatch  to  tlie  duke  of  Newcastle,  written  on  his 
roturn  to  Vancouver  Island,  ho  said  that  'the  Cariboo  gold  district  was  dis- 
covered by  a  line  athletic  young  man  of  the  name  of  McDonald,  a  native  of 
tliu  Island  of  Cape  Breton,  of  mixotl  French  and  Scotch  descent,  condiiniiig  in 
liis  personal  appearance  and  character  the  courage,  activity,  and  remarkable 
Jiowers  of  endi. ranee  of  both  races.  His  health  had  suffered  from  three  years' 
iiMistant  exposure  and  privation,  which  induced  liiin  to  repair  with  his  well- 
tunuil  wealth  to  this  colony  for  medical  assistance.  His  verbal  report  to  me 
is  interesting,  and  conveys  the  idea  of  an  almost  exhaustless  gold-field  extend- 


,l|li  II II  !>>)»> 


: 


484 


(iOLh  IN  TIIK  CAUIBOO  CUt'NTRY. 


•  Tlio  luirtl,slil[)s  of  cxploratif)!!  umlerijoiio  in  thcfst- 
reiiiotu  and  iuh'lC('c1  regions  uftoidt'tl  t'i('(|U('nt  cxann)le8 
<»t'  the  miracles  that  can  be  ^vroUlL;llt  l)y  tlie  will  ovei' 
the  boily.  From  Quesnel  Fork,  the  hi<;liest  point  in 
tlie  basin  of"  the  Fraser  Kiver  where  supplies  could  he 
delivered  by  nutans  of  })ack-animals  in  18(10,  journeys 
of  several  months  were  undertaken  throuu^h  tangled 
forests,  rui^^ged  canons,  and  over  lofty  mountains,  bur- 
dened until  late  in  the  sprin_i(  with  snows.  The  pros- 
pector ventured  hundreds  of  miles,  in  tlie  face  of 
starvation,  into  a  country  which  contained  little  game, 
and  was  scarcely-  visited  even  by  Inilians.  The  ad- 
venturer of  the  Hose  type  threw  himself  into  the 
mountains  witli  reckless  abandon,  risking  body  and 
soul  in  their  fastnesses,  and  trusting  to  the  genius 
of  tlic  region  to  take  pity  and  guide  him  into  tlic 
subfluvial  caverns  lit  up  by  the  yellow  light  he  loved 
s<j  well. 

The  miner,  like  the  sailor,  had  glimpses  of  nature  in 
supernatural  moods.      Hv  learned  the  lesson  of  a  soli 
tary  man's   helplessness.      Fancies   and    superstitions 
took  hold  on  iiimin  one  form  or  another.      Alone  witli 
his  thouij^hts  sometimes  for  davs  and  weeks  tosjfethcr 
delving  in  unfamiliar  surroundings,  under  the  infiu 

iiig  tliiMUgli  the  ((uart/  ami  slate  toriiiatidiis  in  a  iiorthcrly  direction  from  Cari- 
liiio  J^akf. '  li.  < '.  I'lipi  r.t.  iv.  'iS.  Ko.sc  w  as  one  ul  tlie  most  ailveiiturous  of  tlu' 
pioneers.  .Milton  ainl  C'lieaille,  Wliynijier  anil  oljiers.  all  tell  the  same  stories 
«)1  tlie  tirst-nanud  author,  only  dill'ering  troni  honylas  in  calling  him  a  Scotch- 
man. \\  lien  tiie  crowil  rushed  in  upon  Rose,  McDonald,  and  l)icty.,  on 
Antler  Creek  in  18G0-  1,  Kose  and  J)ietz  left  in  search  of  new  dig;^''.;{^s.  jvusi 
disa])peared  for  months.  J  Lis  ahsence  gave  no  concern  to  his  friends,  anion;; 
whom  similar  prospecting  journeys  into  the  wilds  were  of  every-day  occur- 
rence.  Finally,  another  party  of  prospectors  happened  to  follow  his  track 
far  into  the  wilderness,  and  came  upon  his  bocly  in  the  woods.  Near  it 
on  the  hranch  of  a  tree  was  hanging  his  tin  cup,  on  which  was  scratclicil. 
with  the  point  of  a  knife-ldade,  the  legend,  '  iJying  of  starvation,  liosc' 
K,  W.  PiiM.  Ill/  Lmid,  'M'A-'y;  W/ii/iiijiir'-i  Alo.ikd,  85.  William  I>ictz,  tlio 
discoverer  of  the  diggings  (ui  William  Creek,  ascended  Bald  Mountain  from 
Antler  Creek  early  in  ISlil,  and  was  the  lirst  to  report  the  position  of  tliu 
valley  of  Willow  Kiver.  lie  afterward  prospected  its  head-waters,  hut  witli 
little  success,  and  announced  the  (liscev-ry  of  gold  on  the  stream  callcil 
A\  illiam  Creek  hy  some,  and  Huml)ng  Creek  by  otiiers.  JJiet/  died  a  pau]Kr 
at  Victoria  in  1877.  Another  of  the  earliest  miners  on  William  Creek,  wlin 
Itecame  wealthy  as  the  owner  of  the  Black  Jack  mine,  was  at  Victoria  in  tli' 
winter  of  1877-8,  dcpcudeut  oil  charity  tor  his  daily  broad.  Allans  Carilimi, 
MS.,  11. 


THE  QUESNEL  AND  HORSEFLY. 


48S 


3  ill  tliu^v 
■j  cxaiiH)lLs 
J  will  OVlT 
it  point  ill 

;S  could  1)1; 

),  j(»urucys 
j;li  tunglitl 
itaius,  bur- 

Tliu  l»r(is- 
liu  faru  of 
littlu  ji,aiuf, 
.  The  ad- 
if  into  tlu' 
;  l)ody  aiul 

the  genius 
111  into  tlu' 
lit  he  loved 

L)f  nature  in 

>n  of  a  soli- 

u])erstitioiis 

Alone  witli 

together 

the  infiu 

octioii  fromC'ari- 
■uturous  (if  till! 
tliu  same  sUirii'-i 
ng  liiiu  fi  Sciitcli- 
aiul  Diutz,  on 

1  friends,  uiiioiij: 
!very-ilay  dccur- 
follow  liis^  track 
woihIs.     Nt'ar  it 

was  scratclit'il,^ 
arvatioii,  llnsc. 
illiain  1  >it!tz,  the 

MdUiitaiu  fnii:' 

position  of  IIh! 
waters,  I'ut  with 
le  stream  calU'l 
;tz  tlio'l  ii  I'liuF'' 
liani  ("reek,  wIim 
t  Victoria  in  tli'- 

AUaa's  Cariboo, 


ence  of  natural  objects,  encompassed  by  the  evolu- 
tion imps  of  the  dark  canon,  the  elevated  region,  the 
lonely  lake,  the  unknown  stream,  not  unfreqiiently  his 
dreams  or  haps  of  a  trifling  nature  formed  his  sole 
mental  pabulum;  and  the  imagination  found  wing  hi 
the  direction  of  his  desires,  often  shaped  by  some 
creed  spiritualistic.  Hera,  the  goddess  who  loved 
Jason  and  all  his  crew  of  adventurous  Greeks,  would 
keep  an  eye  on  his  fortunes  also,  and  would  lead  him 
straight  to  his  goal,  as  among  the  thrice  worshipful 
of  the  Argonauts.  In  some  of  these  men  a  mental 
or  moral  bend  due  to  prior  life,  furnished  the  tragic 
woof  that  ran  through  their  web  of  romance,  forming 
its  most  essential  part.  Everything  had  gone  wrong ; 
there  was  no  human  remedy.  All  that  could  bo  done 
was  to  throw  themselves  away,  to  give  themselves 
wholly  over  to  wickedness,  since  the  worst  fate  staring 
them  in  the  face  might  be  modified  and  tcjiupoiarily 
or  partially  escaped  by  the  aid  of  the  appreciative  if 
not  pitying  spirit  of  evil.  Whatever  th  ir  fancies, 
scores  of  venturesome  miners  were  lost;  some  never 
more  to  be  heard  of. 

Having  accounted  for  the  settlement  of  Cariboo, 
wc  are  prepared  to  survey  the  history  of  the  several 
creeks  in  detail.  At  Quesnel  Fork,  the  Fraser  River 
miners  worked  during  the  larger  part  of  the  season  of 
1859,  and  this  was  the  first  point,  aside  from  Fraser 
River,  to  develop  into  a  permanent  camp.  Quesnel 
Fork  had  an  important  geographical  position,  and 
was  easily  reached  by  the  plateau  trail  from  William 
Lake.  It  was  the  point  of  divergence  in  two  or  three 
diflerent  directions,  chiefly  along  the  north  and  south 
forks  of  the  Quesnel,  the  latter  branching  into  Horse- 
fly River,  and  formed  the  supply  depot  for  the  Cariboo 
region  during  the  discovery  period,  and  even  after- 
wards to  some  extent.  The  mining-cainp  here  was 
beside  the  centre  of  an  extensive  mining  district, 
with  tunnels,  dams,  and  water-wheels,  and  as  such  it 


486 


GOLD  IN  THE  C^VRIBOO  COUNTRY. 


18 


early  Sussumed  the  dignity  of  a  village  or  town. 
Though  much  of  its  prestige  departed  on  the  com- 
pletion of  the  Cariboo  wagon-road,  by  way  of  the 
mouth  of  the  Quesnel,  its  permanency  and  local  im- 
portance were  sufficiently  well  established  to  maintain 
down  to  1875  three  well-filled  stores  doing  a  large 
business  with  pack-trains,  and  two  butcher-shops, 
besides  the  usual  miscellaneous  establishments  of  a 
mining  town ;  but  the  white  miners  had  by  this  time 
abandoned  the  diggings  to  Chinese,  who  were  content 
with  the  less  yielding  bench  deposits." 

The  enterprising  men  who  worked  the  bars  of  the 
Quesnel  in  the  summer  of  1859  were  most  successful 
in  the  valley  of  the  main  stream  or  south  branch, 
opening  into  Quesnel  Lake.  Proceeding  on  rafts  along 
the  shores  of  that  lake,  the}'  came  to  a  larg<3  river 
entering  from  the  south,  which  was  named  HorseHy 
River.  They  ascended  the  stream  until  it  branched, 
and  on  the  smaller  tributary,  Horseliy  Creek,  leading 
to  Horsefly  Lake,  they  disccfvered  the  richest  placers 

'*H.  M  Ball  reported  to  CTOveruor  Douglas  imderdate  of  Lytton,  Dec.  IS, 
1859,  that  at  the  fork  of  the  Qiiesiiol  a.nno  miners  had  struck  the  'Mtu' 
lead,'  a  depoHit  t)f  auriferous  gravel,  '  well  kuowii  in  Califoruia.'  It  w;i8  most 
extensively  developed,  wrote  }lall,  at  Horsefly  River,  and  was  supposed  to 
cover  large  aresis  of  country.  B.  C.  Papers,  iii,  1)3.  lu  tlie  wintiT  of 
18(>0-1,  during  the  low  stage  of  the  water  in  Quesuel  River,  mining  wiis 
carried  on  actively  and  successfully  in  the  bed  of  the  river  at  the  i'"iirks. 
Several  coi  ipanies  constructed  wing-dams  and  water-wheels,  extracting  con- 
siderahle  nnantities  of  gold  from  the  river  in  that  manner.  Ihe  river  fornuTJ)' 
ran  in  different  channels  through  the  alluvi;d  llats,  and  at  ditt'erent  U'nhIs 
along  the  benches.  Good  prospects  were  obtained  on  the  benches  100  to  l!(M» 
feet  above  the  river,  which  it  was  supposed  would  reuinucmto  a  large  body 
of  miners  under  more  favorable  conditions  in  the  future.  Kcithlcy  and 
IHUer  had  a  claim  on  the  hill-side,  sixty  feet  above  the  river.  This  wa.s 
discovered  in  1800,  and  proved,  after  some  tunnelling  iu  search  of  the  loail, 
remarkably  rich.  Afterward  the  lead  appeared  to  have  been  lost.  Aiw/,  in 
/?.  C.  Pi'iurs,  iv.  .W.  'Both  branches  of  the  Quesnelle,'  wrote  DonaM 
Fraser,  in  tlie  midst  of  the  Cariboo  excitement,  'are  highly  auriferous.  Tlu! 
returns  for  last  summer,  1801,  were  that  nine  out  of  ten  of  the  claims  paid 
over  an  ounce  a  day  to  the  haud...T)ie  diggings  nuist  be  r.'ch  to  have  k- 
tained  any  miners  so  close  to  Cariboo,  where  fortunes  were  made  in  tlic  courMe 
of  a  few  M'ceks.'  Lomloii  TimeiC  roi:,  I'inieoiiirr  /ultnnl,  Jan.  20,  ISli'J,  in 
Jiiiwliwit'  VonJ'i'deriition,  117-18. 

'•In  1875  no  white  men  remained  in  tlio  diggings,  nor  in  the  district  in- 
cluding Keitnley  Cnaik.  In  order  to  work  tlie  largo  flat  back  of  the  village 
of  Quesnel  Fork,  a  ditch  a  mile  in  hugth  was  constructed  in  1875  by  t'l' 
Chinese,  who  anticipate<l  that  the  ground  M'ould  yield  them  from  $3  to  $<•  a 
day  each.  Hare,  in  Jlin.  Miim  Rqit.,  1875,  13-14. 


COQUETTE  AND  fEDAR  CREEKS. 


487 


c   or  town.''^ 
on  the  coin- 
way  of  the 
Lud  local  hii- 
1  to  maintain 
oing  a  large 
utcher-shops, 
<hnients  of  a 
bv  this  til  IK' 
were  content 

c  bars  of  tlic 
jst  successful 
juth  branch, 
)n  rafts  along 
I  large  river 
led  HorseHy 
[  it  branched, 
reek,  leading 
?hest  placers 

»f  Lyttou,  Dec.  IS, 

struck  the  'Mill' 

uia.'    Itwiisiuost 

WHS  Buppo8e<l  to 

[ii  tlie   wintir  ol 

»iver,  milling  w;i.s 

ur  at  the  Forks. 

.  extracting  con- 

Lhe  river  foriiurlj' 

it  ditlerent  IcxAs 

enches  100  to  l!(H> 

rate  a  large  body 

Keithli'v  iiutl 

river.     This  wii.s 

iarch  of  the  kail, 

en  lost.  A'iwl,  ill 

wrote  DoiiaM 

auriferous.     'I'lu! 

the  claiin.i  paiit 

r.'ch  to  have  re- 

lade  in  tlic  ooursc 

aa.  20,   18l>2,  in 

the  (libtrict  in- 
ck  of  tlie  villas:!- 
I  in  1875  by  tii. 

from  $3  to  $<i  a 


found  up  to  that  time  in  the  basin  of  the  Quesnel, 
hearing  a  close  resemblance,  if  the  declarations  of 
Cahfornians  could  be  trusted,  to  the  'blue  lead' 
gravels  in  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  One 
j)arty  of  five  miners  working  near  the  close  of  the 
season  of  1859,  with  two  rockers,  took  out  one  hun- 
dred and  one  ounces  of  gold  in  a  week;  after  whidi 
they  were  obliged  to  abandon  their  operations  on  ac- 
count of  the  severity  of  the  weather.^ 

Owing  doubtless  to  the  common  difficulty  here  en- 
countered for  the  first  time,  in  reacliing  and  following 
the  bed  of  the  old  channel,  mining  failed  to  be  perma- 
lu'iitly  profitable  on  the  Horsefly  and  the  region  lying 
to  the  northward  of  Quesnel  Lake.  After  1867  opera- 
tions came  to  a  stand,  to  be  revived  for  a  short  time 
only  in  1870,  when  some  good  prcspects  created  a 
lusli.  This  failed  to  realize  the  expectations  formed, 
and  the  district  nilapsed  into  oblivion.  From  Ques- 
iii'l  Lake  to  Fraser  Kiver,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Ques- 
nel, extending  all  along  Quesnel  River,  there  Wi'-s 
supjtosed,  from  innumerable  developments,  to  be  a 
i^ood  hydraulic  mining  country,  which  in  the  future 
would  prov(>  to  be  valuable.  On  the  south  branch, 
lielow  the  outlet  of  Quosnel  Lake,  mining  continued 
to  be  prosecuted,  and  in  1872  a  Chinese  ccmipany  was 
.supposed  to  be  still  making  ten  dollars  a  day  to  the 
man.'"'  M(>anwhile  developments  had  been  made  at 
C'lHjui'tte  and   Cedar  creeks,   pointing   to  the  exist- 

"*/j'rt//',y  /{>)w/,  l>(>i;,  18,  185J)',  in  Ii.  ('.  Pnfxrs,  iii.  OX  It  was  rouorttid 
liofori!  till'  close  of  JSiVJ  that  they  had  Htiuck  the  idcntioul  'lilue  leaif,'  pre- 
soiitiiig  tlic  same  indications  ot  an  almndance  of  gold,  and  extending  ni  a 
(lirri^tion  nearly  north  and  south  across  Horsefly  <  'roek,  with  a  lateral  extent 
of  nearly  ten  miles.  This  'blue  lead  '  was  traced  'a  di,stance  of  thirty  miles.' 
.\it  flic  indiciitions  of  the  upper  straUv  were  said  to  be  similar  to  thoMC  of  the 
Mile  lead  in  California,  the  first  gohl  stratum  being  found  at  a  depth  of  twenty- 
five  feet.  Tliero  was  a  false  Ik.'(1-  'ock  of  'biistard  talc,'  which  the  miners  did 
not  understand.  The  whole  country  to  the  sontliward  of  (jhiesnel  Lake  was 
fiiiind  later  to  contain  deep  gri'vcl  deposits  resembling  tlie  Iiliie  leads.  /Arc. 
mil's  l.iituriK,  Itt);  /hiirson  oil.  Mines,  41. 

'•'They  worked  on  a  bench  of  the  south  fcrk  of  the  Quesnel.  (JO  feet  abo>-!; 
the  river,  bringing  water  upon  their  ground  by  means  of  a  wlieel.  l'(irilnm 
Siiitiml,  Aug.  \'A,  l.S7'J.  B»'ing  easier  of  «ci.ess  than  William  Creek,  with 
I'i'tteri'liiiiateaiid  longer  season,  anil  perhaps  less  exjvn.Hive  to  work,  these  ilig- 
jiiie^M  were  considered  to  have  importiint  ailvantagc^i.    //(iriutJ's  Ln'/tiirs,  '2S(. 


«8B 


GOLD  IN  THE  CARIBOO  COUNTRY. 


I  III  " 


:  riii 


ence,  probably  throughout  the  entire  basin  of  Ques- 
nel  Lake,  of  a  widely  extended  and  important  placer 
region.  The  Cedar  Creek  diggings  proved  to  be  val- 
uable, yielding  steadily  as  well  as  largely  for  sonu- 
time.  The  Aurora  claim,  with  flumes  and  sluices 
costing  $8,000,  yielded,  mostly  in  1866,  $20,000;  thf 
Moosehead  claim,  costing  $2,000  to  open,  paid  $7,000 
the  first  year;  the  Barker  claim,  also  located  in  1866, 
and  costing  $7,000  to  open,  paid  $2,000  in  a  year; 
and  the  Discovery  claim  was  yielding,  in  SeptemboT' 
1866,  $15  to  $20  a  day  at  a  jwint  where  it  was  shallow. 
In  August  1867,  the  Aurora  was  paying  one  hundred 
ounces  a  week,  and  other  claims  from  $10  to  $20  a 
day  to  the  man.'^  Coquette  Creek  failed  to  respontl 
to  the  prospects  first  obtained  in  1866,  and  was  chiefly 
given  over  to  Chinese.^ 

On  the  north  branch  of  the  Quesnel  there  were  de- 
velopments not  unlike  these  oii  the  south  brancli,'-^ 

'•'■■'  Victoria  Weekly  Colonial,  Juue  25,  1868.  Cetliir  Creek  was  first  ascetideil 
by  a  pro8t)ectiiig  party  in  1SC2,  but  was  abandoned  until  1865.  In  186(i 
a  party  of  miners  from  William  Creek  obtained  there  a  prospect  of  $11!), 
causing  a  rush.  Id.  In  September  1867  both  the  Aurora  and  Discovery  were 
averging  $20  a  day  to  tiio  man.  Carilioo  Sentinel,  Sept.  26,  1867.  The 
Discovery  company,  which  had  taken  out  several  thousand  dollars,  ex- 
pended that  amount  further  upon  their  claim.  A  few  miners  still  work- 
ing in  Juue  18G7  were  taking  out  from  $5  to  $20  a  day.  The  pav  dirt 
was  from  6  to  8  feet  thick.  V  isionary  Califomiaus  pronounced  it  to  be  tliu 
'  blue  lead  '  tliat  had  paid  so  well  at  William  Creek,  '  commencing  on  Homu- 
fly  Creek,  aud  running  direotly  through  this  section.'  The  Aurora  Company. 
in  July,  1867,  completed  a  flume  2,000  feet  in  length,  dumping  into  Quesufl 
Lake.  Some  of  the  ground  on  the  bed-rock  yielded  $2.25  to  the  pan.  A/., 
July  30,  1867. 

'*  The  discovery  of  Cov\uette  Creek  was  creilited,  together  with  that  «if 
Oilar  Creek,  to  J.  E.  Edwards,  one  of  tlie  prospectors  of  the  Aurora  claim  on 
William  Creek,  in  1866.  Victoriii  Coloimt,  July  28,  1866.  Another  a«i 
thority  states  that  Coquette  Creek  was  originally  opened  by  a  Curnishniun, 
presumably  Edwards,  who  lost  the  lead,  whereupon  it  was  sold  to  the 
Chinese.  JTarnett's  Lecturf^t,  29.  No  prospects  were  found  by  tlie  conipans 
ia  the  opening  made  by  tliem  on  the  supposed  bed-rock,  which  it  was  rooonlcH 
resembled  an  ash-pit,  a  cut  60  feet  in  width  having  been  >tluieed  acroMS  the 
creek  to  test  it.  For  twenty  days  expended  in  accomplishing  tliat  work  thiTc 
was  a  yield  of  oidy  $52,  Victoria  Colonist,  Sept.  25,  1866.  Liinng  and  Company, 
after  pros|)ecting  at  another  place  for  a  month,  also  abandoned  their  grouiul. 
/(/.,  Dnilij,  Got.  1 1th.  The  pertinacity  of  the  <'hine8e  in  1867  again  attraiteil 
white  men  to  the  creek,  but  without  pnxlucing  any  important  results. 

"Black  Bear  Creek  in  the  same  range  of  mountains  as  Cedar  and  Coijiu'tti' 
creeks,  but  on  the  opposite  side,  draining  into  the  north  fork  of  the  Quusnwl. 
was  mined  by  a  discovery  company  in  18t)7.  Tliey  sluiced  int«)  a  blue  clay, 
finding  coarse  gold.    Victoria  Coloniet,  Aug.  6,  18G7. 


GENERAL  MININ(J  UKVELOPMENT. 


489 


ti  of  Ques- 
tant  placer 
1  to  be  val- 
j  for  sonit' 
md  sluices 
!0,000;  the 
)aid  $7,000 
ed  in  1860, 
in  a  year; 
September 
as  shallow, 
ne  hundred 
[)  to  $20  a 
to  respontl 
was  chiefly 


re  were  de- 
h  branch,"^ 

t8  first  ascended 
1865.  In  18ti(> 
ospect  of  $119, 
Discovery  were 
2G,  1867.  The 
1(1  dollars,  ex- 
lers  still  work- 

The  pay  dirt 
ed  it  to  lie  the 
icing  on  Horse- 
irora  Company, 
ig  into  Quesnel 

the  pan.  /'/., 

with  tliat  of 
urora  claim  on 
Another  a«- 
(.'ornislinian, 
!  sold  to  the 
tlie  company 
t  was  recorded 
iced  across  tlie 
liat  work  tlieri' 
and  Conipaii} . 
their  ground, 
gain  attraeted 
reniilts. 
and  C'oipiette 
f  the  QuwsnMl, 
,o  a  blue  clay, 


particularly  on  the  right-bank  tributaries,  tiie  Keith- 
ley,  Snowshoe,  Harvey,  and  Cumiinghain  creeks, 
draining  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Bald  Mountains, 
iiiid  whereon  modem  erosions  had  laid  bare,  for  short 
distances,  the  deeper  channels  of  the  ancient  streams. 
When  the  bed  of  the  north  branch  was  prospected  in 
1859-60,  it  was  found  to  contain  profitable  placers  as 
far  up  as  the  Cariboo  lakes,"'  but  here  in  the  absence 
of  gold-bearing  soil  at  the  surface,  want  t)f  success 
liad  the  effect  to  throw  back  the  advance  upon  Cari- 
boo proper  for  that  year,  so  that  Keithley,  Harvey, 
and  Grouse  creeks  were  not  worked  until  the  autumn 
of  1800. 

On  Keithley  Creek  mining  was  so  successfully 
prosecuted  in  1860  that  several  stores  were  erected 
tliere/^*  and  near  its  mouth  the  town  of  Keithley  came 
into  existence  in  1861,  as  supply  depot  for  the  entire 
rcjgion  of  the  north  branch  of  the  Quesnel.'''  The  gold 
on  tlie  creek  consisted  partly  of  solid  nuggets  paving 
tlie  bed-rock  within  a  few  feet  of  the  surface.  A  party 
of  five  men,  in  June  1861,  divided  one  thousand  two 
hundred  dollars  between  them  as  the  product  t)f  u 
single  day's  labor,  and  their  daily  average  for  sonH> 

'-*In  the  spring  of  1862  preparations  were  made  on  a  largo  scale  lor  wing- 
damming  at  diflferent  places;  hut  u\  early  tliaw  raised  the  waters  of  the  hike 
and  river,  sweeping  away  all  the  dams  anil  water-wheels,  thi-  result  of  several 
inoutha  of  hard  work  in  the  coldest  part  of  the  winter,  li.  <  f)irirfi)n/,  ISOIi, 
200.  The  north  fork  was  rich  down  to  the  bridge,  where  tie-  trail  from  (Ques- 
nel Forks  crossed  it.  Below  that  point  the  climate  changed.  llarwU's  Lrr. 
Iiiren,  27. 

'•"Two  store  Imildings  were  erected  near  its  month  at  lower  Cariboo  Lake; 
another  store  was  built  and  opened  by  Davis  in  advance  of  the  first-meni- 
tioiieil  six  miles  up  the  stream,  on  the  line  of  the  picmeer  trail.  Alinl'ti  lie- 
)mrl,  March  27.  1861,  in  B.  C.  Pajicni,  iv.  50-1.  Keithley  wa.s  reached  by 
Cominissioncr  x'fiud  in  the  winter  of  18<)0--1;  eros.sing  over  (.'ariboo  Lake,  lit; 
found  the  two  store  buildings  not  yet  oceupied,  while  Davis'  stoi-e  was  already 
a  centre  of  ♦raiie  a,i::l  Uiining.  Many  thou.sand  feet  of  lumber  M^ere  whip- 
sawed  and  ready  in  March  1861  at  tlit!  latter  point  for  thuning  the  bed  of 
Keithley  Crock. 

'"  In  June  1861,  the  town  of  Keithley  consisted  of  three  grocery  stores,  a 
liakery,  restaurant,  butcher-shop,  blacksmith-shop,  and  several  tavern.".,  kept 
in  tents  and  log  houses,  lieef  cattle  were  driven  to  that  point  from  Oregon. 
There  were,  in  June  1861,  200  men  in  the  creek,  of  whom  To  were  engaged  in 
mining,  Cnrilioo  Ould-Jivlilx,  5;t-8.  In  1875  it  still  supported  three  or  four 
stores,  one  of  them  kept  by  a  Chinaman.  J/iir>;  in  Mhi.  Miin'-i  Hint.,  1875, 
b<.  It  continued  until  recent  years  t<i  be  the  principal  mining  and  trading 
IKiint  in  the  vicinity  uf  the  Caribou  Idkes. 


400 


GOLD  IN  THE  CMUBOO  COUNTRY. 


time  was  said  to  be  a  pound  weight  of  gold.  In  Sep- 
tember iSGl,  several  companies  were  making  from  fifty 
to  one  hundred  dollars  a  day  to  the  man  in  the  bed 
of  the  creek,  and  one  Imndred  dollars  in  the  dry-dig- 
gings on  the  hill-side.  Flumes  were  built  of  enormous 
size  and  length,  and  numerous  wheel-jmmjis  were  set 
in  motion.'-'*  In  18G7  the  lead  was  lost;  yet  tlu; 
Chinese  on  the  creek  continued  to  make  money,  the 
claim  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek  paying  from  twelve 
to  sixteen  dollars  a  day  to  the  digger.  After  lS7b 
the  yield  fell  oft'.^ 

Harvey  and  Cunningham  creeks,  also  tributaries 
of  the  n(jrth  branch  of  the  Quesnel,  and  discovered 
in  tJie  autumn  of  18G0,  received  no  attention  until 
the  Antler  Creek  excitement  in  1 801,  and  were  not 
entered  upon  in  larger  force  till  18G4.  t)n  Harvey 
Creek  the  conditions  and  history  of  minhig  resembled 
those  of  Keithley.  Droughts  and  ticjods  and  other 
serious  difficulties  of  deep  mining  stood  here  also  in 
the  way  of  develo[)ment;  so  that  the  stereoty})ed 
verdict  of  exhaustion  was  passed  upt)n  it  in  187(). 
On  Cunningham  Creek,  a  stream  about  thirty  miles 
in  length,  a  number  of  claims  were  taken  up  in  the 
middle  of  February  I8G1;  and  in  the  foUowing  yc;u' 
the  deep  diggings  were  prospec\ed  to  some  extent,  but 
abandoned  as  unprofitable. 

In  18G4  further  developments  were  made  whicli 
surjirised  the  old  mincirs  who  were  acquainted  with 
the  ground.  Four  of  the  white  men  made  a  dis- 
covery near  the  mouth  that  the  old  bed  of  the 
creek  was  not  IxMieath  the  present  stream,  but  in 
a   deep    channel     parallel    to     it,    a    hundred    yards 

''"*The  lumluT  \v:is  supplied  by  a  saw-iuill  cninpldtcd  in  Septeinltor.  This 
was  a  mill  '  iii  itxelt,  luniiMhiii^'luinlicrat  '_^■^('t■llt.^  a  focitautl upwards.  Loiiilim 
T'hikk'  rm:  Virttmn,  Nov.  Ul),  18U1,  in  Curihao  (lold-jieldx,  ol-S.  .lu.st'pll 
I'attcrsoii  and  Itrotlior  iiiloniied  (rovenuir  l)(iiij,'l;i.s  that  tlio  iiiinerHat  Ktuthley 
C'rork  ill  18<il  were  making  from  two  to  tlirei;  oiiuccsaitay.  houijlas'  Dvqiiili'li, 
Oct.  'J-l,  18(J1,  ill  //irMt/'.'<  C'trihon,  ]-_'4. 

-^  llnnult'x  Lirfitrrs,  '21.  Tho  creek  was  protitalily  w<irked  as  l.itf  as 
1877,  Imt  till!  In'st  ground  w;w  lidievcd  to  ]tv  wcrkcd  out.  Ki'itliUy  Crock 
v.ia  always  Mulijuct  cither  to  a  tlrougiit  or  a  llood.  Miii,  Miiicn  Neid.,  ]Sli<, 
iiO;  1877,  399 


VERY  MANY  CREEKS. 


401 


aside.'"  The  deeper  they  went  into  this  channel  the 
richer  they  found  it,  and  in  one  day  four  hundreil  and 
sixty  dollars  apiece  were  ojjtained.  The  result  was, 
that  about  two  liUTidred  miners  located  fresh  claims 
(Ml  the  creek,  many  of  tliem  yielding  well.*"  The  ex- 
citement continued  tlirouuhout  18G5,  and  then  fol- 
lowed  another  decline,  the  result  of  failure  in  tracing, 
or  working  the  deep  lead.^" 

Antler  Creek,  tlie  original  objective  pt)int  of  the 
g(»]d-seekers  wlio  ex})l()red  Cariboo  hi  18G1,  was  the 
first  in  that  region  to  attain  a  decided  reputation  after 
Keitliley  Creek,  and  the  first  to  establish  the  char- 
acter of  the  Cariboo  region.  Its  fame,  like  that  of 
Keitlile}^  and  William  creeks,  also  rested  upon  the 
tircunistance  that  the  present  stream  had  in  one  or 
more  places  cut  down  into  the  ancient  channel.  The 
London  Times'  correspondent  wrote  tliat  the  bed-rock 
was  found  paved  with  gold.  Every  shovelful  con- 
tained a  considerable  quantity,  in  some  cases  as  nmch 
as  fifty  dollars.  Nuggets  could  bo  picked  out  of  the 
soil  by  hand,  and  the  rocker  yielded  fifty  ounces  in  a 
few  hours.*'  The  secret  of  tlie  wonderful  riches  of  tlie 
deposit  in  Antler  Creek  was  too  important  to  be  kept. 
It  drew  all  the  venturesome  members  of  the  popula- 
tion domiciled  in  the  neighborhood  over  the  dangerous 
winter  trail  (►f  the  Snowshoe  IVIountuin  in  the  months 
of  January  and  February  1861.''^     A  single  log-cabin 

"^  I  litre,  in  Miii.  Minen  n<i>t.,  1870,  42();  Nhidx,  in/?,  C.  Papern,  iv.  51. 
Tlioy  liail  found  that  the  cliaiuiel  worn  in  tlio  luMl-roek.  under  tlio  present 
utri'iun  had  a  rim  on  one  siilolHiynnd  wliich  the  liud-rock  fell  otfintoa  deeper 
old  channel  to  a  depth  then  unknown. 

•"  Virtoria  Wevllii  Coloiiiil,  Sept.  ti,  \HM.  The  jiroprietors  of  the  Ken- 
tucky elaini  engaged  in  grouml  Rliiicing,  took  out  $750  one  day  in  18(15,  and 
SI.CHM)  the  day  following.  J,l.,  July  11,  1805. 

■"'^vV  'iotoria  company  employing  twenty  men  erected  cowtly  machinery 
uiiou  tlie  creek  in  lS7(i,  for  the  piirpo.se  of  exploring  the  deep  ground,  hy  all  otli- 
crs  NO  far  unsucce8,>«fully  attempted,  lioivmn,  in  Miii.  MiiKu  /{ijif.,  1870,  418. 

■^•^  M(trfii:'s  V.  1.  iind  li.  (,'.,  1244.     The  dixcovcry  was  made  ho  late  in  the 


autiunn  of  1800  that  on  the  morning  following  it  a  foot  of  huow  liad  covered 
the  grouml,  and  notiiing  could  be  (lone  at  mining  until  the  Hpring  of  1801. 
H  Wy/i/,  in  Oirrluml  Monthbi,  Dec.   1809,  5U0.     CommiMHioner  Nind  testitie.s 


m  a  narrow 


tiiat  the  hed-roek  was  but  a  short  difitaneo  under  the  Hurfaee 
v.dhiy.  U.  (\  /'ii}>,'rx,  iv.  51. 

■"^Oold  ComnuHxioner  Nind,  who  wiw  called  to  settle  mining  disputes  here, 
arrived  ut  Antler  Creek  uurly  in  March,  and  found  the  snow  six  or  seven  feet 


492 


GOLD  IN  THE  CARIBOO  COUNTRY. 


III 

I  Hi;  i 


built  by  Rose  and  McDonald,  the  discoverers  of  the 
diggings  in  the  fall  of  1860,  was  at  this  time  the  only 
evidence  of  settlement,  but  by  June  ten  houses  and  a 
saw-mill  had  risen,  and  during  the  foUowhig  months 
mining  was  at  its  heighti  Eleven  companies  wore 
working  with  large  profits,  and  individuals  wore  mak- 
ing as  much  as  $1,000  a  day,  while  the  yield  of  tlu- 
several  sluice  and  flume  claims  was  GO  ounces  a  day 
to  the  man,  and  the  daily  aggregate  of  the  cfeck 
during  the  summer  of  1861  over  $10,000.  Much  of 
the  ground  yielded  $1,000  to  the  square  ft)ot.  Tlirco 
quarters  of  a  mile  below  the  town  of  Antler  two  part- 
ners were  said  to  have  obtained  from  40  to  60  ounces 
a  day  each,  with  the  rocker.""^ 

The  town  of  Antler  grew  as  if  by  magic,  and  counted, 
in  August,  twenty  substantial  buildings,  comprisiiin' 
stores,  whiskey-saloons,  and  dwelling-houses,  sur- 
rounded by  a  much  larger  immber  of  tents,**  yet  the 
conmiunity  was  on  the  whole  remarkably  sober,  la^  - 
abiding,  and  quiet.'^ 


tleep,  and  the  miners  living  in  holen,  which  they  had  dug  in  the  snow,  subsist- 
ing nn  the  scanty  supplies  carried  in  ovi-r  the  Suowshoe  trails.  Tlie  cmii- 
nussiouer  wiis  ocunpiea  six  days  in  ascertaining  the  claims  to  ground,  uml 
everything  w.os  finally  settled  witliout  disturbance,  for  '  English  law, '  it  was 
maintained,  uorhl  not  be  traneigressed  '  with  the  same  impunity  as  California 


C.  P, 


fJXTS, 


iv.  60-1. 


law.'  Ninii,  i 

•*  Water  .a  selling  at  50  cents  an  inch.  Tinies^  cor.,  in  Variltoo  Golil- 
JieUlx,  53-8.  In  a  leader  of  Feb.  7,  1801,  the  lioudou  7V//i«v»  summariznl 
the  developments  on  Antler  Creek  from  May  to  September  1801,  anil  ])oii,iM 
Eraser's  statements  as  correspondent  were  reviewed,  and  accepted  as  trust- 
worthy. A  miner  unnied  Smitli  was  spoken  of  as  liaving  obtained  'A\  ponihls 
of  gold  per  day  with  the  rocker.  Otlier  claims  working  with  sluices  wen; 
reported  to  bo  yielding  regularly  us  nuich.  Quoted  in  McDomdd's  B.  t'., 
110-15.  SnuiU  claims  on  Antler  Creek  yielded  from  100  to  V.Vi  ounces  ;i 
day.  In  3  weeks'  washing  one  oompaiiy  of  3  men  obtained  ^3,3U0;  anotlit  r 
of  3  men,  $.')7,500;  still  another  of  5  men,  $'20,000;  and  another  of  0  men, 
$28,000,  in  the  same  period.  Loiulon  Tiinv«'  cor.,  in  jlncjic'a  V.  I.  ami  B.  ('., 
*244-5.  Governor  Douglas  vouched  for  the  authenticity  of  the  statenii'iit 
that  4  men  obtained  regularly  from  10  to  37  ounces  a  day,  or  from  4  to  iU 
ounces  each.  Id. 

*^Cnr'd>oo  Oold-Jieldn,  55.  A  Spanish  nuiletiter,  when  asked  in  regard  to 
tlie  merits  of  the  Carilwo  mines,  from  winch  he  liad  recently  r  turned,  re- 
plied that  ho  had  doubts  iiutil  he  had  seen  the  gaming-table  at  Antler  Creek. 
Tlireo  miners  gambled  away  1^27,000  at  a  sitting. 

"  Begbie  wrote  to  the  colonial  secrefciry  in  September  1801:  '  I  never  wiw 
a  mining  town  anything  like  tliis.  Tliere  were  some  hundreds  in  Antler,  all 
Hol)er  and  quiet.  It  was  Sunday  aftennHin.  Only  u  few  of  the  claims  v<  '<- 
worked  that  day.    It  was  us  (juivt  as  Victoria. .  .They  told  me  it  was  liku 


COMPAIIATIVE  YIELD. 


40.'l 


As  in  tlie  case  of  Keithloy  Crook,  and  as  any  one 
mij^lit  have  anticipated  had  the  facts  of  the  limited 
rxtont  of  the  old  channel  laid  bare  hy  erosion  been 
understood,  there  was  difficulty  and  disappointment 
ill  store.  Expectations  had  been  raised  which  could 
not  be  realized  at  that  time,  though  the  conclusions 
in  regard  to  the  wealth  of  the  creek  had  been  entirely 
correct.  After  the  shallow  part  of  the  old  channel 
was  exhausted,  the  problem  of  working  the  buried 
portion  was  encountered,  and  without  systematic  work 
the  lead  could  not  long  he  followed.''**  The  declension 
can  10  about  gradually.  In  18G7  the  town  of  Antler 
was  deserted,  and  only  a  few  men  remained  on  the 
cieek,  cleaning  up,  for  the  second  tune,  the  old  gn)und. 

Grouse  Creek  was  mined  to  a  limited  extent  in 
l8(>l-2,  and  then  abandoned  until  18G4,'^"  when  the 
Heron  claim  was  located  upon  it.  After  an  expendi- 
ture of  .$150,000  the  Heron  claim  yielded  $300,000. 
Inder  the  supposition  that  the  ground  was  worked 
out,  it  was  then  sold  for  $4,000;  but  on  cutting  an 
outlet  18  inches  deeper  the  claim  continued  to  yield 
tV<tni  80  to  100  ounces  a  week  throughout  the  i-nsuing 
season.^"     The  creek  was  again  abandoned  until  ISGG, 

I'Hliforniii  iii  '49.  Why,  you  wuuld  liavu  8ucii  iill  thuse  follows  rutiriiig  tlruiik, 
;iii(l  jiistols  au<l  l>aro  kuivcii  iii  every  hiiiul.'  //.  L'.  I'ajHTH,  iv.  61. 

"*  III  18(>4  a  lu'il-roi'lc  llimie  company  Wiui  formed  at  Antler.  Tlio  company 
«il>tiiiu('d  a  tea  veiira'  lo.usu  of  sixteen  and  one  half  utiles  of  tlio  creek,  in- 
chuliiij^astrip  of  ground  100  fi-it  in  width  along  thooroek,  with  the  intention 
of  introducing  hydranlio  mining.  No  heavy  nu^ohanical  appliances  had  liecn 
used  on  tho  creek  up  to  that  tii'io.  Murjien  V.  I.  ami  li.  C,  245.  Incouncc- 
tiou  with  the  mining  operations  on  the  creek,  and  tho  proHpeeting  that  mnih 
iloiie  for  the  recovci-y  of  tho  lost  lead,  tlio  fact  was  di'veloped,  ana  remarked 
iip<iu,  that  on  tho  one  Hido  of  tho  creek  there  M'as  nothing  but  lino  gold,  while 
oil  tho  otlier  side  it  wiu»  all  coartto.  At  tho  head  of  AntliT  Crock,  formerly 
tliu  continuation  of  Sawmill  Flat,  extended  a  plain  many  inilca  in  thooppoHitu 
tlircctiou,  and  it  was  supposed  that  the  oxtcnsivo  area  emhraced  l>y  thcNi) 
physical  features  was  fornicrly  thositoof  a  great  lake.  Tho  nioi-o  ancient 
stream  or  deep  chaumd  of  AnUer  Creek  w;is  supponvd  to  liavo  come,  much 
like  llio  present  creek,  from  tho  mountains  at  tlio  west.  Its  gravels  M-crc  a 
]iiirti(in  of  an  auriferous  fomintion  extending  to  (iron«o  (.'reek.  //<iriieft'n 
lATfiiirs,  27. 

^"Ik'causo  three  mon  in  1801-2  would  not  investigate  properly  their  in- 
ticrests,  having  lost  faith.  J/<irmtf'x  LirtimH,  24.  'ifui  creek  is  onlv  live 
mill's  eiuttof  William  Creek,  running  ]>arallel  to  it,  and  draining  with  Antler 
and  William  creeks  tho  eastern  slope  of  tho  Agues  liidd  Aroiuitaiii. 

*•  Victoria  Colomt,  Jan.  21,  18(18;  IlarneU's  Lcduitu,  33. 


494 


GOLD  IN  THE  CARIBOO  COUNTRY. 


wnen  the  lead  was  rediscovered ;  and  the  Heron,  Dis- 
covery, and  other  claims  yielded  from  $15,000  to  $20,- 
000  to  the  share,"  raising  the  creek  to  the  dignity  of 
one  of  the  principal  mimng  fields  in  Cariboo  for  tlio 
ensuing  season.*^  In  1867,  thirty-five  mining  companies 
were  at  work;  a  saw -mill  was  in  operation;  and  two 
respectable  villages  sprang  up  in  the  valley/' 

Rich  strikes,  alternating  with  failures  to  keep  the 
leads,  varied  the  history  of  Grouse  Creek  throughout 
subsequent  years.  Bear  River,  emptying  into  tlie 
Fraser  above  Fort  George,  had  numerous  lakes  and 
former  lake-beds  along  its  course,  but  beneath  their 
recent  and  ancient  sediments  the  miners  do  not  a\ 
pear  to  have  found  any  old  channel 


44 


*^  Allan's  Carilxx),  MS.,  10-11. 

*■■'  Miiny  »>f  the  claims  were  yielding  from  ^.'>  to  $50  a  day.  Victoria  WeekUi 
Cohuixt,  Oct.  i>:J,  18«i(;. 

*^A  chartor  Wiis  procured  for  a  Insd-rock  tiume  company,  but  this  was  suit- 
BUi|ueutly  revoked,  and,  as  a  result,  many  additional  claims  were  lnuateil  and 
recorded  upon  the  creek.  During  18(57,  some  Frenchmen  were  washing  out 
.*i4  to  §t»  a  clay  witli  tlio  rocker,  while  sluicing  in  California  fashion  paid  from 
§10  to  $12,  and  hydraulic  work  ^20  to  §25  a  day.  Jlaniett's  Lectures,  24-5. 
The  Heron  Conipfvny,  in  March  18(i7,  paid  a  dividend  of  ;^S00  to  the  share; 
and  tho  Full  Rig  Company  a  tlividend  of  $200  for  a  week's  work.  Carilnx) 
Seiitini'l,  March  30,  180/.  These  companies  worked  out  the  lead  for  a  thou- 
sand feet  on  the  channel,  while  above  and  below  them  it  could  not  he  found. 
In  May  1807,  the  BlackhaM'k  and  Canadian  companioa  were  seeking  it  by  a 
tunnel  and  incline.  The  Water  Witch  Company  sank  a  shaft  near  tho  centre 
of  the  creek,  and  drifted  into  deep  ground,  causing  an  excitement,  but  it 
proved  to  be  only  an  nndidation  like  that  in  the  Hard-np  Company's  tunnel. 
VlHoi-id  Voloiii"/.,  May  7,  1807.  There  were  two  distinct  leads,  the  more  an- 
cient lieing  aside  from  the  present  channel.  From  tho  boundaries  of  the 
Heron  au«i  Hard-up  claims,  at  the  lower  end  of  the  diggings,  the  creek  con- 
tinued in  a  series  of  Hats  wliere  tho  channel  was  never  founiL 

"In  181JS),  a  'new  creek  '  w;is  reported  '75  to  100  miles  north-east  from 
Cariboo,'  which  was  much  lower  than  the  Carilwo  diggings,  had  been  burmd 
over,  and  •was  overgrown  by  small  tind)er.  It  was  said  to  prospect  12^  cents 
to  the  pan  at  the  surface.    Victoria  Colonist,  March  10,  1809. 


CHAPTER   XXYI. 


Victoria  Wevlchj 


MmiNO  IN  CARIBOO. 

1863-1882. 

Riss  OF  William  Creek — Rich  Discoveries — Large  Yield— DiOLiins — 
Deep  Mining — Martsvillb  Lead — Drainage  Operations — Rioh- 
FiBLD — Mosquito  and  Mustang  Creeks — Outskirt  Placers — Light- 
ning Creek — Van  Winkle — Decune  and  Revival — Lowhee — 
CaSon  Creek  and  its  Quartz — Character  of  Cariboo  Veins — Sum- 
hart  of  Yield — Cariboo  Life — ^Ths  Low  and  the  Intellectual. 

William  Creek  has  a  history  in  many  respects 
similar  to  that  of  Antler  Creek.  Its  first-discovered 
rich  deposits  were  shallow,  and  in  the  bed  of  the 
present  stream,  above  the  canon.  Below  these  dig- 
gings was  a  flat,  supposed  to  have  been  the  bed  of  a 
former  lake,  in  which  the  channel  sank  and  was  lost. 
Here  the  problem  of  working  the  deep  ground  by 
means  of  shafts  and  pumping,  was  for  the  first  time 
systematically  attempted,  and  profitably  solved.  The 
crossing  of  Snowshoe  Mountain  by  the  inflowing 
prospectors  of  1861,  and  their  descent  into  the  bfc\sin 
of  Bear  River  (Antler  Creek),  thence  into  the  basin 
of  Willow  River  (William  Creek),  changed  the  centre 
of  operations  from  Keithley  to  William  Creek,  and 
with  it  the  approach  from  a  circuitous  to  a  mo'.e 
direct  route  into  the  Bald  Mountains  of  Cariboo.  On 
the  completion  of  the  road  along  Lightning  Creek, 
in  1865,  Barkerville  on  William  Creek  became  the 
principal  distributing  point  for  the  Cariboo  region, 
the  aggregate  product  of  which  amounted  in  seven 
years  to  $25,000,000.  The  creek  received  its  name 
from  William  Dietz,  a  German  who  prospected  upon 

(495) 


\ 


406 


MINING  IN  CAKIBOO. 


the  head-waters  of  Willow  River,  and  was  the  first  in 
the  spring. 

The  discoveries  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1861 
of  the  astonishingly  rich  lands  on  William/  Lowhee, 
and  Lightning  creeks  gave  an  immense  impetus  to 
further  prospecting.'' 

A  rush  at  once  set  in,  and  claims  were  worked  in 
the  shallow  ground  with  great  success,  for  the  gold 
lay  thickly  studded  in  a  layer  of  blue  clay  consisting 
of  decomposed  slate  and  gravel,  which  in  some  cases 
gave  prospects  of  over  $G00  to  the  pan.  In  the 
State  claim  this  layer  was  six  feet  thick,  and  had  a 
top  tripping  which  ranged  from  a  few  feet  to  three 
fathoms  in  depth.  Others  had  less  difficult  ground  to 
work,  and  the  yield  was  rapid,  amounting  in  several 
claims  to  over  100  ounces  a  day  for  the  season.  The 
Steele  party  was  reported  to  have  obtained  in  t^^•(> 
days  387  and  409  ounces,  and  in  two  months  $105,000.^ 


'The  name  of  Humbug  Creek,  at  first  applied  to  thitt  most  famous  of 
Cariboo  streams  on  account  of  its  supposed  worthless  character,  was  soon 
abandoned,  and  the  proper  name  of  William  Creek  gained  the  ascendency 
to  which  it  became  ]ustly  entitled  when  the  first  noteworthy  discovery  was 
made  at  the  Cafiou.  Three  seasons  elapsed  before  the  richest  deposits  found 
in  the  deep  ground  of  William  Creek  were  fairly  developed.  'B.  x).,'  Barker- 
ville,  Oct.  23d,  cor.  of  Victoria  Weekly  Colonist,  "Nov.  7,  1865. 

'  Thomas  Brown,  an  American,  also  laid  claim  to  the  discovery,  and  to 
having  located  the  first  claim.  Douglas'  Despatch,  Oct.  24,  1861,  in  HazUtl'it 
Carilmo,  124  It  was  months,  says  a  writer  from  the  spot,  before  any  authentic 
news  of  these  discoveries  reached  Victoria.  Reports  came  first  that  great 
quantities  of  gold  were  being  obtained  in  a  small  stream  near  the  summit  of 
tiie  mountains;  no  names  being  then  attached  to  the  localities.  The  daily 
yield  was  said  to  be  first  20  oz.,  then  50  oz.,  100  oz.,  300  oz.,  and  at  last  400 
oz.  a  day,  to  four  or  five  men.  Many  of  the  companies  were  reported  t(i 
have  so  nmch  gold  that  they  were  obliged  to  detail  men  to  watch  it  day  and 
night.  At  Victoria  these  rumors  were  not  confided  in  until  the  gold  began 
to  arrive.  Ragged  miners  finally  came  to  the  sea-coast,  staggering  under  tliu 
weight  of  their  summer's  accumulation.  Mules  were  loaded  with  the  jnt- 
vious  metal.  Men  were  paid  $20  and  $50  a  day  to  carry  the  gold  whicli  tlic 
owners  of  it  had  not  the  strength  to  bring  alone.  Wright,  in  Overland  ^^orUhbj, 
Dec.  18C9,  520-7. 

'Governor  Douglas  took  down  from  the  lips  of  Mr  Steele,  an  American, 
the  following  statement  in  regard  to  the  Steele  claim  in  1801:  Their  claim 
did  not  prospect  so  well  as  some  of  the  others,  and  it  was  furthermore  a  tlilli- 
cult  one  to  work,  having  from  8  to  18  feet  of  stripping  overlying  the  aurifei'- 
ous  dirt.  Tlie  latter  was  a  blue  clay  layer  6  icet  m  thickness,  contain- 
ing decomposed  slate  and  gravel.  A  space  of  25  by  80  feet  of  t)iis  gronml 
produced  in  two  months  $105,000.  A  sluice  was  con8tructe<l,  and  four  adili- 
tional  men  were  lured  to  clear  away  the  tailiug.  JtawUngs'  Confedernthin, 
118.     In  tlie  f:iU  of  1801  Dawson  and  company  took  out  of  their  claim  uu 


WILLIAM  CREEK. 


407 


the  first  in 

mn  of  1861 
1,*  Lowhee, 
impetus  to 

(  worked  in 
JT  the  gold 
y  consisting 
I  some  cases 
tn.     In   the 
,  and  had  a 
;et  to  three 
It  ground  to 
g  in  several 
eason.     Tho 
,ined  in  two 
IS  $105,000.' 

1  most  famous  of 
Eiracter,  was  soon 
[d  the  ascendency 
,hy  discovery  was 
!8t  deposits  found 
'B.  !>.,'  Barker- 
Is. 

[discovery,  and  to 

'  1861,  in  HazUtl's 

fore  any  authentic 

0  first  that  great 

)ar  the  summit  of 

lities.    The  daily 

,,  and  at  last  400 

|Were  reported  to 

watch  it  day  and 

il  the  gold  began 

jgering  under  the 

[ed  with  the  pro- 

.e  gold  which  the 

^verlami  y.<M^i^il< 

Lie,  an  Americim, 
1861:  Their  claim 
thennore  a  ditli- 
llying  the  aurifui- 
■ickness,  contain- 
It  of  tliis  grouiul 
tl,  an<l  four  ail<li- 
L'  Confeihrath'ii, 
\t  their  claim  on 


Toward  the  close  of  the  season  of  1861,  all  previ- 
ous discoveries  were  exceeded  by  the  developments  in 
the  rich  ground  lying  fifty  or  sixty  feet  under  the  fiat, 
below  the  *  Caiion.*  To  the  Barker  Company  belongs 
the  credit  of  having  sunk  the  first  paying  shaft  into  the 
new  deposit,  and  in  honor  of  this  event  the  nucleus 
of  a  town  which  here  sprang  into  existence  was  named 
Barkerville.  Supported  by  the  underground  mining, 
tlie  town  grew  rapidly  in  population,  and  maintained 
for  years  the  position  of  the  principal  town  in  Cari- 
boo.* The  Diller  Company  were  among  the  next  in 
order  to  bottom  a  shaft  into  the  deep  ground,  wash- 
ing out  in  one  day,  it  is  said,  two  hundred  pounds  of 
gold,  the  largest  yield  recorded  for  one  day  in  Cari- 
boo."^ A  number  of  claims  were  located  all  over  the 
flat,  and  by  means  of  the  systematic  drifting  and  tun- 
nelling introduced  in  1862,  and  carried  on  through- 
out the  year,  the  old  channel  of  William  Creek  was 
traced  for  a  considerable  distance  beneath  the  surface. 
Some  claims  yielded  100  ounces  and  more  daily,  dur- 
hig  the  season,  three  taking  out  $100,000  each  between 
October  1862  and  January  1863.  The  Cunningham 
turned  out  over  600  ounces  a  day  on  several  occasions; 
the  Caledonia  yielded  at  one  time  from  $5,000  to 
$G,000  a  day ;  and  the  Cameron  and  Tinker  were  not 
far  behind." 

William  Creek  $600  in  a  single  pan.  Abbott  and  Company  tf)ok  out  $900 
iu  one  panful  of  dirt  obtained  three  feet  under  the  surface.  I/nzliU'a  Cariboo 
Oold-jivbU,  153-8. 

*  It  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  the  summer  of  1868,  but  by  the  end  of  Sep- 
tenilier  40  new  buililiugs  liad  risen.  Gowrnor'a  Despatch,  dated  Sept.  16,  1868, 
in  Cariltoo  Senlincl,  Se^jt.  29,  1868. 

''  Allan /I  Curilioo,  MS.,  10,  11.  Mr  Allan,  as  editor  of  the  C(tril>ooScti/hiil, 
wiiH  in  a  position  to  know  the  fact,  and  ought  to  be  good  authority.  That 
amount  ecpials  2,400  ounces,  at  $16  worth  §C^,400. 

^Cottrlney^n  Miiu  B.  C,  AIS.,  6.  The  Cunningham  Cxaim  averaged  $2,000 
a  day  tliroughout  the  season.  It  had  a  frontage  of  600  feet.  On  several  occa- 
sions 5'2  poiuuU  of  gold  were  taken  out  of  it  in  a  day.  The  bishop  of  British 
Columbia  witnessed  the  taking  out  of  600  ounces,  or  50  pounds,  from  one  day's 
work.  Tlie  Adauia  Company  in  1802  paid  $40,000  eacn,  clear  of  expenses,  to 
three  partners.  Bmwn'a  En-iaif,  30-1.  The  claim  of  William  Dietz,  tlio  dis- 
cnvurer,  proved  to  be  one  of  the  poorest  on  the  creek;  but  generally  the  claims 
whii'li  were  first  worked  at  a  depth  not  exceeding  12  feet  yiulded  remarkable 
ritiirus.  T.  Emm,  in  Oifrland  Mont/ily,  Mareli  '8^0;  B.  (\  Directory,  1863, 
'202. 

Hist.  Brit.  Col.    32 


Uis 


mining;  in  <'akiiu)0. 


Lai-^c    ;i>    WHS    tlii!    yirld    «»f'    IH()'2,   tlic    followliiii; 
HtJi.soii    j>r<»vr<l   rvt'ii    iiioro  ))r(»s|u'r()us,  uiid   roccivfd 


tl. 


ip[ 


•Uati 


KMi   or    till!    y;()l<lt'M    your 


1(K 


cconliiiuf  to 


Arjicfio,  the  crct'k  was  tli<M  woi-kimI  ovit  an  ana  of 
scvi'ii  miles,  and  of  tho  nuim-rous  claiins  alutut  10 
y'uldtd  liaii(ls(»ii!(ly,  whilo  al>out  20  prodiicod  steadily 


I 


K'twicii  7')  and  400  ounces  a  day.     l*alnier  states  tliat 


tin;  eliiel'  owner  of  the  Cameron  <-laim  went  honu 
with  ."-^l.iO.UOO  saved  l)y  liim  in  one  year,  and  Miltot. 
and  (  Ilea' lie  witnessetl  tlie  ])roeess  id'ekianiiii^  up  from 
a  day's  wasliinLf  in  the  llaby,  of  '110  ounces,  while 
they  r<»und  tlie  Cameron  yielding;  Trom  40  to  112 
ounet's  daily/  A  numlxr  of  elaims  wore  only  nuichin^'' 
the  hi'd-roelv  in  I8G4,  and  obtaining  the  usual  ridi 
jn-ospects,  ilw.  Wake  U[»  .lake  Company,  for  instance, 
wasliini;-  j2  ounces  frt)m  a  paidid  (»f  dirt.  Other 
claim  ai;ain  were  yielding  even  better  than  before, 
as  tlie  Kricsson,  which  opened  in  18(13  and  turned  out 
an  average  weekly  amount  of  1,400  imnces  during  tlie 
summer.  I  ii  18(55  this  claim  paid  nearly  twice  as  large 
dividends  as  before."* 


^Tlii-  aviTiij;o  toiil  yirlil  of  the  claiinsi  (  Williiim  Crt'ok  was  not  1. -s 
lliaii  'J,((iM)  oiiiit'(!s.  'I'lircii  jiartniTH  of  tlio  Ifa.d  C'uiry  Coiniiaiiy  iliviiUiil  111'.' 
{iiiiiiuU  troy,  tilt!  result  of  ii  Niii!.;lt)  day's  WiiHliing.  I'lilimi;  in  l.oiul.  ilctxj.  Soc, 
Juki'.,  xxwiii.  l'.!|  '_'.  'Ill  IStl.'t  iilioiit  4,(KM)  wero  ungageil  on  tiiis  orcik.' 
Mdc/li'n  v.  J.,  'JIS;   XorfMirtMt  l'ii.-<Miijf  hif  l.iuid,  '^T^. 

'"  1 11  lS.;i  I  tail  iiis  says  ;,lu!  flaiiii  pai.l'j^S.CKM)  to  tho  Hliarr,  or  a  total  of  .?<.M),- 
(KH>  clear  of  cxiieiises;  ami  'li  ISii.")  tliii  iliviileniU  wero  !?l  I.IKK)  to  tiiONliare;  Init 
of  tile  aliose  tlie  goveiiiiiuiit  received  ^'>,(K)0.  lhmijl<i.t'  /'rlrufi:  /'kjic/w,  MS., 
i.  I."il  •_'.  Iliniiill'x  /.irhiiix,  \'2.  For  wvuil  HUfOOSsivo  M'eekM  tlio  followiii;; 
yield  was  ir|(iiiN  il  from  tlio  Mriessoii  elaiin:  .Iniio  17,  lSl>4,  ".M)0o/.,  .*ll,HMt; 
Jlliie'Jt,  ISCt,  tilO,,/,,  !*I(),1'M»;  .llllyl,  1S(U,  l,4(tO  o/.,  .*'_>•-',  4«H»:  .IlllvS,  IStil, 
I, !»•_>(•)  o/.,  .SfO.SlC;  .Inly  lo,  I.S(i4,  l.'jr.f.  o/..,  §-JO,(HUi;  July  •_"_»,  1S(;4,  I.IKM) 
o/..,  .t-'O.SlK);  .liilv '-".I,  !S(hI,  2,(><M)o/,.,!*-H,!l'J0;  In  all  M),()4'-»  ounces,  %!l(»,(i7l.'. 
r/./„W<f  (■<./(.//;..V,".liuie  -Jl,  May  •_'4.  lS(i4;  J/«r,-y!/V'.v  I'.  /.,  '2W.  Wake  up  .like 
claim  was  sold  in  IS.i?  ior  !?!()!).  Curi/KH)  Siii/hitl,  ."day  '2'\,  IS()7.  Tho  .Adiiiis 
C'omiiaiiv  ha<l  yiildrd,  no  far  as  known,  in  all  !?.')0,lM)()  to  100  feet;  the  Stii  Ic, 
$l'_'(»,(MHi  fioni\sO  fe.t;  tli.!  Dillcr,  !8y40,0;K)  from  M  feet;  tho  l'uniiiiij;li.iMi, 
^•-'TO.tHH)  from  WH)  feet;  the  Hums,  !?14(),()00  from  80  feet;  tho  Canadian, 
!?IS(>,0;K)  from  I'JO  feet;  the  Neversweat,  .?1(X),000  from  ll'O  feet;  the 
Moll'att,  .'^•'.lO.CKM)  from  50  fuet;  Uio  Tinker,  $120,000  from  140  feet;  tlir 
Watty,  ):<i:!(),(KM»  from  100  feet.  In  addition  t(»  those  already  naiiinl 
vero  the  Hirkir,  Baldhead,  (irier,  (irilliii,  \Vils(»n,  Heauregard.  Kil'V, 
i'ameroii,  I'riiiee  of  Wales,  and  many  others,  whoso  fame  went  throii-li- 
out  tho  world.  Cnnr/iirirH  I'  imjxr/im  Artt'uhtn  Vomjtitny,  ijuotcd  in  Mni-jh'i 
I'.  /.  twd  li.  (\,  '-US;   MtDoiialU'x  Ji.  I'.,   110;  fialem  ,St(Ue.imnii,  Nov.   -':!, 


LiVBOR  AN1>  KKTUKNS. 


400 


Despite  tliir^  HlM)\vin<;,  the  fact«  could  not  bo  tlis- 
i,nilH«'(l  that  tlio  exeiteiiieiit  wa.s  over,  aiul  that  the 
miners  were  dhninishin^  in  nunihor.  Of  the  fifteen 
hundred  fonnin«if  the  cstiniated  jtopulati  >n  of  William 
(^ree)-  in  NovendnT  18(14,  half  only  remained  through- 
out the  winter,  and  the  fornn  r  mimber  was  not  made 
up  again.  For  this  there  were  good  reasons.  The 
huge  yield  eame  ehirtly  from  few  claims,  while  the 
larger  number  had  returned  but  a  shall  share.  Tho 
sliullow  dii'i'inj's  which  formed  tlu^  attraction  for  the 
girat  majority  were  now  pretty  well  worked  out,  and 
the  Indications  for  locating  deeper  claims  on  the  more 
cisily  worked  ground  were  becoming  less  sure.  The 
tust  of  working  the  deeper  claims  was  a  further  draw- 
hack,  and  as  the  mim^rs  were  now  chieHy  interested  in 
this  class  of  ground,  it  bevame  a  momentous  question 
to  solve  the  pro'.lem  of  <'lieap  and  elective  operations. 

The  gr«'at  difiiculty,  the  How  of  water,  had  liitherto 
liccn  overcome  with  the  aid  of  the  limited  water-power 
of  William  (*reek,  and  with  the  home-made  wooden 
|>uni[>s  of  small  capacity.  But  these  moans  had  failed 
in  several  operations,  such  as  drifting  the  meadows 
hclow  Jiarkervillt!,  which  had  been  undertaken  on  an 
xteiisive  scale  coveriny;  a  distance  of  three  milt^s." 
The  Artesian  Company  wliich  had  obtained  a  twenty 
vcars'  h'asi'  of  one  half  mile  of  jj^round  three  eijjhths 
of  a  mile  in  width,  below  ]3arkerville,  proposed  under 
( 'rawford's direction  to  pros[)eet  by  meansof  an  aitesian- 
wtll  auger  bringing  up  a  panful  of  tlirt  at  eacli  raise; 
hut  th(^  How  of  water  was  not  (hsposed  of  ])y  this  scheme. 
Adit  levels  or  bed-rock  flumes  with  powerful  steam- 
punips  aj»peared  to  bo  the  oidy  eff(!ctive  nieans.  In 
1  SO;"), accordingly,  a  costly  'bed-rock  Hume'  1,000  feet 
in  length  was  laid,  at  a  first  cost  of  ^120,000,  com- 


c 


'Ami  at  a  cost  of  suveral  liiiiulrtMl  tluniHaiid  dollars.  This  work  oxt«'iiili><i 
iiuiii  Marysvillu  to  tins  junction  of  William  tJrcek  with  Willow  Kivcr,  a  tlis- 
t.un'»!  (if  tiircc  miles,  wIhto  a  formrr  lakf,  or  scries  of  lakes,  was  siijiitosed  to 
lin )•  existed,  <lisi;hargin){  its  waters  into  .lack  of  Clubs  Lake,  l>y  the  western 
''!■«  i>f  the  Island  Mountain,  instead  of  hy  tho  eastern,  as  at  present.  Mnrjie'n 
C.  /.  iiHil  H.  (• .  -JW. 


;i 


! 


BOO 


mining;  in  LAKIBOO. 


inencini»'  at  the  Caium,  Uolow  the  Black  Jack  tuniul, 
and  several  companies  be<;an  washing  into  it  with  a 
j^reat  increase  of  forces,  taking  out  some  coarse  gold, 
including  a  thirty-seven  ounce  imgget.'"  Among  the 
claims  most  successively  worked  at  this  time  were  the 
Conklin  (iulch  and  Ericsson  companies;  the  former 
being  reported  aw  taking  out  an  average  of  127  ounces 
a  day,  and  the  Ericsson  from  DOO  to  2,000  ounces  a 
week." 

Although  the  decline  of  the  district  was  a  conceded 
fact  after  1805,  there  were  in  18(57  still  over  sixty 
j)aying  claims,  apart  from  the  Hume  companies  and 
hill  claims.  Some  of  them  had  been  producing  foi' 
six  years,  and  were  still  producing  remarkably  well, 
the  potjrer  {»aying  wages  of  frt)m  eight  to  ten  dc  ilars 
u  day  to  the  hand.  The  Cunningham,  California,  and 
Tontine  claims  stood  each  credited  with  a  yield  up  t(» 
18G5  of  $000,000.'- 

'"  A  (litih  foiniilcte.l  from  .Tiu;k  of  Clubs  Crcok  in  18f4  ata  costof  .?20,0()0 
w;i«  usf'.l  ill  cotiiu'otioii  with  the  rtuinc.  The  ditch  oiiturprise  HuB'ereil  uiidt  r 
legal  (litliciiltii'.s  iliiriiig  1805.  Cnrilioo  St'iiliiu'l,  (juotetl  in  Virtorin  Wiiil/i 
f'nliiiiitil,  .hily  4,  IS(i'>.  Tilt!  tluniu  had  not  liccn  long  in  ojuTiition  wlnri 
William  Crrek  exjicrieiieed  a  tlooil  which  rcHulted  in  great  injury  to  imitrovc- 
nientH  of  cvrry  sort,  fsiti^ciully  at  ( 'anieronton.  A/.,  Sept.  I'.t,  ISOr-  Mi' 
(ieiitile  in  Octolier  IHIi.')  photograplu'd  most  of  the  iiromineut  claims  ami 
Imihlingsat  liarkervillc.   A/.,  Oct.  M,  )S()."). 

''This  was  in  .luui!  and  .Inly  18(15.  I'iiforin  <'oloiii«t,  .Inly  4,  25,  iSti.'i. 
One  day  l,'.h!(»  oun''OH  were  washed  out.     M/ii/iujmt'm  Alnnkv,  .'14. 

'-.•\n  idea  of  tlie  costs  and  individual  iii'otits  in  the  years  l8t»*2-7  may  he 
olitaiucd  from  the  following  statistics:  The  Cunninghani  claim  altove  t!:.- 
Curioii,  located  in  I8(>l,  with  tour  interests,  cost  !?l<H),0()0  to  work,  and  yieldul, 
up  to  lS(i.">,  !i!5(M»,(M»(>.     The  Tyack  claim,  htcated  in  18(11,  had  four  interests 

anil  paid  fr .i<l(>  to  .*-»(»  a  day.     The  ^'alifoniia,  located  in   18(il,  cost  .*ir.(l, 

r.)'>  to  work,  and  yielded,  up  to  I8(i5,  !i*.'i()(»,0(M).  In  ISdd  and  I8(i7  thiscliim 
was  still  [laying  from  i?l5  to:|ftK)a  day.  The  Hlack  .lack,  located  in  18(»'J,  \*  itli 
(i  interests.  g;ive  in  '2  years  .ft!0(t,(KK»,  under  a  total  expenditur-  of  ^")(».(HK) 
for  work  at  !JI(»  a  day.  In  18(>7  it  was  worktMl  uf  a  hydrjuiiiu  claim.  I  ln' 
Tontine,  located  in  I8(i4,  with  4  interests,  cost  up  to  i8(>5  inc'usivi!  .^KM),- 
(NK)  for  devehipmt^nt  and  working,  and  yielded  ^')()0,(KIO.  Tiie  Diet/,  lo(  ,it.  .1 
in  18(»4,  paid  good  wages  stea<lily.  These  were  all  ahove  the  Caflou.  lii'l.iw 
the  I'afion  mining  was  lieguii  in  18(>:i  at  tlu!  month  of  Stout  (iuL'h  'I'lic 
claim  of  High  Low  .lack,  located  in  IS(i4,  with  ti  interests,  itaid  in.lunc  ISii? 
SI-.IHX)  to  tile  share.  Tin-  rioneer  yielded  as  well.  The  Alturas,  locatcil  in 
IS(U,  with  8  inleri'sts,  paid  oil'  in  5  weeks,  tluring  18(i(i,  an  indehtediicHN  of 
gi'ACKK).  On  t)ie  TaftV.de  claim  5  shafts  were  '  lost '  hefore  the  diaiii,i|.'i' 
used  by  the  miners  lie'  iw  was  ttxtended  to  its  boundarieii,  Jt  cost  !*;M),(KKI 
to  ojien,  and  yieldei'  iinally  from  1(H)  to  'HW  ounces  ner  week,  tlnnnll's  l.n- 
turvH,  12-1".  T'tio  deepest  shaft  in  the  vicinity  of  William  Creek,  or  Mohawk 
Gul'  i.,   wuH  134  fuut,  without  reaching  the  bed-ruck,  or  leiit>  than  half  tli<' 


BENCH  CLAIMS 


Jack  tunnel, 
to  it  with  a 
coarse  gold, 
Among  the 
inie  were  the 
;  the  former 
»f  127  t>unces 
)00  ounces  a 

IS  a  concecli;(l 
11  over  sixty 
unpanies  and 
producing  tor 
larkablv  well, 
bo  ten  cU  liars 
California,  and 
a  yield  up  to 


atacostof  .*!2(MMMI 
)ri«e  Hutt'eri'il  uiuli  r 

ill     VirloiitI     iVnilil 

ill  <>iH'r;iti(m  wlnii 
iiijurv  toinipriivr 

|.t.    !'.»,    IStif-      Ml' 
niiiii'Ut  cliiims  ami 

July  4,  -Jr),    KStl"). 

•I'lrs  18()iJ-7  iiiiiy  If 

a  claim   iil«)vu   t!;. 

work,  anil  jit'lilrd. 

Iliad  four  iiitcn-its 

III   1.S«>1,  i'oct*l''l>. 

iiiid  IW>7  tliiMiiiiiii 

(I'iiU'd  in  IWi'J,  vith 

iiulitui-    of  *.'«t>."'<Hl 

Iriv.iiic  clllilll.      'I" 

1(5  iiii-'usivi'  !?IIHI. ■ 

Till!  I>i«^t.z,  li».il"l 

;li«!  Caflnli.      Ii''l'« 

■itout  (iuLh      Tlir 

,  uaiil  in.luiii'  IsiiT 

AitnraH,  locattil  m 

[ill     ilKlflltlMllU'HS    I  if 

Lforo  tlir  (IriiiiiiiUi' 
Im.  It  o(.st  !?:W>,IHMI 
.■I'k.  Iliiniitl'"  '■"' 
iCi-Duk,  i>r  Mi"!!.'"'^ 
Ie88  than  lialt  tin 


The  bed-r(K'k  tlrain  constructed  in  the  lower  })art 
of  William  (^reek  was  damaged  by  the  high  water  of 
IS()7,  and  as  a  result  the  product  of  one  tliir«l  of  the 
lust  claims  on  the  creek  was  lost  for  the  season,  all 
the  clahns  dependent  upon  it  lying  idle  from  June  to 
])tcember  18(17  Great pri'cautions  were  taken  to  pre- 
vent a  recurrence  of  such  a  misfortune.  High  bulk- 
heads were  erected  round  th«J  mouths  of  shafts,  and 
ii  general  bulkhead  was  proposed  for  the  protection  of 
till'  town  <>f  Barkerville.  By  the  end  of  January  1 8(18 
the  repairs  were  v/ell  advanced,  and  provisions  being 
coiujtaratively  ch  ;ap,  operati<»ns  were  renewe<I  with 
good  prospects  ft. r  the  ensuing  season,  aided  to  a  great 
extent  by  the  mining  board  which  had  been  formed 
here  in  180(1  with  twelve  mend)ers.  In  18(17  a  strike 
was  made  by  the  United  (\)inpany  on  the  Kreiich 
and  Canadian  creeks,  which  revivea  to  some  extent 
the  hopes  formed  of  tlu-m  as  earl;  as  I  8():{  1,  owing 
to  their  proximity  to  the  suppose  d  fountain-head  of 
tJK'  William  Creek  deposits.'"  IkMU'h  oi'  hill  claims 
wen  developed  the  same  year  hetween  KichHi'ld  and 
i\\v  Canon,  but  suftered  greatly  foi*  want  of  water.'* 
During  the  prosperous  days  of  William   (Jreek,  the 


licptli  of  tliu  i-iclicHt  (litpoMitH  ill  AuHtralia,  ami  this  faot  wiih  lu-lil  uii  as  an 
aigiuiiciit  auaiiist  tlioso  who  iKigaii  to  tli;s|ioiul.  yirtoria  Co/om/V,  Nov.  7, 
hii.'i;  AtliiiiM  CiirilxH),  .MS.,  10,  II.  .Vftcr  IS(;!>  tlio  hwal  iiiiiiiiig  history  wiw 
fully  ivcoriliul  liy  thi;  jirosperoiis  though  not  very  long-livml  I'liriUii)  Sintiwl, 
IhiIpIisIumI  liy  AliiXaiiilcr  Allen  at  the  town  of  lUrkerville.  .\  eoiii|ilete  liHt 
III  tli(^  ooiiijiaiiio.'^  working  u|)on  William  Criiek,  with  the  nuiiiher  of  shares, 
iiaiiii's  of  toremeii,  anil  what  the}' weru  iloiiifT,  was  (iiihlisheil  iu  the  iiiimlier 
Im-  May  'J8,  IHUCi,  ami   cojiied  in  the   I'iHoriii.  hnilij  i'lditiiiM  of  .hiiie  ••<,  I8(i(>. 

"Three  iiuiiilreil  oiinees  were  taken  from  one  slii:t  of  tiiiilur  in  a  liill 
tiiniecl  liy  the  Ullittul  Culiiliaiiy.  These  creeks  iiad  heeii  prosjieeteil  during  the 
winter  of  IStlli  4,  under  tlieln'lief  that  from  their  iiositioii  in  the  liald  Muuntain 
tin  >  must  he  near  the  fcmntaiii-heail  of  the  rieii  deposits  uf  William,  tirouse, 
:mi|.iaekof  Cliihseieeks.  yiftitrinWnklii  ('<il«iii.-i,V\\>.  I-, -•">.  ISliT,  In  tiiiMihl 
I'liirand  I'oillt  claims  the  Chinese  in  IH(i7  extracted  iiJtlO.IHK)  from  a  small 
iiivice.  <  'arilioa  S<'iiliiiil,  Oct.  14,  IS(>7.  Conklin  (!uhh  w  is  stakecl  anew  on 
Ixitli  nidi^s,  and  from  one  side  to  the  other  a  immlM'r  of  I  uiiikIs  were  run  under 
the  lull-siclea  for  the  iuir|iose  of  striking  the  rich  ehauiiei  worked  hy  the 
I'luti'd  Coiii]iaiiy.  VirUtria  hnilii  CoioiiiM,  Keli.  I'.'t,  IS'.iT;  >'i</<  I'lnuniwr,  .Ian. 
I,  ISllH. 

''  \  hack  ehannul  wa<t  discovered  iti  .liini!  IS(i7,  !ttN)  feet  in  the  hill  liehind 
till  jiciwnie  claim,  and  tlu^  West  Itritain  Company  in  the  same  vicinity  hot- 
tinned  a  shaft  at  the  depth  of  47  feet,  oht4iiiiiiig  a  prospect  of  ^'J.,JU  to  tliii 
iKiii.    I'iitoriii  M'ld/// C()Ai/((V,  .luiie  II,  LS(t7. 


I  I 


502 


MINING  IN  CARIBOO. 


gold  deposit  was  traced  in  paying  quantities  down 
the  stream  to  beyond  Marysviile,  several  miles  below 
Barkerville. 

Wherever  tlie  dee[»  ground  had  been  prospected  by 
means  of  shafts — usually  about  sixty  feet  in  deptli — 
it  i)roved  remarkably  good,  yielding  from  ten  to 
twenty-five  cents  to  the  pan  But  here,  unfortunately, 
»>ccurreil  the  excess  of  water,  after  tlie  gravel  was 
reached,  which  prevented  the  shafts  from  bt-ing  worked; 
and  with  the  failure  of  the  district  the  village  of  Marys- 
viile was  deserted.  This,  and  the  similar  fate  wliicli 
overtook  the  Meadows,  add* 'd  to  the  gradual  exiiaus- 
tion  of  the  available  and  profitable  grountl  on  Willian: 
Creek,  proved  a  heavy  blow,  not  for  the  creek  aloiif, 
but  for  the  whole  of  Cariboo.  From  180.'{  to  18(')7  the 
deep  ground  on  William  Creek  had  been  the  main- 
stay of  Cariboo,  as  the  latter  wtis  the  main-stay  of 
British  Columliia,  and  mining  was  j)n>s|»erous  in  pro- 
pi>rti»Mi  to  the  engineering  skill  brought  into  play,  the 
pr«)blen>  being  simply  one  of  gaining  access  to  the  gold 
deposits  in  the  old  channels.  It  was  eviilent  that  llie 
late  engineering  methods  had  not  answeri'd  the  pur- 
j)ose,  anil  that  a  still  more  ett'ective  system  of  drainaj;*- 
nmst  bt;  adopti'd  to  overcome  the  obstacle  in  llie  way 
to  this  rich  grt>und.  A  deep  cut  wjis  proposed  for 
.sluicing  the  old  claims  along  the  whole  l«ii«^th  of  Wil- 
liam Creek,  from  tlu;  ( Wkhi  to  the  Mead»>NVs.^' 

Jiut  nothing  was  dont>  for  a  hmg  time;  finally  soiin' 
San  Fi'aiK'isco  capitalists  obtaini'd  a  leasts  of  ground  for 
four  miles  along  the  creek  for  twenty-one  yeais,  and 
the  Jane  and  Kurt/ Company  in  (S7()  ertu'ted  powt  i- 
ful  steam-pumping  machinery,  on  a  scale  hitherto 
unknown  in  the  eolonv.  A  shaft  of  one  hun«lred  and 
twenty-fi'  e  fi'et  was  sunk,  partly  in  rock,  and  drifting; 

"*  Till)  tirxt  ]inMic  pro^iuH.il  ni  ii  hi'Ik'hio  fur  driiinint;  tlio  Mi'iuliiws  wiih  i.  I'li' 
in  IMM,  HiiKp'Hliiii;  tliat  t\w  ^ovt'riiiiiriit  mIiduIiI  ^riiiit  a  l<>ii^  l<sit«-  tit  f;ri>iiii<l 
(■<|iiiklliii^  4(MI  rhtiiiiM,  I'arli  .'lO  \vvt  Whit',  ainl  t'.\ti'ii<liii^  at'i'iiN.<  the  valliy:  iIh' 
i>i'ti[iiiHt>il  i.'t>iii|)aiiy  jHiyiiif,'  SlOtt  t't)r  I'at'li  I'laiiii.  Vklorin  WnUji  ' '(*((i;i/</,  (•■  i. 
M,  l^'(>8.  TliiH  i>i'<t)i<i".ilitiii  wuH  Hiiliiiiitt(3il  til  II  iiit^ftiiiK  '*'  tliu  iiiimrs  on 
William  (Vet'k,  I'ut  >va-<  uliji't'ti'il  tn  im  tin-  gnmiitl  tliat  it  wtmlil  iiutiiii[i<'li/.i; 
t<M>  lurgu  Mi  ui'uii.  III.,  iluly  17,  l8(iU. 


rilOSl'K(TIX( ;  KXPKI (ITIONS. 


Ix'i^a  i  ill  tlio  (liroctioii  of  the  old  cliaiiiitl,  wlildi  was 
striu  k  after  a  run  of  on(>  ImiMircd  and  fortv  feet,  vidd- 
iii^'  a  j»roHj»t'('t  of  t\v»'nty-tiv(!  iloHa's,  Inllowcd  l»y  i;"ood 
returns.  'I'lic  water  soon  coniix-llod  a  sus|)riisioii  of 
ojicrations,  but  tlicy  were  roncwed  in  .luiie  1.^7;!,  with 
a  tliiitccn-iiu'li  jtunn),  and  a  new  douliK'  sliall  was 
>uiil<."'     Xo  important  result  followed,  liowrvrr,  and 


till 


in    l.s7()  the  Meadows  <lraina«j;e  (|Ui'stn>n  was  s 
suhjeet  of  an'itiition.'' 

In  IH(>l)ther«^  had  heen  aeonsiderahlf  iinpnivmient 
ill  the  niiniuix  interest;  Harkei'villc  as^uniid  Micater 
II'  [)(»rtanee  than  it  ha<l  I'njoycd  l>cfoi>'  the  fnc  of 
ISdH;  |>ros|)oetini;'  expeditions  cann'  |iroiiiiii(iit!y  !»<'- 
fnretho  [»uhlic,  and  t|uart/.-niinint;'  lici^an  to  he  thought 
of  Anxwij^theelaiins  still  worked  with  sueccss  in  I  ^7(1 
Nwre  th(»sc  of  the  F()rest  IvoHe  and  l>laek  .lack  eoiii- 
paaies,  which  had  eomnieneetl  hydi'auhr  iniiiiii^'  in 
the  hill,  at  tlu'  foot  of  tlu!  ('anon,  htloii'^iiiL;  t  »  tho 
same  series  of  ijrravel  dcjiosits  tliat  formed  the  ca^t  sido 
of  till"  ereek  ahove  it.and  where  the  former  eomitaiiN  had 


"''Tlif  j;ovt'riiiiit'nt  griiiiti'il  tlu'iioi  lr;i«f  fur  'J|  yfiiv,  with  tlif  jMivilfgi'  of 
rxti'iiiliiiK  it  till-  10  years  llicnMlttr.    I'.  S.  rn„ii„'rri'/'U  /.'./.,  |s7(),  'SM.     Tlii> 

li'^l^r  WilH  si^'lU'iloil  tlu'  |>ayill<'llt(>l'  II  ImllUrt  III'  Srj.'l  at  tile  riilllliK'lli'i  iiiciit,  ami 
S'jriO  a.s  rental  annually  tlieieatter;  the  ^niiiinl  e\t>ii.liiij{  iVniii  tin?  Rillarat 
elaiiii  to  Mi(si|iiit<>  ( 'reek.  !i  (listaiiee  ot  4  iiiih-s,  iMU'  mile  or  lens  in  \\  iilth.  'I'lio 
iiiiii|iatiy  a^ireeil  tnhuilil  a  .saw-niill  ainl  a  t<n-slanii>>|iuir!/.inill,  eti .  Virfuriii 
W'riUii  <  'itliiiinf,  Ann.  .'{,  IS7(t.  Kil),Mr  heuilney  ma^ie  mui'Vinh  fur  the  i-mn- 
tiieiKetiient  (if  olxratiiiiiH.  /(/.,  .Inly  •_•(),  I.s7t).  'I'lie  eapital  eiii|iliiyicl  liy  Knrta 
aiicl  l.ani'  was  a  In  in  t  ST'i.'XK).  This  was  all  the  caiMi.il  iii\e-.|iil  hy  Aniiiiiaii 
riii/ens  ill  this  |inivinee,  e\ee|it  a  I'lrtaui  tliietualiiiu  aiiioiiiil  li\  a  l>i:tiieh  ullii'O 
el  the  liini  111  Weils,  Kar;;ii,  ami  t 'c>nii>aiiy.  hniil  h.'k^ii'ni,  I'liilid  S/hOh 
(  iiiiinl  11/  i'iiiiiriii,  in  (iiDiiiiirriitl  liil.,  |S7I,(»4I.  I,.invevin,  (ho  Canuliaii 
iMiiii.ster  of  imlilii!  works,  visiied  the  Meailows  in  Is7l.  'I'hi'  uinuml,  he 
Ka\s,  \  lelileil  larm'ly  lieiiire  it  w  lus  ahamhim  il  tiie  lirst  time.  The  ea|iilal  of 
the  eoiniiany  was  noniiiially  !^ri(H),(NN>.  /,.in./»  i-iriw  A'.;)/.  /'//'..  \\  nrku,  |.S7-,  7. 
Alter  eighteen  months  of  Work  the  Laiie  ami  Kurt/.  <'oiii|i:imv  siis|ien>leil 
olirratiolis  on  aeeolint  of  the  iiu'leaseil  <|ll.llliil>  ..I  w.iler.  (  'ntii'in  n-u'l  A'./, 
I^T'J,  4',t.'i;  Cii  rilHMi  Si  n/iiii  I,  No\ .  'J,  1^7'J.  Alter  a  nOui  t  eoMHiiliuu  ilny  lie'jaii 
|i>iiii|>mi;  ik^aiii,  .liiiie  L>7,  l^7i'>.  wilh  thirleeiiiiii  h  |iiiin|>~.  .iml  ilriiiieil  the 
wiirk-i  ^'rikilualK .  A  new  ilonMe  slialt  was  sunk;  .i  iliteh  .t  m.h'  in  leii^lli 
Vis  eniistnieteil  iiiiiler  a  eoiitraet  I'V  llolroy>l  aiel  ( 'oni|i  in\ .  mil  i  s.tw-inill 
«as  eiiiii|i|eteil,   I'liii'iiiiSiiiliini.  .1  line  I'l ,  *J^,   l><7!t. 

''  A  heil  Idek  lllime  was  e.iii  iilend  neeessary  l«  o  ainl  ;•  loll  miles  in  lellfjtll, 
ami  eoslinn  .*s|."tO,(HKI.  This  sln.nhl  start  on  ii  ^ri.le  Iroiii  the  I  ills  of  VaJU-y 
'  rei  k  ami  striki'  the  lieil  roek  ol  William  ereek  at  the  ihpth  ol  70  leet  from 
the  Niirlaee,  olieiiiin;  to  miners  tlie  most  vai.iaMi'  |iortli>li  oi  the  eieeU  lietWeiMl 
llie  Uallarat  elaim  ami  the  ('anon,  emliiaeiii^  the  town  of  Kirkerville.  Uidi-iiih, 
111  M'l,.  ,l/„„w  A'.|./.,  1S7«,  W'^. 


504 


MINING  IN  CARIBOO. 


ill  1871  already  obtained  rich  yields.**^  Tlic  Black  Jack 
Company  constructed  a  ditch  a  mile  in  length.  Hy- 
draulic minin<>^  was  also  proposed  for  the  west  side  of 
William  Creek,  where  *^food  prospects  had  heeu  fountl 
at  Mink  G  ulch.  The  shallow  diggings  above  the  Canon 
were  still  worked,  and  the  bed-rock  laid  bare  for  mili\s 
with  moiv  or  less  success.  A  costly  yet  profitable 
bed-rock  Hume  occupied  the  ground  nearest  to  the 
Caiion.  The  representative  settlement  of  this  upper 
section  was  liichfiekl,  tlie  only  other  collection  of 
houses  along  the  creek,  besides  Barkerville,  dignified 
by  the  name  of  a  town,  and  consisting  of  the  court- 
house or  government  building,  a  saw-mill,  and  a  dozen 
other  buildings. 

In  18G5  the  government  granted  $2,500  for  an  ex- 
pedition to  jtros[)ect  the  Bear  Iliver  country,  and  to 
the  north-east  of  William  Creek,  but  seven  weeks' 
search  fiiiled  to  develop  anything  of  value,  and  the  con- 
clusion was  formed  that  further  prospecting  must  be 
directed  to  the  north-west.  Among  the  prospecting 
movements,  therefori',  wliich  in  I8G7  were  made  from 
AV'illiam  Creek  in  search  of  new  fields,  several  took 
the  direction  ^A'  William  Kiver.  On  this  route  lay 
Mosquito  Creek,  five  miles  below  Barkerville,  wiii*  li 
had  been  ])ros|>ected  in  l8();3-4,  and  had  now  six  com- 
])anies  at  work.  Their  receii)ts  for  the  season  were 
^1,000  and  upward,  the  Minnehaha  and  Kocking  yield- 
ing from  twenty-five  to  fifty  ounces  per  week.  In 
18G8,  the  !Minnehalia  returned  three  hundred  and 
twenty-four  ounces  to  one  pick  in  a  week.'*  To  the 
north-west  lay  Sugar  Creek,  where  the  coarse,  well- 
washed  gravel  deposits  lying  on  a  iiard  blue  slate  weie 
found  to  vield  fairlv.  Four  miles  beyond  this,  L'r- 
quhart  and  party  nanu>d  Mustang  Creek,  and  took  u|) 
a  discovery  claim,  which,  in  September  1807,  yield*  d 

'*Tlie  Fori'«t  Host',  in  1871,  i>r(«liieeil  in  a  week,  iluriiif^  Lmgovin's  visit, 
203  ounces,  iiiul  in  anotlitT  wt^ek  i!45  «mnc«m.  Lamjivin'x  lityt.  I'nl>.  Works 
1S71,  7. 

** //.irmn'H  Lrrliirii,  ISC.7.  21:  VHorht  Woili/  Coloiil>,f,  Hv\>t.  3,  18(57.  nn.l 
March  31,  1608;  CurUHM  .>)iutiml,  Aug.  11),  Out.  J4,  lt>(i.'i. 


THE  BAL1>  MOUNTAINS. 


lit.  3,  18«7.  !iii>l 


iVoin  eiglit  to  ten  dollars  a  da}'  to  tho  maii.^  The 
nport  hereof  attracted  more  ininers,  and  fine  gold  was 
found  upon  all  the  bars  of  Willow  liiver,  whieh  ran 
longitudinally  through  the  rieh  rocks  of  the  Bald 
^[ountain  zone ;  one  company  sank  a  shaft  in  search 
of  the  deep  gravels,  hut  after  descending  s«>nje  fifty 
foct,  with  alternate  drifting  along  a  pitching  bed-rock, 
the  water  compelled  them  to  abandon  the  work.  Good 
prospects  were  found,  however,  and  eftbrts  M'cre  made 
to  form  a  company  with  more  funds,  wherewith  to 
prosecute  the  search  for  the  deep  deposits ;  but  the 
miners  failed  to  respond."' 

In  the  region  east  of  the  Bald  Mountains  were 
several  other  less  [)rominent  creeks  and  gulches,  as 
^[cArthur,  Steven,  Begg,  Whipsaw,  and  ]*ate,  mined 
ill  1875-7,'"  besides  considerable  rivers  which  remained 
undeveloped  on  account  of  their  remote  situation. 
Ill  the  list  miyfht  be  included  the  di!j:«j:in«'s  on  Clear- 
water,  and  the  upper  north  Thom[)S(»n,  referred  to 
ill  a  preceding  cha[)ter,'"  and  rediscovered  by  the 
piuUers  of  Selwyn's  liocky  Mountain  geological  ex- 
[tloring  party."*  The  position  of  the  latter  region 
upon   the  map  indicates  an  area  of  still  wholly  un- 

''*Vtiril)oo  iSi'iitiiiil,  Sept.  .5,  18(>7.  It  was  also  c.ilictl  Ik'iiviT  CriM-k  on  ao- 
ciiuiit  of  tiio  iiiiiiit'rous  ItoaviTs.  The  gravol-<leiio«its,  at  tiiiios  only  cijlit  fot't 
ilnji,  anil  lying  njjon  a  hanl  l)lno  slatis  reseniliU'd  tluiso  of  Sugar  lYoi-k,  with 
an  altiindanue  of  water.  Curilioo  >Siiiliiict,  <|Uote(l  in  Vkt.oriii  Coloiiint,  Sept. 
•2:1,  l>Sti7. 

'^^  Ctirilioo  Soidml,  Oct.  7,  1S(17.  SiiltHi'riptionH  were  niailo  in  iSOS  to  tho 
rxtent  of  5!«<>,(KK),  where  the  matter  renteil.  i"ho  iiitrntion  was  to  sink  shaftH 
:iiiil  tlien  drift  nntil  the  main  deci*  ehainid  was  found.  Virlnrin  Dniti/  (  'dIihiM, 
.I:mi.  7,  KS(i8.  The  Hehenie  was  revived  in  IS"-,  in  the  form  of  a  iiro))osition 
tnr  a  grant  of  mining  gronnd,  and  in  Au^iixt  1K7-,  resolntions  were  iiasseil  at 
lltrkirville  recommending  the  (iroject,  with  the  eoiidilion  that  honds  shoidd 
l)>'  ^;i\t'n  hy  the  company  for  flu^  performancu  of  eertiiin  work.  Viiioria  Col- 
oiiid,  Aug.  18,  1S7"-'. 

'''-Neo  taliular  tttatoment  of  elaims,  yield,  and  population,  note  .*)(),  this 
thai'tcr. 

''Mentioned  bydov.  l*ongla.s,  as  rejmrteil  liy  the  Indians  in  IS(!1,  anil 
liiratcd  im  his  mining  map.  /iriti.-/i  ('obniiliia  l'ii}iir*,  iv.  .')4.  The  Oir  pros. 
l"i  ting  e.\j>edition  in  May  1^(>."»  ascended  from  Kiindoop  as  far  as  tlie  torks 
111  lin' Clearwater,  without  linding  anything  «>f  value.  CkiU'ih)  Si  iitiii<  I,  Sipt. 
;tO,  I  SI).-). 

^'l>onald  McFee,  an  old  t'alifornian  ami  Carihoo  miner  att.n'hed  to  ,Sel- 
«\ii's  party,  rept)rted  '\t\^  iliggings'  yielding  eiKirse  gold  titty  miles  from 
(K.irwater  liiver,  in  the  same  range  of  mountains  that  striktr  throtii{h  llu^  i  'ari- 
hou  mines.  C'ooiki/'h  /{iivrt,  .'iept.  'SM,  in  \'kti)ria  J)aily  Ctloiii"!,  Oct.  8,  1871. 


ll 


■1\ 

J  If 

irii 


rm 


MINING  IN  CARIBOO 


(Icvolopod  iiiiiiinij^  comitiy  in  tlio  Cariboo  zone,  twice 
tho  siz«'  of  tliat  liitlirrto  <  upicd  l»y  tlio  iniuors,  not 
to  nicntiv)!!  the  region  witliin  the  Koeky  Mviuutains 
[>roper. 

Crossing  to  the  western  slopes  of  tlio  Cariboo  Bald 
Mountains  we  Hnd  the  ]>rineii>al  mining,  district  upon 
the  l^ightning  and  Swift  lliver  blanches  of  Cotton- 
wood liiver,  and  the  niost  important  camps  on  \  an 
Winkle  and  Lowhee  creeks,  with  a  history  parallel  to 
that  of  Antler  and  William  cre<'ks.  The  valley  nf 
Ijightning  Cieek  was  explort>d  early  in  180I  by  thni' 
pn »spectors,  Hill  (\inningham,  Jack  Hume,  and  Jim 
Bell,  who  first  descended  to  Jack  of  Clnbs  Creek, 
and  thi-nce  struck  southward  over  the  fori'st-covered 
mountains.  The  hai'dshijis  encounteivd  in  descendinn- 
the  steep  banks  of  the  creek  evoked  fioni  Cuimingham 
the  expn'ssion,  "B«tys,  this  is  lightning;"  whereupmi 
his  companions  jocosely  accept«*d  this  as  the  name 
of  tlu'  stream.'"'  After  a  rough  Journi-y  tlu>y  weif 
obliged  t<»  fall  back  upon  tlu'ir  base  of  supplies  at 
Antler  (^reek,  without  discovering  the  riches  which 
sh(»rtlv  afterward  placed  Jji«>htnini''  ( *i'eek  amoni»"  the 
famous  localitii's  of  (.'aribdo. 

In  July  I  HOI  Ned  Campbell  and  his  com]>anioiis 
ojH'ned  a  rich  chiim  several  hundred  yards  above  tlie 
site  t»f  till-  town  ot'  \  an  \\  inkle,  known  as  the  second 
canon,  from  which   tlu'V  tool,  out  st  vi;nteen  bundled 


ounces  m  tliree«lavs  was|im<j 


di 


A  «!reat  rush  followrd 


I 


.loh 


•.vans.    111 


.1// 


.)// 


// 


|S7.\    1(1. 


11 


lis  Htiirv    Kvaiis.   tli 


liiiiiiii)i  siirv»'\  cir  (it  Linlitiiiiii;  (  rfck,  ilmilitlcss  olitaiiu'il  troiii  tlic  ivjilnnrs 
♦  IiciiimIm's.  T.iln'slii  Kvaiis  \aiii's  IIk' acfiiiiiit  l>>  attriltiif  inn  "•'"  r<Mi;iik  tn 
tlif  iK'cui  TiiH'i'  lit  iiiif  lit  till'  ti  II  itic  tliiiiiilirstiiriiH  ('iiiiiiiiiiii  at  rtrl.iiii  scasmn 


ill  tlit^  4 '.'ii'iiMiii  Miiiiiitaiiis 


T.   h'rn 
.1.1 


ill  n,irt<iii,l  Miiiilliln.  Mairli  |S';(»,    'Jii'J. 


-'' IJiill,  till'  assistant  giilil  iiiiiiiiii.>.siiiiiir,  ic[iiiitiil  tlial  Nrd  ('aiii]ilirir« 
I'laiiu  yii'Mfil  !KH(  (iimcrs  iHu- ila\ .  .">((0  miiicfs  lui  .iiiitlur,  ami  H(H)  uiiiiriw  nii 
ii  tiling  .lay.  Ih.Kjl.iH  />< sjHifrl,,' {hi.  -Jl,  iMll.  in  /!.  C  /•((;«/•>■,  iv.  Cil.  Tin' 
ii|it'iiin^  nf  ('aiii|iiii  ll's  claiiii  o.wt    .y_'.">.(MK>,  Imt    it  yii'l.l.'.l   .<|IK».(KK)  in  tin..' 


itli 


h 


SS<tlf, 


:u.    Til.-  .1 


i-iotivii'v  was  nil  (i 


latt 


M" 


lli't-    (nlli- 


iiaiiy'n  jii.'iiii.l,  I'livi'i-inn  Ned  < 'aiii|ili)'irs  aii.l  llic  Wliittliall  I'liiiii  ailj.iiniiii; 
liiiii".  whi'li  yi.l.li'il  !*'jit<MHH»  tnuftli.r.  ' hrrl.iii'/  M«ii/U;i,  .Manli  ISTO,  -.'li'.'. 
It  wa.s  r.']iiirt.'il  that  N.'tl  raiii|ilii  II  an. I  liis  Irit'iiiU  tonk  out  two  unit. 'is  to 
tlio  |iiinl'nl,  ami  wartlii'.l  nut  .>I.IO()  in  a  .lay,  iilliiiwt  IM  mihiii  uh  tlicv  i'mn- 
int'iii'cil  Iti  wnrk.    l/irjif/'s  i'lirilnn),  \'2'>. 


LAST  (  IIANl  K  AM)  LKiHTNINO 


m 


)ue,  twice 
iners,  nt»t 
Ii)uutains 


iboo  Bald 
trict  11]  toll 
(f  (.'ott( ni- 
ls on  \  an 
parallel  to 
valU'y  I't' 
I  l>y  tlirrc 
,  and  Jim 
il)S  Crei'ls. 

st-C-OVl'Vctl 

K'HcondiiiL;' 

mninijfliaiH 

^vheroui>"ii 

tlu'  naiiir 

tlu>v   WClr 

U|>|»li*'>i  at 

ics  whirli 

noipj;  tlif 

nnpanioii^^ 
abovi'  tlic 

in*  second 
huiidud 

1  t'ollowi  ll 

ry    Kvaiis.   till' 

till'    iNJllol'  I'- 

tlu^  rciiiiiiU  t'l 
I'lrtaiii  siMsiiiK 
ivli  1S70.  'Jii'J. 
Ill  Caiinil"  W'-" 

:«H»  ..\iii<i  1  "II 

s,  iv.  til.     'I'll'' 

O.tMH)  in  tinv 

SiM-iiri'  Cni- 

laini  ;iili<>iiiiiii; 

nh    ISTO.  •-Mi-J. 

two  llUlll'i  ■-  to 

as  tlifv    I""'- 


this  discovery,  particularly  to  Xiin  WiiikU?  Creek, 
wliere  2,000  \'vet  at  the  lower  end  yielded  from  }:<|00 
to  $250  a  day  to  the  man,  through  the  st'ason.  ITp 
the  creek  the  K-ad  disappeared.  The  total  product 
of  this  stream  in  Octoher  1870  was  }?jOO,1M;4  from 
l,()00  feet  of  j^round  runninj;'  with  the  creek,  and 
varying  from  200  to  ;500  feet  in  width. 

The  diggings  on  Last  Chance  Cre«'k,  another  trib- 
utary of  Jjiglitning  Creek,  ntar  Van  Winkle,  were 
likewise  opened  in  ISCtl.  The  ])is»-oveiy  Company, 
'oiisisting  of  four  men,  toidv  out  forty  pounds  of  gold 
in  one  ilay,  and  the  yield  that  season,  fiom  half  a 
mile  (»f  the  creek,  was  at  least  .^2r)0,000.  'I'he  Chis- 
JKilin,  JJavis,  and  Amh-ison  tributaries,  lu'ar  tin;  same 
place,  yielded  also  (juite  a  (juantity  of  gold  from  their 


shallow 


])art.- 


Tl 


le 


St 


■cond    season    on     l^iiihtninuf 


Creek  yielded  com[>aratively  little,  for  tin;  giavel, 
hting  loose  and  porous,  was  diihcult  to  woik,  though 
the  [say  deposit  was  only  from  eight  to  thirty  feet 
1m 'low  the  surface.""* 

From  Eagle  Creek  t(»  the  Water  Lily  «-laim  every 
loot  (»f  ground  was  (»ccupied,  and  shafts  were  sunk  in 
many  ))laces;  but  they  all  proved  misu<-ci's,s|'ul  owing 
to  the  ineth<-ien«'y  f.t'the  draining  machinery,  and  aftei- 
tW(»  more  seasons  of  disasti't)Us  trial,  in  the  autumn  of 
IS()t  they  w«'re  all  abandonc<l.  In  I  .S70,  the  Spi'uce, 
then  called  the  Davis,  as  well  as  the  Hoss,  Lightning, 
\  all  WinkK',  \'ancou\«'i",  and  \'ict(»iia  companies  re- 
>umed  Work  by  sinking  shafts  into  the  «leep  channel, 
aii<l  with  the  aid  (»f  improvrd  ma<  hlnei'v  and  methods 


thf  water  was  «'ontrol!ed.      'i'lie  last  thr 


I'e  com|»ani» 


situati'd  below  the;  town  of  \'an  Winkle,  effected  their 
ohji'ct  by  sinking  through  the  bed-roek  at  the  sltle  of 
thi'  creek,  and  tluMice  diifting  into  the  channel.  At 
the  same  time  a  costly  'bed-rock  «hain'  was  ojtened 
at  the  lowe»'  end  of  tlii'  diggings.  The  «le\  elopnieiits 
made  undeig!'onnil  at  ilitferent  times  provetl  the  e\- 


i>. 


Mi, 


'(iirMoii  oil 
tiiiirn's  tjssii 


,,,  -M. 


7;  Jii/iii  Kraiis,  in  Min.  Miin'i  /I'ljit.,  IsT.'i,  10. 


I  fi 


'    '\ 


5U8 


MINING  IN  CARIBOO. 


istciice  of  separate  old  ehanncls  at  different  eleva- 
tions, consequently  of  different  aj^es."" 

As  a  result  of  this  successful  en«,nneerin;4;  feat  fresh 
localities  were  opened  fcjr  a  distance  of  five  miles  along 
the  creek,  and  gold  be^MU  to  flow  an^ain  to  some 
extent,  tlie  total  yield  of  thirteen  claims  amounting 
in  Xovemher  1875  to  $2,17i),272,  of  which  the  Vic- 
toria produced  ^«!451,G4-J,  the  Van  Winkle  $;3G3,983, 
and  the  Vancouver  $274,190.*'  But  this  showing  was 
by  no  means  so  atitisfactory  as  it  seemed,  for  it  (embraced 
only  the  successful  companies,  and  did  not  point  out  the 
expenses,  which  were  vtsry  larire,  amounting  in  many 
claims  to  from  ^40,000  to"  $7 01000.-" 

Quite  a  iiund)er  of  fortunes  were  paid  out,  in  fact, 
on  inefficient  machinery,  and  in  battling  with  excess- 
ive difficulties  of  ground  and  water  to  reach  the  ricli 
strata  from  which  a  few  were  drawing  large  returns, 
while  others  were  doomed  to  comparative  disappoint- 
ment. Both  the  expenditure  and  the  yield  served, 
however,  to  resuscitate  the  district,  and  by  1875  tlic 
diggings  and  towns  on  Lightning  Creek,  Van  Wiidvli', 
and  Stanley  liatl  t;iken  the  first  place  in  Cariboo  for 
production,  pros[)erity,  and  population,  while  William 

'■"Tlie  Butcher  and  Discovery  ciaiiiis  were  on  a  bench  at  a  coiisiilenililL' 
hei^lit  above  tlie  present  cliannel,  ojipiwite  the  Sontli  WalcH  claim,  workiiii,' 
below  it.  Similarly  tiiu  Dunbar  and  Kl  I  )4>ra<lo  deposits  were  on  a  iiigb  beach 
of  the  bed-rock  opposite  the  I'erseverance  and  Koss  claims,  working  the  (lcc|» 
oiiaunel. 

""In  nine  months  tiieVan  Winkle,  A'ictoria,  and  Vancouver  mines  almu' 
yielded  about  iiJoOO.OOO,  of  which  $*218,'2(!'2,  came  from  the  Van  Winkle.  'J'liu 
whole  of  William  Creek  during  the  same  time  produced  only  §«)8,(K)(),  a  third 
of  which  was  extracted  at  Conklin  (Julch.  The  total  amounts  yielded  liy 
the  thirteen  leading  claims  fnun  the  renewal  of  mining  operations  to  Novcin- 
l>er  1,  1875,  were  api)roximately  as  follows:  Dutch  and  Siegel  mines,  now  tlic 
I'rescverance  claim,  $13(),(HK);  l)uid)ar,  ^'K),(KK);  Discovery  and  Butclui, 
*1'20,(KM);  Campbell  and  Whitehall,  !«;l'(H»,0(K);  South  Wales,  .^141,5:11;  ].i,i,'lit- 
ning,  $l"):i,SM)-_';  I'oint,  $i;<(),()2r);  Spruce,  %i!>!>,!M)8:  CostcUo,  l?-J<),47»i;  VuKaii, 
^")<>,t»5r>;  Vancouver,  .t274,lSH);  Victoria,  !5!4r)l,(;4l»;  Van  Winkle,  .*:{ti;{.il.s:t; 
total,  ^2,l71»,'-'7*2.  Miii.  Mhivx  HcjU.,  J87.'>,  II.  In  1871  the  South  Wales  C.hm- 
pany  produced  during  the  last  three  weeks  of  Aug.  ;W8,  Hl.'i,  ami  250  nunn  s 
of  gold  resiM'ctively.  htiii/rrhi's  Hiftt.  I'lih.  Workx  l)<]it.,  1872,  7.  Duiiiil; 
1872  a  number  of  claims  ou  Lightning  Creek  continued  to  yield  handsoiiiil\. 
/-*.  Erkvtein,  U.  S.  I'oiixul,  in  ('omiiwiriiil  liiL,  1872,  4W5. 

^'Onc  third  of  tin;  money  would  have  been  enough  in  most  cases  had  tlji^ 
companies  jiossessed  machinery  of  suHicient  capacity  at  the  commenceiuint, 
but  they  were  mostly  poor,  coping  with  enormous  ditficulties  in  their  8trugi;lu 
fur  existence.  John  Em nx,  in  Min.  Minvti  livjtt.,  187<),  11. 


LOWHEE  t  KEEK. 


BOB 


rent   eleva- 

y  feut  fresh 
miles  along 
n  to  some 
amounting 
cli  the  Vic- 
^  $:3G3,98:5, 
howing  was 
it  embraced 
»oint  out  tlie 
iig  in  many 

out,  in  fact, 
with  exccHS- 
ich  the  rich 
irge  returns, 
.'  disappoint- 
•ield  served, 
by  1875  tiic 
l''an  Winkli', 
Cariboo  for 
lile  William 

[it  a  coiLsiileni'ili' 
H  (^laiiii.  wiirkiiin 
(Ml  ii  liigli  ln'iicli 
|wiirkiiit;  tilt  ikt'l' 

kiver  iiiiiic's  aluiic 
[ill  Winkle.     T\iv 

.*»)8,000,  a  tliinl 
[units  yieldcil  liy 
latioiis  to  Ncviiii- 
^l  mines,  now  thu 

•y  and  lintilni, 
J.*14l,r>:{l;  Lii,'lit- 
|.*20,47<i;  Vuli-.iM, 

■iiiklc,  «!:«■':<.'>:'; 

luitli  Wales  Ckim- 
p,  and  '-'50  tmiirn 
isT'J,  7.  I'liiiii^' 
lield  handsonitly. 

|)8t  cases  had  tlit^ 
1  eoniuieiieei-.iiiit, 
I  in  their  stni^'gli-' 


Creek,  witii  its  principal  town  of  Barkerville,  had  falleu 
into  decay.  The  southern  branch  of  Cottonwood  Kiver 
liad  also  a  rich  district  on  Lowhee  Creek,  one  of  its 
lK;ad- waters,  which  at  one  time  promised  to  rival  Wil- 
liam Creek.  Among  its  first  locators  was  Kichard 
Willoughby,  an  Englishman,  who  from  July  to  Si'p- 
ti'inber  I8(»l  worked  a  (daim  having  a  blue  slate  bed- 
rock within  four  feet  of  the  surface,  and  obtained  as 
much  as  84  ounces  in  one  day,  the  latter  yield  being 
>i;  1,000  a  week.  The  Jordan  and  Al)bott  claims  were  at 
about  the  same  tinit;  proilucing  80,  DO,  and  100  ounces 
daily,"'"  and  Patterson  with  his  brotlier  took  out  ^10,- 
000  in  five  weeks,  one  day  yielding  73  ounces,  puitly 
ill  nuggets  up  to  ten  ounces  in  weight.  Notwith- 
standing these  and  other  good  yields,  the  creek  did  not 
attract  the  attention  that  might  have  been  expected, 
jiartly  owing  to  the  rich  discoveries  elsewhei'e,  and 
tlieir  greater  accessibility  to  travel.  The  develop- 
ments of  180.') -4  excited  a  little  more  interest  when 
the  Sag(!-Miller  claim,  for  instance,  yielded  for  a  con- 
siderable time  at  the  rate  of  .'500  and  400  ounces  a 
day.  After  being  workfjd  profitably  for  nearly  two 
seasons,  it  still  continue<I  to  yield  80  «»unces  daily. "^ 

The  de[)osits  were  evidently  not  of  even  value,  for 
ti:e  mining  })opulation,  which  was  ne\X'r  very  large, 
It  11  off  ijfraduallv  after  this  .season,  and  little  t'flbrt  was 
madi^  to  bring  in  water  for  sluicing  pur]»oses.  Tim 
X'uughan-Sweeni'y  ditch,  carrying  (Uie  hundred  and 
•  ighty  inches  from  Stony  ( rulch,  partially  supplied  this 
want  in  the  autumn  of  I8(»r),  but  the  following  si'ason 
(lid  not  prove  sufficiently  reinuii('rati\(\  and  in  18(57 
most  of  the  claims  were  allowed  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  (^himise,  whose  t-arnings  could  never  In;  asci'i- 
taiimd.''^     (^ihon  Creek,  a  sn)all  tributary  on  the  left 

•'-'  Patterson  f-nnul  1!)5  ounces,  the  result  of  a  day's  work  hy  four  men.  //a:- 
lilt's  Cirilxw,  124   ■•   Doiii/l'is'  l),.-<v<ttch,  Sept.  10,  18(11,  in  Ii.  r.  I'nyirs,  iv.  .">«. 

"  Mxrfii's  V.  I.  ■,,!<//{.  C.,  '24'X 

'*Thi;  Calaveras  I'ompany  in  A'ljjust  IStiT  washeil  out  l(K)  ouiifes  in  4 
il.iys.  Another  ohtained  "m  oiinees  in  a  week.  l'nril)imSiiil'ni<l,  Sept.  .'<,  1807. 
'I'Ipiv  whs  in  1800  ii  population  of  50  white  men  and  'il  (..'hiiie.su  on  the  creek. 
Atw  Wvntmiiuiter  Herald,  July  24,  18(i0. 


t 


' 


■I 


m 


b 


rtlO 


MININc;  IN  CAllIBOO. 


bunk  of  tliL'  Fraaer,  midway  between  the  mouth  (tf 
the  Quesiiel  and  Fort  Goor*;e,  formed  the  extreme 
north-western  limit  of  the  Cariboo  region.  Prosper 
tors  were  probably  acquainted  with  the  creek  at  an 
early  date,  but  the  first  reports  of  tlio;gini,^s  were  made 
in  18G5.''''  The  following  season  Hixon's  party  of 
five  men  ascended  it  for  twenty-six  miles  to  a  small 
tributary  which  was  named  after  the  leader.  01)tain- 
ing  good  prospects,  they  fonncxl  two  companies  and 
brought  in  ditches  to  work  ground  which  yielded 
from  forty  to  sixty-five  cents  to  the  pan.'^ 

In  1 807  the  whites  abandoned  the  main  creek  to 
the  Chinese,  and  occupied  Fery  Creek  tributary, 
when-  the  shallow  diggings  yielded  from  six  to  eight 
dollars  a  day.^"  Canon  Cri'ek  tributaries  were  still 
occupied  in  I  875,  and  worked  with  the  aid  of  ditches.'*' 
Although  the  yield  was  unimportant,  the  .stream 
excited  some  interest  bv  the  indication  it  jxave  of 
strata  formations  diflerent  from  those  of  central  Cari- 
boo, as  exemj)lified  by  false  bed-rocks.'"'  Of  still 
greati-r  interest  was  the  discovery  by  Hixon's  |>arty, 
in    IH()('),   of  gold  (piartz,   which  was  soon  found  to 

^■''Thc  approiirli  t<»  the  Cafton  Creek  appears  to  have  been  inailu  liy  \v;iy 
of  Willow  IxiviT,  a.t  tlu'  diggings  when  fi^^^t  reporteil  were  (k'»erilied  to  l»e  '  t<ri 
mili'«  from  licavcr  I'a.^M.  Ten  men  were  on  the  grounil  in  18()i>.  Canlxnt 
.Vi ///(■/'(/,  iiuotoil  in   Victoria   W'nk-l;/  Colnnitl,  .]u\y  4,  ISti."). 

^''  Finiling  good  ground,  they  at  first  worked  the  hanks  <if  Hixon  (.'rerlv 
while  the  water  was  hij;ii.  Tiie  riciiness  of  tlie  plaeers  discovered  was  siitli- 
eii'iit  to  ena!)lo  the  owners  of  claims  to  pay  wages  of  5=10 a  tlay.  Tiie  placii 
mining  operations  licgan  liy  finding  prospects  of  ^1  and  .^l.'J.J  to  the  pan.  lu 
a  plact;  '2'j  feet  hy  10  leet  .^Tfi  was  taken  out  in  one  day.  IlciiU.  of  Wtthlimi 
mill  llijon,  in  Virtnria  CiAuniM,  .Inly  'A,  'M,  1N()(5. 

^' The  main  ereek  was  occupied  hy  l.'rtf  Chinese.  Ciirilioo  Scntitirl  a.\i>\  tlu^ 
Mrtori'i  Colon  is/,  .lulv  2:},  ISOT. 

^•''  Russian  ( 'riM'i;  does  not  appear  upon  the  record  till  IST.").  It  is  descrihc  •! 
as  located  nine  miks  nortii  of  fleaver  I'ass.  A  prospect  M'as  olitaineil  tluii' 
in  the  autumn  of  IST-i  which  was  deemed  siitlicii'nlly  good  to  justify  lirinj,'iii:,' 
in  a  ditcli,  wliich  was  duly  completeil  ready  for  the  hydraulic  machiniiy. 
(\iril)oo  Si'ii/iiu'l,  March '27,  1875. 

'"On  all  of  till'  lower  part  of  Hixon  Creek,  including  the  Blue  Lcail  «orii 
pony's  groiiml,  and  half  a  mile  beyond  to  the  Oo-aluNul  ( 'ompany's  grounil, 
the  '  bed-rock  '  was  a  '  soft  sautlstone,'  supposed  to  have  gravel  under  it.  I  •'  ■ 
t.oria  Coloiii.-it,  July  ;{|,  I8(»(>.  On  Fery  (..'reek  there  was  al-o  a  'false  1"  ■!• 
rock,"  deserih""'  as  a  kiml  of  lava.  The  miners  never  penetrated  thi-oni;li 
these  .setlinientary  strata,  but  contented  themselves  with  cleaning  up  tli'' 
'  seraggly  '  gold  of  local  origin  which  the  creeks  had  eoneuntrated  upon  tlicir 
surfaces.   /</.,  .luly  '.'3,  18G7. 


THK  SHOUl'  sKASOXs. 


511 


't'litiml  inul  till 


ixttiiul    Oil  all  .sides,  some   of   it  in  u[>[>jiifutly   wt-ll 
dcfinoil  k'tli(i'8  so  as  to  justify  a  systematic  devclop- 
iiicnt  thoroot'.*^ 

Among  tlu!  elements  wliicli  <jfovernod  mining  events 
ill  the  Cariboo  region  wer<'  the  eonijtarative  inaecessi- 
l)ility  of  the  diggings,  and  tlie  sliortiii-ss  of  the  (jpeii 
season,  alternating'  with  tiie  'close  season,'  the  severe 
winter;  but  it  has  l)een  seen  that  wherever  a  suflicient 
diiiinage  could,  be  provided  by  bed-rock  drains,  or  by 
means  of  sutticieiitl}  pow«'rful  itum})ing  machinery, 
the  conditions  of  the  countiy  permitted  und'  iground 
work,  and  to  this  tlie  severity  of  the  climate  proved 
no  obstacle.  So  rich  were  the  concentrations  on  the 
bed-rock  of  the  old  channels,  that  drifting  for  them 
was  indeed  ])rofitablo  to  a  degree  j)robably  never 
(■(jualled  in  any  other  gold-mining  country.  They  lay 
in  heaps  at  the  angles,  and  in  crevices  and  pockets,  on 
thi'  bed-nuk  t»f  the  burie<l  streams;  but  in  tlie  smaller 
sti'i'ams  particuhirly  the  leads  were  subjeet  to  abru[)t 
changes  in  level  and  direction  that  batHed  th«'  most 
fxperienced.  This  inequality  of  distribution,  caused 
partly  by  glaciers  and  slides,  was  in  many  easts  more 
apparent  than  real/'  however,  tlie  ditKculty  >alling 
simplv  for  svstematic  wt)rkini'-  and  a  sufficient  expeii- 

•  liture  of  money.  A  layer  of  day  e\  cry  where  cover- 
ing the  ileep  cliamiels  protected  the  subHuvial  drifts 
along  the  old  beds,  fmm  what  would  otherwise  have 
amounted  to  an  extraordinary  and  ruinous  iiiHux  of 

*"Iii  IStiCi  al)out  JS.VH)  wr.rtli  of  coarse  CafKiii  Cnik  ;.'olil,  wliicli  had  1)C'0U 
litilo  suliji'ctcil  to  the  action  (It   Mater,  was  exhihiti'l  at  the  liitiik  of   Uritish 

•  'liiiiiliia  111  N'ietorii.  It  was  r.litaiiieil  from  a  streak  three  feet  l)eh)W  tliu 
Milt, ii-e  ami  Mas  iiiixcil  M'ith   fia.:iiieiits  of  (|uartz.     Virlorii.  ('')liiii'<f.  M.iy 'Jll, 

\^M.  'i'lie  ijiLirt/  hdges  for  M'liieh  tlie  ereek  afterM'anls  heeame  noted  Meru 
ii>ro\ereil  hy  llixoii's  Jiarty  tliree  miles  !••  lnw  their  diju'iie^s.  Itiymi.  nj'  //i.roit 
tii./ii,/,/,'  S}iii!'/hfj,  in  Vii-t„r'iii   W'lii/i/  Col'iiiist,  .\\\\y  'A,  ISimJ. 

"If  tli(!  streams  had  run  in  exactly  tliu  same  chatmels  as  they  did  Mheii 
till' ;;cilcl  came  doMll.  the  matter  M-ould  have  heen  sinqile  eiioin.'h,  lint  >:reafc 
iliaiiiics  had  taken  place  since  then.  The  chanires  hero  refi'rred  to  Meru  duo 
lnrtly  to  the  slides  M'hicli  had  chaiiued  the  jiosition  of  the  stri'aiiidiciis,  hut 
tiny  Were  nioru  conimonly,  jierhajis,  the  result  of  ;;laciers  occiipying  tlio 
canons  after  tlio  old  eonecntrations  had  heun  deposited.  Mi'in/i  (iitil  ( '/iciulle'a 
A  art/nn'<f  I'asait'je  l»j  Lund,  30b. 


f 


ii 


5 


512 


MlNn:»;.  iS  CARIBOO. 


wator,  and  reiulereu  umlergrouiid  placc'r-ininin^  alto- 
«^i'thor  inii>ractic'al)le.  On  William  Creek,  and  nearly 
everywhere  in  Carilxm,  the  pay  sstrata  consisted  of  bliu 
clay,  with  various  admixtures.*^ 

In  connection  with  the  difficulties  mentioned  eauu- 
this,  that  the  rich  deposits  were,  as  a  rule,  from  twelve 
to  one  hundred  feet  beneath  the  surface,  under  the 
he<l8  or  banks  of  streams,  fre<[uentlv  rumiint^  throuj^'li 
swami)s  and  lakes,  and  on  the  beds  of  former  lakes. 
Su<*h  a  state  of  thiny^s  could  not  fail  to  render  the  field 
unattractive  to  individual  adventurers,  sinee  pnispeet- 
injif  witliout  abundant  resources  became  unprofitable.'" 

These  «^ravel-tleposits  on  the  hills  jijave  rise  to  the 
reiterated  hopes  of  developments  like  those  of  the  oltl 
river  hill-unravels  of  California,  but  they  often  proved 
vain,"  because  the  altitude  of  the  j^ravel-layers  was  not 
thesame.  Insome  instances,  as  on  William  (  Veek,  there 
were  two  distinct  leads  with  different  (jualities  of  gold, 

''On  sinking  a  Hhaft  thrnugh  tliu  ulluvial  ilcpoHitx  nf  the  strcain-lteilM  nf 
Carniiio,  tli(!  iiiiiuT  eonicM  to  a  clay  Htrutuiu  wliicli  in  soiiietiiueH  ait  iiiucli 
as  3  fuot  in  tlii>'kiu-H8.  'Tliis  Htratiiin  of  clay  was  a  ^'reat  heiictit  to  tlm 
iiiiiiurs,  liciiij^  a  prott'ctioii  a^aiiiHt  water.'  Uinlcr  tlio  clay  Wiw  tlio  older  allu- 
vial (U'poHit  varying  froiu  'J  inchen  to  18  feet  in  tliickneuH,  in  which  lay  the 
gold,  /■'ifi/'s  (I'olil  Si'iiri'/ii'x,  MS  .  2,  3.  The  pay  dirt  on  William  Creek  wa.s 
generally  from  H  to  .')  feet  in  thicki<OHH,  and  was  worked  out  in  low  galleries. 
MHloii  mill  Clii'iuHvH  Xorf/iiifxl  PiMMirir  hif  Luinl,  37H.  In  the  Steele  claim  ou 
WilHim  I'reek  it  Wiuj  0  feei  thick,  and  cuiHisted  of  a  Idiie  clay  mixed  with  dc- 
com]ioHed  slate  and  gravel.  /)oii<il<in,  in  Riiirliiii/M^  I'lm/nli'm/ioii,  118.  The  gold 
in  ('aril)oo  wau  found  '  in  the  bluiHli  clay  wiiich  is  on  and  in  tlie  Hlaty  liottom 
8ouietimcM  as  far  (is  a  foot  deep;  streaks  of  yellowish  clay  are  also  fimnd,  whieli 
are  sometimes  very  rich.'  /{roii'ii'.t  Kmmiuj,  'J'J.  On  William  ('reek  it  w:i.s 
'scattered  through  hard  blue  clay  in  pieces  weigliiug  from  50  cents  to!*.').' 
It  cost  ahout  §4,000  in  18(i"i  to  sink  a  shaft  to  thuLed-roek,  less  than  100  feet. 
i'unrtiieijn  Min.  It.  ('.,  MS.,  (i. 

'''Much  faith  was  entertained  amcmg  the  miners  in  the  richness  nf  the  deep 

?;round  on  Willow  Jliver,  .lack  of  C'lulis,  .\ntler,  Cnnningiiam,  and  otln  r 
avorahly  situated  creeks;  and  claims  that  were  well  openeil  in  many  instanos 
paid  steadily  as  nuieh  as  $000  a  day  to  the  man.  The  Niison  ( 'ompany,  on 
the  other  hand,  expeiuled  $:M),000  to  teat  tiie  <le'-.p  ground  on  Antler  Creek 
up  to  1875  without  suicoss.  Ju/in  lioirroii,  in  J/.'/y.  Miiwn  Jlrpl.,  1875,  1'2. 

**The  great  problem  of  tinding  gold  in  tlio  hills  was  solved  this  ytar. 
wrote  'li.  I).,'  Biirkerville  cor.,  Oct.  '2'M,  in  Virlorin  WirUi)  Cdloninf,  Nov.  7, 
18G5.  Another  writer  more  definitely  expressed  his  Wlief  that  hill-ilig;:nigs 
wouhl  he  found  along  a  supposed  ancient  "itrtjum  running  from  the  H.dd 
Moimtains  across  the  head  ot  McCallum  (iuleh  thi'itigh  the  hill  on  the  isi^t 
side  of  William  Creek,  thence  to  the  middle  or  upper  portion  of  Coidiliii 
(inlcii,  Iieliind  the  line  of  tiie  United  and  Aurora  claims,  and  <»n  to  the  Fnn.-it 
Hose  and  I'rairie  Flower  claims  at  the  Meadows,  formerly  a  lake,  or  one  of  a 
scries  of  largo  lakes.     IlanicU'ii  Lvctuns,  lU,  17. 


PRODUtT. 


ni3 


ling  alt<t- 

,cd  of  bluc 

nuitl  cam*' 
mi  twi'lvi' 
uikUt  till- 
r  tliroui^li 
nor  laki's, 
;r  the  fiulil 
>  prosncM't- 
irofitablc/'' 
riso  to  tli«' 
of  the  «»1<1 
ton  provi'd 
3rs  was  not 
I  reek,  there 
ios  of  gold, 

8trcain-1  Kills  cif 

itiiiU!H  iiH  imicli 

l)eiu'tit  to  tlii^ 

tlioohleriillu- 

which  lay  tin; 

iaiu  Cnrk  m;i.s 

I  low  galleries. 

lst«Hlc  claim  on 

Imixuil  with  ili- 

118.    Thej^ol.l 

n!  slaty  liottoiii 

lo  fouiiil,  wiiieli 

Ofck   it  was 

cunts   to  !*•"). ' 

than  100  flit. 

less  of  the  ilicp 

litii,  ami  otlit-r 

liiaiiy  instances 

li  ('onii)an.v,  on 

|i  Antler  t'reek 

1875,  1'-'. 

fvil  this  yi'ii;- 

^>lolli'<t,  Nov.  1, 

It  hill->ligj;ii>H^ 

Ironi  the  HiM 

liill  on  the  ea>t 

lin  of  L'oiikliii 

|i  t<»the  Forest 

He,  or  one  uf  a 


Itelow  the  level  of  tho  present  stream,**  and  it  was 
observed  in  most  mining  operations  upon  tho  gohl- 
Itearing  creeks  of  Cariboo  that  the  paying  ground 
was  usually  limited  to  an  area  of  a  mile  and  a 
half  to  two  miles  along  the  centre  of  their  course, 
or  within  that  area,  at  least  tho  principal  mining  was 
(lone,  urdike  that  of  the  gold-bearing  streams  of  Cali- 
fornia, which  paid  throughout  from  source  to  mouth.*" 
The  rocks  of  the  Bald  Mountains,  consisting  of 
inetamorphic  clay  slate  traversed  by  broad  bands 
impregnated  with  auriferous  quartz,  were  indeed  only 
a  s{ini[)le  of  numerous  other  zones  in  the  slaty  gold- 
hearing  rocks  of  tho  northern  j)lateau,  to  be  brought 
into  prominence  as  soon  as  the  progress  of  devolop- 
iiitnts  would  permit*^ — dovclopmonts  which  during  the 
two  decades  commencing  with  the  discovery  of  gold  in 
Jhitish  Columbia  were  retarded  chiefly  by  the  great 
cost  of  supplies  and  transportation. 

Among  those  who  went  to  Cariboo  in  18G1,  oiu; 
tliini,  according  to  Macfio's  estimate,  made  iinh^peii- 
(kiit  fortunes,  another  third  netted  several  hundred 
jMHiiids  sterling,  and  the  remaining  third  returnetl 
from  the  mines  wholly  unsuccessful.**     A.11  who  were 

*''Tho  one  coiitair.^d  jjolil  alloyed  with  a  gon<l  deal  r'  silver,  tho  other  gohl 
of  a  Inyher  color  v.ul  much  purer — iKith  hattered  ai  d  worn  to  such  a  degree 
as  to  imiily  transportation  for  some  distauce.  The  gold  of  Lowhoo  Creek 
was  less  worn  than  that  of  William  t'reek;  that  of  Lightning  Creek  was  more 
HO,  and  found  in  smaller  particles.  Milton  ami  ChauHrH  Noiihiifnt  Panaiuie.  hy 
l.iiwl,  ;{(i7-8.  A  talih;  of  assay.s  of  gold  from  difl'erent  jKirtions  of  Card)on, 
iiiaile  Ity  Agrell  at  Portland,  Oregon,  in  18(51,  showed  the  average  to  he  $\ti 
to  tlie  ounce,  Hazlitt's  ( '(iriltoo,  IIW.  The  gold  from  the  several  creeks  of  Cari- 
Ixio  differed,  however,  lioth  in  appearance  and  value.  On  William  Creek  it 
wassin(K>th,  water^worn,  and  largely  alloyed  with  silver.  On  Lowhee  Creek, 
live  miles  distant,  the  golden  particles  had  a  more  crystalline  structure,  were 
exceedingly  pure,  ami  worth  §"-  an  ounce  more  than  on  William  Creek.  Lieut. 
I'litiinr,  in  /.oiiil.  Oiioij.  Sor.,  Jour.,  xxxiv.  101. 

*''Thi9  'singidar  and  rcliahle  fact'  wa.s  attrihuted  to  glacial  action  by  the 
im'al  ol)ser%'ers,  some  of  whom  supposed  that  the  old  deep  channels  were 
eriHlcd  hy  the  action  of  ice.  There  Wiis  no  regidar  stratitication  v(  the  gravel 
as  in  California.  Tho  clay  of  tho  liuttoni  varied  from  light  blue  to  very  dark. 
AUaii'H  ('itrilmo,  MS.,  }). 

*'  Murchison,  ForlKJS,  Hector,  Bauernian,  Selwyn,  and  I>awsou  have  writ- 
tiii  more  or  less  about  tho  position  of  these  rocks  in  connection  with  their 
gc'lil  In'aring  character. 

'  M.i.-ji,"H  V.  I.  and  B.  C,  74-5. 
Hist.  Bbjt.  Col.    Si 


. 


i    M 


514 


MININf}  IN  CARIBOO. 


interrogated  by  Governor  Douglas  in  October  18()1, 
ill  regard  to  tlie  amouiit  of  their  earnings,  mentioned 
^2,000  as  the  lowest,  while  many  had  made  $10,00() 
in  the  course  of  the  suinnier.  Rose  and  McDonald, 
the  first  discoverers,  both  declared  that  in  their  opinion 
the  new  diggings  were  at  least  as  rich,  and  probably 
ri(rher,  than  those  of  California  or  Australia;  and 
Major  Downle,  of  Downieville,  California,  went  so 
far  as  to  say  that  there  was  nothing  in  California  to 
be  compared  to  William  Creek;  while  Lieutenant 
Palmer  (quoted  experienced  Califoniian  and  Australiiui 
miners  to  the  effect  that  on  William  Cretk  more  i;(tld 
had  been  extracted  from  an  area  of  three  miles  than 
from  a  corresponding  space  In  any  other  country/" 

General  statistics  show  that  in  twenty  years  a  totid 
product  «»f  between  $^0,000,000  and  $40,000,000  was 
obtiilned  from  half  a  dozen  principal  creeks  witliiii 
a  region  of  rotten  shale  less  than  fifty  miles  squarr; 
and  the  average  po]>ulatlon  for  the  same  [Uirlod  was 
probably  about  1,500." 

**  Linitcnniif  Pnlnin;  in  fMul.  Ofotj.  Soc.,  Jour.,  xxxiv.  190;  Dowjliui'  I'ri- 
nttr  I'lijHin,  MS,,  i,  14(1.  •Iiulgo  llcjjliio,  writing  from  QiuiHiu'l  fork.H  muli  i 
iliito  <>t  S)'|it.  2"),  I8GI,  Hiiiil,  ill  rcgnnl  to  tlio  qiiantitv  of  golil-diiMt  in  tli>' 
IijiikIs  of  till-  iiiiiuTM:  *  I  Imvc  no  <loul>t  tliiit  tliuri^  ix  littn;  Hlmrt  of  a  ton  l\  i'li; 
lit  till!  ilitlcrcnt  crcrkx.  1  lit'iir  tluit  A1il>ott'H  anil  Stcclt^'s  <'lainm  (Williain 
(.'rt'fk)  ari'  workin){  ln'ttcr  than  ever  tU)to4()iiouiiilHa>lay  «!ai;li.  Tlicy  rt'cknii 
rit.'li  I'laiinH  ax  oftrn  liy  poumlH  r\H  ouni'cH  now;  it  nuiHt  lie  a  {HNir  claim  tliit 
in  nicaHui-fil  liy  "lollarM. .  .Tlit!  gold  in  a  inTfcct  nuiNaneis  on  they  liavn  to  carry 
it  to  their  claims  every  morning,  and  wateli  it  while  tlicy  work,  and  carry  ii 
iMick  again — HomctimcH  an  mnch  oh  two  men  can  lift — to  their  calmiH  at  ni^'lit, 
anil  watch  it  whilo  th'y  hIccji. '  //.  (',  Pujh r.t,  iv,  (50.  Tho  ilctailed  Mtatciiients 
of  rich  yiehls  from  individual  clainm,  which  have  heen  i|notcd  in  the  jireseiit 
chaMter,  eimld  lio  multiiiiiei'  indetinitdy,  and  in  moMt  iiiNtances  vcrilinl 
iM'yond  i|iieNtion.  .lulew  Pery  iinc  of  iho  miners,  iiil'ormed  tlie  writer  that  in 
thu  month  i>t  .St'ptendter  or  Octuher  IHiU  )■(•  saw  taken  out  of  one  claim  |IU 
llw.  of  gold,  the  rcHult  of  tweidy  lumrM'  work.    Fi ry'n  Hold  Sun-flu m,  MS.,  •_'. 

''•The  )io[>ulation  of  Carihoo  in  .luly  IH(iI  waH CHtiniated  liydovernor  hniiL'- 
Ion 


J  HIT  |i<ijiiiiiii  Hill  iM  \  <ii  iiMiii  111  *i  Illy   I  <^i  I   Wtin  t'nLiiiiai.i'ii  ii  v  i  ■!>«  t'l  ik'i   i  'om^. 

an  at  l,.')00.  liriiish  I'ohiinliin  /'njur/i,  iv.  ,">■'{.  'I'hat  wan  the  tiguro  acceiitiil 
>\  the  /jiiiiilttii  7V//11.4' I  iirres|iiinili'nt  witii  independent  Hourcim  of  inforniiitinii, 
Jt  wax  at  ienHt  iloiilileil  and  prohalily  iiu.idrupled  during  the  next  few  yiar'i, 
U.  S.  C'ouHul  FranceM  in  |.S(»'J  estimated  tiin  total  numlierH  in  the  country,  '»■ 
eluding  CarilxM.,  at  l.">.(»00,  whde  .Mr  KerygneHHcd  at 'JO,(K»0,  both  exaggi nti  •! 
Iigurt>a.  In  INO.'i,  1  find  Wwii'dhniMl  givcH  tiio  total  of  Carilioo  inincrHat  I, .'IS.', 
of  which  l,(MH>  were  on  William  (n'l'k,  ti.S  on  l.ouliee,  (10  on  HuruH,  15  on  ( 'mi' 
ningham,  'M)  on  Antler  and  SteVeiiM,  KM)  on  Lightning,  and  I'.l)  mom  on  otii'  r 
creeks,  i'irhirin  H'ri /(•/// fo/d;//'*/,  Oct.  HI,  1805.  The  records  of  tlio  niitiiMti  1 
of  niiniiH  nhoweil  tiie  total  population  of  ('arilmo,  inelinling  children,  fenwil'  -, 
iuid  t'luucHo,  tolmvo  hccii,  in  1875,  l,;«)5,  in  ISTti,  l.'-t)*-',  and  in  1877,  I,:''". 


COST  OF  HUPl'UES. 


SIS 


tober  18  01, 
,  incntioiuMl 
ule  $10,000 
MrDouald, 
heir  opinion 
id  probaUly 
itraliti;   and 
ia,  went  so 
]!alif()rnia  to 
Lieutenant 
I  Austral! Jill 
k  more  <;ol(l 
!  miles  tluiii 
ountrj'.*'' 
years  a  totul 
000,000  was 
veks   witljin 
liles  squan-; 
L'  period  wius 


00;  /)oi/<//.w'  I'ri- 
Hiii'l  forks  niiilrr 

^Illll-lluMt    ill    till' 

rt  of  a  toil  lyiiiK 
(■lniiim  (Willi.iiii 
Tlicy  rcckmi 
HKir  claim  tli;>l 
iry  liav»!  to  carry 
lik,  ami  carry  it 
rcaimmat  iii),'l>t. 
ailcil  HtatciiH'iits 
il  ill  tlio  ]ir<sciit 
Hlaiiccs  viritiiil 
11!  writer  tliat  in 
>f  r)iii!  claim  KM 
Sitiri'liis,  MS.,  'J. 
liovcriior  Kiiiii:- 
!•  ligiiro  ai'cijitcil 
I'M  otiiiformatiiiii. 
next  few  years. 
,  till!  ooiiiitry,  in- 
liotll  exaggirateil 
I  miiuTKat  l,;W'>, 
iiiriiM,  ir>oiH'tiii- 
H)  mori!  oil  otlii  r 
i  of  tlio  iiiiiii'<ler 
liililrcii,  fcnmlrs, 

.1  ill  1877,  l,:i''i- 


i:ll 

i  IM 

1 

V( 

ir 

■til 

A 


tl 


>■ 


After  18C.1  the  facilities  for  transportation  were 
MTeatly  improved.  In  the  winter  of  1801-2  freijjfht 
l)y  dojjj-sleds  between  Alexandria  and  Antler  alone 
was  30  eents  a  pound,  and  flour  sold  at  Quesnol  forks 
tor  $72  a  barrel,  beans  45  eents,  and  bacon  08  cents, 
a  [)ound.  On  the  completion  of  the  branch  wajjfon- 
roiid  in  1805,  frcij^ht  from  Yale  to  William  Creek  was 
ivduced  to  7  and  12  cents  a  pound,  according  to  the 

Tlio  winter  pniinlatinn  in  18C4-5  wiia  lictwcen  400  and  500  on  William,  ami 
iiiiiii  .'{()  to  40  on  I^iowlicu  Cruok.  A/.,  .Ian.  10,  ISOn.  Alumt  1,000  perHonM 
wiiitereil  in  ami  alxmt  t'arilifMi  in  18(50-7.  Miiiiiiij  ami  .SV;V';////r> /'/v^ai,  ,I,»ii. 
I'J,  ISO".  Tlio  >,'ol<l  jimiluut  of  Caril)oo  in  I8»il  wius  OHtiinatc'd  hy  tlm  I'irtorin 
hnili/  /'riM  at  J'J.O^W.OOO,  ami  hy  the  LoiuIoh  7V/h(.v)  corrcHiiomlcnt  at  ^J,'-"*.)!,- 
Hl'.l.  The  latter  figure  wax  olitainod  liy  CHtiinatincf  that  then!  More  4(K>  claim 
uwiicrs  who  cleared  ijMiOO.OOO;  7'.>  niincrH  who  c!a*;;mI  .«i!tL>0,(WO;  and  ^O-.M 
lalmrerH  at  if7  a  day,  M'hooo  share  wax  ;J7(i4,72{);  t>;.il,  ^2,'J0I,40D.  In  I.S7I, 
Laii^cvin,  the  Caiiadiari  mininter  of  {mitliu  workft,  ]ilaccd  the  total  yieM  of 
«aril"M>at?l.047,'J4.'».  .{ijif.  Piih.  IVorh,  IHI'2  '.  After  1875  the  HUti.ttieal 
ir|iiirt.i  imliliNhed  liy  the.  iiiiniHter  of  milieu  fiirniHluid  anthcntie  lij;iireH  which 
showed  a  eon«ideralilii  rtMliiction;  for  187.">,  I*7<i0,'i48,  tif  which  ?.')(K>,000  canii! 
triiiii  Lightning  Creek;  for  I87(»,  S44H,84!<,  .showing  a  falling  oti',  ehiclly  in 
l.i;;lit,iiiiig  Creek;  and  for  1877,  ^404,77-.  The  fnllnwing  Htinimary  is  eom- 
|iihd  fniiii  the  tJihular  Hheetfi'acconipanyiug  the  reports  of  187.'>-7,  giv  ing  the 
Itrodiiet  of  uooli  crouk: 


MTNKS  IN    IIIK  (AUIlKdi    KISTUK  T. 


CRKBKN. 


Mt'titnlnR. 
Iliinis 

.Scl.MIIl. 


IW. 


1««. 


W77. 


a  is 


'■>    I  a  I  if  I     2 
'.i      3  if  {2  I    •£ 


-      —  4, 


3  if 

y    »    « 


HI 
i« 


Ciittoiiwrxxl B 

swittK    .     In 

William      Xi 

iMiikllii  (iiileli.  .  .  I  5 

St.. Ill,  (iiiii'ii.  18 

<tr..ii^<M'reek  I  ( 

Viiriiii|.<    CreeliK-   .is        1 

l.'.\vlii'i<,  .lack  ol  >  !ul)H,  I  ' 

M..M|iillo.  McArth.ir,     ,' 

Antler  J  '20 

.V.  iiiid  S.  Korks  (jiiCHnvl 
Ki'illilfyCreek 
Harvey,  SnoWklloc, etc 

Totall 


H^ 


i«m 


192  117 


11   24 


»Ms,r.27  mi 
to,oyO|  .'i 


nooo'  It 

3,!t00    0 

«8,7tU)  r, 
■ii.jmi   1 

4,'JOO    ■! 
•1,111    l> 


afi,400  I 

(aj 
40,040 

in.itia 


,  -HW  172  iflSViaOt. 

f  (I') 


(i 


188  iX^ 


j«76A,aU| 


2'24,071|     ym-iv. 


(■1) 


i»c^W,0t7 


82,4fi0 


I 

,lN4a.837 


(oj 

.18? 


Ki  i: 


ify,;**! 


"I 


20,W0 
.♦4W,77i 


Hi 


'a)    Inrlinllnn  bIko  (liinnlnBltani,  Ht(nen»,  IIcrkh,  and  Whlji  Saw  rreeki.. 
I'i    llH'liuliii({  CiiiillerM,   llniKi.n,   IJoeliiiiii,  l>n\  Is,  I'elers  (  iifnui,    iniil  IichiIwim 
rrci'ks, 

'  ■)     In.  Iiidlim  I'Hte  Creek. 

(il)    I'li'liiilinu  rerkiiiN  (iiiluh,  l.«iil(.'lianee,  AiulvrMiii,  Chinliulm,  l>n\  i>,  (  luilter, 
Mill  Cftnou  crcoku. 


ilUIIOIX"'*' 


i      H 


urn 


MINlNf}  IN  CARIBOO 


sc^ason,  and  prices  in  Caril»o<>  becanio  lionccforth  not 
only  more  moderate,  but  were  better  regulated,  wliilf 
capital  and  labor  stoml  comparatively  secure.^'  Ot 
the  nien  wh<»  explored,  mined,  traded,  and  lived  in 
the  Cariboo  region  during  the  period  described,  twci 
thirds  were  British  subjects,  accorditig  to  ]3ouglas' 
estinmtcs  for  1863-0,  but  the  rest  were  as  cosmopolitan 
in  mixture  as  the  early  inHux  to  California.''" 

Fortunes  and  misfortunes  commingled  made  these 
people  generous  and  hospitable  in  a  high  degree, 
always  ready  to  share  with  an  impecunious  friend  (»r 
stranger,  while  as  a  mass  they  wen*  probably  tlu 
reckless  and  ungodly  creatures  that  the  Reverend 
Mr  Brown  depicts  them. '"^  The  (»ld  and  well-known 
classic  and  thne-honortHl  traits  of  tin-  animal  man 
came  to  the  surface  once  more,  developing  characters 
that  fitted  into  the  remote  and  isolated  forest  and  lake 
country  of  the  far  northern  cordilleras.  "I  know  ef 
no  place  in  the  world,"  says  a  witness,  "where  more  wit 
is  recpiired,  or  where  a  larger  amount  of  small  cunning; 
is  the  shicqna  wm  for  getting  on  in  life,  than  in  Cari- 
boo." Without  8500  to  buy  into  a  good  claim,  ami 
without  the  necessary  judgment  to  buy  shn'wdly,  a 
man  had  a  hard  battle  to  avoid  ruin."'^  Winter  life 
had  its  noteworthy  features.     During  tlu'   first    few 

''III  NdVfiiilxr  IS(»4  wa^jcM  at  Tiirkcrvilli'  wito  ?I0  a  day;  llmir  wan  W'l 
cuiitH  a  iiiHiiul,  l)ai'i»ii  .W  I'l'iitM,  |Hitatiii'H  'JO  »'c<nts,  Murjir'n  I'.  /.  nml  It.  I'.. 
-.VJ.  'riiONo  jirici'H  wtTO  rarely  aitproat'lu'il  after  thoo  imph'tioiiof  tlm  wajioii- 
riiail.  Ill  tli«  Hpriiif;  of  |St>r>  tlio  iiitrtHluctidii  of  tlio  ikw  Irri^lit  tarid  lixikiii:; 
ti>  till'  <'iiniiilt'tii>u  (if  the  wajjim-mail  wan  made  tlio  ni't-iuiioii  for  a  *  conuT '  in 
lloiir,  c'i^arH,  Hii^'ar,  cliaiiiiiagnc,  I'to.,  every  piireliiMaltlu  nrtiele  of  wliiili  wm 
liou^lit  ill  from  the  Hiiiall  dealerH.  The  MuiImoii'm  Riy  ('omp.iny  in  tlir 
liirxoii  of  Mr  riiilayHoii  mad<*  arrangemeiitH  in  lHr>7  for  o|ieiiiiig  Htorcs  at 
<,Mii'Hm'lnioutli  ami  liitrkervillo,  Xfin  WiMtininKhr  K.i<iiniiin\  .luiio  5,  IStiT; 
J/dzlitt's  CiinlnHt,  11"). 

■"  l'rli'':ti'  /':!)»  r.i,  MS.,  i.  I.Vi.  The  following  lint  of  HhareholderM  of  tlui 
KricMHoii  ('oiii]iaiiy,  on  \\  illiain  (.'reek,  though  not  altogether  an  iiiilex  of  jin- 

;i: a: tit :o  ^     a.^  ..i ai ..:..  i ;..;..  ..f  aI . 


■*■"""'• •••r'-'v  »  •  •'    "  •••••••i.  »^.^».»,   uii.'..^i>  ...-w  <->v.'^.  v«  ■  ...» ^ 

prevailing  nationality,  will  s./ve  to  hIiow  tite  varied  origin  of  tliocomiininit)  : 
.John  NeUon,  fori'inaii,  Norway;  .lohii  Taggart,  Ireland;  Ale.x.  Krii'MMoii, 
Sweden;  I'eter  I'lrifMnon,  Sweden;  Alex.  .MiKeii/ie,  Si'otlaiid;  K[ilirHiin  Harper, 
4'anaila;  K.  H.  Milt,  Canada;  Ihtvid  <irier,  Wali'N;  Kvan  l>aviN,  WahiN;  ili'lin 
I'erriii,  CnitetlStikteH;  Samuel  ThompNon,  Norway;  I'eter  I'eterHon,  heiimark; 
\V.  .J  Miller,  Unitud  Sfaitosj  CliarluH  Taft,  United  SUteu;  M.  Smith,  Uiiilcil 
^"  .teH. 

"*  Fifth  /ffjx.  rot.  MiMM.,  I8ft3,  «:  Courtw/M  Min.,  B.  (.,  MS.,  II. 

''*  I'iioIi'm  (Jiiiiii  (Viiirlotfr  Ixlmnl,  London,  !.S7t»,  ilH.     The  u)ii«  and  ihiwim 


StttteH 


MININCi  LAWS. 


617 


ctbrth  not 
,tod,  whil«' 
!urc."  ()t 
(I  lived  in 
•ribc<l,  two 
)  Doufjjlas' 
sniopolitan 

52 

iiadc  those 
jjh  dej^rof, 
s  t'rieud  or 
i)l)al)ly  tilt 
!  Revorond 
well-known 
luimal  man 
rharm-tors 

Ljst  and  laki' 
"I  know  of 
•ri^  more  wit 
tall  eunninii 
lan  in  Ciir\- 
elaim,  and 
shrewdly,  a 
Winter  lite 
Hrst   t»xv 

liv;  (\tiur  w.iM  ;W 
I'l  .  /.  itii'l  /'•  ''•- 
Liiiof  tlx!  wap.ii- 

n.ir  a  'iMirmr'  m 
Vlf  «'f  wl"''!'  ^*''-'' 
•,>iiiii.iny  '"  *'"' 
tjii'iiiiin  Htori'n  at 
[,•,  Juno  r»,   t^'t'T; 

lin  hoMcFH  of  tlio 

Ir  MX  iii'lf'  "f  ''"' 
If  tliocoiiiiiumi'y: 

1  Ali'X.    Kri<-!*^|'"<. 
JKi>l»riiitnll.irii.r, 

JviH.  WhIoh;  .l.'tm 

|t.rwm,  l>»;iiiniirk: 

\\.  Hiiiitli,  t'liitu'l 

I  MS..  11. 

ii)m  Will  •I"*'"' 


years  of  mining,  in  18(>1  and  18G2,  under»jfround 
working  had  not  yet  l)egun,  and  as  it  was  too  eold  to 
work  in  the  mountain  <'reeks,  many  of  tiie  miners  wlio 
retainetl  tlu'ir  oal)ins  on  tiio  Fraser  retired  tliitlu'r  to 
work  the  bars  during  the  low  water  of  winter,  while 
others  who  had  money  made  it  a  rule  to  spend  the 
reason  in  Victoria  or  San  Franeiset>,  often  in  reckless 
debauchery.'^'' 

Falling  into  the  custom  of  the  country,  originally 
from  necessity,  the  mining  laws  provided  for  tbe 
'laying  over'  t)f  all  claims  during  the  inclement  soason, 
under  which  arrangement  miners  were  permitted  to 
absent  themselves  without  losing  their  title.  Although 
work  underground  st»on  became  a  common  winti'r 
occupation,'*  yet  one  third  or  om;  half  of  the  popu- 
lation continued  to  leave  for  the  wintir;  friMgbting 

T  life,  tlic  glnrioH  of  huccohh,  ami  tliu  (Kiwcr  uiiil  iiulitiiiuiiiiahility  i>f  }{ol(l  aru 
;iptly  (lepiutuil  in  tin  following  wriif. 

1  kciit  a  Imtly  make  n  )>trlko~ 

III!  looktMl  a  null'  liinl' 
An'  liHil  H  clan  o'  followtTH 

AiiianR  a  iivody  Iwinlo. 
Wlinnc  er  lii>'(l  t-ntvr  a  »Hlonii 

Vou'J  Hi'o  the  liMrkt'c))  smile— 
IIIn  lt)ril!ihl|t'H  liiiiiililu  MTviiiii.  i)c 

Wltlumlathot'tiiu'  Kiiilv! 

A  twal'  nioiitliN  pant  an'  a'  In  uano, 

KhUI)  frcvnilH  an'  lininilv  Ixittlo; 
An'  noo  the  ituir  hoiil'H  loit  hIhiio 

Wi'  UDcht  to  wucl  hU  tliruttio! 

.Intmrii'  LfUfr  (o  Sttwnic  in  t\fi .     ,TnimA  Amhrsnu,  William  (Voek,  1H(»8. 

"  A  Ciiriltnonian,  h.iviiiK  iniuli;  ^U),()OU  or  ^O.IMK)  in  tin- hciimoii  of  ISO'J, 
uriit  to  Victoria  to  enjoy  liiiuMelt'.  At  u  HiiliHin  hit  treateil  all  \\v  rniitil  \'nil  tu 
all  llio  eltanipa((iie  liu  coulil  make  tlittni  drink.  The  >'haiii|iat;ne  iulil  nut  luiig' 
I'Ht,  all  of  tliu  eoMiiiany  gathered  from  witliin  ami  from  without  liein;;  unahle 
tcii'oiiHiimu  thulMirKee|>er'HHto>'k,  Our  man  then  ordcri'il  e\<i'y  ^:\aah  remaining 
III  the  eHtalilixhment  to  Ih!  tilleil,  and  with  ono  grand  HUeep  nt  liin  imiic  Heiit 
tliiiiii  Miiiniiing  oB  thooounti'r.  Still  the  chamiiaf^'ne  held  out.  To  win  hix  vie- 
tory  iiver  the  lawt  hamiHT  he  jumiied  n)iiiii  it,  iiittiii^  hi.->  xhiti.s.  ILiviiii;  xtill 
a  handful  of  gold  {lieeeH  with  hiiii,  Ih'  walkicl  up  to  a  lar^e  ii.irror  Nvnith  ncxeral 
hundred  dollam  adorning  one  end  of  tlut  room,  and  to  |irove  that  ^oM  wanHov- 
eri'iun  of  all  tliingM,  hu  ilaHhed  a  Mhower  oi  his  heavy  pieeeH  into  the  faee  of 
Ills  own  imiige,  HJiivering  it  to  fragmentH.     The  next  year  he  was  workiiiu  an 

a  laliorer.    Milton  nml  (  imulli ,  .\'iiitliir,.st  /'il.tmhif  lilj  /.ilii'l,  .'I7l>.       Thrre  olher.-i 

with  'an  enormouM  Ing^apMif  gold  'reieivid  on  their  arrival  at  San  Frammeo, 
III  |N(iH,  Hpeeial  notiee  troni  the  lu'WMpaperM.  They  were  Kraser  Kivir  miiierH 
I'l  \bM,  From  Hill  liar  tliev  had  gone  to  William  Creek  to  wurk  iiu.siiiieKt. 
tiilly  for  Ruventeeii  moiitliM;  tiut  linally  they  took  out  .<■.'.■>(»,( KM)  in  two  moiitliM, 
aiiil  their  elaim  wiu«  Htill  g<Nid  for  ^KNIitday  to  thohhare.  ,s'.  /'.  Hiilli  fin,  Ht>\it, 
'.'.  lS(i;i;  F'ni'Hdold  Sntirlim,  MS.,  .'{. 

''Thu   following  eompanieH   on  William   Creek  worked    tlirou^hont    the 
VTiuleruf   liMiU-7,  with  giHMl   HUceeNM;   tliu  Caleilouiil,   Lttt  Chaiue,  I  aiiieroli. 


MININd  IN  CARIBOO. 


'\       i: 


ceased;  the  mails  were  periodically  interrupted  by 
snows,  and  even  the  newspaper  hibernated  till  sprin<^.  ' 

The  remainder  set  about  to  make  themselves  com- 
fortable tor  the  season,  and  their  snugly  thatchul 
and  mud-plastered  loj^-cabins,  with  large  cheerful  tir<- 
places,  aided  to  impart  to  winter  life  in  Cariboo  a  social 
and  hospitable  cast,  not  equally  developed  in  more 
southern  latitudes."'^  With  sociability  came  a  peaceful 
intercourse  which  became  nioreand  more  manifest  by 
the  gradual  disuse  of  carrying  weapons,  which  hud 
been  the  custom,  on  the  road  at  least,  in  early  days."'" 

Gambling  followed  as  usual  in  the  wake  of  tl.t- 
diggers,  and  piles  of  gold  might  be  seen  changiiii,' 
hands  over  green  tables  tt>  the  strain  of  merry  music, 
particularly  at  such  jilaccs  as  Antler  and  William 
creeks.  A  check  was  early  placed  on  this  vice,  but  it 
continued,  nevertheless,  to  Hourish  in  private.** 

Priiic)^  iif  Walt'H,  Kangmni,  Wiilo  Wi!,>it,  lluuriettii,  and  Fiirwanl,  Well  Mary 
Ann,  Hi'oUM!,  Ihitcli  Kill,  IV!uli%  Stviuliiiitii,  mid  Six-Utvil  I'vtu.  Tlio  ForcKt 
I^iHtt  w.'iH  workuil  ihiriiig  tlio  >rruiiter  piirt  of  tliu  winter  witli  u  rocker,  ami 
<l('t'lure«l  a  iliviileml,  after  paying  tlio  wageH  of  11  men,  of  ^140  to  tho  Hharc 
i'nrilHHi  Srntiiiii,  May  (i,   IS(i7. 

''  yV»,'.S'<///i/«7aniioiiiiet'<l  Oet.  '28,  lS(i7,  that  the  mining  Heauon  wan  alioiit 
tn  eloHU,  although  a  few  coiimanii!M  were  still  at  work  iiiiaer  tho  ilrawliarks 
(if  frosty  weather,  and  that  tliu  puhlieatiuu  of  tho  paper  would  auuurdiiigly 
1m-  HUHiiended  until  Hpring. 

•*  Many  were  the  '  yariiH  '  evoked  l>y  the  wild  xurroundingH  and  the  daiic- 
ing  ttaineH.  On  a  lonely  mountain  trail  near  IWkerville,  in  I8(>'i,  an  iiiexjili- 
faille  traniiiing  down  of  the  niiow  whm  olmerved  liy  tho  piutiera-hy  from  tiim' 
to  time.  No  one  had  ever  Hoen  or  iMien  ahle  to  trace  in  thcHU  pliouomeiia  any 
eoniiection  or  a^^i'iiey  of  tlexh  and  lilood;  hut  near  tho  Mpot  fay  a  Mhiirt  li>^, 
and  tho  HiKiw  hail  no  Hooiier  ohliterated  the  Higna  than  liunian  fiMitHteps  n'- 
app'.^ared,  and  the  lo^'  wax  found  in  a  ditlerent  poHition.     An  inveHtigatmn 


>g  wax  found  in  a  ditlerent  poHition. 
wiut  tinally  held,  and  diHi'loHed  the  Hiiiiplu  fact  that  the  tramping  waa  iirodiu'i' 

I ....«_;..   ..!.._ : i    ..e  :....       'im.:..     i; ;i  .  i 


liy  an  eei  eiilric  flergyiiiaii,  in  (ineHt  of  exereiiie.  This  diMcovery  Hpoileci  ;i 
congenial  mystery.  Vi<-Utria  llVil///' 'o/ooiw,  .March  HI,  I8()fl.  Tin  limu'liali.i 
claim  on  MoNiiiiito  (Julcli,  William  ('reek,  gained  tho  notoriety  in  iSU?  <>l'  Im'- 
ing  haunted  by  a  ghoMt.  Loiiu,  weary,  and  eoMtly  ilelviiigH  l>y  tho  ]iliii'Ky 
individuaU  of  the  eomiinny  iiad  failed  to  develop  anything.  At  hist  tin  y 
Htriiek  the  had,  taking  out  ei;^ht  ounces  of  gold  from  the  liottoni  of  tiieirMli  itt, 
and  tho  ghostly  ineideiitx  were  forgotten.  CifrilnM)  Sciiilml,  Sept.  'A,  I.Sti7. 

''•In  tho  milieu  pro|ier,  noliody  went  armed,  even  in  the  early  days.  'Iln' 
ciiHtom  of  carrying  weapons  fill  into  ilisnse  with  the  disaiiitearaiice  uf  'llie 
ehiiik  of  i.ioney  and  tho  sound  of  gamlilers' voieea '  in  pu hi io  places,  Firift 

Holil  SnirrhrM,   ,MS.,    I,  '.». 

"As  lato  an  18(W,  our  llarkerville  poet  made  mention  of  tho  fact  that— 

AiiiaiiK  the  liiitiilerM  llvln'  here, 

'I'liert's  Imrely  leu  iier  eeiit 
TImt  hiniii  the  vice  o   eiinlH  an'  dire, 

Much  ia  tho  natural  bout  

Jtamet'  l.iiiir  to  Havmir. 


MININfJ  SOCIETY. 


519 


c  fact  tliat— 


Missioiiarios  did  lujt  fail  to  obst^rvo  that  minors  were 
iis  much  in  need  of  tlioir  sorviccs  an  tlic  nativon,  and 
us  early  as  18G1  clerj^ymen  hogun  t<t  visit  Caril)o{) 
t!Vory  summer,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Columbia 
mission  of  the  Episcopal  chun-h.  But  the  fi«^ld  proved 
unprofitable,  since  the  miners  contributed  but  lightly, 
;ind  it  was  abandoned  aftt^r  a  few  years."'  (Ine  cause 
of  the  failures  lay  doubtless  in  the  lack  of  good  female 
iiiriuen(!e.  Not  a  single  married  woman  livi^d  in  Cari- 
1mi(>  even  as  lato  as  18G7,  and  the  sex  was  r«'presented 
iiiiTely  by  a  few  single  females,  and  some  of  tlieui  dis- 
jvputable."'"  Ii»  the  absence  of  so  essential  a  comple- 
ment to  respeetid)le  society,  the  less  refined  i>li^asures 
iiiiturally  predominated,  and  the  time  not  devoted  to 
ifambling  was  often  spent  over  the  bottle  at  j»ri\ate 
caiousal  or  at  public  dinners,  and  with  the  votaries  of 
Ter[)8ichore,  gathered  in  the  teaiples  of  the  hurdy- 
i^'urdies,  on  whose  lives  hung  many  a  whisper  and 
many  a  romantic  tale."^ 

A  relieving  feature  of  Harki;rvillo  was  the  public 
reading-room,  wliich  in  IHdo  was  already  comforta- 
l>ly  fitted  up,  and  well  patronized.  ITere  also  the  tal- 
<iited  portion  of  the  conununity  (Milivt^ned  ti.e  long 
winter  nights  with  publiir  debates,  recitations,  plays, 
and  musical  perf(>rmanees  for  thv*  amusement  of  them- 
sijves  and  the  rest." 

"'Tlio  Ili'v,  U.  ('.  Liuiilin  Drown  livt-d  for  mine  tiiiiti  during  18(i'2-3  in  ii 
iiijiht'o  rul)iii  ill  <  'imtiirontoii,  Williiini  e'nsek,  HuH'erinjj;  grout  Iii;nlMlii|is.    I-'inil 
iii^'  tliu  niint-TH  Honutwiiat  iniUU't.'reiit  to  religion,  iiu  iittiickcl  th<t  guinMcrM  in 
tliiir  tli'UB,  Imt  wii«  ultiiiiati'ly  olilipMl  to  witli<!r;i\v  tmni  the  lifM  unsiu'cess 
till.   Bivirii'n  Kmhuii,  ii;i.sHini,  and  h'ijili  Itijil.  <'ol.  MiKsimi,  !8(iH,  0-7. 

'■'  TaUh  liiyl.  Vol.  Mksion,  18G8,  'Jo  ti. 

"^  ntdiiiie  !in!  tlu'  liurdifN  O! 
T'lO  (iurniiin  Imrdy-i^unlie.s  ()! 
Thu  diitU'st  hour  tliat  t''t!i'  1  Mpcitt 
Wiia  diincing  wi'  tlio  iinrdi(!ii  (>! 

Ji mill s'  l.iltrr  to  Siiiriiii- 

"*  A  manuscriiit  wjM'kly  nt'W!«i>a|H'r  ronilni-tt  d  liy  MiL.o'in  and  Andciwon 
in  iMiO,  anil  rcaii  on  tlicsr  ixtMHrnnN,  ^avc  j^nat  sati^l.K  tion,  and  allordt'd 
nuiuli  aniUMuinont.    I'ii-torin  M  rcil7</ To/ohm*,  A[iril  H,  IH(iO. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


Ul»PKR    COLUMBIA    MINKS. 

1864-1882. 
Columbia  Rrv'ER   DKiH>arrs— FtNK-(ioi.i>  Tiif.ory— AsriF.ST  Rtvur-hf.ph— 

EaULY    DutlllMlS    -   KOOTKNAI     KXCITHMKNT  —  \Vll.l>      HoKHK     CuKKK 
SasKATCIIKWAN      EXTKHmON — PkKKY     CkEKK  — HyDUAI'LH'S — SuiUMil'l 
NATE     DlSTKKTH,     KoilTV-NINK    CkKKK,     MtMtVIK     RiVKH-    lil<l     HkM' 

RoirTEs   AMI  Inki.ix     Fhentii,    Mci'ri,i,<MU,    ANi>  Carnes  Ckkkks 
Later  Exi-umATios  — Kxtext  ok  the  Aluikekoi  .s  Rwiios— Trurai  k 
Oravelh — RixK  Creek — Okanaoan  ash  Similkameen  DiHTRrcrs. 


The  littlo  flurry  of  tlio  fur-hunters  round  Colvillf 
over  the  sprinklinjr  of  j^old  alon«;  tlie  aborip^inal  liiyli- 
waya,  so  Ion*;-  familiar  to  tiu'in,  in  a  measure  ))assr(l 
away,  or  was  absorbed  l>y  intensor  interest  elsewhc  ir 
until  18(14,  when  it  finally  beeame  respectably  (;|ti 
deniie. 

Concerning  this  northern  retjfion,  into  which  as  by 
a  divining-rod  they  had  been  led  by  their  (ine-<j;»>l(l 
theory,  California's  wisi*  ones  werr  somewhat  ]>uz/l<'<l. 
Howt'ViT  true  their  speculations,  which  appoan-d,  in 
deed,  to  ln'  founded  «)n  fa<-t,  they  scenu'd  Iutc  at  tin 
north  to  fail  in  their  apjtlication.     \  jKutial  knowl 
edy;e  of  the  fu'ts  had   raised   in  the  brt'ast  of  tliirtx 
tlumsand  ii(t|Hs  of  slui»'in«;  fortuuts  (»ut  <»t'  the  riv«  i 
banks  of  tlu'sr  northern  iatituths,  di'stin»'d  to  be  it.il- 
ized  tmly  by  a  tew  of  the  more  patient. 

For  here  was  to  them  an  unknown  aud  compit  \ 
scatterinij  of  irold-bcariiiLj  rocks,  where  the  lU'Wer  ;iinl 
obliT  tjfravels  ba<l  bmi  r«>distributed  by  tl'e  ic»' aiLrencv 
of  the  drift  peiiod.  Hen-  w»re  uiicieijt  river-bc.l> 
uruli'r  ti  falsi-  Utl-roek  i>f  bowlder,  clay,  and  ancient 


COLVILLE  MINES.  1 

river  erosions  dcepor  than  the  modern.  Such  ancient 
river  gravels  as  were  found  were  not  eap|)ed  in  all 
cases  or  preserved  by  volcanic  matter.  If  they  were 
s(i  preserved  and  tapped  by  modern  streams,  there 
was  the  drawback  that  the  whole  country  was  cov- 
(•red  by  a  mantle  of  drift,  hiding  the  lead  from  tht; 
judspector.  If  found,  it  was  not  provided  with  an 
outi«'t  j^rade  into  the  modern  canons;  .so  that  minin<j^ 
had  to  be  done  under«fround  with  the  aid  of  jmmps 
and  Jioistinsjf  machint'ry.  The ri<her jjfold-bearinuf  rocks 
wen^  remote  fr(>m  tlie  coast,  beyond  rum't^cHl  mountains 
more  dithcult  to  overc«>me  than  tlu'  Sierra  X»'vada  of 
Culifoniia.  It  was  not  jtossible  for  tlu^  prosj)ectors, 
uiidei"  such  conditions  of  transportation  as  «'xist«'d  in 
J >iitish  Columbia  from  1858  to  1 808,  to  remain  lonijf 
ill  the  mountains  muU'r  heavy  costs  for  their  .sui)plirs. 
The  search  was  checked  from  tin*  neccssitii's  of  tlu' 
case;  yet  the  expectations  which  filled  the  country  ii. 
lsr>8  proved  n»'<'essarily  to  thosi;  who  insisted  on  find- 
iiiii  thiniifs  otherwise  than  they  were,  an  infaituation 
so  stupendous  that  between  Keni  Kiver  and  Gold 
lilutfs  there  never  had  been  its  e(jual. 

Mention  has  ln'en  made  ot'  the  fin<lini;  of  jjfrains  of 
i,'nl(|  on  the  bank  of  the  (^tjumbia  at  ('»»lville  in  IS.');'), 
■iiul  of  tlu'  prospectinuj  exp»'ditiou  in  the  siinu'  s/ason 
l'\  AiiLfUs  jSIcJ)onald's  nun,  tindini^  moderately  remu- 
nerative di«4'<j^iiiii,s  at  tin-  mouth  of  the  IVnd  d'Oreille, 
Hear  the  luMnidary  line;  also  ot"  the  eonummieation  of 
nKiiMJas  to  the  edjoiijal  oth<'e  in  I8.")(»  aniiouiieini;"  the 
uorkiMijf  of  di«jjuii|os  in  th'  upper  (\>Iunil»ia  district 
>  ieldiny;  froir  ti'U  to  forty  dollars  a  day  to  the  man.' 
l)iMin«*the  Fraser  liiver  excitement  in  1 8a8-'.>,  atten- 
tion was  tliverteil  tVoin  the  u)>per  ( 'ulnnibia.  and  for 
several  yeais  little  was  <lon.  ilien  ;  but  the  lir>t  tlush 
e\tr,  tlevi'lopnuiits  aboNeColvilleon  the  ( 'olumbia  an<I 


'  S(.(«  rluii).  x\.,  tliiM  vnlniiU'.  'Tlii'i  \  ioinity,' H«yx  Kiws  I'.rnwiii',  '  liim  at- 
lintrtl  iiiiu'li  uttciitioii  iiM  :i  m>lil-iiiitii'  ;  r«-i;iiiii  Hiiict-  |S,>4.  Mnn  ml  l,'iMiiiif-rn, 
Ikti'.l,  .ViS. 


522 


Ul'I'KR  COLUMBIA  MINK  ;. 


its  tributaries  liavo  a  history  parallol'to  that  of  tlif 
Fraser,  aiul  after  I8(il  to  that  of  Carihoo,  wludi 
overshadows  all  but  the  Kootenai  and  W\<x  licnA 
exeiteineiits.'  Some  rieli  speeinieiis  of  (juartz  wv.w 
brouijfht  to  Victoria  in  1851)  by  members  of  the  Brit- 
ish boundaiy  eommission  from  the  liead-quarters  of 
Kootenai  River.  The  placer  gold  in  the  l»asin  of 
the  up})cr  Columbia  was  found  on  the  bars  and  banks 
of  the  streams  l)etween  latitude  4U  and  oT,  compris- 
inif,  j^eiurally,  shallow  dii^gini^s  not  very  rich,  but 
extending  over  a  lari^e  area,  ^liners  haviii'C  jjfraduallv 
worked  up  the  valli-y  of  Kootenai  lliver,  rich  dig- 
gings were  at  last  discovered  not  far  from  the  boun- 
dary line,  which  gave  rise  in  18G3-4  to  the  Kootenai 
gold-mining  excitement.  Kemote  fr«>m  Victoria  as 
was  this  portion  of  the  country,  its  mining  operations 
Were  betttr  known  in,  and  were  in  fact  tributary  to, 
Oregon;  yet  many  Victorians  went  thither,  and  some 
trade  was  carried  in  that  direction  in  later  times,  not- 
withstaniUngthe  inconveniences  of  the  route.  But  tlif 
Kootenai  excitement  was  much  less  felt  at  Victoiia 
than  was  subse(jui'ntly  that  o  '  the  liig  Bend  country.' 
Wild  Horse  C'ret'k,  or,  in  the  eaily  vulgar.  Stud 
Horse  Creek,  tlu'  centre  of  the  K<»oteMai   mining  dis- 

■'()ii  tlif  iliNCovt'ry  of  tin'  Fl'iuser  iiiiiics  in  IS'iS,  ;ill  Imt  a  fiw  <if  tliosc  wlio 
li:iil  Ih'I'U  jiroviuusly  mining oii  tlitCnlnniliia  liivor  itars  transfi'iTfil  thi'niHolvi's 
inti>  tilt'  valley  of  tlio  Kru.str,  ami  tlio  i'(in«f(jut'ni'e  \v;i«  that  ilivclojinii'nt:*  in 
tlu' Coluinliia  lia.-sin  wtri'  arri'stcil  Cur  M'ViTal  years.  Ot  what  waMilnnc  in 
this  district  between  the  Cnlvilli'  uinl  Kimtenai  exeitenieiits  tlie  iiiitsiiie  wurM 
hearil  littlo  or  imthili^.  ('aril)n<>,  as  an  extension  of  tho  Fraser  exeitiiiient, 
made,  uimli  all  the  hiose  |iii[mlatioii  of  tiie  nortli-west,  a  seeonil  draft  wliieli 
was  nut  t"  1)0  resisted.  \\'a.-.hi(e  and  F.smeralda  alon>^  at  this  time  ftirnislieil 
liehl  enough  fur  ull  the  sjiare  population  and  capital  that  Califuruia  could 
all'ord. 

•'The  Kootenai  mines  were  almost  inaci'essilile,  remote,  and  hidilen  in  .1 
romantic  valley  within  tiie  parallels  of  the  Uocky  Mountains,  70  or  75  uiili'S 
aliovo  the  'I'dliacio  plain.-i.  The  other  ilistricts  of  the  upper  Coliimhia,  Ok.iii- 
aj^an,  and  Uock  Creek,  were  also  heset  hy  unusual  dilticultius  of  eommuriii  i- 
tion  from  the  directioiv  of  the  Fraser.  All  the  streams  ainl  mountain  ranj.'!-! 
of  the  nothern  plateau,  tho  latter  often  forest-covereil,  had  to  ho  I'rossed  in 
succession.  From  the  lower  Colundiia  tluy  were  moru  remote,  and  separat^'l 
hy  a  wall  of  no  small  magnitude  the  houndary  line,  for  it  was  the  settli  1 
policy  of  till'  j;overnment  at  X'ictoria  to  Mock  the  w,iy  alonj;  this  line  as  lir 
as  possible  east  of  tiie  Cascade  Mountains,  in  order  to  keiji  tho  territory  and 
Its  trade  within  thu  control  of  the  iiolitical  uml  comuiurcial  cupitul  ol  tlic 
l>ro\  iucc. 


KOOTENAI  DIOfJINOS. 


")•-»» 


it  of  tlu' 
M>,  whirl  1 

irtz  weir 

tlio  Brit- 
lartors  «>t" 

Imsiii  of 
iiid  hanks 
,  tMJinpri^- 

lich,  hut 
•gradually 

rich  dii;- 
thc  houn- 

Kootenai 
icUiria  as 
operations 
hutary  to, 

and  some 
timos,  ni»t- 
Buttli.' 
t  Yittt)ri;i 

;  country." 

<j;ar,  Stud 
.dniuL?  dis- 

Iv  of  thiiso  will. 

11  il  tllflllHflvi  H 

]\il<>liiiii'iits  in 

|t   was  iloiu'  in 

(lutsiilc  WKil'l 

!r  I'Xiitiiiit'iit, 

1,1  araft  wliiili 

iiuf  I'uniislic'l 

filitoruiii  loiiM 

ll  huliU'ii  ill  a 
(to  i>r  "5  iiiil"'^ 
|liiiiil>ia,  Ok.iii- 
If  comimiiii'  '• 
lumtaiii  rail,::'  •< 
1)0  orossiil  ill 
ami  si-paiat'-'I 
lis  tlif  Slttl.'l 
liis  line  a.--  In' 
tcTiitciry  aii'l 
|cai)iul  ot  til': 


trict,  discovered  in  18G3,  and  wliich  in  1864  l)ccanic 
the  site  of  an  important  canij>,  was  a  small  trihutary 
of  the  Kootenai  River  coming  from  the  main  Rocky 
NEountaiii  range,  fifty  miles  north  of  the  houndary  line. 
This  name  arose  from  the  abundance  of  horses  in  tlie 
district.  By  May  18<54,  400  miners  had  distributed 
themselves  along  the  bars  and  canons  oi'  the  creek, 
and  more  were  on  the  way.  Prospects  were  obtained 
there  of  $1  to  the  pan  and  of  25  cents  to  the  shovel ; 
nuggets  were  found  in  the  gravel  weighing  from  .^2.50 
to  ^78,  and  ordinary  claims  were  paying  ^20  to  ^.'iO 
a  day  to  the  man.*  The  excitement  grew,  and  in 
August,  Hudson's  Bay  Factor  McKay  reportt'd  5,000 
miners  in  the  district,  for  whom  provisions  were  being 
rushed  in  from  the  Dalles.  This  report  was  doubtless 
exaggerated,  for  in  Novendjer  it  was  asserted  that 
only  800  to  1)00  renmined,  500  of  wh«)m  pn'ferred  to 
winter  in  the  diggings,''  and  trace  the  distribution  of 
the  gold-bearing  rocks  in  the  northern  Rocky  Moun- 
tain region.* 

Mining  experience  in  the  Kootenai  country  the 
first  year  developed  the  fact  that  sluicing  could  be 
carried  on  for  nine  months  in  the  year.  Hill  tunn«'ls 
were  in  progress  during  the  winter  where  i)ay  had 
Iteen  struck,  and  Birch,  the  colonial  secretary,  who  vis- 
ited the  region,  reported  veiy  hopefully  in  regard  t«» 
these  hill  deposits,  one  of  which  yielded  dollar  nug- 
gets and  prospects  of  seventy-five  cents  to  two  dollars 
a  pan.  Several  c«)mi)anies  late  in  tlu'  siason  of  1H04 
stiuek  i)ay  also  on  Toby  Creek,  and  now  Fislieiville, 
thi'  name  given  to  the  priiiei|)al  camp  o\\  tlie  creek, 
h»;gan  to  figure  in  the  chronicles,  though  the  place  was 

*  Ihiirson  on  Minis,  IW;  Ji.  ('.  Dinrtori/,  IStl,'?,  "JIK);  /{rou-ni'i  Miii.  h'l^imini, 
li.VJ;     Allaii'n  CiiriUiO,  MS.,  II,   I'J;    WtiUn   W.'Un  Slal,.-:„i.ui,  All>;.   I. ">. '-'•-'.  I.S(i:i. 

'  KiMitciiai  liatl  almost  tU'iinimlatfil  the  Hoisr  cnuiitry.  .1.  A'.  Hiililli '«  l.<iii  r 
III  Hill  livachji,    I'irlorin  ('oloiiiil,  .luiu'  'JIS,  Aii^,  !(!,  lS(i4. 

'Two  nKi<U  to  tile  iiiincM  loading  rt'siu'otivuly  fruiii  the  ColiiiiitiM  ami  Ti-.i- 
xiT  inisai'n  were  constnictoil  the  xame  yoar,  in  i'oii»i.'i|iu'no«'  of  tlic  rii.sli.  'I'lu' 
liist  Wiuj  a  wugon-rnail  louding  from  ("olvillo  to  Poml  irOiiiilc,  fioni  wliioli 
point  the  Oregon  a|i)iroiu-h  wan  l>y  a  niuli'-trail  to  Wild  Horse  Crook.  'I'lio 
lludHon'H  l^y  ('oni|iany  also  oponoil  a  rough  trail  fmui  Hope  liy  way  uf  Siiuil- 
1>  iiiiooii,  Rock  Creek,  aud  IViid  d'Orcillo. 


UPPER  COLUMBIA  BONES. 


more  often  referred  to  under  the  general  name  of 
Kootenai.  Diggings  were  also  reported  on  the  raaiii 
upper  Columbia,  eighty  to  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  from  Kootenai,  paying  from  four  to  eight  dol- 
lars a  day ;  and  at  the  crossing  of  the  trail  to  Hope; 
there  were  others  said  to  equal  Wild  Horse  Creek.' 

In  the  early  part  of  the  season  of  18G5  Fishervillc 
had  a  famine,  but  this  was  remedied  by  the  arrival  of 
the  first  supplies  as  soon  as  the  roads  were  cleared  ol' 
snow.*  Reenforcements  also  arrived,  and  by  July  a 
thousand  men  were  said  to  be  camped  on  and  round 
Wild  Horse  Creek.  The  gold  commissioner  reported 
forty  or  fifty  claims  being  worked  on  the  creek,  pro- 
ducing from  one  to  three  ounces  to  the  hand  with  nug- 
fets  weighing  several  ounces.  The  Wild  Horse  Creek 
)itch,  just  completed  at  a  cost  of  twenty-five  thou- 
sand dollars,  was  carrying  two  thousand  inches  of 
water,  and  aflbrding  facilities  for  working  a  hundred 
claims.'  During  the  summer  there  was  quite  a  stam- 
pede to  Helena,  in  the  Blackfoot  country,  and  to  the 
Saskatchewan  and  Big  Bend,  but  many  returned  in 
October  to  work  the  well  yielding  though  shallow  sur- 
face diggings  of  Kootenai.*" 

'  Fred.  White,  in  Victoria  ColoniM,  Sept.  6,  Nov.  22,  Dec.  27,  1804.  During 
1804  J.  C.  Ha3mca  otFiciatcd  as  gold  coininissioucr.  In  1805  ho  was  auccccilud 
l>y  Mr  O'Ruilly.  Tlio  favorablu  comlitioiiH  for  agrieulturu  and  stock-raising 
together  with  the  plcn^ingBccniciiMiiect  of  the  terniced  valley  of  the  Kootenai 
gave  to  the  region  attmctioim  and  lulviintagea  over  niuny  other  miuiug  dis- 
trictH  in  British  <J<)Iuin)iiu.  Famin  were  esttihliHhcd  on  the  tenuccs,  oiul  irri- 
gation wua  resorted  t(j  in  places,  tho\igh  this  was  not  necessary  on  St  Joscpli 
t'mirie. 

'A  letter  from  Wild  Horse  Creek,  dated  May  4th,  mentioned  tliat  provi 
.  sions  were  very  scarcis  the  miners  living  on  hare,  marten,  and  tish.     All  tlir 
lX)wdor  and  shot  and  lishduMjks  in  the  camp  were  sold;  those  who  hud  n 
nuiined  in  the  diggings  were  shut  up  uU  winter  with   inadetjuatc  supplier. 
When  the  tirst  provisions  airived  potatoes  sold  rapidly  at$l  a  pounu,  and  tlniir 
at  811.25. 

"Mr  Dewdney  estimated  that  there  were  n  thousand  men  on  Wild  Horse 
CreekattliocndofJulv.  VoweWn  It.  i'.,  MS.,  l.^j  Vic.  Col.,  Dec.  27,  Istil, 
June  G.Muly  18,  Aug.8,'l805;  C'nr;6oo,SV///;«(/in/(/.,  Juno  20, 1805.  Mr  Ljon, 
a  trader,  reported  in  Oregon  that  Kootenai  rivalled  Cariboo;  two  men  iiml 
taken  out  sixty  pounds  of  gold  in  two  days. 

'T<'c<o)'ia (Ai'oniV, Sept.  19, 1805;  Wmt  Colitmhianin  Virtorin  Colunlnt,}iw. 
7, 1805.  On  the  dry  torraoed  plains  of  tiie  motmtain  valleys  bunch  gnws  gnw 
in  abundance;  and  the  Indians  having  l.irgo  herds  of  hor-ses  they  readily  wijil 
them  to  the  miners,  so  that  almost  tn-cry  onu  owned  a  horse,  and  could  iiixm' 
freely  about.     This  led  to  a  8tat«  of  nlTairs  very  unsatisfactory  to  the  gold 


TOWARD  THE  EAST. 


525 


The  Blackfoot  and  Saskatchewan  countries  ha<l  for 
some  time  been  reputed  rich  in  gold,  and  a  large 
number  of  miners  was  attracted  to  them,  not  only 
from  Kootenai,  but  from  Cariboo  and  other  districts." 
A.  G.  Smith  and  several  others,  who  in  18GG  went  to 
Helena  in  Montana,  worked  successfully  until  August, 
when  an  excitement  was  created  about  the  Saskatch- 
ewan diggings,  which  fanned  into  action  the  general 
desire  to  prospect  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  opposite  the  upper  Columbia.  Smith  set 
out  at  once  with  seven  others,  for  Edmonton,  by  way 
of  Kootenai  Pass,  and  arrived  there  safely  in  thirty- 
eight  days,  despite  the  hostile  Indians.  The  gold 
deposits  were  found  scattered  for  a  hundred  miles  above 
and  below  Edmonton  upon  the  Saskatchewan  bars,  but 
these  could  be  worked  only  for  a  short  time  in  the 
spring  and  autumn,  when  the  river  was  low  and  the 
yield  was  merely  two  dollars  a  day  or  less,  with 
rockers." 

In  1866  Fisherville  was  pulled  down  for  the  purpose 
of  working  the  ground  on  which  it  stood,  and  the 
operation  is  said  to  have  been  highly  renmnerative. 

coinmiaaioncr,  who  was  also  tho  niugistmto  au<l  pcnoo  officer  of  tlie  ilistrict. 
if  tho  lawless  adventurer  fell  into  trouMc  with  tho  anthuriticH  he  lia<l  only  to 
Hitilillo  hia  horse  and  escape  across  the  iMumlary  hito  Idaho,  or  acrosH  tlio  nioun- 
tiiiiis  into  tho  conntry  oi  the  Blackfcet.  A  «legree  of  freedom  bordering  on 
outlawry  was  the  consequence.  The  route  travelled  from  Victoria  to  Koo- 
ti'iiiii  in  1805  was  jiartly  by  steamer  ria  Portland  to  White  KluH's,  thence  by 
hiiiil  to  Colvillo  and  on  by  the  wagon  roa<l  oiicuod  in  18(W  from  there  to  Tend 
.roieillc.      Voweli'a  U.  V.  MiiH.^,  MS.,  1-.1. 

"  Sweeney  of  Carilxx)  went  tliere  and  wrote  Iwick  that  lie  had  made  more 
iiioucy  in  tho  Blackfoot  rejjion  duriiij;  tlio  .scn.soii  'tlian  anylnnly  ever  did  in 
t'iuiboo.'   Victoria  Colonist,  Oct.  'M,  1.S<m. 

"  The  Blackfeet  were  very  troubleaonie  away  from  tho  fort,  and  it  was 
iliclarod  that  they  IukI  killed  i.s  many  as-SOrt  of  <lic  <iver-ventur«some  miners 
.iiiil  prospectors  in  the  neighborliood  of  the  Elk  Kivci-  and  Fort  lienton  |)aM.se8. 
Smith  returned  by  the  northern  pass  ami  reacht^d  New  Westminster  in  April 
ls(i7.  One  of  tho  memlH-Tsof  'Alobeily's  party  of  explorers  for  thi^  railway, 
wlm  went  to  tho  Kocky  Mountiiins  in  .lune  1871,  made  a  nioii!  thoi-oiigh  ex- 
ploration of  the  gold-bearing  country  aromul  Fort  Kdiiionton,  and  re|K»rtcd 
lli:it  the  gold  extended  lifty  mih's  west  and  for  I'oui-  liunilrcd  niiles  to 
till!  cifSt  ol  the  fort,  all  the  luirs  of  the  Saskatchewan  within  that  area  con- 
t'lining  auriferoua  deposits.  This  was  nearly  all  fine  gold,  but  the  tributaries 
•tere  also  auriferous,  and  promised  to  contain  heavier  metal,  while  it  was 
fxpc:;tcd  that  quartz  veins  wtndd  l>o  discovered  near  tin,'  foi-t.  X<  ir  H'mt  minuter 
KxaminerarulVo/.umhiannuoUHl  in  Virturid^'olonisf,  May  1,7,  It^uiCawpbelVt 
h'fpt.,  in  Collingwood  BuUeti'i,  quoted  in  Victoria  CohniM,  May  11),  1872. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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UPPER  COLUMBIA  MINES. 


The 

soon 

leave 


Hydraulic  mining  was  carried  on  extensively  after  the 
completion  of  the  large  Victoria  ditch,  and  yielded 
well;  yet  the  prospects  in  general  were  not  suffi- 
ciently bright  to  retain  the  large  mass  of  miners, 
diggings,  though  extensive,  were  shallow  and 
exhausted,  and  white  miners  were  content  to 
them  to  the  less  exacting  Chinese.  ^^ 

In  1868  mining  gained  a  fresh  impetus,  and  several 
claims  sold  by  Johnson,  the  expressman,  in  1866,  for 
$75  were  now  resold  for  $1,200,  while  the  whole  hill 
near  Fisherville  was  covered  by  fresh  locations  of 
mining  ground. 


14 


Chief  among  the  discoveries  in  Kootenai  district 
next  to  Wild  Horse  Creek,  and  twenty  miles  from  it, 
was  Perry  Creek,  a  branch  of  St  Mary's  River,  some- 
times called  New  Kootenai  mines.  It  was  opened  iii 
1867  by  Dan  Kennedy,  Little  Sullivan,  and  a  half- 
breed  named  Frank  Perry,  who  had  been  fitted  out 
by  the  miners  on  Wild  Horse  Creek  to  make  locations 
in  their  behalf.  The  three  men  took  out  $225  in  five 
days,  obtaining  occasionally  thirteen  and  eighteen  dol- 
lars to  the  pan  in  coarse  gold  resembling  that  of  Koo- 
tenai. Still  coarser  gold  with  larger  yield  was  found 
above  on  the  creek.  So  far  as  prospected  at  the  end 
of  the  season  of  1868,  the  ground  generally  yielded  an 

"  Voweliy  B.  C.  Mines,  MS.,  1-3.  C.  Oijpenheimer  brought  $20,000  of  dust 
to  Victoria  in  September  18G6.  He  reported  that  claims  had  changed  hands 
at  high  prices,  and  that  there  were  700  miners  at  work  in  the  diggings  in 
August,  when  he  left.  Victoria  Coloiiint,  Sept.  4,  1866.  Later  in  the  season 
parties  from  Kootenai  rej)orted  tliat  tlie  Chinese  were  bidding  for  claims, 
and  that  many  of  the  miners  had  sold  out  for  $1,000.  The  Chinese  wiro 
bidding  high  for  everything  else  about  the  town,  ami  almost  entirely  takiiij; 
possession.  Id.,  Nov.  1*0,  1866.  In  1867  a  nund)er  of  miners  at  Kootenai 
organized  a  prospecting  expedition  on  a  large  scale  which  started  on  the  1st 
of  May,  and  followed  up  Kootenai  River  for  the  purpose  of  prospecting  tlio 
head-waters  of  that  stream  in  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Umatilla  Columhia  I'n  «, 
Oct.  17,  1867.  The  company  were  well  provided  for  an  extended  cainpaij;ii, 
but  I  find  no  record  of  the  result. 

**Dove  and  Company  carried  on  hydraulic  minii-g  extensively,  clearing 
up  on  one  occasion,  about  midsummer,  $1,400  from  three  days'  workini;. 
( 'aptain  Wilson  in  the  Cafiou  was  making  from  ten  to  twenty-hvo  dollars  a 
(lay  in  1869.  The  Price,  (Jriflith,  Saunders,  Schroedcr,  and  Dove  claims  wiru 
all  profitably  emploj'cd.  Indicative  of  general  developments  was  the  uomiilu- 
tion  of  a  saw-mill  by  Wood,  who  was  also  preparing  to  erect  a  flour-mill, 


NEW  KOOTENAI. 


627 


after  the 
d  yielded 
not  suiR- 
ers.  The 
and  soon 
;  to  leave 

nd  several 

1866,  for 

whole  hill 

cations  of 


lai  district 
es  from  it, 
iver,  some- 
opened  in 
tnd  a  half- 
fitted  out 
:e  locations 
225  in  five 
j-hteen  dol- 
lat  of  Koo- 
was  found 
|at  the  cud 
yielded  an 

I  $20,000  of  (lust 

changed  liaiids 

the  diggingH  i» 

r  in  the  suii-sou 

ling  for  claims, 

p  Chinese  were 

[entirely  taking 

ra  at  KootiMi:ii 

rted  on  the  1st 

Prospecting  tlio 

U^oliimhia  I'riA", 

Vied  camiiai};!!, 

lively,  cloaring 
Idays'  working. 
ly-fivt!  doUais  a 
T)ve  claims  wi^ru 
vos  the  coiniilc- 
.  flour-mill. 


ounce  a  day,  though  two  out  of  the  eight  claims 
opened  this  season  gave  one  hundred  dollars  daily  to 
the  man.^® 

As  soon  as  the  news  spread,  a  large  rush  took  place 
and  a  town  was  formed  composed  largely  of  the  popu- 
lation from  Fisherville  and  Wild  Horse  Creek.  About 
one  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  arrivals  of  1868  wintered 
in  the  mines  while  the  rest  prepared  to  return  in  the 
spring  with  the  still  larger  influx  which  then  took 
place.^^  At  first  the  blue  clay  was  regarded  as  the 
bed-rock  for  the  auriferous  gravel  below  the  falls;  but 
this  was  penetrated  during  the  winter  of  1868-9  by 
a  number  of  shafts,  and  gravel  was  struck  which  paid 
in  the  poorest  claims  eleven  dollars  a  day  to  the  man, 
and  frequently  three  times  that  amount.  In  1869  fif- 
teen to  twenty  miles  of  the  creek  had  been  staked  off 
chiefly  with  the  expectation  of  securing  a  share  of  the 
deeper  rich  deposits;  but  this  met  with  almost  general 
disappointment.  Only  a  few  favorably  located  shafts 
reached  a  rich  yet  dry  stratum,  while  the  rest  were 
driven  out  by  water." 

Good  prospects  were  also  found  in  1868  by  the 
packer  McGraugh  on  the  divide  between  the  Koote- 
nai and  Pend  d'Oreille  rivers,  and  in  1869  a  new 
camp  was  located  on  Mooyie  River,  a  stream  running 
parallel  with  Perry  Creek,  and  debouching  into  Pea- 
vine  Prairie  Lake.     At  its  mouth  lay  bars  four  or 

"  The  gold  first  found  below  the  falls,  was  like  cucumber  seeds  and  only 
four  to  six  feet  from  the  surface,  in  a  layer  of  gravel  resting  ou  a  clay  bed 
about  four  feet  in  thickness.  Above  the  falls  the  gold  was  found  on  the  bed- 
rock, and  sevei'al  parties  in  November  took  out  from  $110  to  $156  in  a  day. 
Victoria  Colonist,  Oct.  24  and  31, 1868 ;  Daioson  on  Mines,  38. 

'^  Victoria  Colonifit,  Dec.  20,  1868,  containing  quotations  from  the  Walla 
U'nlla  Statesman ;  H.  B.  Ward,  in  Victoria  WeeMy  Colonist,  March  27, 1869. 

"  Victoria  Colonist,  April  24,  1869.  The  Hough  Company  in  May  took  out 
?l,r>00  in  2  days  from  a  space  8  feet  square  beneath  the  clay.  W.  J.  Church, 
ill  WiiUa  Walla  Union,  May  22,  1869.  McGuill's  claim,  the  iirst  one  below 
the  falls,  took  out  $18  to  $20  a  day  to  the  hand  in  July  and  August,  and  the 
Discovery  Company  $20  to  $.'J0.  All  the  claims  in  fact  from  the  falls  to  Jack 
Tay's  shaft  were  working  profitably.  Tay's  shaft  was  down  40  feet,  and  like 
the  other  deeper  claims  had  great  trouble  with  tlio  water.  According  to 
some  of  the  miners  the  ground  was  spotted.  Pari/  Crci-lc,  Aug.  2;  Victoria 
Colonist,  Aug.  22,  1869.  R.  Finlayson,  however,  reported  in  1870  that  none 
of  them  had  oeen  able  to  bottom  a  shaft  yet.   V^ictona  Colonist,  June  10, 1870. 


UPPER  COLUMBIA  MINES. 


five  miles  in  extent  which  yielded  from  two  and  a 
half  to  eight  dollars  a  day  to  the  hand,  and  thence 
to  St  Joseph  Prairie,  over  a  large  area,  the  prospects 
showed  three  to  five  cents  to  the  pan.  Ditches  were 
projected  the  same  year  for  working  the  ground. 
Aided  by  the  discoveries  made  from  time  to  time, 
Kootenai  had  managed  to  maintain  a  prominent  posi- 
tion as  a  mining  district,  chiefly  in  the  hydraulic 
branch,  for  which  it  enjoyed  better  advantages  than 
Cariboo;  but  in  1872  Mr  Vowell,  the  new  gold  com- 
missioner and  magistrate  for  Kootenai,  reported  the 
principal  mines  worked  out,  with  the  exception  of 
those  on  Wild  Horse  and  Perry  creeks,  which  still  con- 
tained some  of  the  rich  deposits;  but,  reasoning  by  tlic 
Cariboo  and  other  developments,  miners  still  believed 
that  the  district  would  maintain  itself,  particularly 
as  the  deposits  resembled  the  latter  developed  cement 
strata  which  had  yielded  so  well  in  California.^ 


18 


i'l 


*"  Walla  Walla  Statesman,  Oct.  9,  1868.  It  was  stoutly  maintained  by  tlie 
nowsi)aper8  at  Victoria  that  the  Kootenai  and  other  mining  localities  of  tlio 
Selkirk,  Gold,  and  Purcell  ranges,  here  forming  the  inner  parallels  of  the 
Kooky  Mountain  flange  of  the  plateau,  comprised  rich  and  extensive  jductT 
fields,  and  tliat  5,000  or  even  10,000  nnners  could  readily  find  profitable 
employment  in  their  stream-beds  and  gulches.  Generally  speaking,  the  claims 
had  hitherto  paid  six  dollars  and  upward  a  day  to  the  hand.  Daily  Colonid, 
Jan.  19,  1809;  Sj.)ro(it^s  B.  C,  70.  If  unlucky  explorers  failed  to  make  their 
fortunes  on  the  new  creeks,  this  was  not  a  sufficient  reason  for  declaring  the 
field  exhausted,  for  it  was  shown  by  similar  experience  in  Cariboo  that  thu 
main  deposits  were  seldom  reached.  The  gravel  and  pay-dirt  of  the  Koote- 
nai region  appeared  to  the  miners  diflferent  in  many  respects  from  the  super- 
ficial auriferous  gravel  of  California.  The  latter  was  friable  and  easily 
worked,  wliilo  that  of  the  Kootenai  mines,  as  exposed  by  the  hydraulic  hose, 
was  like  the  cement  worked  in  California  at  a  later  date,  only  with  larger 
outlays  of  capital.  The  value  of  the  deep  ground  on  Perry  Creek  remained  a 
mystery.  Though  the  Purcell,  Selkirk,  and  Cold  ranges,  together  with  the 
main  Rocky  Mountain  parallels,  were  all  proved  to  be  gold-bearing,  tiio 
favored  formations  were  but  imperfectly  traced.  Between  the  widely  dis- 
tributed gravel  formations  of  the  terraces,  or  benches,  that  might  be  worked 
profitably  by  hydraulics,  and  those  which  obviously  could  not  no  so  worked, 
trial  had  failed  to  develop  any  satisfactory  distinction.  The  terraces  of  the 
Kootenai  and  upper  Columbia  rivers,  like  those  of  the  PVaser,  constitutd  a 
noteworthy  scenic  as  well  as  mining  e.nd  agricultural  feature  of  these  mnuntaiii 
parallels.  Tliey  are  wide  ancient  river  valleys  filled  to  a  great  deptii  w  itii 
more  or  less  auriferous  detritus.  Benches  rise  600  feet  above  the  streams 
and  4,000  feet  above  the  sea  in  successive  steps  to  what  is  tlie  ancient  filleii- 
up  river  valley  level.  Though  the  streams  have  sliiieed  down  to  great  deptliM 
into  the  gravel  and  lighter  detritus,  they  have  not  yet,  it  appears,  peiiotraten 
to  the  l)ed-rock  as  in  California.  Air  llector  of  Palliser's  exploration  vis- 
ited this  country  and  described  its  terraces  in  1859.     He  afterward  visited 


SALMON  CREEK. 


529 


Impressed  with  this  .belief,  prospecting  was  largely 
pursued,  particularly  in  1874,  under  the  stimulating 
impulse  of  government  appropriation,  designed  to 
encourage  new  developments.  Good  prospects  were 
obtained  on  several  streams,  such  as  Sloken  liiver, 
emptying  into  the  Kootenai  a  short  distance  above 
its  mouth,  but  they  were  not  of  sufficient  importance 
to  check  tlie  decline.  In  1875  Kootenai  yielded  only 
$41,000  from  the  bench  and  creek  diggings,  and  two 
tliirds  of  this  came  from  Wild  Horse  Creek,  the 
remainder  being  from  Perry,  Weaver,  and  Mootsai 
creeks,  containing  in  all  twenty-rught  claims,  many 
of  them  supplied  by  costly  ditclies,  and  worked  by  a 
total  mining  population  of  forty  white  men  and  fifty 
Chinese.  In  187G  most  of  the  white  men  left  the 
district,  and  the  total  yield  dwindled  to  .$25,000.^"  In 
1877  the  total  yield  increased  to  .$37,000,  obtained 
from  twenty-five  claims  on  Wild  Horse,  Perry,  and 
Palmer  creeks,  cluetly  by  Chinamen.  During  this 
year  a  trail  was  cut  by  a  govermnent  road  party  to 
connect  Kootenai  with  Fort  IMcLeod  on  the  eastern 
slo[)C  of  the  Pocky  !Moun tains,  and  to  open  a  jjath 
tlirough  regions  where  gold  had  previously  been 
1'uund. 


lleturnini;  to  the  earlier  years  of  jnininfj;  in  the 
u]>l)er  Columbia  l)asin,  let  us  glance  at  the  otlu^r 
mining  localities  which  have  a  history  subordinate  or 
|i;u'allel  to  that  of  the  Koottniai  region.  Salmon 
(.'reek,  emptying    into    tlie   l*end    d'Oreille    near    its 

the  liydruulio  iiiiiiiiig  re^'idii  in  Yulia  ;iii(l  Xcvaila  cniintii'H,  California,  ami 
!■  iiNuktid  ni)oii  '  tliu  great  similarity  1)et\vei'ii  the  Hiiperticial  iKjiosits  of  tlio 
f  iiiioim  gold  country  and  tlioso  Avitliin  tiio  British  torritory  to  tlio  iiorlii, 
Mliifli,'  lio  coiitiancH,  •encourages  me  to  assert  tiiat  tlio  vliolo  country  uji  to 
tilt!    Kootenai    Kiver  and    the  hase  of  the  lloeky  Mountains,   wherever  the 


i  vm  (iiieiies  weru  couijiniua,  iiowe\ur,  lo  « asn  ine 
Horso  Creek,  namely,  the  Victoria  and  the  Hang,  the  latter  hy  a  Chinese  eoni- 
p.iuy,  delivering  (iOO  and  300  iuchcti  of  water,  respectively.  Mnt.  Mines  Jicpt. 
1S7.".,  l-l(i;  1870,  4'J4. 


IIIST.   nillT.  COI,.     31 


680 


LITER  COLUMBIA  MINES. 


junction  with  the  Columbia  at  Fort  Shepherd,  waa 
wing-dammed  in  September  18G5  by  John  Thornton, 
ahas  Jolly  Jack,  and  coarse  bright  gold  obtained. 
Bars  on  the  creek  as  well  as  on  the  main  Columbia 
were  at  the  same  time  worked  by  a  great  number  of 
Chinese;  and  Forty-nine  Creek,  ninety  miles  from 
Colville,  was  a  cause  of  excitement  in  March  1807. 
About  twenty  miners  wintered  at  this  place  in  18GG-7, 
and  reported  that  the  diggings  were  not  only  easily 
reached,  but  extensive  and  readily  worked,  ,vitli  coarse 
gold  like  that  of  Kootenai  yielding  six  to  eighteen 
dollars  a  Jav  to  the  man.^*^ 

TJie  bars  of  the  main  Columbia  above  Colville  had 
been  mined  to  some  extent  for  several  years  before  the 
Kt)otenai  and  Big  Bend  excitements  attracted  nmlti- 
tudes  from  a  distance.  At  the  time  of  the  Kootenai 
excitement  in  18G5  there  were  several  hundred  Chinese 
at  work  upon  them  above  Fort  Shepherd,  and  doing 
well  according  to  all  accounts."^ 

As  early  as  February  18G5  a  person  brought  news 
to  Victoria  that  extensive  diggings  had  been  found 
"about  one  hundred  and  seventy  miles  north  of  the 
old  Kootenai  district,  equal  in  richness  to  the  best 
known  in  Cariboo."^'    The  report  was  not  lost,  for  arri- 

^'' Those  who  wintered  on  the  creek  worked  bench  diggings  contaiuiiig 
coarse  gohl  from  the  surface  down.  In  one  instance  two  ounces  were  taki'u 
from  a  single  prospect  hole  in  the  hank.  Forty-eight  t'reek,  near  by,  was 
also  rcporte<l  rich,  and  quite  a  number  of  boats  left  Ff)rt  Colville  for  the  two 
creeks  in  March  1807,  followed  soon  after  by  nearly  one  hundred  ])ers()iis 
from  Portland.  During  the  summer  another  excitement  and  rush  was  crcatt'<l 
by  the  report  that  twelve  men  had  early  in  the  season  found  ricli  diggings  in 
the  basin  between  the  high  mountains  forming  the  southerly  continuation  of 
Kootenai  Valley,  on  botli  sides  of  tlie  boundary  line  aiul  southward  as  far  as 
I'end  irOreille.  Four  of  the  discoverers,  Allen,  Moore,  Ahern,  and  Anthony 
Cavanaugh,  returned  t(t  the  Spokane  l)ridge  for  a(hlitional  supplies,  whence  the 
information  spread.  On  their  way  back  to  the  mountains  they  were  murdeicd 
by  the  Indians.  They  had  eighteen  luirses  and  a  large  quantity  of  supplies. 
In  tlie  excitement  wliich  followed  the  announcement  of  tlie  discovery,  a  con- 
siderable force  of  miners  was  directed  into  that  country.  Victoria  Coloni-^l, 
Sept.  17,  18(57. 

'■"  So  absorbed  were  they  that  Dcwdney  found  it  impossible  to  engage  more 
than  seventy-five  to  work  upon  the  Kootenai  trail  at  seventy-five  (h)llars  a 
month.  Victoria  Colonist,  Aug.  I'l,  1805  Findlay  Creek  diggings,  fifty  iiiilrs 
north-west  of  the  town  of  Kootenai,  were  discovered  in  18G5,  a  short  time 
before  the  rush  of  that  season  was  started  by  some  half-breed  miners  from 
Colville. 

■■"*  Victoria  Colonist,  Feb.   14,   1805.     Some  prospectors  who  returned  to 


ROUND  BIG  BEND. 


531 


vals  at  Victoria  from  Colvillo  in  June  stated  that  two 
Imnclred  men  had  ascended  the  Cohimbia  to  Big  Bend, 
and  that  the  river  had  ahnost  the  appearance  of  the 
Eraser  in  1858,  laden  with  canoes,  boats,  barges,  and 
scows.  At  Dalles  dcs  Morts  good  diggings  were  said 
to  exist,  and  on  the  creeks  emptying  into  the  Columbia 
the  yield  was  twenty -five  cents  to  one  dollar  and  a 
(|uarter  to  the  pan.  The  excitement  had  begun,  and 
it  was  expected  that  thousands  would  enter  tlu; 
country  during  the  summer.'* 

The  centre  of  attraction  became  known  as  Big 
Bend,  named  after  the  great  bend  of  the  Columbia  in 
latitude  52°,  where  the  river  turns  from  a  north-west- 
erly to  a  southerly  course  after  breaking  though  tho 
Selkirk  range.  The  mining  district  was,  however,  a 
short  distance  from  the  bend  where  several  small 
streams  came  down  from  the  western  slope  of  these 
mountains.  The  first  discovered  to  contain  rich  })lacers 
were  French  and  McCulloch  creeks,  branches  of  Gold 
Creek.  W.  S.  Stone  was  despatched  thither  as  ex- 
pressman, and  on  arriving  at  French  Creek  in  August 
lie  found  the  ground  staked  oft*  for  two  miles,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  men,  including  many  ' fifty-eighters,* 
being  employed  on  the  various  creeks.  The  pioneer.s 
were  four  Frenchmen  who  had  settled  on  French 
Creek  early  in  the  spring  of  18G5,  and  obtained  sixteen 
dollars  from  eleven  pans  of  dirt.  All  the  bai's  along 
the  Columbia  to  Big  Bend  were  found  to  yield  well  in 
coarse  gold  not  unlike  that  of  Kootenai,  but  here  all 

\\'iillii  Walla  about  the  same  time  reported  the  upper  Columbia  diggings  a.s 
'liunibug.'  W(tUa  Walla  StdtMiimii,  March  10,  in  Virtorht  Colonist,  March '28, 
lS(i5.  Both  of  these  parties  travelled  in  winter,  the  former  reporting  the 
climate  as  'splendid.'  It  will  be  seen  from  tliese  authorities  that  Big  Bend 
was  probably  discovered  by  persons  who  descended  tho  C'oUunbiii  from 
Kootenai. 

-^ Perry,  'tho  well-known  explorer,'  reported  that  sevond  !!iiiici'a  iiad 
taken  out  $700  apiece  in  a  very  short  time,  and  ho  himself  was  saiil  to  be 
making  .^100  a  day,  obtaining  as  much  as  SiJ^  to  tho  pan.  Tins  was  at  tlie 
lioint  where  tho  Shusliwap  trail  struck  the  Columbia,  and  (iO  men  were  work- 
ing there.  W.  Robertson  M'rote  in  June  that  18  boats  had  ascended  the  Co- 
himbia that  spring,  and  that  the  diggings  mostly  aimed  for  were  '250  miles 
above  Colville.  Victoria  Colnmhian,  quoted  in  Viflnri  i  Colniiist,  duly  11,  18GE; 
''ariljoo  Sentinel,  quoted  in  Victoria  Colonist,  Aug.  1,  iFuly  4,  ISGo. 


UPPER  COLUMBIA  MIXES. 


trace  of  the  metal  was  lost."^  11.  T.  Smith,  who  acted 
as  irokl  commissioner  for  the  Bijj  Bend  district  in 
18()5,  left  there  in  November  and  reported  to  the 
jT^overnment  at  Victoria  that  the  known  vield  of  Frencli 
Creek  for  the  season  was  $32,000 ;  of  McCulloch  Creek, 
$2,700;  and  of  Carnes  Creek,  $;], 000 ;  but  on  account 
of  the  gold  exjtort  tax  tlien  in  force,  it  was  understood 
tliat  not  half  of  the  gold  taken  out  had  been  reported.^' 
Flooded  streams  and  tlio  lack  of  provisions  and  mining 
inq)l(;ments  had  besides  retarded  tlie  work  of  the  season 
materially,  but  during  the  coming  year  it  was  evident 
that  efforts  would  be  made  to  forward  supplies  to 
meet  all  demands,  for  tlie  colonial  government  was 
o[)ening  a  trail  from  Kamloop  by  way  of  Sliusliwup 
l^akc,  and  a  steamer  was  building  above  Colville  to 
navigate  the  upper  Cohunbia. 

In  tlic  spring  of  ISdO  miners  began  in  fact  to  Hock 
in,  and  Portland  was  doing  a  large  business  witli  these 
districts.'"*'  Finding  that  the  trail  would  be  inadequate 
to  compete  with  Oregon  roads,  the  government  im- 
proved the  Shushwap  route  early  in  the  year,  and  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  built  a  steamer,  the  j\[artln, 

^*rrom  Fort  Shepherd  it  was  reported  September  2,  1805,  that  on  Frciicli 
Creek  they  liad  hottoiiied  Home  shafts  without  success,  and  that  there  was 
iiotliing  ill  the  cmiitry  to  eat  hut  '  Uoiir  sti'aiglit.'  Virtorin  Wfcliii  CoIowkI, 
Aug.  li"),  and  Sept.  IS),  lS(i5.  On  the  ]'.)th  of  Scjitemher  there  were  9.")  iiuu 
on  t!ie  creek,  mostly  eiigaj^cd  in  wiii^'-daiiimiug  the  stream.  The  I.a  Flt'ur 
( 'diupany  drifted  into  the  liill-side  and  took  out i5.")()0  in  two  daj.s.  Tlie  gravel 
for  some  distance  ahove  llie  hed-roek  jirosjieetcd  lietween  two  and  twilvc 
dollar.s  to  tlie  pan.  Id.,  Oct.  U),  18.1.").  ()ne  third  of  the  miners  at  ]5ig  Ik'inl 
(luring  the  season  had  come  from  Colville  and  returned  there  in  October  In 
M'inter.   1(1.,  Dee.  4  and  12,  ISii"). 

'-'Kootenai  was  said  to  he  eompai'atively  abandoned  in  Novemlier  ISCi.'i 
on  account  of  the  more  attractive  features  of  the  liig  Bend  diggings.  If  the 
Bcasoii  kept  open  it  was  certain  that  boats  idled  with  miners  would  contiiuu^ 
to  go  \ip  all  winter,  and  in  any  event  there  would  be  a  great  rush  in  iSlanli. 
lir'd'sk  Colli  III  hi  III,  (juoted  in  \',(/orlii  Dinij  Co/nnisf,  Jan.  ]">,  18()ti.  li. 
December  the  Vktoria  t'ohiiist,  Dec.  4,  lS(i,"),  urged  that  they  should  t;ik''  :i 
lesson  from  the  Americans  by  advirtlsing  the  miner:d  wealth  of  the  countiy. 
and  begun  by  pnuiouncing  Big  Bend  the  greatest  gold-mining  region  yt 
discovered  on  the  Baeilic  coast. 

-"  Victori  I  Voloiii.tt,  Dec.  Ti,  IStJ"),  April  10  and  24,  ISiiti;  (hrijon  Sl'/enimiii, 
?*lareli  23,  ISdti.  The  attention  of  the  mining  population  winterim^  <  t  Port- 
land  was  divided  between  Big  Bend  anil  Blackloot,  pre[ionderating  ii.  favor 
of  the  fornu'r.  A  Dalh's  correspondent  mentioned  that  numbers  were  daily 
crossing  the  river  at  that  point,  travelling  on  horseback  for  Big  Bend  by  way 
of  Okanagau  and  Kamlooji. 


STEAM  NAVIGATION. 


533 


r\io  acted 
istrict  in 
il  to  the 
)i'  French 
cli  Creek, 
u  account 
nderstood 
•eported.'" 
id  mininijj 
the  season 
as  evident 
applies  to 
nicnt  was 
Sliushwa]) 
:olville  to 

ict  to  tiock 
witli  these- 
inadequate 
tnment  ini- 
Lir,  and  the 
o  Marl  ill, 

lat  on  Fii'iu'h 
lat  there  v:is 

were  D.")  ni'U 

The   l.a  FKiir 

Tlie  gravel 

)  anil  twelve 

at  Big  ]5enil 

iu  October  to 

foveniher  IMi.") 
jiniis.  If  tlie 
vvoulil  continue 
•iisli  in  I^iareli. 
15,  KSIU;.  li. 
Hhouhl  taki.'  :> 
if  the  country, 
ling  region  yt 

■(/()/(  Slili'-'<iii""< 
iteriiK^  i  t  Tort- 
rating'  il.  l':ivor 
hers  were  iliiil.V 
r  Ucutl  byway 


which  on  May  27th  hosj^an  to  make  senii-wcekly  trips 
on  Shiishwa))  Jjake  to  Seymour,  eharijing  ten  dollars 
Tor  tares  and  twenty  dollars  a  ton  for  freight."'  Sey- 
mour on  Shushwa[)  Lake  rose  rapidly  in  conse(jU(>nce, 
and  contained  in  Api'il  about  twonty  huildinos.  Quite 
a  munher  of  miners  had  arrivod  before  the  openino-  ol' 
navigation,  tlrawing  hand-slods  over  the  ice,  and  early 
in  June  tlu're  wert^  five  hundred  men  waiting  here  for 
the  creeks  to  fall  and  for  definite  news  from  the  mines. "^ 
The  disaster  to  the  steamer  LaltDUvhcre  caused  a 
ris(!  in  the  lares  and  freights  from  San  Francisco  to 
Victoria,  and  aided  to  throw  the  N^ietoria  route  into 
the  shade  for  the  year,  while  White's  steamer,  Fortij- 
ii'nir,  and  other  boats  plying  regidarly  betwtsen  Col- 
vilie  and  J)eath  Ka})ids,  rendered  tin;  approach  by 
way  of  Portland  so  easy  as  to  attract  even  Victoria 
ti-ade.'"''  At  Dalles  des  Morts,  tlie  head  of  steamer  navi- 
gation, quite  a  nund)er  of  American  busine^sH  houses 
opened  trade  with  the  miners;  near  the  mouth  of 
(iJold  Iliver  the  town  of  Kirbyxille  was  stai'ted,  and 
Homano's  lund)er-mill  began  turning  out  lumber  in 
Ma}'  ISGO  at  S^l'io  a  tliousand  feet,  offering  facilities 
hotli  for  mining  and  building  operations.'*" 

■'The  lake  eoutaineil  many  boats  whieli  were  brciu^ht  into  us(^  in  npposi- 
tiou  to  the  steamer,  carrying  passengers  for  two  ami  a  half  ami  frciuiht  U<r 
lifteen  dollars.  There  were  two  lari'e  eanoes  at  the  terminus  of  tlie  roail  to 
ediivry  ]iassengei's  over  Siiushwap  Jj:ike  to  Seymour.  Ih're  and  at  Kamlini|) 
a:i  iibundance  of  jiro'.isinns  was  aniiduneed  to  be  in  readiness  for  tlie  miiu's. 
\'if/<iri(i  Coloiii.d,  April  17,  lfi(>(i.  N'ietorian.s  ailvertised  and  plaeanieil  the 
new  mines  on  every  wall,  and  esjieeially  the  route  Ihereto  by  way  of  N'ietoiia 
and  Kaiiiloo)),  whih;  the  I'ortlaiid  journals  diil  tlii'ir  best  to  eouuteraet  them 
by  easting  discredit  on  tiie  JJritish  Columbians  and  their  route.  \'irti>ri"  I'nl- 
o'iii.-</,  April  L'li,  May  1,  lSt;ti. 

'■"A  character  named  Thousand  I)og  .loe,  alias  Tcllias,  had  a  siven-ilog 
team  and  a  toboggan  with  which  he  eari'ii^l  su|i|)lies  to  the  Hig  Hend  Mines. 

-'•'The  /'(i/V//-;//«(' made  lier  tirst  triji  from  Colville  to  l>eafli  Jxajiids  w  ith  S't 
piissengei's  but  little  freight,  and  arrived  at  the  latter  ]ilace  Apiil '_'('),  INIili, 
being  ten  clays  iu  mahiug  tlie  trip  up  tiirough  the  ice,  taking  passelig' is  for 
S'J")  and  freight  at  .V-'OO  a  ton.  She  paid  for  h<'rself  tin^  lirst  si'asou.  ]'!'■/, ,rii(. 
Coloiiisf,  Ajiril  7,  IStiti;  A'( »'  ]\'r.i/,'iiiii-ifcr  K.iiiiiiiiki;  Sept.  'J."),  l.S(i7.  I'rom 
Dalles  des  Alerts  freight  was  carried  in  boats.  There  was  but  one  mail  io 
tl:e  Kootenai  mines  from  Victoria  for  six  months,  owing  to  tiie  fact  that  th<; 
legislature  of  18(»8  failed  to  make  tho  usual  arraiigiunents  with  .lohnson,  tlie 
1  xpn^ssman  and  mail-carrier.  In  the  season  of  ISli'J  the  service  was  restorcil. 
Vii-tonii  Coloimt,  Sept.  22,  18(i9.  Farming  was  by  this  timi!  carried  on  here; 
to  a  considerable  extent. 

•'"'  Supplies  were  dragged  in  boats  through  the  rapids  to  Wilson's  landing,  'J."> 


f  ' 


Ulllll 


534 


UPPER  COLUMBIA  MINES. 


The  particular  advantages  claimed  for  the  Big  Bend 
mines  were  that  they  were  easily  reached  and  at  first 
easily  worked,  while  the  gold  was  widely  scattered 
and  provisions  cheap,  so  that  miners  could  live  on 
eight  dollars  a  week.  Dupuy's  hill  claim  on  French 
Creek  was  reported  to  have  yielded  $2,500  in  a  week, 
the  Discovery  GO  ounces  in  one  day,  and  the  Shcp 
Bailey  .$1,500  within  a  few  days.  But  although 
many  claims  yielded  richly,  and  the  field  was  exten- 
sive, yet  the  population  of  Big  Bend  district  at  this 
time,  estimated  by  some  into  the  thousands,  was  too 
largo  for  all  to  obtain  a  share  of  the  treasure  and  the 
disappointed  ones  were  apt  to  declaim  against  the 
country.^^ 

By  the  middle  of  June  the  lead  had  been  tapped 
on  the  crock  for  u  distance  of  one  and  a  quarter  miles 
from  the  town,  and  it  became  apparent  that  the  better 
diggings  were  not  shallow,  as  had  been  at  first 
assumed,  but  required  expensive  work,  parti}'  on 
account  of  the  large  bowlders  in  the  bed  of  the  dec[) 
channel.  This  gave  a  further  impetus  to  the  largo 
exodus  which  had  already  begun,  and  in  October  18GG 
the  failure  of  the  Big  Bend  diggings  was  bruited  far 
and  wide  by  those  who  had  returned  unsuccessful. 
Provisions  now  became  scarce,  and  entire  camps  lived 
for  weeks  on  a  little  flour  and  beans.  But  for  the 
services  of  the  steamer  Forty-nine  they  would  have 
perished.     A   number   of  parties   were   doing  well, 


miles  further  up  the  river;  thence  they  were  packed  on  the  shoulders  of  carriers 
to  Gold  River,  a  distance  of  three  miles,  and  boated  up  the  river  to  the  mouths 
of  the  several  mining  creeks.  At  French  Creek  there  was  another  portage  of 
two  miles  to  the  stores.  On  the  19th  of  May  one  of  these  boats  containing 
23  persons  came  down  over  the  rapids.  Being  overloaded  and  carelessly  man- 
aged it  capsized  and  all  but  five  were  drowned. 

^^Westminster  Columbian,  in  Victoria  Colonist,  May  22,  18GG.  Seven  nicu 
who  had  remained  on  French  Creek  through  the  preceding  winter  sank  a  shaft, 
but  at  a  depth  of  twenty-eight  feet  they  were  flooded  out.  By  the  end  of 
May  fourteen  companies  were  preparing  to  wash.  In  Orr's  claim  an  (iight- 
ounce  nugget  was  found  in  deep  ground.  Ji.  Cameron  in  Victoria  Colonist, 
June  7  and  14,  1860.  Monroe  and  Company  on  French  Creek  washed  up  in 
one  day  in  June  nineteen  ounces.  Victoria  Colonist,  June  26, 1866.  On  the  2d 
of  July  a  flood  on  French  Creek  destroyed  ail  the  wing-dams,  wheels,  and 
sluices.  Id.,  July  24,  1866. 


CHARACTER  OF  DEPOSITS. 


lig  Bend 
1  at  first 
icattcred 
live  on 
1  French 
1  a  week, 
ho  Shop 
although 
as  cxtcn- 
3t  at  this 
5,  was  too 
c  and  the 
ainst  the 

en  tapped 
irtcr  miles 
the  better 
1  at  first 
partly  on 
"  the  deep 

the  large 
,ober  1 SGG 
jruited  far 
jsuccesst'ul. 

,mps  lived 

it  for  the 
[ould  have 

,ing  well, 


iers  of  carriers 
•  to  the  mouths 
tber  portage  of 
kta  containing 
farclessly  man- 
Seven  men 
Ir  sank  a  shaft, 
iBy  the  end  of 
llaim  an  (iight- 
ttoria  ColouisI, 
Iwashcil  up  ill 
1.  On  the  2a 
••vhccls,  and 


however,  and  in  August  the  Thompson  Company 
took  out  between  $2,000  and  $3,000  in  a  week,  the 
Eidge  Company  seventy-nino  ounces,  and  the  Guild 
Company  fifty-nine  and  a  half  ounces  one  week  and 
seventy-one  ounces  another  week.  The  Black  Hawk 
tunnel  on  French  Creek  excited  particular  attention, 
and  as  the  two  men  working  it  took  out  in  one  week 
twelve  ounces  of  gold,  the  experiment  was  considered 
isuecessful.''-  In  regard  to  the  results  for  the  season, 
Mr  Oppenheimer  estimated  the  total  returns  of  the 
district  at  $250,000,  and  yet  the  season  had,  in  his 
opinion,  been  particularly  unfavorable  to  mining  opera- 
tions. Of  this  amount  French  and  McCulloch  creeks 
yielded  each  about  $100,000.  A.  G.  Smith  on  his 
return  from  the  Saskatchewan  early  in  the  spring  of 
18G7  passed  through  the  Big  Bend  district  and  found 
that  a  hundred  miners  had  partially  or  wholly  win- 
tered on  French  Creek  alone.  But  the  prestige  of 
the  district  had  departed;  the  deep  ground,  still 
sought  by  a  few,  was  doomed  to  wait  for  more  favor- 
able conditions  in  a  new  era,  and  surface  mining  was 
continued  as  the  only  resource  throughout  the  season 
of  18G7.  Some  of  the  claims  paid  from  six  to  eleven 
dollars  to  the  man,  but  as  a  rule  the  miners  who 
reached  New  Westminster  in  the  autumn  expressed 
themselves  dissatisfied  with  the  returns.^  French 
Creek  declined  rapidly,  and  in  1869  only  thirty-seven 
men  were  reported  at  work  there,  partly  in  deep  dig- 

'-The  same  men  obtained  $112  from  the  Ijenchcs  in  four  and  a  lialf  days, 
and  a  nugget  of  $38  was  also  found.  W.  L.  Wade  of  Walla  Walla  reported 
in  November  1800  that  1,000  men  were  in  the  mines  on  French,  McC'uUocli, 
and  Games  creeks,  and  tlic  bars  of  the  Columbia  between  Gold  and  Carnca 
creeks — a  far  too  high  estimate  according  to  other  accounts — and  that  very 
few  made  expenses,  the  only  two  creeks  that  paid  being  Frencli  and  McCul-  ; 
loch.  'On  all  the  streams  npon  which  gold  lias  been  discovered,'  said  Wadc, 
'  the  bed-rock — which  was  generally  expected  to  prove  rich — is  so  dccji  that 
it  cannot  bo  reached  without  better  appliances  for  protection  against  water. ' 
More  than  three  fourths  of  those  who  came  down  with  Wade  were  unable  to 
pay  their  fare  on  the  Forty-nine.  Fifty  men  remained  on  French  Creek  in 
hecember  1866;  the  Discovery  and  the  Half-breed  claims  continued  to  pay, 
and  also  the  Wingdam  and  Black  Hawk.  Victoria  Colonist,  July  10,  Sept.  18, 
Nov.  27,  and  Deo.  11,  1866. 

3'  New  Westminster  Examiner,  Nov.  13,  1867. 


I 


136 


Ul'PEll  COLUMBIA  MINES. 


gings,  though  it  was  still  maintained  that  six  dollars 
a  day  and  Uj)wards  could  l»c  madi;  in  the  district."'* 

McCulloch  Creek  was  but  a  reproduction  of  French 
Creek.  It  yielded  as  much  as  one  hundred  dollars  a 
day  to  some  claims,  while  the  Clemens  Company  took 
out  in  1S()5  from  twelve  to  thirty-five  ounces  daily; 
and  in  connection  with  the  coarse  gold  nuggets  ranging 
from  twenty-tivo  dollars  downwards,  fragments  of  rich 
(juart/ were  found  in  the  .creek-hed  helow."''  A  few 
men  wintered  on  the  creek  in  18(^5,  while  their  part- 
ners went  to  C^olville  for  supplies,  and  a  little  town 
arose  which  in  June  18()(»  counted  half  a  dozen  log 
huts.  In  the  spring  shafts  were  suidv,  hill-side  tunnels 
were  worked,  win<jf-dams  constructed,  and  tail-rac(  s 
cut.  As  on  French  Creek,  the  presence  of  large 
l)owlders  proved  a  serious  hinderance  and  rendered 
many  claims  worthless.  The  lower  mile  and  a  halt* 
of  the  creek  was  considered  of  no  Aalue,  hut  above, 
particularly  in  the  gravel  beds,  it  was  yielding  steadily 
from  four  to  six  and  e\en  tweh e  ounces  a  day.  As 
the  creek  was  ascended  the  coarse  o-old  increased  into 
regular  nuggets,  one  of  which  resendtled  a  j)late,  and 
weighed  two  hundred  and  fifty-thn-e  dollars.  A  num- 
ber of  miners  persevered  in  the  main  object,  which  Mas 
to  penetrate  to  tb  bed-rock,  and  this  was  found  by 
some  at  six  feet,  but  others  sank  even  sixty  feet  with- 
out reaching  it,  and  weri  eventually  f(jrced  out  l)y 
water.  ^^ 

•'*  Tlio  Wolsh  hydraulic  was  at  work  whilo  the  watur  lasted,  but  ceased 
<>liorati<)ii3  ill  June  on  aocouiit  of  the  ilryiiess  of  the  season.  Tlie  winter  ni 
181)0-70  wa.s  mild  and  open,  so  that  the  Bailey  Company  lost  but  tliree  work- 
ing days  during  the  season  ending  March  Ittli.  A  steady  yield  avergiii^ 
much  over  laborer's  wages  continued  to  attract  the  small  nuuing  population. 
I'irloria  Volotii.if,  May  7,  1807;  Jan.,  .luly,  18()1);  Ai)ril  1870.  French  I'reek 
had  been  tlio  ricliest,  and  in  many  other  respects  the  representative,  creek  ni 
the  district,  tlio  Half-breed  claim,  its  most  famous  spot,  yielding  as  it  diil 
JrlOO  a  day  to  the  man,  tiiough  not  regularly. 

'^*  Vonrll'ii  Jirlt.  Col.  Mines,  MS.,  II,  I'J.  This  creek  went  also  under  tin' 
name  of  Clemens  Creek  after  tho  Clemens  Company.  On  one  occasion  i?l<l."i 
was  obtained  in  a  single  pan.  In  common  with  French  Creek,  tins  wiis 
reported  and  believedjat  the  time  to  be  '  the  biggest  discovery  on  the  coast.' 
Victoria  Colomut,  Dec.  I'J,  ISti;'). 

■"•There  were  a  dozen  companies  at  work  in  August  18G(5,  extending  a  mil' 
and  a  half  above  the  town,  but  most  miners  were  awaiting  the  result  of  tlif. 


A  HUXDUKD  CUKEKS. 


-..•»7 


t  dollars 

f  French 
dollars  a 
liHiV  took 
L'S  dailv ; 
h  ran^iiiU" 
ts  of  rich 
'     A  few 
leir  part- 
Ltle  town 
lo/AMi  lou' 
.0  tumn-'ls 
tail-rac'(> 
of  large 
rendertHi 
lid  a  halt' 
ut  ahovc, 
o-  steadily 
day.     As 
fased  into 
)late,  ami 
Aiium- 
hioli  was 
found  by 
oet  with- 
1  out  hv 


P,  but  ccasiil 
I'lic  wiutor  ni 
three  woik- 
plil  averj,'inL; 
poimlatidii. 
ji-ench  CfLTk 
live,  crook  oi 
lig  as  it  dill 

Lo  umlor  tlif 
V'casion  8 HI'' 
Lk,  this  WHS 
lu  the  coast.' 

killing  a  iiiik' 
Icsult  of  tho. 


In  niidsuninier  McCulloch  Creek  was  said  to  have 
a  popluation  of  120,  while  French  Creek  had  150, 
and  the  entire  district  about  JJjO.  Tlie  J)art  Coni- 
|>any's  claim  had  a  shaft  40  feet  deep,  in  tlie  i)ottom 
of  whicli  $200  in  coarse  gold  was  obtained,  wliile  the 
Discovery  Coni})any  found  a  prospect  of  322  to  the 
pan."''  Half-way  from  here  to  the  l^])p(>r  Arrow 
l^ako,  on  a  little  strc^ani  running  parelh'l  to  (}ol<l 
Uivcr,  Hank  (^irnes  in  the  spring  of  iSOf)  prosp(>ct«'d 
a  small  creek  named  after  hin),  and  obtained  from  i'our 
[)ans  of  dirt  three  dollars  and  thirty-s(nen  C(^iits  of 
coarse  <»()lil.  A  rush  followi-d  this  discoverv,  and 
Carnos  Creek  was  occupied  nearlv  sinudtaneouslv 
with  French  Creek,  GO  miners  l)eing  rep(  i'.^<l  on  tlie 
ground  in  tlie  autunm,  sulfering  somewliat  fiv-m  a  lack 
of  provisions.  Tiie  de})osits  were  declared  identical 
with  those  of  French  and  McCulloci  crocks,  bill 
Robert  Nobles,  one  of  the  membei's  oi'  the  (Vuihoo 
ComjKUiy,  who  prospected  the  bed  of  the  cret  !:  in  the 
autunm  of  18(15,  satisfi(>d  liimself  that  ili<^  diggings 
'v'ere  even  d(K>per  and  the  Ix'd-n.-k  still  UK^re  uiiattain- 
ahle.""^^  The  shallower  gi'ound,  liowev(tr,  offeied  a  fair 
thou":h  limited  field,  which  was  worked  for  some  tinit; 
l»y  a  small  number. 

(iliurations  of  the  Yalo  Company,  M'ho  liad  sot  out  with  tho  ileterininatiou  of 
rxplorins,'  the  gutter  of  tho  deop  ground.  All  tho  luipos  of  tho  orook  nstid 
u|ioii  thoir  suoooss.  Tlioy  wore  down  oO  foot  in  Auj;ust  lSii(),  puuipiiig  with 
llu!  aiil  of  a  wheol,  and  liually  thoy  slruok  a  pitohiiij;'  lioil-rock.  I'i'-f'iri'i  Col- 
uiiM,  Aug.  28,  Oot.  10,  18(!().  llouco  thi'y  drifted  toward  tho  deep  ground 
;ind  sunk  throo  Mind  sliafts.  From  tho  List  of  those  they  drifted  a.^ain,  and 
Were  in  tliroo  sets  of  timlur  wlieu  tlio  tlnw  ef  water  oMiued  thorn  to  retire.  Xrin 
i\'i-4iiiiiisfi'r  L'.idiiiiiK'i;  (Sept.  '2'),  IS;!7;  Wallii  \\'iiU<i  Sidlc.-tniiin,  Aug.  li).  ]8()(1. 

'"  A  bateh  of  $!!iO,OUO  of  gohl-dust  was  tak(  u  Inmi  here  to  Walla  W.dla  by 
.1.  Kauflfmann.  Virforiii  ('oloni-^f,  July  I?,  1 !,  Aug.  11,  I'idi);  M.iy  7,  IStiT.  Abevo 
tlie  canon  tho  country  is  opo:i,  having  gentle  slopes  not  unlike  tho.se  of  Mink 
'  iuleh  oil  William  Crook,  wliieh  theso  mines  wore  thought  to  resemble.  On 
pirt  of  First  Flat  in  tlii*  open  country  tlio  creek  was  found  to  ti'averso  a 
[liuoo  of  high  bed-rook  wiih  jiatehes  of  gravel,  having  probilily  been  foreed 
iisido  from  tho  deep  channels  by  a  slide.  The  gohl  was  of  a  blaekisli  brown 
Ime,  colored  by  the  o.xi.le  f)f  iron  with  wliieh  tho  gravel  wa.<i  impregnated. 
•15.1).,' in  Virforla  Colonist,  Sejit.  IS,  ISGti. 

"■^ />airsoii  on  JliiicK,  ;UI;  Vh-lorid  I'idoimt,  April  24,  .Juno  7,  18GG.  Mc- 
Donald and  Company  attempted  it  in  ^May  18(Ui,  and  reaohed  a  depth  of  45 
t'l't  without  striking  bed-rock.  A  miner  wlio  arrived  at  Yale  in  tlio  spring  of 
IS()(i,  with  some  gold  directly  from  (Ernies  Creok,  reported  tlio  existence  of 
rich  buudi  or  baiik  diggings  with  many  small  inggots  weighing  up  to  .^1 1. 


038 


UPPER  COLUMBIA  MINES. 


Fill! 


11 


it  i 


Oil  tlie  bars  of  tlic  Columbia  twelve  miles  above 
this  creek,  Hank  Carues  in  the  same  spriiii^  found  four 
men  at  v  ork  with  rockers  taking  out  fine  gold  resem- 
bling tliat  of  the  Eraser,  at  the  rate  of  one  hun- 
dred dollars  a  dav,  and  in  18(50  the  bars  al)ove  the 
Arrow  Lakes  were  occupied  by  miners  wlio  managed 
to  ol)taiii  a  living,  and  even  to  make  ten  dollars  a  (hiy. 
lint  these  deposits  could  be  worked  only  a  short  season, 
as  tlie  river  was  liable  to  rise  over  them  at  any  time. 
Tlie  district  held  out  through  the  usual  vicissitudi>s  of 
partially  abandoiu>d  cani})S  until  IHTl,  and  oven  in  1878 
tlu>re  were  a  few  miners  and  })rospectors  who  appeared 
to  have  settled,  taught  l)y  tlie  logic  of  tlie  facts  brought 
out  ill  tlie  ])ig  ]->end  rush  that  there  was  Avealth  in 
the  district  if  it  could  only  be  reached.''''  Carnes 
asserted  that  he  had  ])rospected  the  Columbia  from 
the  head-waters  of  the  Kootenai  to  Carnes  (^reek,  and 
had  always  found  color.  Prospecting  and  mining  had 
indeed,  with  more  or  less  success,  been  followed  on 
the  east  side  of  Selkirk  jMountaiii  and  also  at  Moberly, 
Cherry,  and  other  creeks,  on  the  west  or  Gold  Range 
side  of  the  river.  The  gold-bearing  tract  of  the  Sel- 
kirk ran<>e  which  formed  tlie  Bit>'  BtMid  district 
extended  evidently  for  at  least  seventy -five  miles  along 
the  western  slope,  and  whatever  its  value,  the  failure 
of  the  district  must  be  a':tributed  chiefly  to  the  flow  of 
Avater,  i)reventiiig  miners  from  reaching  the  deep 
g'round  under  the  clay  which  was  everywhere  reported 
to  exist  in  the  Big  Bend  as  well  as  in  the  Kootenai 
tlistrict.  ^[uch  of  the  shallower  oTound  had  been 
condi'iuned  as  spotted  before  it  was  fairly  tested,  and 
till!  i-arly  prosjiects  on  the  surface  at  French  and  ^fc- 
Culloch  creeks  were  regarded  as  the  only  decidedly 
rich  yields. 

The  milling  developments  in  the  C(>lunibia  basin, 
as  well  as  those  made  in  the  Fraser  liiver  basin  after 
the  excitement  in  1801,  were  not  unnoticed  by  scien- 
tific   men.     A    correspondent   of  the    I/yndon    Times 

»»  VownCs  B.  C.  Mines,  MS.,  10  !•_';    Victoria  Coloim',  July  3,  180(i. 


GOLD  EVERYWHERE. 


539 


jiiosented  evidence  on  which  lie  ventuivd  tlio  o[)ini()n 
that  the  whole  inouiitaiii  system  of  British  C'oiunihia 
Avas  auriferous  as  f\ir  as  the  Stikeen  River,  "the  Ioml;- 
(  st  stretch  of  continuous  inland  oold-producinijf  country 
vt-t  discovered  in  the  world,"  from  which  incalculable 
advantaire  must  result  to  the  colony  as  well  as  to 
the  mother  country.  Sir  Roderick  JVEurchison  also 
expressed  the  ojunion,  hased  upon  oroui'raphic  data,  tliat 
tlio  auriferous  matrix  would  he  found  to  extend  alon^,' 
tlio  slo[)es  of  tiie  mountains  of  ^he  whole  eordillrra 
system,  including  the  plateau  hetween  the  Cascade  and 
iiockv  rano'es.  The  ])lae(n'  diij^niuLifs  he  showed  were 
uiideniahly  hut  ihe  alluvial  deposits  l)roUL>ht  down  from 
ili(!sc  mountains  hy  the  streams.'"  This  was  contirmed 
liy  numerous  developments,  amoni*'  them  the  diii^^tj^iiiLjs 
at  liock  Creek  in  the  centre  of  tlie  plateau  on  the  l)ouu- 
(lary  line.  The  upper  Columbia  and  its  tributaries 
iti  euttin*^  throuijfh  the  o'old-bearini;"  belts  of  the  i)la- 
tt  au  had  revealed  tlu;  fact  that  tlie  wholi;  country  imt 
ciivered  l)y  comparatively  recent  formations  was  au- 
rit'i'rous,  but  outside  of  the  deep  and  ancient  cliannels 
ZDiies  were  disclosed  oidyin  afew  localities  rich  enough 
to  })ay.  Rock  Creek  acquired  a  reputation  in  the 
siuumer  of  18()0,  and  a  considi>rable  population  flocked 
in,  formin;^  a  town  and  mining  lK»th  in  bench  and  creek 
diggings.  One  or  more  ounces  a  day  were  often  ob- 
tained, and  during  the  season  of  18(51  a  party  of  white 
iiK'U  Secured  twelve  thousand  dollars,  besides  ex]ienses, 
the  average  earnings  a  day  beuig  seven  dollars  to 
the  man.^^  The  Cariboo  excitement  caused  Rock 
Creek  to  be  almost  abandoned  in  18()2,  and  for  sev- 
iial  years  little  was  done  in  f)r  heard  from  it.  Contem- 
li'M-aneously  with  the  ]Tig  Bend  excitement,  however, 


*"  li(iirl!iiij.-i'  Coiijiilcrti/hii,  IIS;  Maijiii's  Brilixli  Coliniiliin,  441-2. 

'' About  a  iiiilo  from  ita  iimutli  the  I'lvok  (liggiiii,'^  jiaiil  froiii  oiu!  to  two 
iiuiift's,  ami  soiuotiiMis  oiio  huiidrod  dolLirs  a  day  to  tlio  Iwiiid,  tlio  lioiiolios  in 
iiiu  iii.stiiiK'o  yielding  an  ounoo  a  day  for  tho  soa.son.  It  was  olisorvod  that 
llii'  Iio.st  diggings  occurred  where  the  crook  had  cut  through  a  liolt  of  soft  rook. 
I'liirxon  on  Xliiics,  41.  To  the  history  of  tho  crook  lK'lonj,'s  tiio  shooting  dur- 
iiiua  (lis])ute,  in  July  18()1,  of  David  ]J;irr  liy  P'rank  Porter,  who  escaped  ucrosu 
tlic  frontier.  Mf Donald' x  Brltixh.  i'olumliid, \S0. 


1 


I 


.a..  ,i„ 


r>4() 


UPl'Ml  COLUMBIA  MINES. 


tlic  report  .spread  tlmt  ricli  tligginjj^s  liacl  again  bcnn 
found,  and  the  place  reci-ivrd  greater  attention/' 

In  18G8  tlic  bed-rock  flunie  was  conn)]eti'd,  Avliicli 
enabled  tbe  liolders  of  claims  along  the  creek  to  take 
■>ut  from  eigbt  to  twelve  dollai's  a  day  by  ground- 
sluicing.  During  tbe  season  of  1^70,  tbe  company 
op-,  rating  tbe  flume  in  tlie  bed  of  tbe  creek  took  oul 
six  tbousand  dollars  at  tbeir  first  clean-up ;  and  baviiig 
as  yet  barely  toucbed  tbe  edge  of  tlu!  pay-dirt,  wbicli 
consisted  of  a  layer  of  iiravel  and  sand  twelve  fet't  in 
tbickness,  tbey  exi)ected  in  Auijfust  to  take  out  tbrec 
times  as  mucb.'*'' 

J)escending  still  fartber  towai'd  tbe  inner  flank  of 
tbe  C^ascadi'  Mountains,  I  find  a  I'ecurrenco  of  tlic 
T^ock  (^-eek  developments.  Along  tlic  Okanagaii 
brancb  of  tbe  Columbia,  not  (»nly  on  tbe  (>ast  side  as 
far  as  ^[ission  Creek,  but  also  on  tbe  west  side  at 
SimilkametMi,  ])lacers  (>xistcd  wbicb  wwv  tbe  scen(  s 
I  if  cxcitenu-nts  durin!"'  tbe  (.'arliest  da\s  of  niinini>'  in 
llritisb  Columbia;  and  on  the  AVasbington  sideof  tln' 
boundary  around  J^ake  Cbelan,  a  large  area  of  counti y 
Avas  found  to  contain  ([uait/  xcins  and  local  [daceis. 
Along  Okanagan  l»ivec,  tbe  (l('[)osits  were  scattcicd, 
and  in  mo>t  cases  woi-ked  fbi-  but  a  short  time,  cbielly 
pei'baps,  from  want  of  water.  ( )ut  of  ninetei'U  streams 
falling  into  ( )kanagan  Lake,  seven  Avere,  in  I  Sfi  1 .  found 
to  be  gold-bt-aring.  and  Mission  ('reck,  (lowing  into  it 
from  tboeast.bad  }ila.ct>is\vhicb  yielded  in  f  Hr)l>-(iO  bot li 
(in(>  and  coarse  gold,  at  tbe  rafe  of  I'roni  two  to  forty 
doliai'sji day  to  the  man.^'     Xenr  l'\>rt  ( )kanagaii,  sixty 

'-'III  Manli  ISlii!,  14  wliitcs  ;uul  40  (liiiujsu  \\oiv  ;it  WdiU  oii  the  cii  i  k 
l;;iiiil;ill  iiiul  ('iiiiiiKiiiy  wa.slicil  .^1 1  out  <il'  iOlt  liiU'la'ts  of  (lilt,  iiinl  in  l.^'s  II 
till!  lii'iliiick  Klimu!  ('i)iiiiiaiiy  lit  7  lut'ii  was  milling  Huci.'i'sstull\ .  'I'lic  lly- 
(liaiilic  <  '(>iiij>aiiy  nf  ;>  iiirii  was  iiiaUiiij;  in  lS('i'.)  tVoin  i;  S  to  SlO  a  day.  Mi'-id,  s 
tlii'sc,  'J;t  Cliini'si'  \vt  fi-  iMgaui'il  in  sluicing,  lic/nri'i  i'oloiii.-'l,  Aiiril  7.  ISiili; 
Jmio  ."),  ISd'.t. 

^■'Tliry  Miro  iiiiiili  troiiliK'd  witli  (juiiiksanl.  luit  iiia.sti'ri!il  it.  J{(i(uir;aL' 
80,000  fi'i't  of  IuiiiIht  for  tlu'ir  (ipi'ratioiis  in  I.S71,  't  Avas  tlio  iiitriitinn  of  t!ii' 
cdinjHiuy  to  cTiit  a  .>»aw-iniU  in  tlu'  ini'an  tinii;.  Tliioo  coiinianit's  of  ("liim  -■( 
Woro  at  work  on  tlio  itci  k  iiiaking  .*.'!  a  day  to  tlio  liaiiil.  I'/r/orln  ('dIoh'xI. 
.Inly  •-'7,  1S70. 

"  In  1S77  Mfl>ougall  iind  Coniiiaiiy  wcro  making,  on  Mi.ssiou  (ViH'k,  Irmii 
U'n    to    liltt'cu    iloUars  a  i!ay  to    \'.\f   Ikui'I.    Jhiir.ioii    on    .]fiii<s,    41;    Loml'^n 


THE  OKANAltAX  MINES. 


541 


miles  south  of  the  boundary  liuo,  a  population  of 
twenty-six  minors  wore  in  1801  dividiniif  their  tinio 
In'twoon  ujininij:  and  luisl)andrv,  avoranin'jc  four  dollars 
a  tlay  in  tlio  diggini^s.  The  small  population  tlion  in 
tlie  valley  consisted  mainly  of  French  Canadians  and 
(  atholie  missionaries.  On  Similkameen  llivor,  en- 
tninu'  the  Okana<>'an  at  the  boundary  line,  ijfold  was 
found'*'  in  sharp,  unwashed  particles,  which  in  IHGl 
yielded  some  miners  one  ounce  a  day,  but  on  an  ayer- 
'A^sy  the  rocker  produci-d  four,  iive,  and  eight  dollars  a 
day  each  to  the  t\vo  hundred  miners  then  said  to  bo  at 
work  in  tlio  digijfiuLJ's:  one  hundred  and  iifty  of  these 
wc'i'e  Chinese,  who  soon  oi)tained  almost  solo  posses- 
sion; but  they  also  abandoned  the  ])lace  giadually. 
in  the  spring  of  18<!(),  however,  a  little  excitenu'nt 
again  attracted  a  number  of  them  from  ]  [ope,  and  in 
Srptend)er,  betwi't-n  forty  and  fifty  wore  at  work, 
making  good  wages. ''^ 

The  year  1800  witnessed  the  crossing  of  tlie  west- 
eiu  rim  of  the  ])lateau  by  bodit^s  of  miners,  moving 
eastward  in  British  Columbia  as  well  as  in  ( 'alifoinia. 
An  observer  from  the  remote  stand[)oint  of  histoi-y 
ctiuld  have  then  seen  at  the  same  instant  excited 
iiiimrs  sluicing  in  the  canons  at  Gold  Hill,  Similka- 
meen, Cariboo,  and  i*ike's  Peak — tlu^  Kocky  Moun- 
taliis  having  l)een  first  reached  from  thc^  west  by  ihi> 
eastwarxi-llowing  current  through   tin'  inviting  valley 

7V,,  I V,    cor.    .1:111.   i-'O,  ISti'J,  in   /^^("•///(;/.^■'  ('(infuli  nilioii,  111;   I'.   S.    Min.  S/ii- 

/if':',  i;a;s,  r.C)>s. 

'■  .\  ilKsnu'tor  known  as  .Tackass  .lolin  ^n-osju'i'tfcl  Siniilkanu'i'u  liivcr  in 
ISiiO  aiil  \vinj^-ilani:iu'(l  a  poi'tion  if  it.  AttiT  \\oi'i;i:ii;  tw'o  ilay-i,  anil  ta!;ing 
mi!  .'  ',{).  tho  w  attT  rose  ami  ilrovo  liini  out.  .lolin  (lii')i  wi  nl  to  S:ilino:i  l;i\  i-r, 
l!'i  (',  111  u'Atoot,  anil  Koolcnai  in  tnin.  In  OctohiT  ISlKi,  ln'  ii'tni'ui'  I  lolhi' 
Mil' 111'  lii-i  pi'i'vious  mi  t'ortnnrs  liy  llooil,  anil  \n  fourtcisi  day  <,  u-.iiiiili'il  ami 
aloiu',  lie  \\:u!n'il  out  .t'.'OO.  A  party  of  tluvi'  nun  rngaj;i'il  in  shilling  took 
nut  ;  L'l  )  in  tlii'L'c  iliys.     I'irfoii  i  Cnhnlst,  Fdi.  ,'>,  ISliT. 

'  TliiTi'  was  I'l'iioi'tiil  to  1)1'  a  '  lal  ;i'  Ix'.l-roi'k  '  also  in  tlii-i  u'i'ouml.  umlri'- 
laiil  liy  a  lu'il  of  ).;ravi'l.  Vir'ori"  ( ','liiiii.^f,  M  ly  '-2,  Oct.  'J.  ISHd,  in  li'tirr  ;  from 
1 1  HI"',  ilali'il  May  ISthaml  S.iit.  'J.")tli  rri|H'<'t  iv.  ly.  Similiiami'i'ii  ami  O'^aiia- 
^ri  rountrii's  wore  a'lmitti'il  tiy  liotli  I'al  iirr  a  nl  M  lyno  to  jio-i-i's-i  sui'i'iior 
aiivauta:'i's  in  agriculluro  an  \m  11  as  niinia;;.  'Il'o  mim'-i  iiciu','  o|i|iosit  •  llo|)i', 
til  y  ro'ill  l>o  I'lai'lii'il  from  tlu're  liy  a 'J.'')-iiiili'  waiton-roal  to  tin'  Irail  of 
•'^'.  ■".\t  Kivi-r,  ami  tlu'ni'o  liy  trail,  'rii,'  artirlcs  ri'ii'iiriiij;  tiati  ;|iortation  by 
\v  :.;ii'i  w  ri' larg' ly  su)i|)lii' 1  to  tlm  I'onntry  at  that  timo  frmn  llio  Anii'riuiUi 
"siilo  of  thu  line.  Jiuwliiii/s'  Vonjhlintdon,  114;  Mnyiir'n  li.  <'.,  .'Wit. 


r>42 


UPPER  COLUMBIA  MINES. 


of  the  Fraser.  But  no  sucli  p(ipulatioii  coukl  be  in- 
duced to  cross  the  Cascades  in  the  north  as  veenforced 
the  camp  upon  the  croppings  at  Virginia  and  Gold 
Hill,  otherwise  it  niiolit  have  puzzled  the  historical 
prophet  witnessing  the  operations  of  18()1  to  deter- 
mine wliether  mining  in  the  northern  interior  should 
not  liave  liad  an  equal  prominence  in  the  folloAving 
decades.  In  subsequent  years  a  like  metalliferous 
country  was  developed  with  the  same  series  of  geologi- 
cal formations.  But  quartz  bonanzas,  unless  exceed- 
ingly rich,  were  not  wanted  by  the  men,  who  with 
pans,  shovels,  and  rockers  clind)ed  over  the  Cascades 
hi  the  north.  What  they  wanted  was  simply  placrr 
gold.  Had  they  found  anything  more,  there  existctl 
no  lines  of  travel  nor  hives  of  population  within  reach 
of  these  outlying  districts  that  could  pour  in  thv 
necessary  additional  forces,  machinery,  appliances,  and 
capital  for  exploration  underground.  To  follow  the 
deposits  in  that  direction,  however  strongly  they  might 
have  been  indicated,  was  clearly  out  of  the  question. 
The  day  of  roads,  of  machinery,  and  of  cheap  supplits 
had  not  yet  come.  Between  18(50  and  IHdCI  Washoo 
and  Keese  River  were  taking  their  first  lessons  in 
silver  mining.  When  the  most  su})erficial  bars  and 
placers  had  been  worked,  the  lid  of  clay  in  the  ancient 
channels  was  reached;  when  machinery,  capital,  and 
skill  were  recjuisito  to  proceed  further,  the  wandering 
fortune-hunters  betook  themselves  to  other  fields.  All 
the  evidences  of  decay,  failure,  recklessness,  and  ruin 
which  pn^sented  themselves  to  the  vision  of  the  aftn- 
comers,  oidy  assisted  to  render  the  stereotyjied  but 
superficial  and  not  final  verdict — exhausted. 


i  n 


oukl  be  in- 
s  voeiiforci'd 
Lx  and  Gold 
10  liistoririil 
1)1  to  dcter- 
cTior  sluiuld 
he  follow in;j; 
uotalliforous 
!S  of  goolo;4i- 
dess  exceed- 
n,  wlio  witli 
tlio  Cascades 
dimply  idat'ir 
there  exisU'd 
withui  ivaili 
pour   in  the 
l>pliaucea,  and 
L\)  fohow  tlio 
rlytheyinii;lit 
'  the  question, 
dieap  supplies 
18(')(;  Washoe 
•st  lessons  in 
loial  bars  and 
lin  the  ancient 
f,  capital,  and 
[he  wanderinii' 
„r  fields.     All 
|iess,  and  ruin 
11  of  the  aftei- 
reotyped  but 
ed. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

COLD   DISCOVERIES   IN   THE  FAR  NORTH. 

18(51-1882. 

Omin.-;ca  Countuy — Pk.\(  k  River  riiosPECTEn — Govf.rnment  ExrEPnios — 
X'uosrErriNO  Chase — Vitai  e  <'|{Ek.k — Omink.ca  Overkated — <!ekman- 
SEN  Cheek — Si.riciNC, — Mansiis  and  Lust  Cheeks  I'im.av  Rivek  - 
The  Skeena  and  «.\)ast  rt.AtEHs— VHosrEcis  ok  Sivitlk.ments— Caitsk 
OK  Decline — The  Stikeen  Explohed— Thiiiekt'.s  Disidvehy— Cas- 
siAK  Pi-ACEHs — Dease  Lake  Tkiih  takies. 

Bkyoxd  Fraser  liiwr  basin  the  plateau  of  the  Cor- 
/(illera  continues  northward  in  two  prinei[)al  HaMu;i'S 
l)ordered  by  slaty  jj^old  and  silver-bcnirini^  mountains 
similar  in  character  to  the  Bald  ^[ountains  of  ( 'ariboo.' 
1 1  descends  ijraduall  v  toward  the  sea  at  J^eriny  Straits, 
forming  for  sixteen  hundred  miles  the  trough  of  Yukon 
I  liver.  Between  the  Fraser  and  Yukon  river  basins 
tlie  Oinineca  and  (^assiar  mining  districts,  repn'sent- 
iug  the  northward  nu)vement  of  the  miiung  [)opul;i- 
tion  of  the  coast,  came  into  existence  soon  afk'r  the 
sottleinent  of  (.\iriboo,  each  rising  along  a  great  river, 
wliicli  interlacing  its  head-waters  on  the  plateau  with 
tliose  of  anotlu'r  gre;it  river  of  the  opp<»site  (>astein 
slo[)e,  aflbrded  a  broad  avt'iuie  for  the  prospectors  and 
traders  who  began  to  occupy  this  region. 

Oinineca,"  the  nai:;e  givi'ii  to  the  mining  district  of 


Sk 


eciia  ai 


id  1^ 


eai'e 


u 


iver  sec 


tioi 


1  of 


th 


V 


at 


eau. 


tlU'   I 


Tlio  identity  in  iixis  or  striko  was  not  traw.'tl  to  a  niocty.     Some  thought 
iiiuutaiiii  drained  hy  tlio  Finlay  and  Oinineca  Iiranehes  of  1 


e.H'O  Jiiver 


Were  tlio  continuation  of  the  mountainous  eountry  exjdored  liy  Hlaek  and 
I'l'Mton  cast  of  Carihoo,  if  not  of  tiio  Carihoo  IJald  Mountain  Kanue.  ('(irilmii 
Sri.lliirl,  Oct.  2;«,  18GU. 

•'After  a  species  of  whortleberry  growing  there  and  forming  a  Htaple  arti- 
cle of  fodd  of  the  Indians.  Mackaizk  o/ Ifw  lliidsou  Hoy  <'<)iii]iiniii,  in  Vtrlorht 
('■iloiii-^l,  Jan.  8,  1870. 

( .".  i;; ) 


rl 


: 

:              I.       ■ 

i 

1 

; 

1 

J     * 

'       •1          i 

I'l         ^ 

jnl 

1 

iiitWillll 

844 


({OLD  DISCOVERIES  IN  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


may  be  described  as  1.500  to  2,000  feet  lower  than 
the  Cariboo  section,  and  more  gentle  in  its  undulations 
than  usual  with  mining  districts  on  the  coast,  yet  a 
cold,  cheerless,  and  barren  region.^  It  nevertheless 
presented  noteworthy  and  attractive  features,  and 
was  the  earliest  portion  of  the  Pacific  slo]>e  visited 
by  English  settlers  from  the  north  Atlantic  coast. 

Peace  lliver*  cleaving  the  liodvy  Mountains  to  their 
base  led  Sir  Alexander  ^Fackenzie  and  his  Canadian 
voyageurs  into  New  Caledonia,  or  Oniineca,  in  the  last 
century,  and  after  180(5  tlie  country  was  permanc>nt]y 
occupied  by  the  fur-traders.      J^y  the  Peace  and  Skeena 

^  At  Oniineca  diggings  proper,  situatod  near  the  lioad-watcrs  of  tlio  IVacr 
and  Skeena  rivers,  llio  country  resembled  (i>uesnel  nioiitli  in  Fraser  llivi  i- 
basin,  a  thickly  voodeil  jdateau  region,  free  from  higli  mountains  and  of  ea^y 
transit.  In  regard  to  the  climate  and  agricidtural  value  of  the  country, 
accounts  did'ercd.  The  ColoiilM  described  it  as  '  free  from  the  extremes  of  cohl 
and  heat,'  winter  setting  in  at  the  end  of  October,  ami  ending  alxmt  the  iMIli 
of  Aiiril,  the  snow  in  exceptional  winters  attaining  a  depth  of  only  three  feet. 
]5y  April  jr)th  the  whole  country  was  open  and  the  Hudson's  ]>ay  C'om[iany 
usually  despatched  tlu'ir  winter  collection  of  furs  down  the  Fraser  River. 
I'otatoes  and  turnips  llourished;  but  cereals  liad  not  been  brought  to  perfec- 
tion on  account  of  the  early  fidsts.  ]..ieut.  H.  S.  rainier,  on  the  other  hanil, 
Avriting  in  ISd-t,  said:  'All  that  portion  fof  Rrili.sli  t'olnndiiaj  lying  to  l!ie 
north  of  the  .')4th  ])aralkl  remains,  and  is  likely  to  remain,  an  uninliabitcd 
wiUb'rness. '  From  the  Hudson'.siiny  Company's  .servants  we  barn  that  all  liough 
not  entiri'ly  devoid  of  attractive  features  and  occasional  jiafehes  of  good  soil, 
tills  portion  of  the  colony  is  on  the  whole  cheeiless  an<l  uninviting,  and 
i'speiially  ill  adapteil  for  Ihe  occnjiation  of  man.  Aloreover,  its  high  l.ititiido 
and  extreme  elevation  and  tlie  ri;;(irous  eliniatic  inlhiencei  to  which  it  i.<  sidi- 
jeeted  are  elements  little  likely  to  encourage  its  fpeedy  development.  Loii'l. 
Hco'j.  So<\,  Jdiir.,  vol.  I'll,  J7J-I!.  The  country  along  I'eaec;  River,  above  l!ii^ 
junction  sif  Finlay  River,  resendiled  that  of  the  I'ra.ser  at  Alexandria,  and 
tiiough  farther  north  it  Mas  all  much  lower  and  not  so  culd  a  ennnli'v  as  Cari- 
boo. Ji.  ('ill.  D/rirfiirif,  ]Si','.\,  'JlM  5.  JIarnian,  a  jiartner  of  the  Northwe  t 
Company,  stationeil  at  Sti^wart  Lake  in  ISII,  made  mention  repeati'c.ly  In 
Ills  joui'nal  of  the  soil  lieing  good  in  places.  I'lU'nijis  and  potatoes  jlantcd  In 
181 1  proiluced  well.  'The  hd'A  in  many  ]ilaces  in  lU'W  Cileiionla  is  tolciaMy 
good.  'Tlierc  is  not  a  niontli  in  the  whole  year,' he  aihls,  '  in  vhleh  water 
does  not  congeal,  though  the  air  in  tlie  daytiiiu?,  in  summer,  is  warm,  and  we 
even  have  a  few  davs  of  sultrv  weather,  llarnuiii'a  Jour.  (Andover,  1'  'JOl, 
1  IT,  'JIS,  'J.-.T,  2l)'J;  ioitylCt  Ji.  C.  Jlinci,  MS.,  i;i-M;  I  kioria  Dally  Cohiil-i, 
Fel).  -j:!,  1S70. 

*'J'iie  name  of  Peace  River  was  derived  from  '  Peaeo  I'oint.'a  landmark 
on  lower  I'eaee  River  a  !;liort  di.slance  aliovc  it.i  outlet  in  Alliaba.sea  Lala', 
where  a  jieaee  had  been  eonelndi'd  between  the  '"■'nisteneaux  and  lieavir 
Indians  sonu!  time  lieforo  Sir  Alexandt'r  Mackcn/ie's  exploration,  its  ]ii'i)]icr 
Indian  name  was  also  the  name  of  tlie  eimiitry  through  which  it  ran — Unjigali 
country  and  rher — tlie  ownershii)  of  which  was  in  dispute  and  was  settbd  at 
tlie  time  and  ]ilaee  mentioned.  Tiiese  facts  were  stated  ]>y  Mackenzie's  inter- 
preter, from  which  it  is  to  be  inferred  that  the  name  of  I'eaeo  J{'"er  wa-!  alnaily 
111  use  among  the  fur-traders  at  the  time  of  Mackenzie's  famouti  journey  to  its 
source  ill  171)2.  Murl-tiirlvK  \'oii.,  I'J.'t. 


PEACE  RIVER. 


545 


Nver  than 
idulations 
ist,  yet  a 
rertheloss 
ires,    and 
pc  visited 
coast, 
lis  to  their 
Canadian 
in  the  last 
nnanently 
nd  Skeena 

•s  of  the  IVaci' 
I  Frasur  Uivcr 
ins  anil  of  •-'''>■ 
f  the  country, 
xtromes  of  ^'M 
al.out  tlio  l.Stli 
(inly tliri'o  fi'it. 
1  r.ay  t'onipany 
I   Frascr  Rivir. 
mglit  to  |)urfcc- 
tlu'  other  hand, 
^il  lyin^'  to  tl;c 
ui  iiuiuhahitcil 
,thatiiU!um^!i 
s  of  Jiooil  i-ioil. 
ninvitini,',  ami 
:s  hii.;h  l.ititiuK' 
hit'h  it  i-i  Mih- 
pnient.    I.iiirl. 
\vv,  iihovc  t!u' 
oxandria,  ami 
intry  as  t'ai'i- 
tlio  ^'oi-thwo  t 
i-c[)catoi,ly  lii 
,.()i_'s  jlantfil  ill 
nia  i-i  toliTal.ly 
n  whioh  \vali  I- 
warm,  and  uc 
nilovei',  V  ->ll. 
J)iuli/  Colivii-^l, 

t,'  ii  lanilniark 
lluihara  ],a'.a', 
IX  anil  JJiavc  r 
|[in.  ltd  piopiT 
i-an — Uu.;.i:;:ili 
was  .scttli'il  at 
ckonzio's  intor- 
•erwa-t  already 
,  journey  to  in 


river  route,  the  continent  is  traversed  at  the  lowest 
altitude  existing  north  of  the  isthmus  of  Teliuantopcc 
in  a  line  tlie  most  direct  from  tlie  north  Atlantic  to 
China,  and  tlio  discovery  of  gold  ])lai'(>rs  uj)()n  ]*eace 
IJiver  and  in  Omincca  foi-cshadowcd  the  cstahlisliment 
of  a  new  city  on  tlie  north  Pacific  coast,  ^v■hich  might 
^onle  day  lay  claim  to  the  terminus  of  the  Canadian 
Pacific  railway.'"  On  this  line  tlie  metalliferous  axis 
of  the  Cordilleras  was  intersected,  and  i'ound  to  he 
iontinuous  in  all  its  force  to  a  high  nortluTn  latitude. 
'I'lie  evidence  of  pr()S})ectors  estahlished  the  t'xistence 
of  from  ein'ht  t<>  twenty  dollar  diu<»in<'S.'^  Even  if 
tlie  diggings  were  remote,  the  climate  severe,  and  the 
summers  sliort,  here  lay  a  vast  extant  of  still  su])er- 
ficially  prospected  country  wliich  possessed,  and  would 
he  likely  hereafter  to  maintain,  the  character  of  attract- 
ive "poor  man's  diggings."'  Tlie  development  of 
mining  in  the  ()miiu>ca  region  must  also  IxH'ome  a 
means  of  ])opulating  the  houndh'ss  agricultural  legions 
of  tlie  nortli-west  territory  of  Canada  adjt)ining. 

The  first  discoveries  north  of  Fraser  Iliver  basin 
Were  made  during  the  summer  of  18(]1  on  Peace  Iliver, 
hctween  the  source  and  the  passage  through  the  llocky 
^lountains.  Two  miners  named  J'^dward  (  arey  and  W. 
Crest  left  Quesnelmouth  in  the  spring,  simultaneously 
with  the  movement  U}»ou  Cariboo,  and  ])roceed(>d  by 
way  of  FortCJeorgo  to  Fort  8t  James,  theiici!  iollow- 
ingthe  Hudson's  J  Jay  Company's  trail  over  the  ])ort<tge 
to  jMcLeod    Fort.     During  the  high  water  of  June 

'' T.  Ki'(tHK,  ill  (htrldiiil  Mont/ili/,  March  ISTO,  2(i4.  Mr  llvans  rceoi^'ni/cd 
tlie  Yellowlicail  or  Li'athcr  Pass  as  a  rnlini,'  jioint  from  the  railway  to  tin; 
I'liea  .Sea,  hut  saw  in  tlie  river  system  of  t)iiiiiieca  the  foreshailowiiig  of  a  rival 
tenninns  at  the  moutli  of  the  Skeciia  River. 

"After  the  discovery  of  gold  in  (.'alifornia  ami  on  Frasi-r  River  the  Incliaiis 
fiei|uently  hnuight  nuggets  and  gdld-di'st  (to  the  value  of  wliich  their  atteii- 
tiiiii  was  then  for  the  iirst  time  dircctt'd)  fi-uni  their  liunling-grounds  to  IIk^ 
lliidsDu's  Ray  Company's  ])osts  in  the  1'  aci:  River,  Omini'ca,  and  Cassiar 
lej^ion.  'Viewed  in  the  light  of  re<'ent  discoverii's,'  said  thi;  < 'olmiisf,  during 
tlic  excitenieiit  these  Indian  linda  hecaiiio  of  interest.  Vktoria  Wcili/  l.'olo- 
"'■-/,  .Fan.  I!),  1870. 

•  /''.  /'((;/(',  ill  Victoria  Daily  Colonint,  Aug.  8,  1871;  /'/.,  Weekly,  April  6, 
1S70;  Sitrml's  li.  ('.,  7ti. 

IIisT.  Bkit.  Cor..    35 


540 


GOLD  DISCOVERIES  IN  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


tlioy  doscendotl  Peace  River  for  two  hundred  miles, 
passin<»'  througli  the  canon,  lieturning  at  low  water, 
they  prospected  all  the  bars  and  brought  with  them 
to  McLeod  one  thousand  dollars  in  dust,  the  result  of 
a  few  days'  washing  at  one  point.  The  largest  day's 
work  performed  yielded  ^75  to  each.**  After  W'intering 
at  Quesnelmouth  they  repeated  their  journey  in 
18()2,  accompanied  by  Peter  Toy,  Joseph  Oates,  and 
Ezra  Evans,  and  obtained  from  fifty  days'  washing 
each  ^1,200.  Nearly  all  the  bars  yielded  from  ten 
to  fifteen  dollars  a  day  to  the  man,  those  on  Einlay 
liiver  for  twenty  miles  from  its  mouth  being  the  best. 
Five  others  followed  them  to  Peace  Pivcr  the  same 
season,  four  of  W'hom  workinijf  tooether  took  out  in 
twelve  davs  nearlv  $1,000.  The  i>-old  was  d(!scribed 
as  scaly  surface  gold,  somewhat  heavier  than  that  of 
the  Eraser  His  or  bars.^  In  January  18(!3,  Bell,  Ciold- 
sniith,  and  thret  others  left  A'ictoria  for  Peace  Iliver 
and  obtained  half  an  ounce  a  day  to  the  man  on  almost 
every  bar  down  to  the  junction  of  Einlay  Iliver.  No 
excitement  api)cars  to  have  resulted  from  these  dis- 
coveries, owing  chiefly,  no  doubt,  to  the  deveh)pments 
in  the  Cariboo  country,  which  overshadowed  every- 
thing else  for  the  time.  Influenced  by  discoveries  on 
the  main  or  southern  branch  of  Peace  River,  a  party 
of  Cariboo  uuners  reached  Fort  St  James  in  1804,  and 
taking  a  different  route,  followed  the  canoes  of  tin' 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  north,  through  Stewart  and 
Tatla  lakes,  to  a  point  opposite  the  head-waters  of  the 
Omineca  tributary ;  thence  striking  over  the  Peak  or- 
Blue  ^[ountains,  they  entered  the  Peace  River  basin 
and  mined  till  the  following  year,  returning  home  with 
four  or  five  thousand  dollars.  One  of  the  men, 
Michael  Eoy,  remained  behind  and  mined  successfully 

"Oil  a  8iui(l-1>iuik  of  Fiulay  Rivur  about  throe  miles  above  ita  mouth,  thoy 
found  a  hiyer  of  hhick  saml  overlying  gravel  which  yielded  three  to  four  ouiiwm 
a  day  to  the  hand,  tlie  whole  being  covered  by  five  or  six  feet  of  hmse  sand: 
want  of  provisions  oldijjed  them  to  leave  their  ground  and  continue  up  the 
river  to  Fort  St  .John.    Virtoria  Wcikly  t'ohmst,  S'eb.  23,  1870. 

»Ji.  Col.  Directory,  18G3,  204-5. 


OMKNICA  RIVER. 


547 


tor  five  years,  reiiiittiiig  several  thousand  tlollara  to  his 
daiiLjliter.*" 

Ill  18(')8  Huinplireys,  Gaykml,  Evans,  and  Twelve- 
toot  Davis  struck  xVrrtic  Creek.  llunn)lireys  rc- 
turned  to  Qucsnclinouth  tlie  sanii^  year  and  endeavored 
to  form  a  prospretinji^  P'^i'ty  to  riMnain  in  tins  fields 
tlirouffh  18(>!)and  1870.  In  this  cflort  he  was  aided 
hy  Mieluu'l  Byrnos  and  Yitalle  La  Force,  two  ex- 
plorers in  the  employ  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph 
( 'ompany,  wlio  had  wintered  on  the  head-waters  of 
Ominera  Kiver  in  18()8-D.  Traders  and  others,  in 
\  iew  of  the  depressed  condition  of  affairs  at  (^arihoo 
and  Kootcniai,  also  favored  the  search  for  a  new  gold 
tield,  and  l»etwcen  government  and  private  aid  twenty- 
two  hundred  dollars  was  made  up  to  di^fray  the  v.\- 
jtenses  of  the  ex[)edition.  The  choice  for  leadership 
tell  Upon  ]3yrnes,  with  Humphreys  and  l^a  Force  as 
lieutenants,  and  ICawkins,  (h'ant,  Kelley,  and  several 
others  as  mend)ers  of  the  com[)any;  the  expialitiou 
hi'iiiu  known  as  the  'oovernnuMit  partv,'  to  tlistinijuish 
it  from  the  'Chapman  j)arty,'  which  followed  in  the 
same  direction.  Both  left  Quesnelmouth  in  the  hc- 
ginning  of  IMay  f  8<il),  and  were  not  heard  from  until 
Octoher,  when  news  arrived  from  the  government 
ix[)cdition  reporting  an  important  discovi^ry.  Soon 
alter,  however,  all  of  this  party  except  La  Force  and 
Kelk'y  returned  with  unfavorahle  re[)orts.  ]^yrnes 
stating  that  after  leaving  Bulkley  house  at  the  north 
end  of  Tatla  Lake,  June  Dth,  they  turned  tcnvard  the 
head  of  Finlay  River,  distant  fifty  miles,  in  a  north- 
easterly direction,  over  a  iliflicult  route!,  on  the  2 1st 
they  found  gold  on  a  small  creek,  and  took  out  thirty- 
tive  ounces  from  800  feet  of  ground.  "  There  is  a 
narrow  range,"  said  the  report,  "of  hlut;  and  yellow 
talcose  slate,  with  innumerable  small  veins  of  <piartz 


'"  Mwmwliili)  fiir-triulcrs  coutiiiuud  to  ic'i«)rt  rich  digging's  in  tiiL-i  n'gi«ni, 
ainl  iJavis  iiiul  Johns,  who  in  lS(i()  iiiid  lS(i7  tnidotl  tlii'ough  tlio  country  for 
furs  on  their  own  account,  brought  with  tiicni  to  X'ictoriii  a  coiiMidcriililo 
i[uiiatity  of  gold-dust  which  tliey  had  obtained.  Victoria  U'ciklif  VolonUt, 
J'cb.  i>3,  1«70. 


f)iS 


GOLD  DISCOVERIES  IX  THE  FAR  XORTH. 


intersecting  it — general  course  from  north-west  and 
south-east.  .  .This  ranj^o  is  cut  off  at  the  south  fork 
of  the  Finlay  branch  (Omineca  River)  by  a  moun- 
tainous range  of  granite,"  and  ought  to  be  prospected 
the  next  season,  for  a  rush  of  miners  at  this  time,  it 
was  ui'ged  would  be  unadvisable.  The  party  found 
also  a  few  pieces  of  native  silver  and  some  indications 
of  copper.  To  their  particular  friends  the  leaders 
made  a  more  favorable  report,  and  Humphreys,  after 
depositing  on  his  own  account  in  the  assay  office  at 
B.irkerville  seventy  ounces  of  gold-dust,  immediately 
returned  to  Peace  River  with  several  companions  and 
a  stock  of  supplies.  These  circumstances  cast  a  sus- 
picion on  tlie  integrity  of  the  leaders  of  the  govern- 
ment party,  whose  discoveries  were  claimed  to  be 
public  property;  while  this  was  under  discussion  at 
Quesnel  and  JBarkervillo,  a  letter  arrived,  wherein 
Ogden,  tlio  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  agent  at  Stew- 
art Lake,  stated  that  the  members  of  the  govern- 
ment part}"  on  their  way  back  for  supplies  had  de- 
posited $2,500  with  him,  and  that  if  tools  had  been 
obtainable  at  Stewart  Lake,  they  would  not  have  re- 
turned to  Quesnel  until  the  end  of  the  year ;  one  of 
the  party  having  admitted,  while  under  the  influence 
of  liquor,  that  they  had  taken  out  $8,000  in  thirty- 
five  days. 

Some  of  the  Barkerville  miners  promptly  de- 
patched  two  men,  Kane  and  Sylvester,  to  follow  the 
returning  leaders  to  the  new  diggings  and  ascertain 
the  truth.  Leaving  Quesnel  October  30,  18G9,  they 
took  the  telegraph  trail  to  Fort  Fraser,  reaching  Fort 
St  James  in  advance  of  the  ex-government  party, 
which  had  gone  by  boat  up  the  Fraser  and  Stewart 
rivers.  Another  party  of  pursuers  from  Quesnel 
led  by  Black  liad  overtaken  Byrnes'  boats  near  Fort 
George,  from  which  point  onward  there  was  a  race 
between  them,  in  which  Black  with  his  light  boat  had 
every  advantage.  They  arrived  at  Fort  St  James 
November  27th,  and  the  Byrnes  party  now  became 


AUt'TIC  CRKKK. 


r)4!> 


still  more  enraged  at  tiiulinjjf  themselves  not  only  inter- 
cepted, but  uiiniasked.  Still  ;uu)tlier  party  from  Qut>s- 
ncl,  known  as  Buekley's,  was  f'ollowiii*;-  Ity  water. 
Before  reachinuf  tlie  mines  Byrnes'  }»arty  overtook 
Sylvester  and  Kane  lyinuf  in  wait  for  them,  and  their 
'intrigues  and  dodsji^es'  to  elude  the  ])ursu(>rs  were 
uiiavailiniif.  At  len<j^th  the  matter  was  compromised  hy 
an  ajj^reetnent  under  which  the  discoverers  were  permit- 
tt'd  to  stake  off  their  own  claims  first.  The  pui'suers 
were  now  led  to  the  south  of  the  Omincca  Mountains 
— referre<l  to  in  tlu^  governnuMit  party's  ie])ort  as  con- 
sisting of  granite — instead  of  to  the  iiorth ;  to  the 
Omineca  tributary  ov  south  branch,  instead  of  the 
north  or  main  fork  oi'  Finlay  lliver;  and  to  Vitalle 
Creek,  where  the  mining  had  been  done."  Kane 
learned  further  in  i-euard  to  tlie  doiui^s  of  the  u'overn- 
mental  i)artv  durinu'  the  i)reci'dini'-  sunnner,  tiiat  thev 
liad  joined  forces  with  (Uia])man's  party,  and  while 
some  of  them  went  over  to  Arctic  Creek,  discH)vered  bv 
llum[»hi'eys  in  hS(;8,the  majority  remaiiuul  on  Vitalle 
Creek,  which  was  nuicli  richer — tlu^  total  sum  taki-n 
out  being  $S,000 — and  a,  third  division  Avas  kept  con- 
stantly engaged  in  carrying  provisions  from  Tatla 
jjake.  It  was  finally  explaint^l  that  the  motive^  for 
tlie  secrecy  was  the  supposed  existence  on  X'italle 
Creek  of  a  wondirful  silver  l(Ml!»e  which  they  desired 
to  discover  and  secure;  before  a  rush  S(>t  in. 

The  confirmation  of  the  rumors  thus  [)resented, 
tog(!ther  with  the  remittance  of  some  gold,  set  in  full 
action  the  excitement  which  had  been  roused  by  the 
mystery  surrounding  J^yrnes'  movements,"'  and  it  Mas 

"Reports  of  Kauo  and  Sylvester  in  Carihoo  Scnfiin'l,  Dee.  11  and  1(>,  18()!t. 
Syivi'sttT  reiiiiiiiuHl  in  charge  of  the  Ailair  elaiiii  on  N'italle  ( 'reek,  while  Kane 
ri'liii'iicd  to  Carihoo  and  re[iorted  these  results  of  tlieir  expeditioii.  Kroiu 
l''ort  St  .lames  tliey  hail  traveUed  hy  hoat  hy  way  of  Stewart,  Treinhh',  ami 
Tatla  Lakes  to  the  lauding  on  the  north-east  side,  l(il)  miles  from  i'lirt  St 
•lames,  and  thenee  in  live  days'  journey  over  the  mountains  to  N'italle  Creek. 
yirloria  nWUi/ColoiiM,  Feh.  '-M,  KS70;  Jhiily  A/.,  Dee.  Ul,  KSCilt;  Carihoo 
Snitimt,  Get.  'J7,  ISCJi). 

'-In  addition  to  the  gold  produced  in  1S()'.)  giving  rise  to  the  excitement, 
Mr  Linhart  brought  down  to  Victoria  00  ouucoa  iu  January  1870.  Victoriit 
Wnkly  Colonist,  Fel).  '2,  1870. 


"!       i 


j:  i 


an 


CIOLD  DISCO VKUIKS  IX  THK  I'AK  NORTH. 


prophesied  at  one  timo  that  three  fourths  of  tho  popu- 
hitioii  at  AVilHam  Cn-ck  wouhl  have  for  Oinineca  in 
the  followiiijL^  sin'iiiLj;  as  it  \vas,  a  coiisiderahh'  flow 
of  miners  from  Cariboo  and  other  portions  of  l^ritisli 
(Columbia,  and  even  from  Cahfornia,  sot  in  for  the 
diggin<jjs,  uith  Vitalle  Creek  as  tlie  centre  of  attiac- 
tion.  Tliis  creok.  named  after  A'itahe  La  Force,  wlio 
Jiad  been  directed  liy  trap})ers  to  seek  for  L;'old  up(»n 
it,  was  ah'eady  fully  occujjied  l)y  \'italle  and  liis  (^ues- 
uohnouth  associates,  besides  a  iuunber  of  others,  and 
the  yield  was  already  falling  oil".'"*  The  first  work 
had  1)0011  done  one  and  a  quarter  miles  from  its  numtJi 
ill  from  two  to  four  fet't  of  ground,  a  depth  which  in- 
creased further  up.  Oiu;  tenth  t)f  the  metal  found 
was  native  waslu'd  silver,  partly  in  nuggets  wi>ighing 
as  much  as  three  ounces,  Joliii  Adair  obtaining  thirty- 
five  ounces  thereof  in  as  many  days.'^ 

A  number  of  diggers  had  remained  on  the  creek 
during  the  winter  of  18(>l)-70,  but  the  mining  opera- 
tions were  not  generally  successful.  Black  and  ^Ic- 
^tartin  and  others  bottomed  a  .shaft  to  find  only 
'color,'  while  Sylvester  and  Company  struck  slum 
and  water  on  a  sliding  bed-rock  at  a  de[)th  of  twenty- 
five  feet,  which  obliged  them  to  abandon  their  shaft.'' 
This  was  certainly  not  encouraging  to  the  new  ar- 
rivals, and  many  turned  back  at  once,  while  others 
])assed  on  to  the  lower  tributaries.'"  Black  with 
thirty  or  forty  others  prospected  the  adjoining  valley 

^Killan'sCtrlhoo,  MS.,  12,  13. 

'*Wht'n  they  cca.sutl  to  liml  silver  thoy  ceased  also  to  fi ml  gold.  I/istoni 
of  the  Peiirc  Ji'irir  Mhii'.%  in  Vicloria  Wtrkli/  C.'nlotit.'<f,  Fel).  '2'i,  1870.  -Mr 
Ogdeu  at  Stewart  Lake  purchased  lii8  ounces  of  Vitalle  Creek  gold  from  the 
government  prospcctii'.;  party  wliich  was  worth  .,  17..">0  the  ounce.  It  wa.s 
mixed  with  lumps  of  s   ver  worth  a  '  hit.'  /'/.,  Ajiril  li,  1870. 

^'■^  CarUioo  ISoitiw I,  i  Victoria  Wv<klijColoiii-tt,  July '20,  1870;  /'/.,  Aug.  17, 
1870. 

•"No  sooner  had  ti  ?rowd  overrun  the  diggings  than  munhors  started 
back,  ahandoning  their  lims,  and  in  .July  and  xVugust  between  100  and  l.")0 
miners  remained  in  the  .  mtry  with  the  determination  to  give  the  ground  a 
fair  trial.  Peter  Davis  i  I  a  party  left  Omineca  .Tune  '28th,  and  returned  by 
way  of  Skeena  River  an  Nanaimo  by  canoe.  Tliey  reported  that  only  fom- 
clanna  M'ere  paying  smal'  vages.  A  small  piece  of  ground  below  the  Discov- 
ery claim  paid  nine  ouni  i  in  one  day,  after  which  the  yield  was  light.  J'.''- 
toria  Wceklt/  Colunist,  July  27  aiul  Aug.  17,  1S70. 


t;KKMAXSKN. 


RSI 


of  Silver  Cnvk  in  ISTO,  fiiKliiiii:  only  two-aiid-a-lialf- 
(lollar  <lijjfgin«;s;  l)ut  oHht  inospcctors  wcrt!  more  suc- 
cessl'ul  oil  (litU'reiit  stivains,  aiul  later  in  the  season 
a  consulcral )lo  (luantitv  of  "jfold  was  taken  out.  in  the 
jiMnri-eirate,  a  })arty  of  liftoen  Chinese  niakinjj^  $7,000 
in  three  weeks,  and  ahout  one  hundred  miners  pri'- 
l>ared  to  carry  on  their  operations  durin<^  the  v/inter/' 
This  added  zest  to  the  inij)ulse,  and  in  US71  the 
Oniineea  excitement  attained  its  heiij^ht.  By  the  mid- 
dle of  June,  it  was  reported  that  eii;ht  hundred  ani- 
mals had  crossed  Fraser  Kiver  at  Quesnel,  mostly 
with  ])rovisions,  and  that  nine  hundred  men  had 
arrived  at  the  di,;j;<j^inijfs,  hy  the  Fraser  and  Skeena 
routes.'"*  C)[)erations  were  actively  prosecuteil,  and 
creek  after  creek  aloui,^  tne  Omineca  achieved  mort^ 
or  less  notdtiety  for  a  time,  as  Arctic,  Quart/,  Man- 
son,  Slate,  Skeleton,  Lost,  and  various  others,  partic- 
ularly ({ermansen,  which  now  l>ecami>  the  leading 
creek  in  the  district.  It  was  named  after  James  ( ler- 
mansen,"^  who  discovered  the  first  gold  on  the  ci'eek 
in  July  IS,  1870.  Good  shallow  diggings  were  found 
lor  three  miles,  usually  within  four  feet  of  the  l>e<l- 
rock,  yielding  twt>nty-Hvi^  cents  prospect  to  the  pan, 
ill  clean  coarse  gold  lying  on  a  layi-r  of  sand  twt)  i'eet 
htiu'ath  the  gravel  in  the  IkhI  of  the  creek.  Cust 
reported  that  everybody  o)i  the  creek  was  making 
from  810  to  three  ounces  a  dav,  and  hv  October  .'ii^70,- 
OoO  had  been  taken  out.  Lumps  of  silver  were  also 
found,  the  largest  weighing  $'-)00,  and  the  country 
around  was  seamed  with  (piartz.     Cermansen  Creek, 

'•In  tlio  wintor  of  1S70-1  several  ooiiiiiaiiies  wen;  niiiniiij,'  tiiiiui'ls  <iti 
M.iiisDu  Creek,  and  SO  to  U)0  miners  wiiitereil  in  tlie  several  creeks.  A  do/en 
siiuulit  the  forks  of  tiiu  Skeena  for  winter  ([iiarters  tlie  same  .season;  ami 
aliiiiit  three  dozen  doscemled  tliat  river  still  further  to  Woodcock's  Landing. 
Vh-ioria  Wt'dli/  Coloiiiif,  Dec.  20,  1871. 

''Sylvester,  expressman,  in  I'drilxm  Siiifinil;  \'irtori<i  Dnihi  ('oUmi-<l,  June 
2"),  1871.  In  May  1871  ihei„-  were  8(M>  miners  on  (ierniansen  L'riM'k  ami  more 
arriving  daily.  /(/...TulyO,  1871.  O'Reilly  wiis  the  first  goKl  commissioner; 
tiien  followed  Vowell. 

''••Uormansen  was  a  native  of  St  ]*a\il,  Minnesota,  who  came  in  KSCdJ  to 
IJritisli  Columbia  by  way  of  Saskatchewan  River  with  cattle,  lie  mined 
with  a  party  on  Peace  River  in  18G8  and  made  ^00.  Victoria  Wcfkli/  Colo- 
hl-t,  Dec.  14,  1870. 


552 


GOLD  DISCOVERIES  IN  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


:  ;i;  ii 


in  fact,  surprised  many  by  its  superiority  over  the 
other  streams.^" 

At  the  junction  of  the  creek  with  Omineca  Hiver 
rose  a  settlement  spoken  of  as  Germansen  Creek  town, 
or  as  Omineca,  which  during  the  winter  contained 
eighteen  inhabitants,  but  by  the  summer  of  1871 
counted  twenty  substantial  wooden  houses  comparing 
favorably  with  those  at  Barkerville.  It  was  like  this 
town  the  centre  of  trade  for  the  district,  supplied 
partly  by  the  Skeena  River  route,  by  way  of  Babine 
and  Tiitla  lakes,  but  chiefly  from  Quesnelniouth 
through  Port  St  James,  whence  a  trail  led  direct  to 
GcTiuaiisen  Creek,  skirting  Nation  Lake.  Competi- 
tion being  great,  freiglit  from  Yale  was  only  eighteen 
cents  in  1875,  and  Hour  had  been  sold  as  low  as  twenty 
cents  a  pound.  "^ 

Life  alone  ditfered  from  Cariboo  in  being  more  iso- 
latt  '  and  remote  Tliose  wlio  remained  over  winter 
were  entirely  cut  off  from  the  rest  of  the  world,  since 
the  season  in  temperature  if  not  in  duration  approached 
the  arctic  in  character.  The  rampant  life  of  the  flush 
pc  riod  in  Cariboo  and  California  found  less  congenial 
soil  for  germination  in  Omineca,  and  although  saloons 
and  cards  flourished,  the  hurdy-gurdies  never  pene- 
trated thither."  In  1871  most  of  the  miners  in  tlu' 
district  concentrated  on  the  creek,  and  some  good 
yi(>kls  were  reported.     Three  men  near  the  mouth  took 


™  )('.  jr.  Flty/cntli/,  (loirriiment  Ai/nit  at,  Port  St  James,  Oct.  24,  1870,  Lit- 
(<i;  ill  Viclorid  tVcckli/  (Wo/z/V,  ])ec.  7,  14,  11S70.  Some  of  the  olaiiiiH  paid 
!?ij0  a  (lay  to  the  liaiul.  In  tlio  Froiicli  Company's  claim  aliovo  the  t'afloii  a 
2'.t-ouuco  nuggot  was  foiiiul.  Pat  Kelly's  Cnupany  made  from  SIO  to  §30  a 
<lay  to  tlio  mail.  Varrisiiomlctifc,  in  lil.,  Nov,  30,  IK'O.  7,  1870.  Anotliur 
largo  wati'i'-woi'u  uiij,fi;ut,  weigliiug  '1\\  ounces,  was  brought  to  Victoria  by 
Mr  (iuiclion.  LI.,  Dec.  21,  1870;  Cariboo  Sentinel,  in  /'/.,  Nov.  10,  1870; 
I'ort  ToiriMiiil  ArijKs,  Aug.  1,  1871. 

^'  Freight  from  Quesnel  to  Maiisoii  Creek  was  from  10  to  15  cents,  anil  Ihnu- 
was  solil  lierc  for  from  20  to  40  cents  a  pound.  I'ai/e,  in  Jlin.  Iliiit'.t  Jfejil., 
1875,  10. 

■^"Saloons,  cards,  fur-hunters,  miners,  and  Hyilah  squaws  iorycnre:  ditches, 
ilrains,  log-cahins,  and  stick  forests  for  scenery,  tliese  made  up  what  was 
regarded  as  the  somewhat  miserable  picture  of  the  town  of  Manson  Creek,  ns 
ween  by  Captain  Butler  in  1871.  The  important  personages  of  the  town  were 
(Irahame,  postmaster,  and  Rufus  Sylvester,  expressman.  Butler's  Wild  North 
Land,  30'i-Si  Lawjevin  8  Jfept.,  1872,  i)-10. 


CLAIMS   AND  YIELD. 


553 


out  ten  ounces  a  day  to  the  man,  and  Kelly's  party, 
»vorking  six  miles  above  the  Discovery  claim  in  the 
bed  of  the  creek,  obtained  one  hundred  dollars  a  day. 
But  the  majority  taade  little  or  nothing,  either  because 
the  rich  de[)osits  were  in  patches  which  had  fallen  to 
the  few,  and  were  now  nearly  worked  out,  or  because 
tlio  lead  could  not  be  followed.  When  in  the  course 
of  the  summer  rich  discoveries  were  reported  on  Man- 
son  River,  fifteen  miles  farther  down  Omineca  River, 
ii  <>eneral  stampede  ensued.""^  Germanscn  Creek  re- 
sunietl,  nevertheless,  its  position  as  the  centre  of  the 
district  upon  the  collapse  of  the  rival  excitements. 
Hydraulic  mining  was  applied  to  the  thirteen  claims 
ill  operation  in  1875,  half  of  the  wliolo  constituted 
number  worked  in  Omineca.  Several  of  these  paid 
fail  1 V  with  the  aid  of  winu'-dams  and  bench-sluices,  the 
best  yielding  $(5,200  for  the  season,  but  others  suftered 
not  only  from  exhaustion,  but  from  floods,  and  th.'ii 
IVoni  a  want  of  sluice  water,  and  were  abandoned."' 

!^[anson  Creek  diggings,  fifteen  miles  east,  and  run- 
ning parallel  to  Cirerniansen,  were  discovered  in  July 
I;  71  by  R.  Howell,  formerly  of  the  royal  engineers, 
and  yielded  about  twenty  dollars  a  day,  ineluding  nug- 
U'ots,  some  of  them  eighty  and  one  hundred  dollars. 
Two  hundred  miners  were  engaged  on  the  creek  dur- 
ing the  season,  working  the  surface  of  the  creek-bed, 
or  sluicing  on  the  hill  and  beneh  ground;  but  there 
was  also  a  deep  channel  like  tliat  on  William  Creek, 

-'  During  tho  last  woek  in  August  the  cruek  yiddud  S10,()()0.  I'lti/r  oiid 
111  III.  iu  Virtoriii  Dttil'i  Colon iM,  Aug.  8,  Oct.  S,  1S71;  Litiiijevins  h'cpt.,  187'-, 
>;   Voiirirnli.  <'.  Miiw.-i,  MS.,  ];{,  u. 

'-''I'lio  cruok  laiiui^  paid  will  cimugh  until  Juui",  wiioii  a  lldiid  hurst  \\\)tin 
till!  canip  and  Maalu'd  oul;  all  tlu;  wiiig-danis.  At'tiT  tlioso  wt'i-e  it'iiaired  iiuly 
a  iiKinth  irniiinod  fiU'  workin,,'  1r'Io:i'  tlu;  long  winter  .si't  in.  Tiio  Koyuton 
( '(imii:iny  tlu'u  lost  the  l)i(l-riiok  a;ul  with  it  tlifir  X)ay.  The  <  lood-as-Auy 
'  iiinpiny  oI>taiue<l  good  pay,  although  tho  lead  was  spotted.  Tiie  hill  claims 
nwued  hy  tho  same  company  ]irospected  exceedingly  well,  hut  the  water  sooh 
iiii  short  and  a  sliile  Idled  tiieir  sluices.  The  Morri.son  Conipany  paid  h'ss 
tlim  ,'?;{  a  flay  du.  ing  the  s'eason.  Tho  Kim  Rock  ('oni[)any,  a  hydraulic 
claim  having  a  hank  from  'JO  to  50  feet  iu  height,  paid  hetter  than  any  otiier 
I  laiiu,  yielding  .*!(»,'J0O  for  tiie  season.  Tho  scarcity  of  water  succeeding  a 
tliiod  hrcd  disc(mragcinent,  and  the  Reliance,  Marshal,  ami  Discovery  claims 
Were  ahandoned,  wlulo  several  others  were  sold  to  tho  Chiuoso.  /'.  P(t(j°-,  in 
J///(.  Milieu  lii'iif..,  1875,  15;  Diiwson  oii,  Jliiia,  38. 


r  ! 


Ii  i 


'  111 


I' 


i 


H 


554 


GOLD  DISCOVERIES  IN   THE  FAR  NORTH. 


wlicrein  two  companies  sank  shafts  to  the  bed-rock 
with  profitable  results.  On  the  north  bank  of  the 
creek,  near  the  mouth  of  Slate  Creek,  thirty  lots  were 
laid  out  by  Commissioner  O'lieilly  a's  the  nucleus  of  a 
town,  and  several  substantial  houses  were  erected  l)y 
traders  and  otliers.^  The  creek  proved  patchy,  yet 
manaued  for  some  time  to  retain  the  second  rank  in 
the  district  as  a  gold-producer.  In  1875  nine  com- 
panies were  working  it,  four  of  which  were  located  on 
the  slate  tributary,  but  the  Ibllowing  season  only  two 
remained."" 

Lost  Creek  was  for  some  time  thought  to  be  one  of 
the  most  nourishing  of  mining  localities,  the  Irwiii 
company  of  five  men  having  washed  out,  in  one  week 
in  1871,  102  ounces,  and  another  company  $500  to  the 
man.  The  creek  was  discovered  by  a  company  of 
Cariboo  miners  who  sajik  50  to  70  feet  and  obtained 
large  pay  They  remained  here  until  1875,  when 
their  dividend  for  the  season  amounted  to  only  $210."' 

Among  other  locations  made  known  l)y  the  prospec- 
tors who  overran  Omineca  was  Skeleton  Creek,  whicli 
received  its  name  from  tiie  discovery  in  1871  of  the 
skeletons  of  tliree  white  men  supposed  to  have  died 
from  cold  or  starvation."^  A  'new  creek'  staked  otf 
five  miles  S(juth  of  Vitalle  Creek  was  never  deenird 
worthy  of  a  name.  At  Black  Jack  Guhli,  five  miners 
in  1871  made  about  $200  a  day  continuously.  At 
Elmore  Gulch  the  ^Manhattan  Compan}niined  profita- 
bly in  1874,  but  the  following  season  proved  a  failure 
for  want  of  sluice  water."'' 

-■''  Sliito  Creek,  <i  trilmtjiry  of  Mansoii  Creek,  had  in  1871  a  mining  popula- 
tion t)f  50  men,  who  were  making  ^'rom  Ijio  to  i>'20  a  day.  J.atiiicnii'n  Ji'tjiL, 
1872,  8-10,  88. 

-'^  Mill.  Miiici^  Jicpt.,  1875,  15;  Dairxoii  on  Miiic.%  .S8;  F.  Pcije,  in  Vktorin 
Daili/ ColoiiM,  Aug.  8,  1871;  Voirdl'.'i  li.  V.  Mliien,  MS,,  1«,  14;  Allan's  Carl- 
Imo,  MS.,  \'2,  1.'5;  Jferre,  in  dtrUioo  Si  n/hicl,  Aug.  17,  1872. 

'''  Tlu-eo  hundred  feet  above  tlieni,  wliere  the  ohl  ehaniiel  ran  deeper,  se\  - 
eral  vain  attempts  were  ma*le  in  1S71  to  lind  bottom.  Puyc,  in  Mi n.  Miii<< 
Ii'cpt.,  1875,  15;  Jfirrc,  in  Cm-i'ijo  Snitiml,  Aug.  17,  1872. 

■'*'  Virforia  Jhvhj  Cnloimf,  Oct.  8,  '.SJl. 

-"••  The  New  Zealand  Company's  idaiin  paid  «'X])enses  in  1875,  and  was  pn- 
jiared  for  winter  work.  Pmjc,  in  Miti.  Mines  Jlvpt.,  1875,  15;  Lainjedn's  J'ljif., 
1872,  8-9. 


SKEENA  RIVER. 


655 


Fair  prospects  were  found  on  the  bars  of  Omineca 
and  Finlay'"  rivers  near  their  confluence,  and  the  latter 
stream  was  in  1870  prospected  by  a  party  a  hundred 
miles  from  its  mouth,  revealing  promising  bar  diggings 
as  far  as  they  went,  some  yielding  seventy-five  cents  to 
the  pan.^^  At  the  head-waters  of  Nation  River  from 
thirty  to  fifty  miles  south-east  of  the  central  Omineca 
diggings  lay  a  cluster  of  auriferous  creeks,  which  had 
been  visited  at  one  time  by  Peace  River  miners,  and 
were  supposed  to  be  rich  f^  but  no  developments 
worthy  of  note  appear  to  have  been  made.^  Parsnip 
River,  further  down,  and  Peace  River  itself  west  and 
east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  were  found  to  contain 
gold  placers,  though  unremuuerativc  so  far  as  their 
accessible  deposits  were  explored.** 

The  mining  on  the  bars  resembled  that  of  Frascr 
River,  the  gold  being  fine  and  found  in  thin  sheets, 
deposited  and  buried  again,  by  massive  sediments  ot 
the  river,  out  of  sight  of  the  bed-rock.  The  valley 
further  resembled  the  Fraser  in  having  a  lake  or  fresh- 
water tertiary  formation  basined  within  it  containing 
liixnite  coal.'^ 

O 

Tlie  first  arrivals  quickly  exhausted  the  shallow  river 
bar  deposits,  and  operations  soon  dwindled  to  noth- 
ing. On  the  Pacific  slope  of  the  auriferous  range, 
represented  by  Skeena  River  and  its  tributaries,  min- 
ing was  never  carried  on  to  any  noteworthy  extent, 


'"  This  stream  was  named  after  James  Finlay,  one  of  the  Northwest  Com- 
pany's fur-traders,  who  in  1768  started  from  Michillimackinac  and  penetrated 
to  Nipawee  on  the  Saskatchewan  in  latitude  434°  north,  longitude  103°  west. 
Mnchmic's  Voif.,  xi.  Ho  was  stationed  and  engaged  in  building  a  fort  on 
Lower  Peace  River  in  1 792.  Jd.  12,5. 

"  Peter  Toy,  Evans,  and  others  prospected  up  Finlay  River  to  the  cafion, 
a  distance  of  eighty  miles,  and  found  goUl  on  all  tlie  bars,  in  some  places  as 
much  as  seventy-fivo  cents  to  the  pan.  Just  below  the  cafion  a  branch  joins  it 
from  the  soiith,  whereon  Toy  obtained  line  gold  for  a  number  of  miles.  Paije, 
in  Mill.  Mines  Itfpt.,  1875,  15;  Victoria  Weekly  Colonist,  Dec.  7,  1870. 

^■Qiiemel,  March  20,  1870,  cor.  Victoria  Wcckhj  Colonist,  A]iril  G,  1870. 

"Alexander  Fraser  and  a  party  prospected  the  head  of  Nation  River  in 
1870.    Victoria  Weekly  Colonint,  Aug.  17,  1S70. 

"  Parsnip  River  and  Peaoo  River  oast  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  carried 
free  gold.  Dawxon  on  Mines,  p.  39. 

'"  Tiutch's  Map  of  British  Columbia  indicates  coal  at  tho  mouth  of  Trout 
or  Piinais  Rivers  near  latitude  55". 


1  ii 

'fii 


550 


GOLD  DISCOVERIES  IN  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


although  prospects  were  found  of  so  encouraging  a 
nature  as  to  induce  parties  to  overrun  the  Babine  and 
the  country  between  the  Nass  and  Skeena  riv(!rs; 
yet  the  Omineca  excitement  itself  was  somotiiui-s 
referred  to  on  account  of  its  geographical  position  as 
the  Skeena  River  excitement.  Near  the  coast,  Mof- 
fatt  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  found  at  Moft'att 
River,  fifteen  miles  north  of  the  Skeena  and  twelve 
miles  south  of  the  Nass,  an  extensive  deposit  of  l)laek 
sand  containing  gold  of  the  size  of  number  four  shot, 
and  the  steamer  Wright  early  in  1871  reported  the 
discovery  of  new  diggings  at  or  near  the  same 
locality.^" 

Omineca  district  certainly  failed  to  justify  the  ex- 
pectations formed  of  it  in  more  than  one  respect; 
the  peaceful  conquest  of  the  country  by  tlie  goM- 
scokers'  predecessors,  the  pionc!ers  in  quest  of  furs, 
had  been  unattended  by  immigration;  for  seventy 
years  the  country  had  ivmained  without  roads  or 
other  notable  improvements  beyond  tlie  erection  of  a 
few  trading  stations  with  gank'ns,  and  the  perfectiiin' 
of  natural  routes  of  communication  by  cutting  trails 
over  portages  brtweiMi  the  canoe  termini.  Mucken/ic 
neither  saw  nor  heard  from  the  Indians  of  the  exist- 
ence of  tlie  precious  metal  in  tlie  bars  of  Peace  liiver 
during  liis  laI)orious  ascent  of  that  stream.  With  tlie 
new  inHux  of  miners  a  new  era  was  to  l)e  expected. 
Towns  would  1)0  ))uilt,  pack-trails  and  roads  would  l)o 
opened  into  tlio  mountains  and  outlying  districts, 
fields  would  l»e  planted  for  the  sustenance  of  the 
connnunities  liencefortli  dependent  directly  upon  the 
resources  and  identified  with  the  history  of  the  coun- 
try, and  Omineca  would  become  the  nucleus  for  settle- 
ments extending  evi>n  east  of  tlie  Rocky  Mountains. 
For  the  first  time  in  the  liistory  of  the  country,  the 
imaginar}'  line  of  Fifty-four  Forty,  tJie  shibboletli  of 
the  party  in  power  at  Washington  in   1845,  assumed 


^^  Vic/oria  Weiklij  Colonist,  Aug.   17, 
MS.,  p.  .T 


1870,  Feb.  22,  1871;  B.  V.  Hhvkln 


OmXECA  GOLD. 


557 


the  definiteness  of  realty,  though  its  actual  signifi- 
cance was  simply  that  of  the  natural  water-shed 
boundary  between  the  Fraser  and  Peace  river  basins, 
rendered  noteworthy  in  being  crossed  by  the  advanc- 
ing wave  of  population  of  the  Pacific  coast.  Beyond 
+hat  water-shed  no  other  power  than  England  ever 
c  aimed  dominion.  But  these  visions  melted  away  as 
soon  almost  as  they  were  formed,  and  with  them  the 
fame  of  the  pioneer  prospectors  of  whom  nothing  of 
note  is  recorded  thereafter."" 

The  season  of  the  great  influx  proved  unfavorable; 
the  water  remained  so  long  at  a  high  level  that  only  a 
few  weeks'  work  could  be  done,  and  the  yield  as  a  con- 
sequence was  not  very  attractive.  Langeviu  estimated 
the  product  for  Omineca  in  1871  at  $400,000  dis- 
tributed among  1,200  people,  and  Ireland,  the  express- 
man, at  $80,000  or  $90,000  only,  up  to  September,  most 
of  which  had  passed  over  to  the  traders,  he  said,  to 
pa}'  for  supplies  which  owing  to  the  length  and  diffi- 
culty of  the  route  were  very  dear.^^  Besides  climatic 
and  geographical  drawbacks  including  freshets  and 
the  subsequent  dwindling  of  sluice  water,  there  were 
obstacles  in  connection  with  the  tracing  of  the  lead 
and  the  separation  of  the  metal.    A  peculiarity  of  the 


ings  on  Omineca  River  was  that  native  gold  and 


\l;  B.  C.  .S7(.*/"-'. 


'■  Samuel  Goldsmith,  one  of  the  Peace  River  miners  of  18C3,  resided  at 
Biirlurvillc  in  1S70.  Victoria  Wcekhj  CoIonUt,  Feb.  '2.1,  1870.  Peter  Toy,  one 
of  tli(>  jiioneers  of  ISOiJ,  was  still  minini;  in  the  fall  of  1  SCO  on  the  bars  of 
I'inl.'iy  Piivcr.  New  Wtnlmiiislcr  Exainiiwr,  May  11,  1S07.  'Peace  River 
Siiiiih'  was  a  resident  of  the  town  of  (Itrinansen  Creek  in  1871.  Duller  s  Wild. 
}\(:rth  IauhI,  1)07.  '  Bill  Parker,  .Fim  May's  companion  to  Peace  River,'  was 
ftt  Colville,  W.  T.,  in  ISOo  and  '  very  well  oil'.'    Victoria  Weekly  ColoiiiM,  Aug. 

1,  isi;,-). 

""Lan^evin  gives  $.100,000  as  the  known  y'-rld  and  adds  the  remainder. 
Pull.  Woks  JJejit.  llcjil.,  1S7-,  8-10.  In  Octol  or  I'JO  miners  returned  on  tho 
Ottcrto  Victoria  with  only  810,000.  Some  asciihed  tiie  general  want  of  success 
to  tlic  lateness  of  the  season,  to  higli  water,  and  the  great  cost  of  jirovisions. 
Six  or  se\en  hundred  men  still  remained  in  the  diggings  in  Octolier,  wiiilo 
200  01-  ;J00  were  making'  preparations  to  remain  over  winter.  1).  EcLstiiu,  in 
V.S.Commerrial  I'll.,  1871,040;  Victoria  Dailii  Col  mist,  Oct.  A,  1871.  (ieorgo 
lic'iit  arrived  at  Victoria  in  October  witi»  §3,1)00  of  Omineca  gohl.  Iil.,  Oct. 
S  IS71.  On  tlie  steamer  Otter  in  I)ecend)cr,  3.1  of  the  piwsengers  were  'flat 
hiolic'  and  had  free  passage.  Some  of  them  pronounced  Omineca  a  failure, 
wiiilo  others  spoko  favorably  of  the  diggings.  Victoria  Weekly  Coloniist,  Dec. 
2."),  1871. 


VI  it;l 


558 


GOLD  mSCOVERIES  IN  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


silver  ran  together  in  the  placers,  worn  by  fluviatile 
agencies  into  particles  and  nuixijets  of  the  same  size. 
Tile  gold  resembled  that  of  Keithley  Creek  in  size, 
shape,  and  weight,  but  was  not  quite  so  bright."'"  Tlie 
silver  was  not  alloyed  vith  the  gold  but  nearly  puic, 
worth  Ji^20,000  to  the  ton,  and  usually  water- worn  and 
rounded  though  occasionally  rough.  Tlie  admixture 
was  found  on  aiuilysis  to  be  a  small  ])ercentage  of 
m(>rcury,  consequently  a  native  amalgam.^'* 

Ten  })er  cent  of  the  metal  M-aslied  out  of  the  placers 
on  Vitalle  Creek  was  silver,  and  when  the  miners 
ceased  to  find  this  metal  they  also  ceased  to  find  gold. 
Although  tlie  field  was  large,  the  deposits  were  too 
patch}' and  thin  to  afford  satisfactory  returns  to  all; 
nor  was  there  sufficient  inducement  to  pursue  di-cp 
n)ininij  to  anv  extent,  although  deei)er  channels  of 
older  streams  liad  been  found  here  as  elsewhere.  All 
this  could  not  fail  to  accelerate  the  exodus  which  set 
in  on  the  approacli  of  winter,  and  in  1872  the  re- 
maining population  of  Omineca  receiveu  a  com])ara- 
tively  small  accession.  The  yiekl  for  the  season  was 
estimati^d  by  tlie  gold  commissioner  at  $8  a  day  to 
the  man.  The  miners  decreased  in  number  year  by 
year,  and  in  1875  there  were  only  (58  persons  left,  who 
produced  from  2(j  claims  $32,000."  In  187G  the  yield 
was  so  insignificant  that  the  minister  of  mines  Id't 
the  district  entindy  out  of  consideration,  and  aftt'r 
this  onlv  a  few  miners  remained  striviiuj;  to  vkv.  out 
an  exist(Mice  during  the  short  season  allotted.*"  Oiiii- 
neca  was  not,  however,  the  oidy  hope  of  this  northcin 
region,  for  beyond  it  had  risen  another  mining  field,'' 

'"  V'uiona Diiilii  ColonM,  Nov,  4,  ISOl).  It  was  rich  orango  iii  color  liko 
thiit  of  LoLch  River.  Id.,  March  i»,  1870. 

♦"  Vir/oria  H'tcki/  Coloiiinf,  March  2,  1870;  Dawson  on  ^^n<•s,  H-lf). 

■"Oil  (rcrinaiiseii  Creek  in  1875  there  wore  13  claims;  on  Slato  Creek,  4; 
oil  Alansoii  River,  Lost  Creek,  etc.,  9;  total,  'JO  cliiinis,  employing  41(  white 
anil  10  Chinese  miners.  All  were  bar  and  creek  <liggings.  Mia,  Miiua  liiyt., 
187"),  14,  15;  SproiU's  B.  C,  70;  (,'iwle  Ji.  C,  1877-8,  94-5. 

*■'  Voireir.'i  n.  C.  Minos,  MS.,  13,  14. 

*'Ever  since  the  (^neen  Charlotte  Lsl.and  goM  excitement  in  1851-2,  sli,i,'lit 
gold-tinds  had  heen  reported  from  there  at  intervals,  which  tended  to  ktrn 
tliis  region  before  the  public,  without  causing  an  actual  muvenieut  of  guKl- 


CAS81AR  AND  STIKKKN. 


559 


iuviatile 
Line  sizi\ 
in  8*17.0, 
■J^  The 
rly  \mn', 
A'orn  and 
dnuxtuie 
nitago  of 

\o  placers 
10  minors 
iind  gold. 

^voro  too 
lis  to  all; 
vsuo  dt'oj) 
lannols  ot 
lorc.     All 
^vllioll  sot 
r2  tlio  ro- 
,  ot)nipara- 
scason  ^vas 
a  day  to 
•r  year  Ity 

s  loft,  \vlio 
|g  the  yield 

inines  lott 
and  after 

to  eke  i>ut 

Id."'  ^^»"'' 
IS  north 0111 
liing  field," 

L  in  color  liU^' 

L  u-ir>. 

Islato  (.'rofU,  »; 
Lying  4'.t  wluU' 


L  1851 -'2,  sl'.J't 

Itciule.l  to  U.'f}' 

^roiueut  o£  goU'- 


which  promised  t(^  more. than  compensate  for  her  de- 
cline, and  tliis  was  the  Cassiar  district,  also  known  as 
Stikeen  Kiver  district,  since  the  first  gold  excitement 
li;i(l  centred  on  tiiis  stream. 

In  the  autumn  of  18G1  a  French  Canadian  l)y  the 
name  of  Cluupiette  ascended  the  river  with  some 
Indians  for  one  Imndred  and  fifty  miles,  and  found 
!^()od  prospects  which  continued  to  improve  during  the 
additional  forty  miles  of  his  ascent.  Every  har  showed 
more  or  less  of  the  gold  which  resembled  that  of 
Fraser  River  in  behig  fine  and  difiicult  to  wash  on 
tlio  lower  bars,  while  it  increased  in  coarseness  toward 
tlie  head-waters.  The  valley  st)il  was  also  everywhere 
impregnated  with  specks  to  an  altitude  of  2,000  feet. 
The  I'oports  hereof  created  no  little  excitement,  and 
despite  the  attractions  of  Cariboo,  over  800  men  sot 
out  for  the  district  in  the  spring.  Only  a  little  over 
lialf  the  number  had  the  courage,  however,  to  face 
the  hardships  of  the  ascent  to  the  gcdd-fiold,  and  their 
(xpoctations  hardly  met  wnth  the  results  that  they 
dosi'rved.  Of  the  bars  below  the  canon  only  C  ar- 
l>oiitor  13ar  proved  good,  the  average  yield  being  from 
ton  to  twenty  dollars  a  day,  though  a  few  miners 
iiiado  as  much  as  three  ounces ;  but  in  the  cafuMi  nearly 
100  miles  in  extent  and  on  the  north  branch,  the 
jiatoliy  coarser  gold  again  prospected  ton  to  fifteen 
dollars  a  day  in  a  number  of  places,  while  the  head- 
waters looked  most  ]iroinising;  still  the  averagi^  pay 
was  not  large,  and  the  mining  population  remained 
small,  partly  for  want  of  ready  communication  and 
su[»jdies.  The  river  despite  its  sloughs  and  currents 
provod  navigable  during  several  months  of  the  year 
fnr  liglit-draught  steamers  as  far  as  Shakesvilli;,  170 
miles  from  its  mouth,  and  to  this  point  the  FIi/i'ikj 

Ml  k(  is;  but  in  1859  a  nugget,  partially  composed  of  quart/  aiul  weiuliiiif,'  14^ 
iiiiiiccs,  valued  at  ^50,  waa  ohtaiuud  from  the  iHlander-s  ami  exiiibited  at 
Victoria.  An  eflbrt  was  then  iiiado  to  form  a  prosjwetiiig  exiieditioii  to  tlio 
isl.iiid;  to  which  the  Hudson's  Bay  C'oinnany  lent  their  aitl;  hut  a  Miillicinit 
imiiilmr  of  uieii  failed  to  subscriho  towards  it,  and  it  was  ahaudouod.  i'ktoria 
<■'  rj'tk',  March  2*2,  May  3  and  7,  1859;  B.  V.  I'njyer/i,  ii.  70. 


060 


GOLD  DISCOVERIES  IN  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


I    !'^ 


I  ■' 


Dutchman,  Captain  Mooro,  iiiade  several  trips;  but 
the  canon  which  bci^an  twenty  miles  beyond  this  i)laoe 
could  not  be  entereil  by  canoes  even  during  low  water, 
except  at  frroat  risk.  This  part  of  tl\e  country  was 
besides  arid,  owing  to 'the  summer  droughts,  and  lilli-d 
with  waslied  gravi'l  hills  and  masses  of  lava  and  ba- 
saltic rocks,  producing  m)thing  but  straggling  bushes. 
Lower  down,  however,  timber  existctl  suitable  for 
boat-building.'"  Tlie  eiforts  to  establisli  a  gold-field 
did  not,  tlierefore,  achieve  success,  and  mining  was  i'ov 
years  followed  only  by  odd  prosj)ecting  parties. 

In  1872,  however,  the  intre[)id  Thibert  wlio  luui  \vl\ 
Minnesota  in  180D  with  one  companion  on  a  l)unting 
expedition  in  this  direction,  found  gold  in  the  Kocky 
]\Iountains  on  one  of  the  j\[ackenzie  tributaries,  near 
Dease  Lake.  After  wintering  on  Stikeen  Hivi'r  tlu  y 
returned  in  c()m])any  with  one  INIcC^dloch^'  to  J)ease 
Lake  to  j)ros}tect  its  creek  waters,  anil  found  a  deposit 
vieldino;  as  much  as  two  ounces  of  rouu'h  m)ld  a  dav. 
The  gold  lay  on  a  slate  orbed-rock  or  black  rock  within 
one  or  three  fV'et  of  the  surface.  On  one  creek,  named 
after  Thibert,  the  party  took  up  thive  claims,  and  ia 
the  course  of  the  season  they  wevv  joined  by  some 
thirty  men  who  all  wintered  on  the  ground.  (Jood 
pros[)ects  we'o  also  obtained  on  JJease  Creek,  which 
enters  the  lake  near  Thibert's  outlet,  and  up  Laird 
liiver  on  ^EcDame  and  Sayyea^**  tributaries. 

Iveports  of  these  finds  were  eagerly  listened  to  hy 
the  desponding  miners  in  southern  districts,  and  dur- 
ing the  following  seasons  a  large  influx  took  place, 
so  that  in  1875  about  one  thousand  men  were  oecujiicd 
in  the  district  chiefly  on  creeks  named.'*'      On  ]  )eas(' 

**  rorfl,ui</  Ihilhlhi,  Feb.  i;$,  Jiin.  15,  May  7,  July '21,  1874;  Wall,  Wrik 
Iiitii.,  Fol).  '_'(),  1S7-4;  Ji.  V.  Diirctori),  1SG3,  LNW-S;  I'ictoria  Vdoiii.H,  •\m\. 
5,  IS;!'.'. 

^■'  Tlie  C'ilssiiir  gold  iiiinos  were  discovered  by  another  niau  named  Mot'idL  m1i, 
who  sul>.se(juuutly  lost  his  lit'o  in  the  pursuit,  uu  I  uUier.s  who  crossed  over  limu 
the  other  side  of  tlie  Rocky  Mouutaias.    VoiirWs  Ji.  ('.  Miiirs,  MS.,  It. 

■"'Named  after  its  discoverer.  Mhi.  J///kw  />')}>/.,  1S75,  7-9;  li.  C.  Onhi'; 
1877-8,  OO-l;  Oli/myin  Echo,  Sept.  8,  1874;   Tarhdl'.H  IV.,  MS.,  8,  !». 

" 'Tlie  population  estiiTiated  here  I  eoneludo  to  he  alxnit  801)  whiles,  Ml 
Chiiuimen,  and  'JOO   lndiuu.i  exclusive  of   the   t'assiar  natives,  /.  c,  in  tlio 


SAYYKA  CREEK. 


501 


trips;  but 
[  this  place 
low  water, 
Duntry  ^v^s 
s,  and  iilled 
tva  and  ba- 
Ino-  buslus. 
iui'ta\)lc    I'or 
a  o-old-iii'lil 
lino-  was  I'll' 
rties. 

.vlu)  had  left 
)U  a  liuntin;.;' 
11  the  lloel<y 
utaries,  near 
1  lliver  they 
\i*''  io  ])easc 
And  a  deposit 
1  gold  a  day. 
k  roclv  Nvithiu 
creek,  named 
kainis,  and  in 
ned  hy  SA)inr 
Lund.     (-MhhI 
ICrcek,  which 
nd  up  Laird 
;ies. 

Istenod  to  hy 
icts,  and  dm- 
V  took  place, 
jverc  oeeujiied 
On  Dease 

|l874;   W'ltl"  "';'"" 
\orki   ColoiiiM,  .1  !"• 

InaincaMcCull."!", 
lo  crossed  ovoi- 1 r.'iii 
ir-S  MS.,  It.  . 
1  7-9;  n.  V-  <■"""' 
IMS.,  8,  9.  .  ^,. 
Vut  8(K)  wluU's  ^1' 
Lives,  (.  <■.,  1'^  ^''^ 


and  Tliibert  creeks  nearly  all  the  miners  were  doing 
well,  taking  out  from  one  to  three  ounces  to  tlie  man, 
wliile  some  claims  were  yielding  even  better.  MoDame 
Creek  was  occupietl  by  about  three  liundred  miners, 
I)ut  tlie  ground  was  more  patchy,  and  the  dams  had 
heen  more  exposed  to  slides  and  freshets;  those,  how- 
ever, who  liad  maintained  their  dams  were  turning 
ouj(  as  mucli  as  two  hundred  ounces  a  week,  and 
proving  the  richness  of  tlie  creek. 

( )n  Sayyea  Creek  the  return  averaged  ten  dollars 
a  day  in  coarse  gold,  with  nuggets  welgliing  m^arly 
thirty  dollars,  and  tlie  most  glowing  anticipations 
were  formed.  The  value  of  the  ground  was  perhaps 
hest  demonstrated  by  the  returns,  which  for  187o 
amounted  to  nearly  $1,000,000,  and  for  1874  to  Imt 
little  less.'*"^  This  result  did  not  fail  to  liave  its  effect, 
tor  the  next  season  witnessed  an  influx  still  larger 
than  before,  amounting  to  fully  1,700  men,  a  great 
part  of  whom  came  with  no  definite  purpose  and 
remained  idlers,  while  the  nvst  assisted  in  extending 
the  district  by  means  of  nc'W  developments.  By  this 
time  it  had  been  learned  from  the  damaiio  effected  bv 
tlie  early  sunmier  floods  that  the  early  spring  with  its 
low  water  preceding  the  freshets  was  the  best  time  for 
working  the  diggings,  despite  the  trouble  in  cutting 

niiiiiiij,'  portion  of  the  <listriot.  ProlKil.ly  2()0  wliitcs  may  bo  aililod  to  tlu' 
iilidvo  estimate  and  form  tlio  total  population  of  t'assiar.'  JIlii,  Jliiwjt  Ji<]>t., 
IST."),  5. 

■"■  'It  is  now  wull  I'staldislu'd  that  IK^asc,  TliiluTt's,  and  MeDanio's  ereoks 
liavo  yielded  in  two  seasons  nearly  S'J,0OU,(M)0,  and  tiio  two  latter  streams 
"ill,  undoul>tetlly,  produce  far  more  in  the  future  tlian  tliey  have  yet  done. 
Tlircu  otiier  streams  have  been  prospected,  tributaries  of  iJeaso  lliver  and  l>c 
l.i'iid,  and  gold  in  paying;  (juantities  has  been  found  upon  each.'  Andrews' 
claim  on  Dease  Creek  yielded  500  ounces  in  one  Meek,  and  on  McDamc  Creek 
tlic  Discovery  Comjiany  washed  out  170  ounct^s  in  one  week  and  200  ounces 
tlic  next.  On  (Juartz  Creek,  a  trii)utary  of  Mcl)ame,'iMr  McLoughlau  and 
liarty  of  two  others,  for  one  day'a  wasliing  took  out  S.")0.  Some  have  great 
f.iith  in  these  creeks,  while  others  doid)t  tlu'ir  richness.  There  arc  sixteen 
men  at  present  prospecting  those  creeks,  Tlio  gold  obtained  is  of  a  rough, 
net  Water-worn  api)earanee,  and  quartz  veins  may  bo  traced  in  various  places 
in  th.it  vicinity.'  On  Sayyea  Creek,  Sayyea's  party  of  four  took  out '  for  1 15!, 
(lays'  work,  77  3-10  ounces,  making  an  average  to  each  nuin  per  day  of  .*;10.80, 
nearly.  The  gold  abstracted  therefrom  is  coanso  autl  seems  to  bo  of  excellent 
(|uality;  some  pieces  weigh,  respectively,  .¥28,  !?l  8,  ^17,  and  a  number  of  pieces 
•average  about  $10.'  Min.  Mincn  li'rj'f.,  1875,  4,  7. 
IIisT.  BniT.  Coi,.    83 


562 


GOLD  DISCOVERIES  IN  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


y 


Si  I 

I  ■ 


!■' 


ice  and  rcmovinj:^  siiow/"  During  the  winter  tunnel- 
ling was  the  rule  and  the  dirt  was  collected  for  sum- 
mer washinij.  Owing  to  the  extreme  cold  it  was  often 
necessary  to  thaw  the  drift.'"  By  this  season  unfortu- 
nately much  of  the  old  ground  on  Thibert,  IMcDame, 
and  other  creeks  had  been  skimmed  of  its  riches,  and 
the  now  discoveries  failed  to  prove  of  any  extcMit,  so 
that  the  yield  for  187G  fell  to  a  little  over  -3500,000.'^^ 
Among  the  new  discoveries  were  Snow  Creek,  a 
tributary  of  the  McDame,  which  yielded  as  nuu^h  as 
$50  a  day  to  the  man,  but  for  a  time  only;  the  Tako 
country,  100  miles  north-west  of  Dease  Creek,  and 
the  head- waters  of  the  Stikeen,  which  promised  to 
afford  an  opening  for  the  many  disappointed  men. 
The  diggings  on  Sayyea  Creek  on  the  other  hand, 
which  held  out  so  many  hopes,  dwindled  into  very  poor 
ground,  and  the  Liard  itself  had  raised  great  expec- 
tations in  1875,  by  turning  out  a  nugget  of  seventeen 
dollars,  but  the  prospectors  who  were  led  by  this  iind 
came    back   disheartened   in    the  following   season.  ' 

*'  '  Tho  damage  on  Deasc  Creek  so  far  has  1)ccn  immense;  tlio  melted  snow- 
coming  down  that  course  in  torrents,  tore  away  all  tho  wing-dams,  tho  tim- 
bers of  which  lie  iloating  on  Dease  Lake;  a  much  to  bo  regretted  loss  of  iiurdy 
miners'  enterprise  and  industry.  The  damage,  I  am  of  opinion,  Jj-lOjOOO 
would  not  repair. '  Min.  Minen  llept.,  187">,  4. 

'" '  So  extreme  is  the  cold  that  it  is  found  necessary  at  times  to  roll  lai'^'o 
heated  bowlders  into  tho  tunnel's  mouth  in  order  to  thaw  out  the  frozen  grounti. 
In  one  tunnel  of  120  feet  at  40  feet  down,  the  ground  was  found  to  be  frozen.' 
VoiccWa  Jirit.  Col.  Mines,  MS.,  17. 

6'  Deaso  Creek,  $1GO,.100;  Thibert  Creek,  $1.19,720;  McD.ame  Creek,  61  li'-- 
700;  total,  §403,720;  to  which  may  be  added  20  per  cent  for  other  groiiiul, 
making  a  total  of  §550,474  for  Cassiar  district.  This  amount  must  bo  dis- 
tributed among  perhaps  1,800  men.  'Some  ;{.")0  on  Dease  Creek  Chinamen 
included,  about  400  on  Thibert  Creek  and  its  tributiiries,  between  700  and  SOO 
in  the  vichiity  of  McDame  Creek,  and  several  parties  prospecting  in  other 
portions  of  the  district. '  '  Tho  unexpected,  and  from  the  results  of  tho  past  two 
seasons,  tho  unjustifiable  rush  to  Cassair  this  spring  in  a  measure  accounts  for 
the  general  depression  which  aflccts  alike  tho  miner,  tho  merchant,  and  the 
packer.  Such  an  influx  instead  of  helping  tho  district  has  had  the  contrary 
cflect.'  Min.  Mines  Kepi.,  1870,  411-12,  410-17. 

^■-  'On  Quartz  Creek  a  great  deal  of  prospecting  is  being  done,  but  as  yot 
no  definite  idea  can  bo  formed  as  to  its  richness  or  otherwise.  A  discovery 
has  been  made  in  a  place  called  Pleasant  Valley,  about  two  and  one  half  niihs 
from  Snow  Creek,  and  very  nice  gold  taken  out.  It  prospected  §22.50  to  1  ID 
buckets.  On  McDame  Creek  very  few  creek  claims  have  been  prospected, 
owing  to  the  amount  of  water  constantly  in  that  stream.'  Min.  Mines  llrpt., 
1 870, 412.  A  number  of  miners  returning  with  considerable  gold  from  Cassini-, 
including  Gold  Commissioner  Sullivan,  sank  witli  tho  steamer /*ocj/i'c  in  1S70. 
VoweWs  B.  C.  Mines,  MS.,  15. 


11. 

iter  tunncl- 
Dtl  for  sum- 
it  was  often 
on  unfortu- 
,,  !McDamc, 

riches,  and 
y  extent,  so 

.$500,000."^^ 
i\v  Creek,  a 

as  niu(^li  as 
r;  the  Tako 

Creek,  and 
promised  to 
Dinted  men. 
other  hand, 
to  very  poor 
^rcat  expec- 
of  seventeen 

by  this  find 
ncr   season.'- 

;  tlio  melted  snow 
ig-ilams,  the  tiin- 
ttcd  loss  of  liiirdy 
opinion,  $oO,m) 

imca  to  roll  liiriri' 
;lic  frozen  pronnd. 
und  to  be  frozen.' 

!une  Creek,  !?H!i>.- 
for  other  grounil, 
unt  must  bo  dis- 
Creek  Chinamen 
ween  700  and  NOD 
pccting  in  cthti- 
Itsof  thcpa-sttwo 
isuro  accounts  fill' 
lorchant,  and  the 
had  the  contrary 

done,  but  as  yot 
ISC.  A  discovery 
md  one  half  mih  s 
cted  $22.50  to  MD 
been  prospected, 
][in.  Mines  I'rpl., 
old  from  Cassia r, 
cr  Pacijic  in  ISTO. 


A  HUNDRED  GOLDEN  STREx\MS. 

The  natural  result  was  that  the  population  for 
1877  did  not  exceed  1,200,  about  one  tliird  of  whom 
were  Chinese;  but  the  prospecting  was  carried  on 
ivcn  more  vigorously  than  before,  with  good  results, 
and  the  excellent  showing  of  the  benches  on  Thibcrt 
as  well  as  McDame  creek  gave  {)romise  of  a  bright 
I'uture,  and  tliis  was  the  more  a  matter  of  congratu- 
lation, since  the  creek  claims  had  not  only  been  pretty 
well  explored,  but  were  accessible  for  only  a  very 
short  season. 

The  north  forks  of  the  McDame  also  assisted  to 
restore  to  this  creek  its  prestige,  as  did  the  discovery 
on  the  Walker  tributary,  entering  near  its  mouth,  of 
twenty -dollar  prospects  in  granulated  gold.  Gold 
(jutirtz  had  been  found  on  this  main  creek,  largely 
mixed  with  copper  and  lead;  and  on  the  Liard  a  lode 
of  argentiferous  galena  had  been  explored  to  some 
extent;  but  the  failure  of  the  (juartz  operations  at 
Glenora  on  Stickeen  head-waters  showed  that  the 
miners  were  not  as  yet  prepared  for  this  branch  of 
mining. 

The  yield  for  the  season  was  placed  at  $500,000, 
and  this,  in  view  of  the  smaller  number  of  miners  and 
the  severe  Ireshets,  which  rendered  the  creeks  un- 
workable till  the  middle  of  August,  may  be  regarded 
as  more  favorable  than  the  result  for  187G.''"  The 
supplies  for  the  district  were  in  part  brought  by  way 
of  Fort  Eraser,  but  chiefly  up  the  Stickeen  and  by 
pack  trains.  The  centre  of  trade  was  at  Laketown, 
on  Dease  Creek,  where  several  substantial  business 
houses  had  risen,  and  whence  quite  a  fleet  of  boats 

"  '  Dease  Creek,  $81,300;  Thibert  Creek,  .*!173,700;  McDaino  Creek,  S144,- 
HOO;  amount  taken  out  of  which  no  deliuito  returaa  could  bo  procured,  say 
.'?45,000,  which,  with  the  sum  of  $o5,000  allowed  for  the  probable  yield  from 
the  di^to  upon  which  the  statistics  wcro  completed  rmtil  the  31st  of  Deccnd)er 
next,  will  bring  the  gross  amount  to  §-iyi),S30.  Deaso  Creek  suffered  most 
from  the  incessant  rains,  and  the  returns  from  that  creek  arc  in  conseijucnee 
fiir  below  what  they  otherwise  would  have  been.  Tho  majority  of  claims  in 
that  creek  have  been  transferred  to  tho  Chinese.'  Min.  Minis  Itepl,.,  1877, 
400-1.  Cassiar  as  a  consequence  assumed  greater  strength,  and  the  following 
season  the  population  again  approached  tho  figure  of  1870.  VoweU'a  li.  <J. 
Mines,  10;  Ji.  V.  OnlUe,  1877-8,  88-90. 


tu 


(lOLD  DISCOVERIES  IN  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


tl(>partocl  every  week  over  Dease  Lake  in  tlie  (lircction 
of  the  various  creeks  and  rivers  conneetini;  with  its 
waters/*  In  1877  the  jjfold  eonnnissit)uer  was  abk' 
to  report  tlic  opening  of  land  I'or  tlio  cultivation  of 
cereals  and  vegetables,  with  results  that  promised  to 
render  the  district  independent  in  some  degree  of  out- 
side markets.'^"' 

■'* '  Prices  in  IST'T  at  Liikctowu  were:  flour  ]>rr  Hi.,  '2'>  ocnts;  bacon  per  ll»., 
f)()  cents;  sugar  per  11).,  4.">  cfiits.  In  1S77,  Hour  jicr  l!i.,  1!0  conts;  hattoii 
ju'i*  11>.,  45  cuut.><;  Hugiir  inr  Hi.,  4.')  cuut.s.'  Miii.  MiiiM  Jti}>l.,  187."),  5;  1S77, 
402. 

'■'Tlio  lakes  anil  strcaina  were  bcsiilcH  rich  in  fish,  ami  gaino  abounded. 
Voirdl's  B.  C.  Mill's,  MS.,  21;  Miii.  Miiicn  Ufjit.,  1877,  4(V.'. 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

COAL. 

CoAL-iiKARiMi  Formations  K.\sr  anh  Wksi— Cai.ikoknia,  Ouk.oon,  a".i> 
\VAsiiiX(iTo\  Fir.i.ns  CiiMrAnr.u — ISitrrisii  Commiiia  Coai.-iikakim; 
FoKMATioNs — Bni'MiNois,    LuiNii'K,    AM>   Antii KAi'iir. — Ukown's  1,o- 

CAMTIKS— K.niAKIiSON's    TltOI  (ill  — 1?F.AVKU     1 1  AKllol!  — (^tlATSISO    11  A  K- 

I'.ou— Nanaimo — Till'.  Nanaimo  Coai.  ("oMrAW — TiiK  VAsrorvKi;  Com- 

I'ANy — TlIK     WKM.INtil'ON     CoMTAN  V— riUKIKKSS     OF     DkVKLOI'MKM'     Al' 

Nanaimo— Dinsmiik's  Aovkntikks — 'I'iik  Nanaimo  Stonk  yiAuiiv  — 
TiiK   Hakf.wooi*   Mink — \\'ouKiN<is  or   tiik  VANcofviiK  t.'oi,i,ii;uv — 

QUF.KN  (.'llAUI.OTTK  IsLANIW  ANTIIKAri  IF.— A  r  IKMI'TF.O  Dl'.VFLOFMKNr  OF 
TIIK   MlNK.S — r>IiO\VN    ANI»  UiCHARIWON's    Vi.SIIS — (  "l,.\rilFI'    AN1>  IsiIKi;- 

wook's  Anai.vsf.s — C'oMox  anu  Bayne   Soiini> — Dkvfi.oi'mknt.s — l>is- 

COVKKIKS  ox   TIIK  MaINLANH — MINISTERS*  IIEI'OKT.S — SlATLTORy  ReuU- 

i.ation.s — Sum  MAI  v. 


In  connection  with  tlie  establishing  of  forts  Rupiit 
and  Nanaimo^  I  liave  given  a  full  account  of  the 
larliest  coal  discoveries  in  British  Columbia.  I  wil] 
iK>\v  briefly  glance  at  later  developments,  bogging 
the  reader  meanwhile  to  remember  tliat  it  is  tlic 
history  of  coal  and  the  development  of  the  coal  inter- 
ests of  the  country  rather  tlian  technical  descriptions 
(»r  analyses  tliat  I  am  attempting  to  write. 

The  coals  and  lignites  of  western  North  America 
are  found,  as  a  rule,  in  formations  diiferent  from  those 
ill  which  tl ley  occur  at  tlic  cast;  tlie  secondary  and 
tertiary  rocks,  at  various  liori/.ons,  in  tlie  west,  taking 
the  place,  as  coal-producing  formation,  of  the  carboii- 
it'erous  strata  of  tlie  east. 

B(  tween  California  and  Alaska  are  three  distinct 
coal  sections  behmging  to  three  distinct  geologic  for- 
mations respectively;  the  tertiary,  tatending  thrt)ugh 


'Seo  ''hapter  xi.,  this  volume 


(  m:,  ) 


!i: 


666 


COAL. 


Oregon  and  Washington;  the  cretaceous,  covering, 
for  the  most  part,  Vancouver  Island ;  and  the  cretaceo- 
jurassic  existing  chiefly  in  Queen  Charlotte  Isilands, 
California  has  little  to  boast  of  in  the  way  of  coal 
deposits  of  economic  importance.  True,  in  the  Coast 
Range,  and  in  many  places  along  the  Sierra  Foot- 
hills, from  one  end  of  the  state  to  the  other,  coal  is 
found  scattered ;  but  usually  in  such  small  quantities 
and  of  such  poor  quality  or  so  unfavorably  situated  as 
to  be  of  little  value.^  Actual  developments  in  Oregon 
are  not  so  far  in  advance  of  those  in  California,  as  are 
the  possibilities  of  Oregon  superior  to  those  of  Cali- 
fornia.^ Expectation,  however,  seems  thus  far  pri- 
marily to  have  been  directed  to  Washington  and 
British  Columbia,  and  that  with  fair  success.*  The 
rule  seems  to  be  that  as  we  follow  the  coast  nortli- 
ward  tlie  quality  improves.'^ 

In  Britisli  Columbia  only  we  find  thus  far  bcarinu' 
coal  the  throe  formations;  on  A'ancouvcr  Island  and 
the  coast  adjacent,  two  tertiary  rocks  with  bitu- 
minous coal  and  lignite,  and  cretaceous  rocks  witl: 

^Ja'oii  of  till)  Monte  Diablo  ficM,  the  only  ono  wuitli  has  thus  far  assunu.l 
any  c-dn.siilerahlo  doyroe  of  (inanciiil  importance  in  th<!  f^tatu,  W.  A.  (ioodyLNU-, 
after  (lovotinj^  sjonio  sixty  pagos  of  his  Coal  Jliiii-i  of  Ihc  ]\'(k/i'i'»  Con.'it  to  it- 
(luscriptiiin,  liiially  conuhuloa  'that  the  days  of  tlie  old  ^\t  Dialilo  nuncs  arc 
luunhcrcil.'  LikewioO  as  to  Orcuon,  which  in  respect  of  niinural  fuels  In- 
regards  as  next  least  iu  importance  to  California,  ho  devotes  consideiaMi 
.•^^)ace,  althoiigli  the  only  mines  worked  witli  profit,  ho  says,  aro  at  Coo.s  Ha\, 
and  t!ic.-c  aro  not  of  extraordinary  value.  This  was  a  safe  assertion,  thf 
Coos  Hay  mines  lieing  the  only  ones  in  Oregon  upon  whieli  work  to  any  ciiii- 
sideralile  extent  had  lieen  done  at  the  time  of  his  writing. 

^No  (hmlit  tlie  opening  of  mines  on  tiie  lower  Columhia  lias  been  retarileil 
by  I'ortland  eapitalists,  jealous  of  the  building  of  a  new  metropolis  in  tliai 
(juartir.  I\Iauy  liave  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  coal  resources  of  Orej;<iii 
aro  iipial  to  those  of  Washington. 

■■  'It  is  umpiestionably  to  the  mines  of  Washington  Tomtory,  and  of  Brit- 
ish Columbia,  tliat  this  i'acilio  Coast  must  look  hereafter,  both  for  its  chii  I 
domestic  ami  its  nearest  and  most  relialdc  foreign  snpiilies  of  that  indi.spens.i- 
ble  necessity  of  all  civilized  communities — a  good  article  of  coal.'  Voinlyvai'- 
Coal  Mliifx  of  the  WvMtrn  Coit.ft,  p.  1,")!}. 

''In  tlie  endeavor  to  establish  the  comparative  value  of  fuels  for  steaiii- 
raising  purposes,  the  United  States  war  tlepartment  give  the  following  est i 
mate:  One  cord  of  good  oak  Wood  was  found  ccinal  to  1,8(X)  Itis.  Nanaime, 
'J.'JOO  U)S.  IJoUingham  Bay,  2,4!H)  ll.s.  Seattle,  'J.'tOO  II'S.  Rocky  Mountain,  'J.li'Kl 
Itis.  Coos  Bay,  or2,()()0  IKs.  Monto  Diablo  coal.  The  average  composition  ei 
\'ancouver  Island  coals  as  deilueed  from  liis  analysis  is  given  liy  Harringtuii 
as  follows:  Water,  1.47;  voli;'.;!  combustible  matter,  hIow  coking,  'J8. 1!),  fast 
eokiug,  32.(1'.>;  llxed  carlm  :,  ;  1  w  ci<';'!i;j,  Cl.O.'i,  fait  cokiii;;,  C'J.iV);  usli  t).'.".l. 


iiKli 


KIND  AND  QUALITY. 


5t)7 


coiupitsitio"  "' 


bituminous  coal,  and  on  Queen  Charlotte  Islands 
lower  cretaceous,  or  cretaceo-jurassic  rocks  holding 
anthracite.*^ 

Robert  Brown  locates  the  secondary  coals  of  Van- 
couver Island  in  the  following  order,  proceeding  north- 
ward: In  the  Chemanis  district  near  the  river  of 
that  name ;  ^  at  the  De  Courcy  Islands,  on  one  of  which 
a  seam  two  feet  in  thickness  was  found;  at  Nanaimo, 
where  cretaceous  coals  attain  the  fullest  develop- 
ment; at  Baynes  Sound  and  vicinity;  at  Sukwash, 
near  Fort  Rupert,  and  across  the  Island,  following  a 
coal  basin,  to  Quatsino  Sound.^ 

James  Richardson,  on  behalf  of  the  geological  sur- 

*The  most  scrutinizing  and  able  exposition  of  British  Columbia  coals,  in 
my  opinion,  is  given  by  (ieorge  M.  Dawson  in  the  t'ttiinillaii  I'acijic  llailinvj 
llcporl,  reprinted  in  pamphlet  form.  Of  western  authracitic  coals  lie  says : 
'  X'aluable  coal  deposits  may,  however,  yet  be  found  in  the  carboniferous  for- 
mation proper  of  the  far  west;  and  where,  fis  on  some  parts  of  the  west  co>st, 
the  calcareous  rocks  of  this  age  are  largel}'  replaced  by  argillaceous  ami  are- 
nacecms  beds,  the  ])roliability  of  the  discovery  of  coal  is  greatest.  I  believe, 
indeed,  that  in  a  few  localities  in  Nevada,  coal  shales,  used  to  some  extent  as 
fiul  in  the  absence  of  better,  are  found  in  rocks  supposed  to  be  of  this  agr. 
The  <liscovery  of  certain  fossils  iu  187(5  in  tlie  limestmcs  of  the  lower  Caciie 
<  reek  group  now  allow  these,  and  probably  also  the  associated  (piartzites  and 
iithrr  rocks  to  be  correlated  witli  this  period;  and  it  is  worthy  of  mention 
tiKit  black  shales,  witli  a  considerable  pireentage  of  autlu'acitic  carbon,  occur 
ill  cnnuection  with  these  in  several  plaee.i,  and  may  yet  l)e  fo\ind  iu  some  parts 
<il  tlieir  extension,  to  become  of  eeonomie  value.  Mr  liicliardson  has  also 
toiiiul  snudl  fragments  of  tnu!  anthracite  in  rocks  which  are  very  probably  of 
this  age,  on  the  shores  of  C'owitchiu  IJay;  and  inland,  seams  of  anthracite,  with 
ri!,Mrd  to  wliich  nothing  certain  is  yet  known,  are  rc])orted  to  exist.'  And 
ai^aiu:  '  Hocks  of  the  same  age  with  the  c(ial-be:u'ing  st'ries  of  the  (i>neen  C'::ar- 
lotto  Islands  are  pndjalily  present  al>o  on  the  Mainland,  Mhere  fossils  indicat- 
ing a  horizon  botii  somcwliat  ili^hcr  an<l  a  little  lower  iu  tlie  geological  scale 
have  already  been  found,  and  appariiitly  occur  in  dili'erent  pai'ts  of  a  great 
iiinformabli!  rock  .series,  thougii  this  cannot  yet  be  eoulideiitly  stated. 
Tiiese  rocks  are  extensivi'ly  devehiped  on  tiio  easti'rn  llauk  of  the  Coast  llange, 
near  the  head-waters  of  Ixith  l)ranches  of  the  Jlouiatlico,  and  pvobably  occur 
ni  considerable  force,  with  a  similar  relation  to  tlii:.  axis  of  disturbance 
tiiroughout  its  lengtli,  as  tlie  t  ■  ilorations  of  last  summer  iiave  led  to  the  di:i- 
nivcry  of  rocks  near  the  same  li^  izon,  on  the  lltasyoiico  and  Salmon  rivers, 
IU  latitudo  T)'-'"  oO'.'  l>'ur.<;,i  o/.  Mhir^,   17-111;  A'r;..  C^in.  I'uc.  U.  J,'.,  1.S77, 

•Ji.'7_-:u. 

'  'Coal  has  been  bore  I  for  livrc;  but  I  am  not  aware  that,  so  far  as  the 
sinkings  have  progressed,  the  seams  liave  liCeu  jiasscd  tiirough.'  Ilnurn's  Cunl 
l-'idi/x,  10.  This  was  prior  to  iMi'.t.  Tlie  same  paper  is  given  in  the  Tninyiti'- 
li'iii.t  of  th<'  L'tlniliiiiyh  (Itnl.  ,Sor.,  \ShS-\). 

"See  Brown's  map  in  I'lli  ruinnnH  Oioij.  MitthciluiKjcn,  ISd'.t,  and  Aiiini- 
ri'lttj  ('hdit,  No.  17  ly.  '  Jt  is  no  exaggeration,  imleed,  to  say  tliat  coal  exists  all 
along  the  shores  of  lioth  colonies;  and  when  any  of  th.e  inlets  beconu!  of  sulU- 
'ient  importaiico  to  make  the  work  remunerative,  tlure  is  no  doubt  it  will  be 
four  '  '.•   working  position  and  sullicient  (piautities.'  Malm's  B.  C,  3b0. 


'W 


i    VI 


COAL. 

vey  of  Canada,  examined  the  southern  part  of  the 
eastern  shore  of  Vancouver  Island  in  1871.  Between 
Cape  Mudge  and  within  fifteen  miles  of  Victoria 
there  appeared  to  extend  a  narrow  trough  in  which 
coal  seams  were  apparent  in  twelve  or  fifteen  dif- 
ferent places,  in  five  of  which  were  held  divers  claims 
by  their  respective  companies. 

At  Coniox  Harbor  several  claims,  prominent  among 
which  was  that  beloiitjinu:  to  the  Union  Coal  Mininij 
Company,  were  taken  up  about  1870."  Xf)rth-wcst 
from  the  Union  and  not  far  distant,  several  seams 
were  discovered  and  reported  by  P.  J.  Leech  in  1804. 
Sixteen  miles  from  Comox  Harbor,  in  the  same  direc- 
tion and  near  the  coast,  was  a  seam  four  feet  in  width. 
Near  Comox  was  the  Beaufort  mine,  where  was  good 
hard  coal,  the  seam  being  three  feet  and  more  in 
width.  It  was  situated  on  the  left  bank  of  ]:JradIry 
Creek,  down  which,  half  a  mile,  a  seam  appeared,  and 
half  a  mile  further  another  seam.  These  were  dis- 
covered by  Henry  Bradley,  one  of  Richardson's  men, 
and  upon  examination  proved  to  be  from  one  to  two 
feet  wide.  Westward  from  the  point  last  named,  one 
and  a  half  miles  on  Trent  Kiver,  was  a  seam  nine  feet 
in  thickness.  Xot  far  distant  were  the  Perseverance 
and  the  Baynes  Sound  claims.^"  To  the  Comox  Basin 
]ie  gave  a  length  of  sixty-four  miles,  or  if  limited  to 
Kc>okooshun  Point  and  the  Qualicuui  Kiver,  forty 
miles. 


I  have  elsewhere  in  this  volume  noticed  the  first 
intelligence  conveyed  by  the  natives  to  the  officers  of 

'  Here  is  '  tin  iilinost;  pcriicndiculiir  cliff,  which  rises  on  the  north  side  of  a 
sniall  brook,  trilmtiiry  to  tlie  runthicii  Uivcr,' where  occur  cual  seams  in 
iU'.jcen(Ung  sections.  '  None  of  tlic  seams  iit  tiii.s  h)cality  have  yet  l>oeii  tuiciii'il 
for  protluetive  working;.'  I'irlninlsoii,  in  I'ij)t.  (liol.  Sur.  ('(Uimlii,  1871-2,  7(1  7. 

'"'On  the  coast  no  rocks  are  seen  fnmi  the  path  leading  to  the  Hayius 
Sound  claim  all  the  way  to  Qualicuni  Kiver,  a  distance,  in  u  general  hhiiUi- 
eastward  course,  of  sixteen  nules.  ]5ul  on  1  )eninan  Island,  lying  on  the  nortli- 
cast  side  of  Baynes  Scnnid,  tliere  is  a  continuous  exposure  for  ten  miles,  wliii  li 
is  nearly  the  whole  leugtli  of  tlie  i.^ilaml,  in  an  escarnment  rising  up  from  ten 
to  seventy  feet,  ami  running  pretty  much  with  the  strike.  Jiic/iantnoit,  ia 
Jiept,  Geol.  ISui:  Canada,  1S71-2,  71). 


BEAVER  AND  NANAIMO  HARBORS. 


569 


the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  of  tlio  existence  of  coal 
in  the  vicinity  of  Beaver  and  Nanaimo  harbors,  and 
the  knowledge  of  outcroppings  elsewhere.  Work  at 
Rupert  was  begun  but  soon  ceased,  the  deposits  being 
too  scattering,  but  at  Nanaimo  coal-mining  developetl 
into  large  proportions.  The  coal  at  Fort  Kupert  still 
continued  to  attract  the  curiosity  of  strangers.  The 
Plumper  in  18G0  gathered  specimens  whicli  were  pro- 
nounced by  Mayne  "  quite  equal  to  the  Nanaimo  coal ; 
and  the  Indians  brought  some  from  the  Mainland 
opj)Osite,  which  was  also  very  good," 

Some  work  was  done  at  Quatsino  Harbor  by  tho 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  but  the  seam  opened  being 
but  eighteen  inclics  in  tliickncss,  the  venture  was 
soon  abandoned  as  unprofitable." 

The  Hudson's  Bay  Company  contiimod  to  work 
the  coal  seams  of  Nanahuo,  under  the  designation  ot" 
the  Nanaimo  Coal  Company,  until  18GI,  when  they 
sold  the  mines  to  a  luimber  of  iMigli.sh  gentlemen, 
wlio  associated  under  the  name  of  The  Vancouver 
( 'oal  j\[ining  and  Land  Com[)any,  Limited,'"  the  mines 
lliereafter  l)ecoming  popularly  known  as  the-  Van- 
couver Colliery,  The  company's  land  embraced  G,00(> 
acres,  A  marked  ini[)rovement  in  working  the  mini's 
was  soon  discovered  under  the  new  company.  New 
machinery  was  brought  from  iMigland;  new  shafts 
were  sunk;  the  facilities  for  loading  vessels  were  in- 
creased by  wharves,  jetties,  and  barges.  The  Douglas, 
Xi  vcastle,  and  Dunsnmir  veins  were  now  all  success- 
fully "V(.)rked,  the  first  mentioned  particularly  so,  with 
'•'^..^lant  improvement  in  the  (juality,  until  competent 
jii  i',;ed  pronounced  the  J)ouglas  vein  but  little  inferior 
t>  to  bst  Welsh  coal.'"'      From  the  Dunsnmir  mine 

^^  PemJiertons  V.  /.,4V.  M'o.il  has  liccii  found  in  tliin  inli't  of  tlu;  s:mic 
cl\aracti.T  apparently  as  that  at  Kurt  Uupcrt  and  Nanainm,  and  will  hoijio  day 
lii^  Worked  to  advautaj,'e. '  Forhvn'  IJ.isoii,  ilO. 

'-CaiMtal  £100,000  in  10,000  sliaroVof  tlO  eacli.  Directors,  lion.  Mr  Jus- 
tice Halitmrton,  (JeorgcCaniplK'll,  C.  W.  W.  Fitzwilliam,  .hwepliy  Fry',  Janu  h 
^'.  II.  Irwin,  and  Trideaux  ScUiy.  Resident  manager  at  Nanaimo  in  18().'{, 
I'.  .1.  Niiol;  and  in  1877,  Mark  Rate. 

^^  Jlownrdnndliwmtt's  Dim-L,  18C3,  144;  JfMen'itB.  C.  f7(/iWr,  3.17;  /)'»»*•- 
"M  on  Mints,  I'J. 


11 


870 


COAL. 


tiiat  is  to  say  Dunsmuir,  Digglo,  and  Company,  or 
the  Wellington,  situated  three  miles  south-west  from 
Departure  Bay,  several  hundrec'  tons  were  taken 
about  18GG-7. 

Under  the  management  of  practical  men  and  an 
abundance  of  capital,  the  works  at  Naniamo  progressed 
favorably.  Indeed,  it  is  noticeable  than  whenever  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  stepped  aside  from  fur-trading, 
failure  almost  always  followed — instance  the  early 
efforts  at  the  Red  Kiver  settlement,  and  the  agricul- 
tural speculations  of  the  Puget  Sound  Company  at 
the  Cowlitz  and  Nisqually." 

When  on  the  coast,  the  steam-sloop  Plumper  coaled 
at  Nanainio  in  December  18o7/''  Mayne  re})<)rts  along 
the  sho]  '+i'o  colliery  buildings,  and  about  a  dozen 
remarkabr  by  houses  inhabited  by  the  miners  and 

the  few  Hu<  i-  I's  Bay  Company's  officers  here.  There 
is  a  resident  doctor  in  tlie  place,  who  inhabits  one  of 
these  houses,  and  tt)  the  left  of  them,  stands  the  coni- 
jiany's  old  bastion,  on  which  are  mounted  the  four  oi' 
five  honey-combed  twelve-pounders  with  wliic'h  tlio 
great  fur  company  have  been  wont  l;>  awe  tlie  neigh- 
boring Indians  into  becoming   respect   and    submis- 


sion 


"  10 


'* 'They  ini.sinanagoil  afl'airs  at  Nauaimo,  certainly.'  Jfai/iii'.i  B.  (^'.,  SS'J. 
Koportiiig  alumt  KStiO,  Nicol,  tliu  iiiaiiagor,  remarks:  'We  have  got  the  cual 
ill  ii  htire  nearly  live  teet  tliick.  1  have  now  fnlly  proved  I,OtK),tM)0  tons.  A 
shaft  50  or  52  fathoms  deep  will  reaeh  tlie  coal;  di;-  .  iu  7;  a  very  good  woiii- 
ing  seam.  1  have  no  donlit  tiiere  is  another  seam  underlying  this  one,  of  au 
inexhanstihle  extent.  1  have  got  the  oiiterop  iidanil,  ami  from  dip  to  .striK''. 
I  am  sure  it  is  about  30  fathoms  below;  so  tiiat  by  eontinning  the  same  sh.iti. 
if  neei'ssary,  another  largo  seam  eontaining  millions  will  lie  arrived  at;  Inii 
the  tirst  seaii  will  last  my  life,  even  wiLlx  vi':y  large  uorks.     ^\'itll  abmit 

.t'5,l.tK)  or  i'S  (XK)  I  could  get  alcng  will,  and  start  a  business  doing  fi' 

0(),(X*')  to  IIH),000  tons  a  year.  The  prii e  is  *J5.<.  to 'JS.-i.  alongside  the  ship.' 
Says  ilaucrmanu,  geologist  of  the  bounda-y  expedition:  'Two  seams  of  eo.il, 
averaghig  six  or  eight  feet  each  in  thiekneiis,  oeeur  in  these  beds,  and  an;  e\- 
tinsively  Morked  for  the  supjily  of  the  steamers  running  between  Metoriaaihl 
Fraser  Kiver.  The  coal  is  a  soft  blaek  ligidte,  of  a  dull  earthy  fraeture,  intn  - 
spersed  with  small  leidieular  bands  of  briglit  crystalline  coal,  aii<l  reseiuMi  s 
.some  of  the  duller  varieties  of  coal  pro<lueeil  in  the  south  Derbyshire  ami 
other  eeutral  coal-lields  in  Kngland.' 

'■' '  Tlie  only  spot  in  the  lslan<l  wliere  the  coal  ia  worked,  ulllunigli  it  appears 
in  si'veral  other  jilaees.'  Jfdi/nc'n  B.  (.'.,  '^7^. 

"'Ho  eomphiiiiM  that  the  eoal  was  '  excessively  dirty.'  A  lineent  ('f  Nanaiiiio 
is  given  by  .Mayne,  Brit.  Co/.,  ;(5,  sliowing  the  fort  and  the  coiil-works  witii 
the  row  of  cottagi's  on  (he  ban!;,  an  I  .i  vessel  loading  coal  at  a  wharf. 


rKO(iUE.SS  AT  XANAIMO. 


571 


Captain  Richards  of  the  Pliim2)cr,  reports  to  the 
governor  of  Vancouver  Island  in  October  1858:  "A 
good  pier  has  lately  been  built,  alongside  of  \vhieh 
vessels  may  lie  and  coal  with  great  facility.  As  much 
as  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons  have  been  taken  by  one 
vessel  in  a  day,  and  several  vessels  together  might 
take  in  the  same  quantity.  Several  thousand  tons 
arc  ready  for  shipping,  and  the  miners  easily  keep 
tliat  quantity  on  hand."  James  Hector,  geologist 
under  Palliser,  1850,  writes:  ** Already  it  is  exten- 
sively used  by  the  British  navy  on  that  station,  and  it 
was  found  to  require  only  a  slight  modification  in  the 
method  of  feeding  the  fires  to  make  it  highly  effective 


»  17 


as  a  steam-generator. 

Pemberton  sa"s  there  were  fifty  buildings  and  two 
sieam-engines  av  ^Tanaimo  in  1800.  Accortling  to 
Forbes  tliree  mines  were  being  worked  in  18(52,  New- 
castle Island,  Number  Three  Pit,  and  Parkhead  Level 
and  Slope.^** 

For  the  further  advancement  of  the  coal  interest 
tlius  cverywiiere  a])pearing,  an  ordinance  was  issued 
in  18(59,  under  wliich  b}'"  si)ecial  license  any  person 
(ir  association  might  seek  for  coal  I'or  the  time  tlesig- 
iiated,  and  it'  successful  obtain  a  crown  grant  for  the 
land  under  certain  conditions.  The  ])rospi'eting  license, 
fi'r  v.'hich  a  small  i'ee  vas  paid,  entith'd  tlie  holdci  to 
exclusive  rights  'tf  search  within  prescrilx.*]  limits. 
'Die  desired  grant  of  land  was  obtained  on  these  tt>rms, 
I'ollowing  And(>rson:  "For  any  (luantity  up  to  and 
including  one  thousand  acres,  at  the  price  of  five  dol- 
lai-s  ])er  acre,  jn-ovided  always  that  on  pi-oof  to  the  sat- 
isfaction of  the  government  tliat  the  sum  of  S  10,000 
lias  be(>n  biMieficially  expended  on  any  land  held  under 
[trospecting  license  for  coal,  a  grant  of  one  thousand 


'"See  London   Qwtr.    Jour.,  Oco'/.    Sm:,  Nov.    1S(>();  MrlhtiKild'.'^  Jl.   ('., 

;m'.)  7:i. 

'''From  which  thivo  iiii'ics  for  tho  year  ciuliiij,'  Api'il  KS(i(),  ]l,4.">.")  tmn 
"iTi!  tiiki'ii  hy  IT.'J  vi'SHi'ls;  till!  yiNir  t'ullowiii;,'  i;t,;iOit  tons  \\cro  riii.si'il. 
Vnrr  ,i\\  (If  .S7;  nuiiihcr  tit  iiu'ii  at  this  tiTiio  t'iiii>hiyi'il  I  I'S.  Soo  /•'urhi.i'  L^sai/, 
IS,  •_•(>,  o7-8,  li'J;  Haltiaif.t  V .  I.,  «!>,  ItJ'J;  JlrJk>ii<'ild's  Lniuir,  b). 


572 


COAL. 


acres  of  the  land  held  under  such  prospecting  license 
shall  l)c  issued  to  the  company  holding  it  without  pay- 
ment of  the  upset  price  of  such  land.  In  other  words, 
they  receive  virtually  a  bonus  of  $5,000  in  considera- 
tion of  the  preliminary  expenditure  of  the  larger  sum." 

"  When  I  was  in  the  bush,"  writes  Robert  Duns- 
nmir  to  H.  L.  Langevin,  minister  of  public  works, 
"in  the  month  of  October  1809,  not  exactly  for  t\w 
purpose  of  prospecting  for  coal,  but  being  thorouglily 
acquainted  from  past  experience  witli  all  the  coal 
formation  in  this  country,  I  came  across  a  ridge  of 
rock,  which  I  knew  to  be  the  strata  overlying  the 
lowest  .seam  tliat  had  as  yet  been  discovered  here.  A 
sliort  time  afterwards  I  sent  two  men  to  prospect,  and 
in  three  days  discovered  a  seam  of  coal  three  anil  ;i 
half  feet  in  thickness,  tliirty  feet  below  the  tops  of 
tlie  ridge,  dipping  south-east  one  foot  in  six.  Aftci' 
procui'ing  from  government  a  right  to  further  pros- 
pect, 1  sunk  aslope  ninety-seven  and  two-tliirds  yards 
in  t];e  seam,  and  mined  therefrom  about  500  tons, 
twenty-tivo  tons  of  which  were  taken  on  board  of 
H.  ]\[.  S.  Boxer  for  trial.  The  same  quantities  weie 
taken  from  the  Vancouver  Coal  Company's  Douglas 
Pit  and  New  Castle  Mine." 

Andrew  Watt,  the  engineer  of  the  Boxer,  made  a 
lengthy  report  which  pronounced  in  favor  of  the 
J3unsmuir.^'*  In  several  other  places  Mr  Dunsnuiir 
found  coal,  once  among  the  roots  of  a  fallen  tree,  under 
which  was  a  valuable  seam.  His  estimate  of  the  yield 
of  his  field  was  7,000  tons  to  the  acre. 

When  at  Xanaimo  in  1871,  Richardson  found  1]. 
E.  Emery  raising  gray  sandstone  for  the  new  mint 
building  at  San  Francisco  from  the  quarry  opened  on 
their  claim  by  the  Vancouver  Company,'^"  who  wen 


'"  '  With  Diinamuircoiil  the  throttle  M-as  nearly  wide  open,  with  New  Castle 
and  Douglas  from  one  tliird  to  one  half  open.'  Tlio  lirst  made  less  soot  aii'l 
less  dirt  tliau  the  others.  Lduijcrin's  B.  C,  12. 

^^  '  iSix  hlocks  for  pillars  had  lieeii  prouureil  from  the  ten-feet  bed,  oiio  of 
which  was  heing  dressed  into  shape  for  use.  When  finished,  the  lengtli  ot  tlio 
pillars  would  be  27i  feet,  with  a  diameter  of  3  feet  10  inches.     Mr  Emery  was 


VAXCOUVER,  HAREWOOD,  AND  WELLINGTON. 


working  with  small  steam-engines  tlie  two  seams  on 
Newcastle  Island,  where  little  had  been  done  for  some 
time  past.  Piled  on  the  wharf  wer3  several  hundred 
tons  of  coal,  whence  an  occasional  schooner  or  steamer 
was  supplied.  The  main  works  of  tliis  company,  how- 
ever, were  at  Xanaimo,  distant  from  the  Newcastle 
Island  works  two  miles.  Here  work  has  been  more 
continuous  for  the  past  twenty  years  tlian  on  New- 
castle Island,  40,000  tons  being  taken  out  in  1870 
against  14,000  tons  in  18G0.  Ilichardson  places  the 
area  of  the  Nanaimo  coal-field,  which  includes  several 
minor  and  unworked  seams,  at  about  ninety  stjuare 
miles,  having  a  length  from  Gabriola  Island  to  the 
IXmsmuIr  claim  of  sixteen  miles  by  a  breadth  of  six 
miles 

Sproat  returns  241  miners  in  1872,  the  entire  pop- 
ulation then  numbering  1,000.  Wages  at  tliat  time 
were  from  one  dollar  for  Chinese  and  Indians  to  four 
(If)llars  for  white  men  per  dicm.'"^ 

Early  in  1874,  T.  A.  Bukloy  began  operations  three 
or  four  miles  back  of  Nanaimo,  on  what  was  afterward 
known  as  the  Harewood  Coal  Mine,  w^hich  holds  land 
to  the  extent  of  nine  thousand  acres.  Cameron  Island 
ill  Nanaimo  Harbor  is  the  point  of  shipment  for  this 
mine. 

In  1877  there  were  three  companies  at  work  in 
the  Nanaimo  district,  the  Vancouver,  the  Wellington, 
and  the  Harewood,  the  first  working  two  seams,  six 
and  three  feet  in  thickness  respectively.  The  Wel- 
Fmgton  Company  worked  one  seam  nine  and  a  halt' 
feet  thick,  and  held  another  six  feet  in  thickness. 
They  had  three  wharves,  with  all  the  faciliticvs  fi)r 
loading  vessels.     The  Harewood  seam  was  five  or  six 


ui 


also  quarrying  flag-stones  from  the  12-fcet  Tied,  from  which  are  ohtaiiRMl  very 
I'ven-surfacud  slabs,  from  one  to  six  inches  thick.  One  of  tlie  latter  tliiiliiu-i.i, 
wliicii  I  measured,  was  ten  feet  square.'  lUchardmn,  iu  licpL  O'col.  Siir.  Ccu- 
'III",  1871-2,  84. 

^'  'The  coal  shipped  l)y  this  company  during  the  ten  years  ending  Hl.st 
Kucotnher  1872,  reached  330,395  tons,  nearly  one  half  of  which  was  for  the 
Sim  Francisco  market.'  Sproot'a  B.  (,'.,  78.  See  eX&o  Andersons  lioin.  of  the 
Wint,  84,  and  app.,  ii.-iii. 


674 


COAL. 


feet  tlilck.^^  From  the  Vancouver  and  \Vcllin<::fton 
mines  coal  was  carried  to  the  wharf  by  short  steam 
railways ;  the  Harewood  mine  used  an  elevated  wire 
tramway. 


Under  a  judiciously  combined  system  of  capital 
and  labor  Nanaimo  has  developi^d  into  a  busy  incor- 
porati'd  town.  Beautifully  situated  witli  brij^'lit  skies, 
pure  air,  and  seaboard  attractions  and  utilities,  with 
schools,  churches,  nuuiicipal  council,  and  meml)er  of 
parliament,  it  presents  little  of  that  sooty,  opaque 
appearance,  cither  physical  or  moral,  so  common  to 
the  colliery  villages  of  Enjjfland.  From  the  first  tin- 
Vancouver  company,  of  which  the  manag'cr  is  some- 
times mayor,  as  was  the  case  with  Markliato  in  1877, 
adopted  a  wise  and  humane  policy,  selling  lots  at  low 
prices  so  tliat  the  poor  might  have  a  home,  and 
encouraging  settlement  and  improvement  by  various 
means. 

A  trough  of  coal-bearing  rocks  had  been  conju- 
tured  in  regard  to  Queen  CI larlotte  Islands  not  wholly 
unlike  that  before  mentioned  on  Vancouver  Island. 
It  is  said  to  extend  from  the  northern  part  of  Morseby 
Island  northward  eighty-four  miles.  Besides  tlic 
Queen  Charlotte  Company's  mine  at  Cowgitz,  in 
Skidegatc  Channel,  for  some  time  past  anthracito 
has  been  known  to  exist  at  Cumshewas  Harbor,  and 
!Masset  at  the  northern  end  of  the  islands. 

Bobert  Brown,  botanist  of  the  British  Columbia 
exploring  expedition,  visited  the  Queen  Charlotti' 
Islands  in  18G6  in  company  with  a  party  of  miners 
who  went  thither  to  examine  the  coal  deposits  of  that 

^'' '  Tho  coal  is  worked,  I  believe,  on  the  pillar  anil  stall  system,  though  iiiirts 
of  tho  seam  liavo  Iteeu  so  steeply  inclined  as  to  require  stoping.  Tlie  ihIikim 
einployuil  are  whiti's,  C'iiinese,  ami  Indians.  Mr  Good  states  tho  uunilirr  of 
each  for  tlio  year  1875  to  be  as  follows:  whites,  396;  Chinese,  170;  Indians, 
i")!;  giving  a  total  of  023.  The  wages  earned  by  tho  whites  vary  from  twn 
dollars  to  live  dollars  a  day;  by  the  Chinese  and  Indians,  from  one  doll:u'  i'> 
«);ie  dollar  and  a  half.'  Tlio  total  output  of  tho  Nanaimo  mines  for  187')  "an 
1!:),145  tons;  for  187G,  ]4!),I87  tons;  price  at  tiie  mine,  live  or  six  doUu's; 
v(  Sau  Francisco,  ton  doUar.i.  J!"'in\i  Guide B.  C,  98;  Dawson  on  Mhi"<,  -0. 


QUEKN  CirARLOTTE  ISLANDS 


lort  steam 
vatod  ^vire 


of  capital 
busy  iucor- 
ri<^lit  skies, 
iliVics,  ^vitii 
iuoml)er  <>t 
)ty,  opaque 
common  to 
ho  first  the 
vcr  is  some- 
lato  in  1877, 
f  lots  at  low 
home,  and 
t  l)y  various 

[been  conjec- 
s  not  wholly 
uver  Island, 
of  Morsehy 
Besides  tlio 
Cowgitz,  in 
anthracite 

Harbor,  and 


it 


jh  Columbia 

n   Charlotte 

•ty  of  miners 

osits  of  that 


Istcm,  thongln'^irt'' 
Iping.  Tho  imiKis 
Itcsthc  uunilii'iM'i 
fieae,  170;  lixli^'"^' 
Itea  vary  from  U" 
[from  one  doUiu'  t" 
Imines  for  187')  w;!-! 
Kive  or  six  «l"ll'''j;j:"' 
Vwson  oil  M>iii-;  -'■'■ 


section.  At  Skidegate  Bay  where  was  then  the  chief 
diivelopiucnt  ho  spent  several  weeks.  "  Two  rival  par- 
ties of  miners  were  there  prospectini!;,"  he  says,  "and 
one  of  tliem  had  driven  an  adit  into  the  hill-sido  some 
two  or  three  hundred  feet  above  the  sea-level.""' 

Tliese  early  prospectors  were  at  first  unsuccessful. 
Xow  and  tlien  tlie  pick  would  strike  a  block  of  good 
anthracite,^*  but  for  tlie  most  part  it  upturned  only 
"a  material  not  unlike  wet  or  damp  gun[)owder." 
l^ater  tliey  were  more  successful,  so  much  so  that  a 
coni])any  was  formed  at  Victoria,  called  the  Queen 
Charlotte  Coal  Mining  Company,  whicli  began  opera- 
tions there,  but  were  obliged  to  abandon  them  (»n 
account  of  the  irregularity  of  the  deposit. 

liichardson  was  there  in  1872,  and  reported  that 
the  best  seam,  which  for  GO  or  70  f».'et  had  a  tliicknc^ss 
of  six  feet,  was  lost  in  shale  and  linustone.  Tliere  was 
another  bed  of  good  anthracite,  two  and  a  half  feet 
thick,  and  many  smaller  seams  discovered  in  various 
directions.  This  was  on  the  north  side  of  Skidegate 
Channel.  On  the  south  side,  fourte(>ii  miles  south- 
east from  Cowgitz,  where  the  Queen  Charlotte  Com- 
])anyhad  opened  their  mines,  the  existence  of  anthracite 
was  reported  by  the  natives.'^  "  Xothing  can  bo  better 

"^ '  lloro  tlioy  li;i(l  goiio  tlinnigh  a  ;;ri'at  l)i'tl  of  coarse!  cnnfrloiiicniti-,  a  fiiif 
liaril  slato  wlioii  tlio  coal  waa  ri:aoln'il.  Tliid  c(iii;;l()iii('rat(!  was  in  every 
H's|ie(;t  similar  to  tliat  associated  with  tiio  Naiiaiiiio  <?()al-ticlils;  but  tlio  slate 
was  jKiculiar.'  Broii'iist'oal  Fkldt,  1.'0. 

■^' At  the  goveruiiieiit  assay  otlice,  New  Westminster,  an  analysis  made  liy 
(  laudot  showed  carbon,  71.-0;  moisture,  ").  10;  volatile  eomb\isiii)le  matter, 
17. "27;  asli,  (i.4;i,  which  bringH  it  close  to  I'ennsylvauiaautliracite.  Tiie  chief 
( ii;4ineer  of  tho  United  States  navy,  B.  F.  Islierwood,  gives  as  the  result  of 
Ills  ex](eriments  at  the  Marc  Island  navy-yard,  on  some  of  the  coals  of  the 
Mcst  and  east  for  tho  purpose  of  ascertaining  their  relative  strength  and 
ei'Diiomie  vaporization  under  various  coiulitions  of  combustinn,  among  other 
vuhiablo  information,  tho  relative  weights  of  steam  obtainable  from  eijnal 
liulivs:  From  a  cubic  foot  of  IVnnsylvania  anthracite,  at  a  slow  rate  of  com- 
bustion, 471.51  ll>s. ;  (^)ueeu  C'harlotto  Islands  anthracite,  3(ii).:!7;  Welsh, 
i'MM.iVJ;  Rocky  Mountain,  .Monte  Diablo,  Coos  Bay,  and  Seattle,  SID.OS;  Bel- 
liiigUam  Bay,  371.8(1;  Nanaimo,  Ii7'J.('>4;  Na?iaimo  coke,  l',t'J.47.     See  Ishcr- 


VllOll' 


,s'  /'(port,  in  Ex.  Dor.  i* 
*  This  would  give  an  c 


tVo.  ;.w;,  1871-2,  JdSi' 


'</  (■ 


iiiij.,  passu. I. 


give  an  extent  of  at  least  twenty  mili's  to  the  coal-bearing 
stnita  which  have  tlnis  been  partially  examined,  and  tlie  facts  iuentioncd  indi- 
liiti!  a  general  presence  of  coal  in  it,  however  much  wliat  may  be  considered 
the  same  seams  may  vary  in  their  distances  from  one  anotlier  on  tlio  strike,  in 
liieir  thickness  and  their  rpialities.'  liicharditon,  in  d'rol.  Siii:  Citnw/it,  1872-3, 


«7ft 


COAL. 


or  more  substantially  constructed,"  reports  Richard- 
son, "than  tlio  wharf,  the  houses,  tramways,  inelinos, 
dunipini^-slieds,  and  tunnels  of  the  Queen  Charlotte 
(yoal  Miiiini;'  Company,  and  it  is  nmcli  to  be  regretted 
that  their  tlforts  have  not  been  more  successful." 

ExtensiM^  deposits  were  reported  discovered  on 
Skeena  Kiver  by  Downie  in  1859.'-*'  "I  saw  seams 
of  coal  to-day,"  writes  an  cxj)lorer  on  Simpson  lliver 
to  Governor  Douglas,  "fifteen  feet  thick,  better  than 
any  mined  at  Vancouver." 

The  coals  of  Baynes  Sound  and  vicinity  are  pro- 
nounced bv  some  better  than  that  of  Nanaimo,  but 
the  liarbor  facilities  are  much  inferior.-'  Before  1  8(!9 
this  region  had  been  thoroughly  prospeeted. 

The  Baynes  Sound  Colliery  ('onq)any,  Limited, 
liaving  5,000  acres  of  coal  lands,  began  operations  ten 
miles  south-east  i'rom  Comox  in  1870.  By  the  expira- 
tion of  the  followintj  year,  a  narrow-uiiaLie  trannvav 
from  the  mine  to  tide-water,  three  and  a  half  miles, 
liad  been  constructed,  with  a  locomotive,  rars,  and  a 
wharf  with  two  shutes."^  A  saw-mill  was  built,  a  town 
site  surveyed  to  which  was  given  the  name  C^uadra, 
and  a  store,  driidiing-shoj),  hotel,  and  post-offiee  erected 
for  the  acconnnodation  of  the  dozen  settlers  who  were 
there  in  1877. 

At  Burrard  Inlet,  coal  was  found  by  Henry  N. 

^^  'Tho  Skeena  River  i.s  s.iitl  to  piiaa  through  an  extensive  coal  formation, 
with  coal  hiMls  3  to  35  feet  thiek.  This  may,  however,  he  lignite.'  J)aii:ion 
on  Jliiic.f,  44. 

'•''  'Tiie  coal  here  is  of  hotter  quality  than  at  Nanaimo,  and  iiroiluces  ex- 
cellent colee.'  Jiroirit'sCcxd  Fields,  13.  *  The  Comox  area  has  prohahly  a  greiitir 
extent  of  iiroductivo  measures,  aiul  may  eventually  become  more  important 
than  Nanaimo.'  Dniivon  on  Miiie-%  20. 

'"  'The  mine  Is  opened  from  tho  hank  of  a  small  river,  adit.or  level  free, 
from  whence  tho  coal  is  delivered  '-o  bunkers  near  tho  mouth  of  the  adit. 
From  the  liunkers  it  is  let  into  the  c;  rs  and  delivered  on  shipboard  without 
being  again  handled.  Tho  bunkers  already  constructed  have  a  capacity  of 
12,000  tons.  There  are  two  coal-seams  being  worked,  one  overlying  the  othci-. 
The  lower  seam  is  seven  feet  thick,  and  the  upper  one  six  feet.  I'lie  coal  in 
tlie  upper  seam  is  very  similar  to  the  Douglas  seam  of  Nanaimo,  while  that 
in  tlie  lower  seam  appears  to  ditfer  from  all  the  other  coals  as  yet  discovered 
on  the  Island.  It  is  a  dense  hard  coal,  free  from  sulpliur,  gives  a  deuso 
hard  coke,  and  requires  a  strong  ilraft  to  ignite  it.'  B.  C.  Giihle,  1877-8,  107. 


Ricliard- 
,  inclines, 
Charlotte 
reoTcttcd 

vercd  on 
aw  scams 
son  llivcr 
jtter  than 


y  arc  pio- 
luiinio,  but 
icforc  18(;«.) 

',  Limited, 

^rations  ten 
the  cxpiia- 

•o  tramway 
lialf  miles, 
pars,  and  a 

milt,  a  town 
no  C^uadra, 
ttiec  erected 
s  who  were 


Henry  N. 

icoal  formation, 
liiguitc.'  Jhiirson 

liul  produces  CN- 

|rol>al)lyiv  great,  r 

!  more  imvortaut 

idit.or  level  free, 

louth  of  the  a.lit. 

lipboard  without 

[vo  a  capacity  ot 

Irlying tlic  otlur. 

let.    The  coal  111 

iaimo,  while  that 

lis  yet  (liscovorcil 

Ir   uives  a  deiiso 

Ide,  1877-8,  107. 


OUTPUT  AND  ITJCES.  577 

Peers;  and  in  1859  six  bal,^s,  taken  by  the  Plumper 
from  the  outcrop  from  a  ]>lacc  which  was  called  Coal 
Harbor,  were  |.ronounce(l  by  the  cns]fineer  of  fair 
quality.  Coal  was  likewise  seen  in  the  delta  of  Fraser 
liiver,  but  even  if  the  bed  was  of  any  importance  the 
water  could  scarcely  be  excluded  so  that  it  could  be 
worked.  "" 

The  minister  of  mines  reporting  in  1875  is  pleased 
to  notice  the  increase  of  the  output  of  that  year  ()Vi>r 
the  year  previous.  He  places  the  yield  for  1874  at 
81,000  tons,  and  that  of  1875  at  1  l'o,000  tons.  All 
the  coal-mines  then  beins::^  worked  in  British  Columbia 
were  at  or  in  the  vicinity  of  Nanaimo.  The  diamond 
drill  was  broujj^ht  into  recjuisition  in  searching  for 
fresli  seams  bv  an  enijfineer  brou!»'ht  from  Kni>la>id 
for  that  })urp()se. 

In  187()  tire  broke  out  in  the  AVcllington  mine, 
causing  some  damage.  The  Baynes  Sound  and  Hare- 
wood  mines  that  yi-ar  began  putting  their  coals  in 
market,  and  the  price  throughout  the  province  gener- 
ally was  reduced  from  ten  and  eleven  dollars  to  eight 
(Idllais  and  seventv-five  Ci-nts. 

The  depression  of  the  market  at  San  I'ranciseo, 
with  other  causes,  resulted  in  the  cessation  of  oi)ei'a- 
tionsattho  Ifarcwood  in  1877;  notwithstanding  which 
the  output  for  this  year  was  15,000  tons  more  than 
that  of  1 876. 

Hy  act  of  the  legislative  assembly,  April  18,  1877, 
th(>  coal-mines  of  liritish  Coluniliia  were  ]>laccd  undei' 
stilniicntand  healthful  reuulations.  ]3v  this  act  women 
and  girls  are  not  allowed  to  work  luider  ground,  nor 
any  boy  under  twelve  years  of  age;  and  when  a  hoy 
inidiT  fourteen  is  employed  by  reason  of  tin'  thinness 
of  the  seam,  or  from  any  other  cause,  tt)  work  bt'low 
ground,  he  shall  not  so  work  more  than  live  tiays  of 

'-"' MfBonald  is  quite  mistaken  when  ho  says,  Bri/,.  Col.,  rti),  'The  lirst 
(liscovtry  iiiatlo  of  this  mineral  in  British  Colnmhia,' mcaiiiii;^'  tlurchy  the 
M;iiiilaiicl,  'was  at  Burranl's  Inlet,  six  miles  troui  New  Westminster,  uhout 
tliiee  years  ago.' 

lUsT.  Brit.  Col.    37 


I '' 


!    S 


578 


COAL. 


six  hours  each  in  any  one  week.  Wages  must  not  be 
paid  in  a  liquor  saloon;  persons  paid  according  to 
quantity  raised  might  nominate  their  own  check- 
weigher;  single  whafts  were  prohibited,  except  in 
opening  or  proving  a  mine  or  other  specified  cases. 
Tlien  the  act  tells  how  a  mine  shall  be  divided  into 
parts;  how  examiners  for  granting  certificates  of  com- 
petency to  managers,  and  how  managers  shall  be  ap- 
pointed, and  in  which  a[»pointment  the  greatest  care  is 
to  be  taken  by  the  board  and  by  the  minister  that  only 
competent,  experienced,  and  temperate  j)ersons  shall 
be  selected.  Annual  returns  nmst  be  made  to  the 
minister  of  mines;  notiee  nmst  be  given  of  all  acci- 
dents; and  when  a  mine  is  abandoned  tlie  grounds 
must  be  fenced.  lns[»ectors  were  to  be  appointed  wjio 
should  make  theii*  ammal  rejKut;  and  provisions  were 
made  for  the  regulation  of  arbitration,  and  the  holding 
of  coroners'  incpiests  on  accidental  deaths.  Pages  of 
rules  and  penalties  follow,  rules  concerning  ventila- 
tion, fencing,  stations,  withdrawal  of  men  in  time  of 
danger,  safety-lamps,  blasting,  water,  man-holes,  roofs, 
slides,  signalling,  working  shaft,  machinery,  engines, 
breaks,  gauges,  barometei',  wilful  damage,  inspectio 
by  both  employers  and  employed,  and  so  on  at  lengtl 

Summarizinjx  the  results  of  coal  and  linnite  disc()\  - 
cries  in  British  Columbia  to  1877,  we  liave,  beginniiin' 
on  the  coast  at  the  north,  the  reported  discoveries  ot" 
Downie  on  Skeena  Iliver;  the  specimens  ot  anthra- 
cite brouglit  from  Masset,  the  anthracitic  seams  devel- 
oped at  Cowgitz,  and  the  anthracite  reported  by  the 
natives  on  the  south  side  of  Skidegate  Channel,  all 
on  Queen  Charlotte  Islands;  the  bituminous  coal  at 
Beaver  Harbor,  near  Fort  Bupert,  and  at  Quatsiiiu 
Sound;  specimens  brouglit  by  the  natives  to  the 
Plumjicr  while  at  Fort  llupeit,  from  the  Mainland 
opposite;  the  discoveries  and  developments  in  the 
Comox,  Baynes  Sound,  Valdes  Inlet,  and  Nanainio 
districts;  on  the  north  side  of  Cowitchin  Bay  and  the 


SUMMARY. 


ft7(» 


interior;  specimens  mentioned  by  Brown  from  the 
(^hcmanis  district,  and  from  tlio  l)e  Courcy  Islands ; 
the  head  of  Alberni  Canal;  at  Saanich,  a  ver^'  infe- 
lior  quality;  at  Soke,  a  shallow  horinsjf  passing?  throu«^h 
one  inch  of  coal,  near  the  coast  west  of  Soke  Iidet 
and  back  of  Barclay  Sound;  sjK'cimens  shown  by  tiu- 
natives  at  Nitinat;  at  Burrard  Inlet,  in  the  delta  of 
tiio  Fraser,  and  between  Burrard  Inht  and  Howe 
Sound;  in  which  vicinity  in  the  flat  lands  thin  seams 
of  lignite,  probably  of  upper  tertiary  formation,  ap- 
])ear;  ftirther  back,  on  the  lower  Fraser,  particularly 
near  Langley,  thin  seams  of  bituminous  coal  are  found 
l)robably  in  lower  tertiary  beds;  on  the  Chilliwack 
Kiver,  five  miles  from  the  Fraser,  Dawson  reports 
bituminous  coal  of  good  quality;  also  at  the  junction 
of  Nicola  and  Coldwater  rivers,  and  at  several  otlui- 
jilaces  on  the  latter  stream ;  on  the  north  Thompson 
River,  forty-five  miles  above  Kandoop;  in  the  vicinity 
of  Jjilloet;  lignite  at  (Tuichon  Creek,  near  Nicola 
Iviver;  on  the  south  branch  of  the  Similkauieen  above 
tlu!  Passyton,  and  again  four  miles  ab<)\e  Vermilion 
Fork,  and  on  the  north  branch  of  the  Similkameen, 
three  miles  above  Ver)nilion  Fork;  more  lignite  at 
the  Cold  Spring  House  on  Lightning  Creek;  on  the 
Fraser  between  Soda  Creek  and  Fort  Ccorge,  and  at 
(^uesnel ;  coal  on  Bear  Kiver  nc^ar  latitutle  54°,  on 
Peace  and  Pine  rivers,  described  in  Selwyn's  Ke])ort, 
IS75-G;  on  Simpson  Kiver  ;  lignite  on  Parsnip  ]{iver; 
on  the  lower  Nechaco  River,  east  of  Fraser  Lake  ; 
on  the  upper  Nechaco,  south-west  from  Fraser  Lake, 
and  on  the  streams  Blackwater,  Chilaco,  Nasco,  and 
Punchaisco.^" 

'"Those  desirous  of  investigatinf;  furtlicr  tlie  coal  iiiton.'st  of  tlio  \orthwoat 
Coa.st  iiiiiy  consult  J/cA'((//'.v  AVc.,  MS.,10,  1 1  ;  Doi/'jlu-i'  />r/r<i/c  Pnpci-.-i,  }>]>>., 
-M  scr.,  5l)-«;  Di'iiii.sSiHlcniciit  V.  !.,  MS.,  •_>();  //.  ( '.  Sbf''/,,.-:,  MS.,  passim; 
M'u-j'arlniic'i  I  '(xil  licjiom  of  A  ni.,  passim;  ( 'oniirnlU.t'  Scir  El  Dormto.  4.'5,\vliioli 
wiys:  'Coal  abounds  over  the  whole  of  tlie  north-eastern  territory,  that  is  to 
sHy,  from  Cheslaker's,  lat'  '.lule  50°  3<)',  to  Cape  Scott  at  its  southern  extremity; ' 
H'mtxbi'n  Canada  on  the  Pndjic,  170;  Punfii:  Railroad  licjiort.t,  i.  473,  and  vi. 
•>-  4;  House  Commons  Rfturn-ito  T/nre  Addresxe-i,!;  Blan-ihurd,  \n  Ifoiise  Com. 
/l'';|^,  28(5 ;  Dunn's  Or.  Ter.,  24() :  Orant,  in  London  Oeni/ntp'tiral  Soriefi/,  Jour- 
ikjI,  .\xvii.  275-315  j    Victors  All  over  Oreijon  and  Washin-jton,  337;  Reyt.  Com., 


■  t 


680 


COAL. 


27th  Cong.,  3d  Seas.,  H.  Reft.  SI,  35,  where  Mr  Baylies  says  in  1842;  'Coal  in 
prodigious  quantities  has  already  been  discovered;'  Wilkes'  Nar.  U.  S.  Ex- 
■pW.  Ex.,  iv,  pasfim;  34lh  Cong.,  3d  Seas.,  U.  S.  II.  Kept.  171,  i.  2;  Ex.  Doc. 
No.  20G,  42d  Cong.,  2dSess.,  JI,  llept.,  206,  x.;  U.  S.  Commerce  Stat.,  18C3, 
193;  Mai/ne'a  ri  C\,  35, 379-82;  Gray's  Hist.  Or.,  U9;  Goodi/ear'a  Coal  Mines, 
passim;  Ji.  C.  Directory,  1863, 50, 142-3;  Pemberton's  V.  /.,43-8;  Forbes'  Essay, 
18,  20;  Macilonald'a  Lecture,  50;  Rattray's  V.  I.,  89, 1C2;  Macdonald's D.  C., 
37,  3G7;  Dawson  on  Mines,  17-27;  Guide  B.  C,  18,7-8, 4,  49-50,  97-109,  330, 
Imray's  Sailing  Directions  W.  Coast  iV.  Am.,  278;  Gonaol.  Laws,  B.  C,  1877, 
401-96;  Statutes  B.  C,  1878,  59;  Rept.  Min.  Mines,  1875-6,  and  1877.  passim; 
Sjiroat's  B.  C,  6,  22,  77-9;  Anderson's  Dom.  West,  Si-G,  app.  ii.,  iii.;  Flem- 
ing's Rcpts.  Sur.  Can.  Pac.  Railway,  passim;  Brown'a  Coal  Fields,  passim;  and 
Langevin's  B.  C,  11-13,  86-7, 129-31;  Compton'a  B.  C,  MS.,  passim;  Victoria 
Colonist,  Aug.  16,  1364,  July  17,  1866,  March  22,  May  17,  1871,  Jan.  29, 1873, 
April  22,  1874,  etc.;  Victoria  Standard,  April  23, 25,  May  8,  Juno  1,  Aug.  19, 
Nov.  19,  May  14,  23,  1877;  British  Columbian,  Jane  5, 1867;  Seattle  Tribune, 
Feb.  23,  1877;  Mining  Mag.,  i.  309-10;  Com.  Rel.,  1868,  293-7;  and  Bayky's 
V.  I.,  MS.,  11-14. 

Among  other  works  consulted  in  the  preceding  chapters  may  be  mentioned 
B.  C.  and  V.  I.,  by  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  and  The  Great  Gold  Fields  of  Cariboo, 
with  an  Authentic  Description  of  B.  C.  and  V.  I.,  by  the  same  author.  The 
former,  which  is  compiled  from  various  authorities,  and  consists  largely  of 
quotations,  gives  brief  sketches  of  early  voyages,  of  native  life  and  habits, 
of  tho  resources  of  the  country,  and  of  the  gold  discovery.  In  the  latter  wo 
have  a  well-writieu  account,  containing  all  the  reliable  information  then  ac- 
cessible to  tho  author,  who  was  not  a  resident  of  cither  colony.  Both  vol- 
umes appear  to  have  been  written  mainly  for  the  information  of  intending 
cmigranti.  V.  I.  and  B.  C,  Where  They  are.  What  They  are,  and  What 
They  may  Become,  by  A.  Rattray,  M.  D.,  Edin.,  R.  ^.,  is  a  cleverly  written 
little  book,  which  shows  that  its  author  has  been  at  somo  pains  to  inquire 
into  the  conuitiou  and  prosj^ccts  of  tho  two  colonies.  Prommcnce  is  given, 
however,  to  V.  I.,  and  the  object  of  tho  work  is  apparently  to  display,  in  the 
most  favorable  liglit,  its  advantages  for  settlement.  As  indicated  in  the  titlc- 
pago,  the  subject-matter  treats,  not  so  much  of  what  had  been,  as  of  what 
Mas  to  be;  and  comparing,  as  I  turn  over  its  pages,  tho  colored  lithographs 
of  Hope  and  Yale,  1  cannot  but  admit  that  the  predictions  of  tho  author  have 
already  been  measurably  fulfilled.  When  and  after  tho  gold  excitoincnt 
brought  the  mainland  into  piomiucuce,  the  journals  of  tho  I'acilic  coast  wcic 
teeming  wiMi  par.i.graphs  and  articles  touching  tho  Kl  Dorado  of  Uritirli 
America,  though  before  1853  I  iind  but  scant  reforcuco  to  ritlu-r  colony.  Fui- 
items  and  comments,  see,  among  others,  S.  F.  Bulletin,  July  I'J,  Dec.  5,  IS.Vi; 
"Mireh  22,  ISr.G;  Apr.  L'4,  May  7,  IS,  June  3,  5,  8,  9,  11,  12',  IS,  10,  21,  '22,  l^.', 
•JS,  30,  July  2,  3,  6,  7.  8,  9,  12,  l.">,  10,  17,  19,  23,  20,  .TO,  Aug.  2,  7,  IS,  19.  2;;, 
21,  27,  Sept.  1,  2,  3,  0,  7,  9,  17,  25,  29,  Oct.  1,  4,  12,  13,  IS,  23,  JO.  ;iO,  Nov. 
-',  -1,  5,  10,  12,  ].•!,  17,  22,  23,  21,  29,  .'50,  Dec.  0,  8,  9,  20,  21,  22,  21,  27,  28,  :!(•, 
:il,  1S5S;  Jan.  :!,  11,  12,  1.3.  11,  19,  20,  29,  Feb.  15,  17,  28,  March 3,  S,  10,  17. 
21,  2.-),  29,  30,  Apr.  1,  15,  IS,  23,  2S,  ;iO,  May  12,  13,  11,  17,  18,  .30,  31,  Jum 
10,  11.  13,  14,  21,  July  13,  1.-),  29,  .30,  Aug.  1,  11,  2."),  20,  8cpt.  30,  Oct.  1(», 
Kov.  30,  Dec.  14,  23,  lS59;  Apr.  IS,  July  0,  Aug.  20,  Sept.  2V,  Oct.  18,  20, 
ISGO;  May  31,  Juno  11,  14,  July  2,  15,  Sept.  2,  Oct.  17,  ISOl;  Jan.  .30,  Manli 
5,  22,  31,  Apr.  4,  21,  May  9,  10,  13,  20,  27,  June  9,  14, 21,  July  1 1, 10, 22, 2i;, 
An-.  1,  Oct.  13,  23,  27,  31,  Dec.  15,  1802;  Feb.  10,  23,  March  12,  23,  .30,  Apr. 
20,'^27,  May  19,  Juno  29,  July  II,  21,  Aug.  3,  Sept.  9,  19.  Oct.  7,  21,  29,  Doc 
10,  1803;  Apr.  25,  Juno  10,  30,  Julv  19,  Aug.  9,  10,  27,  Sept.  6,  12,  20,  27. 
Oct.  C,  10,  13, 14,  24,  Nov.  1,  15,  22,  JSOi;  Jan.  12,  Feb.  3,  March  4,  May  .M, 
.luno  19,  Julys,  1805;  Feb.  14,  Apr.  JO,  May  8,  Juio  11,  July  3,  Aug.  II, 
."^cpt.  1,  1860;  F'eb.  1,1809;  March  24,  Apr.  20,  Juno  17,  1870;  Juno  22,  July 
13,  1871;  Jan.  8,  29,  Feb.  11,  Sept.  4,  2."),  1872;  Oct.  1,  1873;  Apr.  5,  1S7S; 
Apr.  7,  1879;  Alta,  May  17,  Uwl;  Jan.  27,  Juno  30,  1857;  M.iy  IS,  June  7, 
8,  Aug.  2,  12,  25,  20,  Sept.  IS,  2(1,  Oct.  3,  21,  22,  Nov.  4,  30,  1858;  Jan.  .').  11, 


AUTHORITIES. 


581 


n  1842:  'Coal  in 
'  Nar.  U.  S.  Ex- 
'1,  i.  2;  Ex.  Doc. 
nerce  Slat.,  1863, 
lear^s  Coal  Mines, 
S;  Forbes' Essay, 
[acdonald'a  B.  C. , 
)-50,  97-109,  330, 
jaws,  B.  C.,\^Ti, 
and  1877.  passim; 
pp.  ii.,  iii.;  Fl^m- 
'*cM«,  passim;  and 
.passim;  Victoria 
571,Jan.29,1873, 
1,  Juno  I.Aug.  19, 
f;  Seattle  Tribune, 
13-7;  and  Bayletfs 

may  be  mentioned 
Fields  of  Cariboo, 
amc  author.    The 
consists  largely  of 
,'0  life  and  habits, 
,     In  the  latter  we 
formation  then  ac- 
colony.    Both  vol- 
lation  of  intending 
hey  are,  and  What 
I  a  cleverly  written 
10  pains  to  inquire 
ommenco  is  given, 
y  to  display,  in  tho 
Idicated  in  the  titlc- 
d  been,  as  of  what 
;olored  lithographs 
I  of  the  author  havL 
,0  gold  excitement 
,!  Pacilio  coast  wcio 
iDor.ido  of    Briti.<li 
either  colony.   l''<''' 
ily  !•-',  Dec.  5, 18.V>; 
1-2;  IS,  19.  21,1!.;, 'J', 

'u--.2,7,isi9.;j;;, 

S,  U3,  2(5.  30,  Nov. 
1,22,21,27,23,30, 

,  March  3,  S,  10.  1 . , 
7,  18,30,  31,  JuiH' 
Kept.  30,  Oct.  H», 
,t.  2V,  Oct.  18,  21  >. 
SOI;  Jim.  30,  Man  Ii 
[July  11, 10,22.211. 

'rch  12,  23,  30,  Apr 
Oct.  7,  21,  29,  Dec. 
lept.  5,  12,  2t),  2,, 
i,  March  4,  May  3(i, 
,  July  3,  Aug.  11, 
870;  Juno  22,  July 
873;  Apr.  5,  1S7«; 
;  M.iy  IS,  J""0  " 
I,  1853;  Jan.  5.  H, 


14,  20,  21,  27, 31,  Feb.  15, 10,  17,  21, 24,  March  1,  4,  5,  9,  17,  19,  25,  30,  Apr. 

I,  3,  11,  15, 17,  21,  25,  28,  29,  30,  May  10,  13,  14,  10,  18,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  27, 
30,  31,  Juno  11,  17,  25,  July  13,  14,  30,  Aug.  4,  11,  27,  Sept.  2,  20,  Oct.  11, 
14,  15,  31,  Nov.  3,  14,  30,  Dec.  11,  24,  1859;  Jan.  25,  Feb.  4,  19,  March  5, 
Apr.  4,  13,  18,  May  21,  June  13,  20,  July  4,  18,  27,  30,  Aug.  1,  5,  7,  9,  14, 
20,  Oct.  1,  19.  22,  Nov.  8,  11,  23,  Dec,  II,  22,  29,  1800;  Feb.  7,  8,  May  23, 
.rune  17, 18,  July  11,  21,  Aug.  8,  Sept.  9,  23,  Oct.  8,  11,  22.  Nov.  3,  25.  1801; 
.rune  25,  Aug.  2,  25,  Oct.  14,  21,  1802;  Jan.  22,  Apr.  24,  June  9,  19,  30,  July 

II,  Aug.  10,  20,  Sept.  7,  Nov.  10,  1803;  Ju;y  19,  Nov.  2,  1804;  Jan.  20,  Apr. 
!i.  May  22,  July  3,  Aug.  10,  20,  Dec.  0,  10,  1805;  Feb.  20,  Dec.  28,  1800; 
Apr.  i2,  July  29,  1807;  March  25,  1809;  March  24,  July  15,  Dec.  3.  1871; 
Aiiril  15,1877:  Call,  Jan.  12,  Apr.  19,  Juno  24,  July  19,  Aug.  10,  11,  20, 
Sept.  13,  27,  Oct.  0,  Nov.  13,  1804;  June  1.3,  18G5;  Feb.  8,  March  20,  May 
2(;,  Juno  13,  July  I'J,  Aug.  2.-S,  1807;  Feb.  27,  March  1,  Apr.  30,  July  ir>. 
Aug.  9,  20,  30,  Sept.  18,  19,  Nov.  24,  1868;  March  5,  1870;  Jan.  4,  1871; 
Nov.  7,  1872;  Feb.  13,  June  2.5,  1874;  Jan.  2.3,  1878;  Times,  Juio  4,  1807: 
-May  10,  Juuo  25,  July  20,  Sept.  2,  5,  1868;  i'eb.  17,  March  10.  22,  30,  Apr. 
28,  Oct.  14,  23,  1809;  Ilei-ald,  Apr.  23,  Juno  10,  Sept.  0,  1858;  March  31, 
Nov.  10,  1859;  March  5,  Apr.  20,  May  9,  Dec.  13,  ISOO;  Ml  ch  10,  12,  1809; 
Pout,  Sept.  15,  1873;  Jan.  7,  July  25,  1878;  Chronicle,  Jan.  5,  20,  1809;  July 
10,  1871;  Golden  Era,  March  15,  185/;  Aug.  27,  1865;  Mercantile  Gazette, 
June  19,  1858;  Sac.  Record- Union,  Aug.  10,  1855;  Feb.  27,  Apr.  9,  16,  May 
22,  .Sept.  17,  135G;  Jan.  22,  Feb.  5,  Apr.  5,  12,  21,  23,  May  24,  28,  June  8,  9, 
10,  11,  12,  19, 22.  23,  Sept.  27,  Oct.  18,  Nov.  24,  Dec.  29,  1858;  Jan.  3,  Apr. 
19,  Juno  21,  25,  1859;  March  21,  Apr.  30,  Aug.  22,  Sept.  27,  29,  Oct.  9,  1800; 
March  9,  Apr.  29,  Juno  1,  Sept.  24,  Nov.  9,  12,  10,  21,  Dec.  12,  1801;  jNIarch 
3,5,  1802;  Portland  West  Shore,  July,  1879;  Standard,  Sept.  7,  1877;  West- 
ern Oreoonian,  Jan,  10,  1878;  Pioche  Record,  March  14,  1873;  Tuscarora 
Times-Review,  Feb.  10,  1878. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

UNIOX  AND  CONFEDERATION. 

18G3-1871. 

A  Lkgisl.\tivk  CorxciL  Okgamzed  rou  British  Columbia — Inaugural 
Address  of  Goveknou  Dofolas  —  A  Meek  Response  —  Separate 
KrLKRs  Appointed  ki>r  tiie  Two  Colonies — A  Copdiai.  Leave-taking 
— Review  of  Doiglas'  Administration — Regime  of  Fisederick  Sev- 
Mori:— ExcE>MVE  Tax.\tion — Union  of  tue  Colonies — The  British 
North    Aaiei;k'a    Ait — Anthony    Mtsgrave    Governor  —  Bkitisu 

CoLnMBIA   A    l'l:OVI.ME  OF   THE    DOMINION — A    LEGISLATIVE  AsSEMPi^Y 
SCBSTITCTKl'  ri>KTllE  COINCIL — CONDITION  OF  TIIE   PROVINCE — InHIA.'. 

Policy  of  the  United  States  and  of  Great  Britain. 

Those  ainon;:^  my  readers  wlio  may  chance  to  liave 
lived  ill  a  British  colony  have  probably  observed  how 
little  there  is  to  relate  concerninij  the  fjovernment  of 
that  colony,  and  how  void  of  interest  is  that  little. 
There  are  of  course  the  usual  changes  (»f  administra- 
tion, the  usual  squabbles  in  the  legislature,  some  of 
them  as  disgraceful  as  any  which  occur  at  Sacramento 
or  Salem,  or  wheresoever  else  amateur  law-makers 
lay  burdens  on  the  people,  and  contend  in  unseemly 
phrase  for  the  people's  spoils.  As  a  rule,  however, 
though  with  many  exceptions,  the  colonies  are  lightly 
taxed.  They  pay  no  tribute  to  her  Majesty's  gov- 
ernment; they  do  not  even  pay  for  the  support  or 
expenses  of  the  troops  or  vessels  of  war  sent  forth 
for  their  protection;*  and  they  object  very  strongly 
and  decisively  to  too  much  amateur  legislation, 
especially  when  it  touches  their  pockets.     In  brief, 

*  Except  tbo  so-called  colonial  allowance  of  sixpence  a  day  made  to  the 
troops. 

( 582 ) 


m 


LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL. 


583 


most  of  the  British  dependencies  are  virtually  re- 
|)ubhcs,  with  the  privilege  of  becoming  at  any  time 
actual  republics,  and  have,  free  of  expense,  the  pro- 
tection of  Great  Britain,  while  the  governor  wields 
little  more  authority  than  does  in  the  mother  country 
the  queen  of  England,  who  cannot  obtain,  except  from 
her  private  revenues,  a  sixpence  wherewith  to  pur- 
chase her  breakfast,  unless  it  be  voted  by  parliament. 

But  in  18G3  Vancouver  Island  and  British  Colum- 
l)ia  were  merely  colonics  in  name.  During  the  regime 
of  Douglas,  and  for  several  years  thereafter,  it  can- 
not be  said  that  responsible  government  existed  cither 
on  the  Island  or  on  the  Mainland.  In  the  former 
there  was,  as  we  have  seen,  an  elective  house  of  assem- 
bly, but  its  vote  could  not  remove  the  executive 
officials,  as  was  the  case  in  other  colonics.  The 
legislative  and  executive  functions  were  vested  in  the 
governor  and  his  council,  whose  acts  were  ternu'd 
ordinances,  and  had  almost  the  force  of  statutes  in 
])arliament.^  On  the  ^Mainland  a  legislative  council 
was  organized  by  authority  of  a  royal  order,  duted 
tlie  11th  of  June,  18G3,'^  and  consisted  at  first  of 
thirteen  members,*  of  whom  five  were  govcrnnuMit 
officials,^  five  were  magistrates  appointed  by  the  gov- 
ernor, and  the  remainder  were  elected  by  t'  c  j)eopK', 
certificates  being  issued  to  them  on  the  reporting  of 
tlieir  names  by  the  returning  officer. 

The  council  met  for  the  first  tinio  at  New  West- 
minster on  the  21st  of  January,  18G4,  nine  members 

^  />e('o.wios,  ]\  I.  and  Brit.  Col.  Govt,  MS.,  19. 

Hm)!' copy  of  this  orilcr,  bco  Jour.  Lr<j(Kl.  Council,  D.  C,  1SG4,  4-5. 

^Tlio  mcinhcra  for  the  lirst  session  were  Arthur  N.  Bircli,  colonial  secre- 
tary and  presiding  member;  Henry  1'.  1'.  Crease,  attorney-f,'encral;  Wymond 
O.  llamley,  collector  of  customs;  (^hartrea  Drew,  Tctcr  OUcilly,  I'ldward  II. 
.Sanders,  "enry  M.  IJall,  and  I'liilii)  II.  Xind,  niai,'i.stratcs  fur  Xcw  West- 
niinstjr.  Cariboo,  ialo  and  Hope,  Lyttou,  and  Douylas;  and  Jcjshua  A.  1!. 
Jlonur,  Robert  T.  Smith,  Henry  Holbrook,  James  Orr,  and  Walter  S.  Wack 
for  their  respective  districts  of  New  Westminster,  Yalo  and  Lytton,  Doug- 
las and  Lillooct,  Carilioo  East,  and  Cariboo  West.  Durin;^  this  session  a 
resolution  presented  by  Mr  Homer  praying  that  a  legislative  assembly  be 
organised  was  negatived  by  tlio  casting  vote  of  the  presiding  member. 

'The  colonial  secretary,  attorney-general,  treasurer,  chief  commissiouer 
of  lands  and  works,  and  collector  of  customs. 


I 


im 


UNION  AND  CONFEDERATION. 


•;  •  I 


being  present.  In  his  opening  address  Douglas  con- 
gratulated them  on  this  first  step  toward  representa- 
tive government  and  popular  institutions,  which,  ho 
declared,  her  Majesty  had  withheld  during  the  in- 
fancy of  the  colony,  only  from  a  sincere  regard  for  its 
happiness  and  prosperity.  He  urged  on  them  a  vigor- 
ous [)i'osccution  of  the  public  works  as  a  measure  of 
vital  importance  to  the  colony,  and  one  that  would 
give  to  the  waste  lands  of  British  Columbia  a  value 
which  they  did  not  then  possess.  With  a  view  to  in- 
crease population  and  encourage  settlement,  he  had 
thrown  open  the  public  lands  to  actual  settlers  on  the 
most  liberal  terms,  and  had  done  his  utmost  to  en- 
courage mining  and  every  species  of  enterprise  that 
tended  to  develop  the  resources  of  the  country,  though 
the  result  of  these  measures  had  not,  as  yet,  answered 
his  expectations.  The  Indian  tribes,  he  said,  were 
quiet  and  well  disposed.  Reserves,  embracing  village 
sites  and  cultivated  fields  had  been  set  apart  for  them, 
their  area  in  no  case  exceeding  ten  acres  for  each  family, 
and  this  being  inalienable  and  held  as  joint  prop- 
erty.*' Appropriations  were  recommended  for  reli- 
gious purposes,  and  for  the  establishment  and  su[)port 
of  schools,  though  it  was  far  from  his  wish  to  estab- 
lish a  dominant  or  endowed  church  in  a  colony  to  which 
people  of  all  religious  denominations  were  invited,  lie 
promised  soon  to  lay  before  them  a  communication 
from  the  secretary  of  state  for  the  colonies,  with  pr 
posals  for  opening  telegraphic  and  postal  communi 
cation  between  British  Columbia  and  the  head 
Lake  Superior.  Finally  he  laid  before  them  an  esti- 
mate of  the  expenditure  for  the  past  year,  amounting 
to  £192,860,''  while  the  revenue  for  the  same  period 
was   but    £110,000.'     Meanwhile   bonds   had    been 

*  Though  aa  iudiviJuala  they  hail  the  samo  right  of  acquiring  and  holdhi^ 
land  by  purchase  or  occupation  aa  other  classea  of  her  Majeaty's  sul)jccts. 

'Of  which  £83,937  waa  for  public  roada,  £12,650  for  redemption  of  roail 
bonda  created  in  lS(i2,  £15,288  for  public  worlia,  buildinsa,  and  transport, 
£13,725  for  iutereat  on  loans  and  sinking  fund,  and  £31,G15  tor  the  civil  cstab- 
liahment. 

•Of  which  over  £55,000  waa  obtained  from  cuatoma  duea.  Macfies,  V.  I. 
and  B.  V. 


o- 


OI 


GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS. 


685 


glas  con- 
prcscnta- 
vhich,  lie 
r  the  iu- 
rtl  f<jr  its 
iiavigor- 
easure  of 
at  would 
ia  a  value 
iew  to  ill- 
it,  lie  bad 
ers  on  the 
ost  to  en- 
■prisc  that 
ry,  though 
/answered 
said,  were 
ling  village 
t  for  them, 
ach  ianiily, 
oint   prop- 
d   for  reli- 
nd  support 
h  to  estah- 
[ly  to  which 
Ivited.     He 
inunicatiou 

[  with  pro- 
communi- 
tc  head  of 
am  an  csti- 
[amountiug 
imc  period 
had    been 

Lg  and  lioWing 
Pb  subjects. 
Imption  of  roa.l 
land  transpoit, 
\  the  civil  cstal)- 

Macfien,  V.  I- 


created  and  loans  contracted  to  the  amount  of  £65,- 
805,  leaving  still  a  deficiency  of  £17,055,  in  addition 
to  a  sum  of  £10,700  due  to  the  imperial  government 
for  the  expenses  of  the  royal  engineers.  For  18G4 
the  outlay,  including  the  debit  balance,  was  set  down 
at  £107,910,  and  the  income  from  all  sources  at  £120,- 
000,  thus  leaving  a  balance  of  £12,090;  but  this,  it 
was  explained,  made  no  provision  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  a  gold  escort,  or  for  the  expense  of  pubhc 
works.  Asking  the  advice  of  the  members  whether 
it  was  expedient  to  undertake  such  works  during  the 
current  year,  and  if  so,  how  their  cost  should  be  de- 
frayed, the  govrnor  took  his  seat.^ 

Thus  did  the  lordly  Douglas  give  to  the  colonists 
of  British  Columbia  a  foretaste  of  the  blessings  of 
representative  government.  At  this  date  the  white 
population  of  the  colony  was  probably  loss  than  eight 
thousand,  and  of  this  number  a  large  proportion  was 
of  the  migratory  class.  To  lay  on  them,  at  this  early 
period  in  their  history,  a  tax  exceeding  §120  per  cap- 
ita was  a  measure  unheard  of  in  the  history  of  British 
colonization,  and  one  that  elsewhere  would  at  least 
have  provoked  much  angry  discussion.  But  not  so 
among  this  staid  and  dutiful  assemblage.  The  s[)eoch 
was  received  with  profound  respect;  the  oath  was 
administered  by  Mr  Justice  Begbie,  who  declared 
the  session  duly  opened.  His  excellency  then  took 
his  leave;  and  after  some  unimportant  business,  the 
members  adjourned,  presenting,  threu  days  later,  an 
humble  address,  wherein  they  expressed  their  earnest 
resolve  to  act  in  concert  with  the  governor  to  the 
best  of  their  ability. 

There  is  a  refreshing  simplicity  about  the  early 
sessions  of  the  legislative  council,  and  one  that  con- 
trasts strangely  with  the  stormy  incidents  of  a  later 
[H'riod.  On  the  5th  of  February  this  body  went  into 
committoo  of  supply,  and  on  its  rising,  a  few  minutes 

•A  copy  of  lua  addrcsa  will  bo  fomul  in  Ii!.,  18(54,  1-4. 


580 


UNION  AND  CONFEDERATION. 


'\  ■■  ' 


later,  the  presiding  member^''  reported  the  adoption 
of  a  bill  of  supply,  amounting  to  £135,639,  for  tlio 
service  of  the  ensuing  year,  together  with  a  recom- 
mendation that  it  be  now  read  a  first  time.  The 
question  of  the  first  reading  being  then  put  to  the 
council,  it  was  so  ordered,  and  the  bill  was  read  ac- 
cordingly. A  few  minutes  later  it  was  read  a  second 
time,  and  committed;  reported  back  without  amend- 
ments; passed  to  a  third  reading,  the  standing  orders 
being  suspended;  and  thus,  probably  within  the  space 
of  an  hour,  the  supplies  were  voted,  an  additional 
sum  of  £80,700  being  granted  during  the  session  by 
varicnis  resolutions." 

The  term  of  the  governor's  commission  for  Van- 
couver Island  expired  in  September  18G3,  and  for 
British  Columbia  one  year  later.  Partly  on  account 
of  his  free-handed  disposition  of  the  public  funds,  how- 
ever, and  also  with  a  view  to  sever  the  last  link  that 
connected  them,  directly  or  indirectly,  with  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company,  many  of  the  colonists,  both  ol' 
the  Mainland  and  Island,  had  already  petitioned  for 
the  appointment  of  separate  governors,*^  and  before 
the  close  of  18G3  it  was  ofticially  announced  that 
tlicir  request  would  be  granted.  That,  nevertheless, 
Douglas  was  still  supported  by  the  wealth  and  intel- 
ligence of  both  colonies,  is  sufficiently  apparent  from 

'"In  the  absence  of  the  colonitil  secretary,  the  chair  was  occupied  by  tliu 
attorney-general. 

^'Joiu:  Lfi/isl.  Council,  li.  C,  1804,  l.'l;  sjiecnh  of  Gov.  Seymour,  in  Id., 

iso:.,  ;t. 

'^As  early  as  October  1858  a  iictition,  signed  by  117  residents  of  Victoria, 
was  forwartled  to  Sir  JJulwer  Lytton,  praying  for  the  removal  of  Douglas. 
The  inlitiiiners  asked  that  'an  Kuglisii  gentleman,  free  and  independent  of 
any  interest  save  tlic  public  welfare,  may  be  appointed  by  her  Majesty's  go\  - 
ernment.'  J)c  Cokhios,  I'.  I.,  and  Brit.  Vol.  Govt,  MS.,  -">.  Amor  Dc Cosmos, 
a  native  of  Nova  Scotia,  came  to  Cal.  in  IS.j.l,  removing  to  Victoria  in  1SJ>, 
whore  he  began  the  publication  of  a  newspaper  in  the  autumn  of  that  year. 
Ho  commenced  his  public  career  by  drawing  .ip  tlic  petition  above  rcfernd 
to;  and  though  on  principle  opposed  to  the  government  as  it  then  existed, 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  second  legislature  of  \.  I.  From  his  Vonrii- 
inrutA  of  Vancourir  Inland  and  liriliih  i'oluinbiu,  MS.,  I  have  gathered  itoni.^ 
of  interest  extending  over  tlio  period  between  tlic  founding  of  Victoria  ami 
the  confederation.  In  the  opening  pages  of  his  MS.  is  an  account  of  vai  iou.i 
newspapers  published  at  Victoria,  between  1858  and  1S03,  of  which  mention 
will  be  made  later. 


SIR  JAMES  DOUGLAS. 


587 


the  addresses  presented  to  him  by  the  people  of  Van- 
couver Island,  at  his  oflScial  leave-taking  in  Septem- 
ber, and  by  the  people  of  British  Columbia  a  few 
months  later.  The  former  was  signed  by  all  the 
bankers  and  professional  men,  and  nearly  all  the  lead- 
ing merchants  of  Victoria,  while  to  the  latter  were 
appended  more  than  nine  hundred  signatures."  But, 
as  he  declared,  it  was  his  earnest  desire  to  withdraw 
from  further  public  connection  with  the  colonies,  and 
this  desire  he  had  long  ago  intimated  to  the  secretary 
of  state.  In  fact,  it  may  be  doubted  whether  Doug- 
las was  ever  really  willing  to  accept  office  as  governor. 
In  doing  so  he  added  nothing  to  his  income;  on  the 
contrary,  it  is  probable  that  the  increased  expense  of 
his  establishment  made  him  a  loser  thereby;  while 
in  freedom  from  harassing  cares  the  position  of 
governor  under  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  was  in- 
iinitely  preferable  to  that  of  her  Majesty's  represent- 
ative in  the  colonies. 

By  the  October  mail  arrived  a  number  of  the  Ga- 
zette, in  which  appeared  the  announcement  that  Doug- 
las had  been  knighted.  A  few  months  later,  after 
beinff  feasted  and  flattered  to  more  than  his  heart's 
content,  ho  bid  farewell  to  the  settlement  which  he  luul 
founded  in  1843,  as  a  mere  trading  post,  with  little 
certainty  that  it  would  ever  become  the  metropolis  of 
a  thriving  and  ambitious  colony.  As  he  proceeded  on 
foot,  accompanied  by  his  staff,  from  the  government 
house  to  the  Hudson's  Bay  wharf,  every  llag-stafF  in 
the  town  was  decorated  with  bunting,  the  citizens 
raising  their  hats  as  he  passed,  and  manyof  them  join- 
ing in  the  procession.  The  steamer  Enterprise,  gayly 
tlcikcd  with  colors,  awaited  his  arrival,  and  as  he 
leached  the  foot  of  the  gangway,  the  cheers  which  had 

'^Copiog  of  them  will  bo  found  in  Atldr.  ami  Mvmor.  Sir  Janice  Doii'jla.i, 
;!,  I!_'-;{.  The  former  enclosed  a  memorial,  and  the  latter  was  iu  tlio  form  of 
an  ;iiM"css,  both  to  bo  forwarded  to  the  iluUo  of  Newcastle.  Addresses  were 
presinted  by  the  legislative  council  and  asscnd)ly  at  Victoria,  and  by  tlio 
legislature  at  New  Westminster,  for  which  see  /t/.,  18  '20;  Jour.  Lerihl. 
Council,  B.  C,  18G4,  '20.  The  government  olBcials,  the  iuhabitauts  of  Yale 
and  Hope,  and  others,  also  forwarded  addresses. 


58S 


UNION  AND  CONFEDERATION. 


\f  i 


greeted  him  along  his  route  burst  forth  with  redoubled 
volume,  the  multitude  thronging  round  to  grasp  him 
by  the  hand.     As  the  vessel  moved  off,  the  band  sta- 
tioned on  board  the  O^^er  struck  up  the  tunc  of  AuM 
Lang  Syne,  and  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns  was  filed 
b}''  the  Hudson's  Bay  employds.     Then  followed  tlh 
strains  of  the  national  anthem;  and  thus    was  Sir 
James  Douglas,  K.  C.  B.,  sent  on  his  way  to  tin 
Mainland,  there  to  be  again  banqueted,  toasted,  and 
plied  with  addresses,  and  then  to  retire  for  a  whil 
into  private  life  at  his  home  in  New  Westminster." 

Twenty-two  years  had  now  elapsed  since  the  native- 
of  Camosun  had  first  seen  the  calm  waters  of  thcii 
harbor  ruflflcd  by  the  little  steamer  on  board  of  which 
Douglas  came  and  determined  the  site  of  the  present 
city  of  Victoria.  During  many  of  these  years  he  had 
controlled  the  affairs  of  the  great  monopoly  in  the 
north-west.  How  skilful  had  been  his  manageuiei.t, 
how  mild  his  rule,  and  how  judicious  his  policy,  the 
reader  is  well  aware  who  has  followed  his  career 
throughout  the  narrative  which  I  have  laid  before 
him.  If  his  administration  as  governor  is  open  to 
censure,  the  faults  which  he  committed  are  such  as 
detract  but  little  from  his  fame.  That  he  was  lavish 
in  the  expenditure  of  the  public  funds,  laying  upon 
the  infant  colony  burdens  greater  than  it  could  boar, 
cannot  be  disputed;  but  this  outlay,  incurred  mainly 
for  opening  roads  to  the  mining  districts,  then  the 
main  source  of  wealth,  and  without  which  Victoria 
would  have  remained  a  village,  must  be  regarded  rather 
as  an  investment  than  as  a  tax  on  the  industries  of 
the  people.  Insignificant  as  were  then  the  British 
possessions  in  the  north-west,  remote  from  the  mother 
country,  with  which  there  was  no  prompt  communi- 
cation, except  through  foreign  sources,  with  a  sparse 
but  heterogeneous  population,  composed  largely  of 

'*A  description  of  tho  fOtes  and  banquets  iiold  at  Victoria  and  New  West 
minster,  witli  tho  addresses  and  memorials  presented  by  tho  citizens  .'iimI  tlio 
comments  of  tho  press  on  tiic  occasion  of  Douglas' rrtiroment,  will  bo  found  in 
AUilr.  and  Mcmor.  Sir  Jamcn  DoiujUih. 


GOVERNOR  SEYMOUR. 


580 


Americans,  impatient  of  British  rule  and  imbittered 
by  the  disputes  incidental  to  the  San  Juan  difficulty, 
without  the  moans  of  competing  with  older  and  more 
favored  communities — amid  all  these  difficulties  the 
colonies  had  developed  with  a  steady  and  stalwart 
growth.  And  to  none  was  this  result  so  largely  due 
as  to  him  from  whom  we  will  now  take  our  leave, 
quoting  in  conclusion  a  few  words  from  his  reply  to 
an  address  presented  by  the  citizens  of  New  West- 
minster— words  uttered  in  no  spirit  of  vainglory  or 
boastfulness :  "This  is  surely  the  voice  and  heart  of 
British  Columbia.  Here  are  no  specious  phrases,  no 
hollow  or  venal  compliments.  This  speaks  out  broadly, 
and  honestly,  and  manfully.  It  assures  me  that  my 
administration  has  been  useful ;  that  I  have  done  my 
duty  faithfully;  that  I  have  used  the  power  of  my 
sovereign  for  good,  and  not  for  evil;  that  I  liavo 
wronged  no  man,  oppressed  no  man;  but  that  I  have, 
with  upright  rule,  meted  out  equal-handed  justice  to 
all." 


Toward  the  end  of  April  1864,  a  few  days  before 
the  close  of  the  first  session  of  the  council,  Frederick 
Seymour,  successor  to  Douglas  on  the  Mainland,  ar- 
lived  at  Now  Westminster.  Seymour  had  formerly 
held  office  as  governor  of  British  Honduras,  whore 
Ills  health  had  been  seriously  impaired,  llv.  was  a 
man  of  mediocre  ability,  of  no  great  force  of  character, 
somewhat  timid  and  over-conservative  in  policy,  and 
apt  to  place  too  much  dependence  on  those  by  whom 
ho  was  surrounded;  one  who  might  liavo  reigned  with 
'•rcdit  in  a  settled  and  j)rosperous  connnir.iity,  as 
among  the  sugar-planters  of  Belize,  but  was  ill  litted 
lor  the  control  of  a  young  and  ambitious  colony.  The 
fask  which  he  had  now  before  him  rofjuired  the  ser- 
\  ites  of  a  more  capable  ruler,  and  this  lie  soon  made 
apparent  to  the  members  of  the  council.  Broroguiiig 
that  body,  on  the  4tli  of  May,  he  remarked  that  lie 
I'und  himself  obliged  to  C(.)nsi(ler  a  measure  involving 


500 


UNION  AND  CONFEDERATION. 


i  I 


the  wliolc  iiiianciul  arrangements  of  the  colony;  an- 
other proposing  to  regulate  its  paper  currency ;  a  third 
affecting  its  internal  navigation;  together  with  some 
twenty  resolutions,  many  of  them  of  grave  import, 
and  involving  a  considerable  expenditure.  As  to  most 
of  the  important  measures,  especially  those  concern- 
ing the  supplementary  estimates,  he  deferred  his  deci  - 
ion  until  the  winter  session,  or  reserved  them  for  lui 
Majesty's  consideration.  He  gave  his  assent,  howevti', 
to  the  inland-navigation  ordinance,  and  to  resolutions 
for  the  survey  of  a  road  from  the  moutli  of  the  C^ues- 
nel  to  C\iriboo,  together  with  an  extra  exj)eiuliture  ol 
£40,000  in  that  district.  He  also  assented  tt)  several 
others  wherein  no  outlay  was  involved,  among  them 
being  regulations  for  the  postal  service,  for  amendiiiL; 
the  customs  duties,  for  declaring  the  legal  rate  of  in- 
terest, and  for  registering  documents  relating  to  real 
estate." 

On  the  21st  of  October  a  proclamation  was  issued 
(hssolving  the  legislative  council,  "for  divers  good 
tauses  and  considerations,"  and  a  week  later  a  notiic 
was  published,  containing  a  list  of  the  new  appoint- 
ments, eight  out  of  the  thirteen  members  of  the  former 
council  being  reelected.'"  At  the  opening  session, 
hekl  on  the  12th  of  December,  the  governor  stated 
that  only  £135,039  out  of  the  £210,400  voted  for  the 
public  service  of  1804  had  been  expended,  the  dis- 
bursements for  the  current  month  being  estimated  at 
£8,000,  tims  showing  an  expenditure  less  by  £72,000 
than  had  been  sanctioned.  Meanwhile,  however,  the 
revenue  had  fallen  short  of  the  estinuites  by  some 
£13,000.  Under  an  act  of  the  previous  session,  a 
loan  of  £100,000  had  been  authorized,  agains't  whieli 
thev  had  drawn  but  £20,300,  the  remainder  bein.r 
available  for  the  service  of  1805.     Amoni;  the  items 


'■''  Also  to  ordinances  rcliitin,i»  to  patents,  facilitating  tiie  formation  of  joint- 
stock  iiiiiiiiii,'  conipanii's,  ami  for  tin;  ri'liuf  of  certain  naval  unit  military  si  t- 
tlers.   Spoei:li  of  Frcdericii  St'vnioiir,  in  ./u»;-.  Lkj'isI.  Coiiiiril,  Jl.  ('.,  1804,  •11). 

"'Tiie  names  of  tlic  nK'nihers  will  lie  foiind  in  A/.,  1S(m,  after  tlic  tabic  of 
contents. 


COLONIAL  AFFAIRS. 


SOI 


of  expense  for  the  j)ast  year  was  one  of  £10,000  for 
the  suppression  of  the  CliilUotin  massacre,''  of  which 
Seymour  ^ivcs  a  detailed  account  in  his  address,  lie 
rcj^rets  that  several  needed  improvements  liave  been 
tlehiyed  through  lack  of  funds,  amoni^  them  beini,'  the 
t'stablishment  of  a  light-ship  at  the  mouth  of  tho 
b'raser.  Finally  lie  calls  the  attention  of  the  council 
to  certain  resolutions  passed  by  the  assembly  at  \'ic- 
toria  in  favor  of  a  conditional  union  with  British  Co- 
lumbia under  one  governor.  Ex[)ressing  his  own 
views  on  this  subject,  he  remarks  that,  while  it  would 
he  better  for  imperial  interests  that  Gieat  Uritain 
should  be  represented  west  of  the  Kocky  Mountains 
hy  a  single  ruler,'^  he  does  not  think  that  at  present 
Ihitish  Columbia  would  j^ain  by  the  suufujested  chan''f, 
and  advises  them  to  consult  only  tht'ir  local  interests. 
At  the  next  meeting  the  council  res[)onded,  as  usual, 
ill  meek  and  lespoctful  phrase,  and  the  business  of  the 
session  commenced. 

Thus  did  the  colonial  ship  of  state  sail  forth  «>ii 
these  untroubled  waters,  her  course  .seldom  disturbed 
hy  the  faintest  breath  of  popular  discontent.  Most 
of  the  measures  brouij^ht  before  the  council  were  ini- 
tiated  by  the  attorney-general,  those  which  [)assed  to 
a  third  readinvj  and  received  the  governor's  sanction 
relating  mainly  to  municipal  alKiirs,  [)ublie  imi)rove- 
ments,  and  matters  of  local  interest.'' 

Let  us  turn  now  to  Vancouver  Island,  where,  as 
will  be  remembered,  the  iirst  term  of  the  legislative 
assembly  expired  in  18j'J.  To  the  mention  already 
made  of  this  assembly'""  theie  is  nothing  worthy  of 


"Tlio  crowii  iTfusod  to  rcfiiiid  any  part  ot'  tliis  sum. 

'"  As  in  ciiHO  of  war,  ill  wliicli  ovuiit  tin;  oliictT  in  fomniaud  of  tlio  naval 
foirua  niiylit  ho  seriously  fnibarrasHcil  liy  tln^  oonllKtini;  jxiliiy  of  two  gov- 
•mors. 

"'rabies,  showing  the  progress  of  the  various  iiills  introiliu'cd,  will  he 
I'liiiid  fiir  each  year  in  Jour.  Lf'jM.  Couiiril,  IJ.  ('.,  facing'  p.  I.  See  also 
Ciiiisul.  Stilt,  lint.  Col.  (ed.  1877),  passim;  Actn  and  Oriliu.  H'e.stt'rn  ('oL, 
IS.")S-70,  passim. 

'"'Sco  pages  22-7,  this  vol. 


I 


UNION  AND  CONFEDERATION. 


'W 


!  i! 


note  to  bo  added,  except  that  the  members  stoutly 
refused  to  n;rant  supplies,  or  become  responsible  for 
debts  incurred  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  When 
the  second  legislature  met,  in  18G0,  the  connection 
between  the  colony  and  the  company  having  then 
been  dissolved,  the  question  was  again  brought  for- 
ward, Who  was  to  pay  the  debts  of  the  latter?  It 
was  resolved  that,  as  the  former  assembly  had  in- 
curred no  responsibility,  the  present  one  won^.d  adopt 
the  same  policy,  and  leave  the  company  to  settle  its 
claims  with  the  home  government. 

For  the  year  1861  the  legitimate  revenue  of  the 
colony  was  £25,291;  for  1862,  £24,017;"  for  186a, 
£30,000;  and  for  1864  it  was  estimated  at  £37,704. 
The  receipts  for  the  last  of  these  years  were  increased 
by  sums  due  from  British  Columbia,  advtcnces  to 
crown  agents  in  London,  balance  of  loan,  and  other 
sources,  to  about  £77,000,  while  the  expenses  were 
SL't  down  at  £59,062,  of  which  £15,616  was  for  pub- 
lic works  and  buildings,  and  £10,360  for  roads,  streets, 
;uul  bridges.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  only  £1,000 
was  devoted  to  educational  purposes  during  this  year, 
while  the  appropriation  for  police  and  jails  was  abo'it 
double  that  sudi.'^'^ 

In  1864  the  \diite  population  of  Vancouver  Island 
was  estimated  at  about  7,500,  or  somewhat  less  than 
that  of  British  Columbia,  the  rate  of  taxation  bein<4 
nearly  £8  per  capita,  as  against  £24  in  the  latter  col- 
ony. The  principtd  sources  of  revenue  at  this  date 
were  from  land  sales  and  liquor  licenses,  from  a  tax  of 
one  per  cent  on  real  estate,  and  from  the  sums  col- 
lected under  the  trade  licenses  amendment  act  of 
1862.'^^     By  the  provisions  of  this  act,  merchants  and 

*'  The  reason  for  the  slight  decrease  of  this  year  was  that  the  iiist.ihneiit s 
due  1)y  farmers  on  hind  purchased  from  go^■crn^lent  were  jjostjioncd  on  ar- 
coiint  of  losses  sustained  during  au  unusually  ecvcro  winter.  Alacjtc'/i  I'.  /. 

'-Tor  the  administration  of  justice,  £7'21  was  voted;  for  the  mail  service, 
£'2,',Hi0i  for  light-houses,  £1,400;  and  for  charitable  allowances,  £ooU.  /(/., 

siy. 

""The  real  estate  tax  produced  £]^,OCiO;  trade  licenses,  £5,Q1G;  liq  lor 
licenses,  £4,800;  and  land  sales.  £0,nS2.  A/.,  lUS. 


ECONOMY. 


r.93 


toutly 
)lo  for 
When 
lection 
r  then 
ht  for- 
jr?     It 
had  in- 
i  ndopt 
jttle  its 

3  of  the 

)r  18G;}, 

£37,704. 

ncrcasod 

Lances  to 

[id  other 

ises  were 

for  pub- 
strcots, 

y  £1,000 
his  year, 
as  abont 

ler  Island 
less  than 
lion  hc'iwA 
ittcr  col- 
this  dati' 
La  tax  of 
liunis  ctA- 
it  act  ot" 
liants  a\ul 

Jioucil  on  ii'-- 
miarj'i>'''i  !'•  '■ 

[mail  scrviio, 

Is.  i:ouO-    Id; 

[j,5lC;  Uq  lor 


traders  were  required  to  pay  an  annual  assessment, 
varyiii<^,  according  tc  a  jjfraduateil  scale,  I'rom  £2  a 
year  for  those  wliosc  sales  were  less  than  £200,  to 
£G0  a  year  for  those  whose  receipts  exceeded  £100,- 
000.  For  bankers  and  auctioneers  the  license  was 
£50  a  year;  for  lawyers  and  real  estate  agents,  £10; 
for  civil  engineers,  architects,  surveyors,  and  proprie- 
tors of  billiard-saloons,  £5. 

In  one  of  the  most  distant  portions  of  the  British 
empire  we  have  now  two  colonies  mustering  together 
.some  twelve  or  thirteen  thousand  white  inhabitants, 
paying  on  an  average  under  tliis  crude  system  of  tax- 
ation nearly  £19  a  year  per  capita,  or  at  least  eight 
times  the  rate  levied  in  the  mother  country,  witli  lici- 
arniy  and  navy,  her  peers,  lier  princes,  her  [)aui)ers,  and 
her  frightful  incubus  of  debt.  Under  such  conditions, 
the  extinction  of  the  two  colonies  was  but  a  mat- 
ter of  time.  It  did  not  follow  that  because  Great 
Britain  had  placed  lierself  in  the  condition  of  a  coun- 
try squire,  whose  estates  though  heavily  encumbered 
were  not  hopelessly  encumbered,  her  youngest  off- 
spring sliould  thus  follow  her  example.  J^oans  foi- 
British  Columbia  were  barely  negotiable  in  the  Lon- 
don market,^'  and  could  be  placed  only  at  excessive 
I'ates  of  interest.  Moreover,  her  sister  c(;l()ny,  sepa- 
rated by  less  than  twenty  leagui^s  iVom  tlie  JMainland, 
was  undergoing  a  severe  financial  dejirc^ssion,  oeca- 
sioned  in  part  by  over-trading  and  s[>eculation.  Some- 
thing must  be  done  in  the  matter,  and  at  least  tht; 
expenditure  for  the  civil  list  might  be  curtailed. 
Wlien,  therefore.  Captain  Kenned}-,  successor  to 
IJouglas  at  Vancouver  Island,  landed  at  Victoria  in 
1 804,  liG  was  received  with  every  manii'cstation  of 
loyalty,  enthusiasm,  and  respect;  but  his  gratilication 
was  somewhat  modified  by  the  announcement  that 
his  salary,  and  that  of  other  officials,  had  been  struck 

°*Tho  total  debt  of  British  Columbia  in  1867,  <lediictin,£(  sinking  fiiml  in< 
vestments,  was  ?l,002,i)S3;   of  Vancouver  Islauil,  §'J9;},ti"J8.    Jour,    Lcgisl. 
Council,  U.  C,  18G7,  app.  xvii. 
Hut.  Bnn.  Col.    38 


594 


UNION  AND  CONFEDEUATION. 


from  tlie  cstiniates  i'ov  iliu  year  by  a  unanimous  vote 
of  tho  logislatuic"' 

TIk!  cstinuitos  i'or  the  civil  list  of  this  year  were 
proposed  by  tho  duke  of  New<astle,  iiis  jLjraco  inti- 
UKitiiijjf  tliat  the  ciowu  lands,  then  about  to  bi'  con- 
veyed by  the  J[(id,son's  Jjay  (.\»ni[)aMy  to  tho  home 
i;-ovi'niMtent  in  ruiKidation  ordainis,  slioidd  be  assigned 
to  the  h'i;islatur«',  and  that  iVoni  tlte  prtx-ceds  <»!' sales 
the  salaries  of  the  ^ovei'nor  and  otht^r  ollicials  shoulil 
\h)  paid.  JJut  th(!  sales  fi'oni  crown  lands  foi-  (hr 
pi'(.!vi()ns  year  had  anioinited  <»nly  to  .1' 4,500,  \vhil<' 
thi!  necessary  expenses  of  j^'overnnient  were  .I'oOjOOO. 
The  pro|)osilion  of  his  i^rai^e  was  of  coui'se  njectetl, 
whereupon  her  iSrajesty's  government  decideil  to  unil,e 
the  two  col(»nies,  though  probably  somewhat  against 
tlui  will  of  the  pei>ple  of  liritish  Columbia.  In  \  iew 
of  the  facts  that  have  been  stated,  however,  it  does 
not  a[)pear  that  the  ministiy  wen;  t«)  blame  in  the 
matter.  A  yearly  expenditure  of  .l"G'.),000  for  the 
mere  civil  list  of  the  two  colonii's,  with  their  handful 
of  inhabitants,  was  a  somewhat  no\'el  phasi;  in  tin 
|»rogress  of  JJiitish  ('(►loni/ati(»n. 

According  to  tlu;  piovisions  of  the  union  ret,  enli 

tied  the  iJiitish  (\)lumbia  a(  t  of  I.SGd,  the  auth«»rity 

of  the  executive  government  and  leixislatun'of  Jhitisli 

( 'ohnnbia  was  ijxtiuided  over  Yancouv«'r   Island,  llh 

number  «>f  mend)ers  of  tlu;  legislative  council   beiu- 

incieasiMl  to  twenty-three'.     "^Ihe  existin>jc  oi'dinaMce.^ 

•  .  .  . 

wi^'e  to  i-«!main  in  forci;  until  otherwisiMletermined  hy 

law,  e\<'ept  that  those  I'elating  to  the  customs  iivi 

nues  of    IJritish    (-olumbiu  were  to   be   extended    t  ' 

Vancouver   Island,  and   that   i';  tlu^  governoi-  ucre 

vested  all  powei's  as  to  the  a[>pt»intment  of  waj'ehous 

ing  ports,  and  of  warehouses  in  such   ports,  togethir 

with  all  matters  relating  thereto.     Nothing  contained 

in  tho  uct  was  to  take  away  or  restrict  the  authoiii  \ 

"  Kcnnrcly -,  aa  o\ti-"int'ly  t'cmrlciiiH  in  niaiiiu'i,  uniiu'W  lint  <il'  ii  ll.itli'ii  i, 
niul  nil  «'xr«'''.i'lit  HI  It'll  kiT;  liiit  tlio  |p»'ti|ilo  hoihi  iiIincivi'iI  lluit  IIh'x'  «  .  ic  ali'u! 
O'^  iiuHC  chai'iii'li'i'iMtii'M  ho  |i<>hsi'ssi'iI,  In  Iriitli,  tlitin  \\:^n  at  tins  ilalu  liltli 
for  a  govcniur  to  do  fxcipt  to  Ik;  ioiiiIiouh.  EHioU'h  Ii,  < '.  i'olili'  ■<,  .MS. 


4      4» 


KNI>  OF  TIIK  VANCOUVER  COLONY. 


505 


JUS 


vote 


:»ar  were 
lice  inii- 
,  bo  fon- 
l\o  lionu' 

s  ol'  saU's 
lis  shoulil 
i  for  tilt 
00,  Nvliil'' 

Xijr),ooo. 

.  n'jiM'tt'il, 
.(I  to  uuitf 
it  :>t;:uii^t, 
III  vii>\v 
i-r,  it  tU'(>s 
ino   ill  tlu' 
)0  for  tlu' 
r'w  haiull'i'l 
uso  ill  til- 

11  ."ct,  cnti 
'.  ;illtlit>lit.V 
M»r  Jiiitisli 
Ihlaiul,  til'' 

nicil  Uciii,'-; 
onliiuiiK'. .. 

Miuiiu'^l  li.v 
tonis  rc\" 

s,  ti)i;vth' r 
^f  (•(mtiiint'tl 
"  juillit'i'i'} 

tins  iliilo  liUlt 


of  the  j^ovojiior  to  make  lou^iilutious  Ibr  the  peace, 
or(l(T,  and  jjf«)o(l  i;-ovoi-mmiit  of  the  two  eolonii's, 
.jthei-  lu'loro  or  al'ttr  tl»e  union. '"  This  act,  which 
licars  (l;i(t!  thi^  (Ith  ot"  August,  18GG,  was  proclaiincd 
\>y  th'!  L;-overnor  on  the  I7th  of  Novenihei*  in  the 
same  year,'''  untl  tlieneeforth  the  colony  of  Vancouvci- 
Island  ceased  to  exist,  the  attorney-general,  a  lew 
weeks  later,  introducing  a  bill  for  assimilating  its 
hiws  witii  those  of  iJritish  Colund)ia. 

The  confederation,  or  rather  the  legislative  union 
of  Upper  aid  Lower  Canada,  was  a  measui'e  first 
mooted  in  U'J'J,  and  one  that  took  eflect  in  IHH. 
\evertheles^•,  the  parly  contests  between  the  iidiab- 
ilants  of  the  two  regions,  diviilvnl  as  thi;y  were  by 
lace,  religion,  and  interests,  beca.ne  so  bittei*  that,  ;i.s 
I  lie  I'eader  is  aware,  matters  jame  to  a  <l»\'id-lock. 
Hence  the  iilea  of  a  legislativv!  miion  of  all  tlu;  Jiiit- 
ish  American  colonies,  though  reserving  to  each  its 
iiidividnality  and  its  loca!  government.  Moreover, 
he  tiangers  to  which  tluy  were  afterward  exposetl 
liy  the  possible  i.ssues  of  tl^e  civil  war  formed  an  ad- 
ilitional  incentive  tt)  their  union.  Tlnis  it  was  that, 
llie   leaders   of   the    several    nartii's   i)ut   asi«h'    theii- 


issues   and  agi'eed  to  mak(!  conunon   causi-,  li>  which 
the  home  govermnent  responded  bypassing  the  Hril 
i>h  North  Anu'ii«'a  act  of   1807,  wherebv  the  cold- 
;iic.s  could    unite  at,    will    in  a    confederation    to    he 
known  as  the  Donnnion  of  (  anada. 

After  tlu!  pas,-.ag(;  of  this  act  nout;  were  molt;  eagii- 
to  he  admitted  into  the  confederation  than  the  peo|)l(' 
of  Ih'Jtish  (/ohunbia;  but.  this  was  not,  yet,  to  be.  ( )n 
tlie  17th  of  Deci'mber,  I. SOS,  the  legislature  met  foi 
llie  lirst,  time'  at  Victoria,  accoi'dii'g  ti»  the  (\ pressed 
(iesiro  of  the  colonists,  including  (he  re.->idt;nts  of  the 


Aft  Ji)  ami  ill)  I'ii-I.,  in  Joiir.  Lfiji^l.   (' 


<7,  /;.  ('.,  isti 


I  •_'.    r.v 


lliis  act,  'Jl  and  '2'1  Vict.,  to  proviilo  for  tiu>  govcrunuiit  of  H.  C,  autl  -ti  an. I 
~i  Vict.,  to  dutiiio  till)  lioiuularies  of  tho  colony,  nntl  for  otlit'i-  piirpo^c^,  wcro 
ri'iK«ulo»l 


iries 
I'Vr  copy  of  piuclainution 


/./. 


:>96 


UNION  AND  CONFEDERATION. 


mainland,  though  very  much  against  the  governor's 
wish.*  His  excellency  remarked  that  it  was  his 
pleasing  duty  to  state  that  the  colony  did  not  appear 
to  bo  in  a  condition  to  create  despondency;  that  by 
unmitigated  economy  he  had  reduced  the  expenses  of 
government  by  §88,092,  and  that  he  had  never  taken 
upon  himself  "to  appoint  a  higher  officer  than  a  con- 
stable." They  must  wait,  however,  for  admission  as 
a  province  until  the  intervening  territory  under  con- 
trol of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company^"  should  havo 
been  incorporated. 

The  people  of  British  Columbia  did  not  want  sueli 
government.  They  would  very  much  have  preferred 
such  a  ji'uler  as  Douglas,  with  his  courtly  mien,  and 
even  with  his  reckless  disregard  for  the  credit  of  the 
colony,  to  this  negative  and  timid  magistrate.  Though 
his  lavish  hospitality  may  have  saved  him  from  being 
unpopular,  at  his  decease,  which  occurred  in  June  ot 
the  following  3'oar,  there  were  few  wlio  sincerely 
mourned  his  loss.*'  In  his  successor,  Anthony  Mus- 
grave,  C.  M.  G.,  who  held  office  until  the  1st  of  July, 
1871,  or,  as  it  is  known,  tlie  first  donn'nion  day,  tlu 
people  gladly  recognized  a.  governor  whose  tact,  de- 
cision, and  ex[)ei'ionce  fitted  him  for  the  control  of  men. 

•'* Seymour's  .iJilrcsij  to  tlio  council  on  the  ))rop()iC(l  t'liaii'ic  of  the  sent  ni 
govi  I iHiiont  is  i-iinitly  pitiful.  It  conrliidcs:  'JIo  tiuHts  tliiit  no  iininodi.itc 
action  may  he  nrgcil  iipon  liim,'  Imt,  slioiilil  any  I'C  jc'(|iiircil.  'liowiil  lninil/l\ 
I'ccoinniouil  to  tlic  (jucen  that  liu  anil  lii.-s  tiiic'tc.-i.idra  in  oili(:u  liu  cdmnianiUil  I  ' 
rcsi(h^  porinanintly  in  tho  {ircso-.tt  oaja'.al  of  tho  coUjny.'  Juiir.  Lcij'tnL  Couk 
ril,  li.  C,  IStiT,  ti'-'.  To  this  tho  IhisIir'-s  men,  tavnicr.s,  Tuinirs,  etc".,  ol 
tilt!  island  anil  niainlanci  ic-'iiundcil  that  \  ii  lotia  was  tlic  must  fiiiitaMc  .«i"'i. 
A ',H!titinn  t'l  thi<  imri'ort  V.  as  .'i,L,'iucl  Iiy  TO  ii'^idcnt^^  <if  \(\v  WLv-lniinslri . 
Anion;^  tlu-  1.107  iidialntants  of  \ai:cuuv<  r  l-^hunl  w  lio  intitioni'd  liiscxnl 
lency  wiic  W".  .1.  Maciiouald,  mayor  oi  Victoria,  and  lioiKriclv  rinlaysi  ii, 
cluif  factor  If.  It.  Co.  Froia  Ihe  nmiiilnnd  th(?  total  nigiLiturcs  niinilicii  i 
84"_'.  /'/,.  ft|>.  x\  j.  In  tho  legislative  council  a  resolution  wa.i  jiasscd,  liy  ;..i 
ulllnnat  \x'  Aotc  of  II  to  .">,  Iliat  Victoria  was  tho  most  suitahlo  jilaco  for  tla- 
scat  of  leu'i.slatnrf.  /./..  iJStlS,  ll-l'J. 

"Mauitoha. 

•"'Seymour  clicd  on  Ixtaril  II.  M,  S.  S/Ko'i-onhoiil;  while  on  at  ip  to  tin' 
northern  ]iortioi)  of  tlie  colony.  ('im/i)r'n  Maiilinte  MnUif,  MS.,  'Jl.  If  \vc 
<an  believe  Mr  Klliott,  lie  spent  all  his  salary  ami  iuipaired  his  private  furtniH 
liy  hh  foolish  hospitality.  In  Urili-h  < 'ohimhia  Polilks,  hy  A.  (',  IJliioH,  MS., 
I  have  Ijcen  furnidiod  with  .-i  hricf  nketch  of  the  ciiaracteristies  and  career  ft 
the  rnlera  of  H.  C.  .incl  \'.  1.,  troin  the  regitne  of  (Jov.  .Seymour  to  that  <f 
4<ov.  Truli'li,  with  some  incidents  in  the  political  annals  of  both  colonics. 


GOVERNOR  .MUSGRAVE. 


597 


(ii  his  inaugural  ailthcss,  ^lusgravo  expressed  his 
conviction  that,  under  certain  conditions,  which  lie 
thoupfht  it  would  not  he  difficult  to  arrange,  the  colony 
might  derive  substantial  benefit  iroui  tlie  union,  and 
that  with  the  advice  of  his  council  he  had  prepared  a 
scheme  which  he  would  cause  to  be  laid  before  them; 
that,  while  the  views  of  her  JMajesty's  government 
had  been  clearly  and  foi'cibly  expressed  on  the  niatter,""' 
there  was  no  desire  to  urge  the  union,  unless  it  were 
ill  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  her  Majesty's  sub- 
jects. The  resolutions  presented  by  ^fusgrave  were 
adopted  with  but  slight  alterations."- 

A  delegation  was  sent  to  Ottawa  to  lay  before  llu; 
dominion  government  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the 
council,  to  explain  the  views  and  wants  of  the  colony, 
and  to  ascertain  how  far  they  eouM  be  fulfilled.  In 
Iiis  address  at  the  opening  t»f  the  session  of  1871,  the 
governor  laid  before  the  legislature  the  report  of  the 
|nivy  council  of  Canada  on  the  subject,  remarking 
that  tlui  terms  accepted  were  as  liberal  as  the  colony 
could  fairly  expect,  and  in  some  respects  more  advan- 
tageous than  those  submitted  by  the  colony.  ]  le 
then>fore  recommended  them  at  once  to  pass  an 
address  to  her  ^lajesty,  in  accordance  with  the  j>ro- 
visions  of  the  ]3ritish  Xorth  America  act  of  1S()7, 
|iiaying  for  admission."" 

■"Sec  Jniu:  Lri/isl.  Couinil,  I!.  C,  1S7S,  '2S  <>t  ^(-4.  Ou  tho  '.Mtli  o[ 
.\]iril,  ISGH,  nil  nddross  to  t\w  ([iiooii  wasi  niovcil,  in  wliicli  tliu  foiulitii.ii.s  {>f 
tlif  union  wcic  Liid  <lo\vu  ill  a  isomcwiiat  liiuli-liaiulcil  in;iiiiii'r.  ;\'i  !iiii(iiil 
iiiiiitvas  ciiriicd,  in  vliich  it  was  tlcclarcil  tlnit,  wliilo  tim  eoniiL'il  \\:nin 
favcir  of  till)  n;iion,  they  woro  uitliout  siilliiii'iit  iiiforniutiou  and  i'\|ii'iiiiui- 
iif  tlio  ]iractical  working  nf  conlcdiiatiim  in  tlio  Nuilli  Aiiu'ii''aii  iiro\iiiii's  to 
I'll  justilicd  in  ik'finin^' tlio  terms  f>n  wlddi  s^iicii  a  union  woidd  lit'  to  tliiir 
adviintagc,  , 

°- In  a  ilcs|mteh  to  Gov.  Mnst;ra\i,  dated  Ang.  U,  ISO'.),  Karl  Granville 
■^tati  ;)  that  till)  queen  would  ]irohali! y  be  iid\  ised  l)erore  Ion;,'  to  is-mo  an  order 
111  eoiineil,  ineorporatinij  in  tlio  dominion  all  the  liritish  juis^essioiis  in  N.  Am. 
"itli  the  cxce|)ti(ni  of  li.  ( '.  'Ihe  iiiustion  tin  rct'oi'e  jireseiitid  itself,  whether 
this  single  coiiiny  tiliould  ho  «'\eluiled.  On  that  <|m'stion  the  eolonists  did  not 
Jipjiear  to  iio  unaliiinons;  hut,  jildijini,'  from  his  deNpatelns,  the  jiiexailinu' 
opinion  iippeared  to  1)0  ill  fiivor  ot  uni  >i.  He  had  no  hesitation  in  statin;,' 
that  siicii  was  also  tho  opinion  of  hei  Miijostv's  K"^'^''''""'-'"'-  ''^"'''-  ''"/'"'S 
Ji'i'.  I '..!.,  1881,  1.19. 

^'Joitr.  L'ljiHl.  ('ou)icU,  B.  C,  1871,  '2.  For  proposed  and  accepted  terms, 
sec6't*«.  I'aj)ir<,  JJrit.  Vol.,  ISoii,  140-3. 


i 


m 


598 


UNION  AND  CONFEDERATION. 


According  to  the  terms  of  the  union  of  British 
Columbia  with  Canada,  the  latter  was  niaile  liable 
ior  the  debts  and  obliij^ations  of  the  colony  existing  at 
the  time.  British  Columbia,  not  having  incurred  lia- 
bilities equal  to  those  of  the  provinces  then  constitut- 
ing the  dominion,  was  to  bo  entitled  to  interest  at  the 
rate  of  five  per  cent  on  the  difference  between  her  in- 
debtedness and  that  of  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Bruns- 
wick, pro  rata  of  their  population.''*  For  the  support 
of  her  government  and  legislatui-e  a  subsidy  of  .*i^35,00O 
a  year  was  to  be  ])aid,  together  with  a  grant  of  eighty 
cents  ])cr  capita  of  tlie  inhabitants,  then  estimated  ai 
GO, 000,^^  such  grant  to  be  augmented  according  to  the 
incrc^ase  in  population  until  it  should  amount  to  -lOO,- 
000,  after  wliich  the  grant  should  not  be  further  in- 
creased. The  dominion  was  to  provide  an  eflicient 
mail  service  I'ortnightly  by  steamer  between  Victoria 
and  San  Francisco,  and  twice  a  week  between  Victoria 
and  Olyiupia,  the  vessels  to  be  adapted  for  the  con- 
voyance  of  freight  and  passengers.  Canada  was  to 
assume  and  defray  all  charges  incidental  to  the  ser- 
vices which,  by  the  British  North  America  act  of 
1807,  i)(>rtain  to  the  general  government,  as  tlie  salary 
of  tlie  lieutenant-governor,  the  expenses  of  the  su 
preme  and  district  courts,  of  the  customs,'"'  the  postal 
and  telegraph  services.  Pensions  were  also  to  be  prt> 
vided  for  those  whose  position  and  emoluments  woulo 
be  alfected  by  these  changes. 

British  Columbia  was  to  be  represented  in  the  sen- 
ate of  the  dominion  by  three  members,  and  in  the 
commt>ns  by  six,  this  representation  to  be  increased 

^*  111  1871  tho  in(l<'1)ii;ilue8a  of  Novii  Suotia  ami  New  Brunswick  was  §27.77 
per  Iliad.  I'liis  pn'visioii  \va3  altcrcil  in  tiio  iciiiis  of  tlui  union  not,  nssontiil 
to  March  '2,  1S7I.  wlicrcliy  H.  C.  was  to  reocivo  I'roni  tlio  (ixiiiinioii  govern- 
ment  from  tiino  to  tiuio  sums  of  money  not  to  exceed  tlio  diHereiu.o  lictwcen 
the  actual  ticht  and  tho  iillowi  d  delit  of  the  province.  Mc^xdijc  ni.  to  Tfiitin  o' 
llnii'U  Act,  TiS. 

'••Tliis  is  prohably  nn  exaggeration.  In  a  work  iiisued  hy  tiie  agcnt-geti- 
era!  of  tho  province  in  London,  eontainin!:;  much  reliublo  and  well-eondeustti 
iiifoniiation,  and  entith-cl  Jlrit.  i'ol.  lii/onn,  /or  Emiijrantu,  tlio  population, 
iucliiding  Indians,  id  e^^tiinatcil  in  IS72  at  4>'},(KK). 

'*Tiie  cu«toii;8  and  fxciso  duties  wero  locontinuo  iu  force  uutil  the  I'ttciliu 
coast  was  conncoteil  by  rail  nith  (  aiiada. 


UNION  WITH  CANADA. 


609 


Lil  the  Tttcilio 


from  time  to  time  under  the  act  of  1867,  the  pro 
visions  of  which  were  to  apply  to  British  Columbia  as 
fully  as  if  that  colony  had  been  one  of  the  provinces 
ori'^inally  united  under  the  act. 

And  now  follow  the  most  important  clauses  in  the 
Mi^rcemcnt,  portions  of  which  I  present  tt)  the  reader 
verbatim:  "The  government  of  the  dominion  under- 
take to  secure  the  commencement  sinniltanoously, 
within  two  years  from  the  date  of  the  union,  of  the 
construction  of  a  railway  from  the  Pacific  towards 
ilie  Kocky  Mountains,  and  from  such  i)oint  as  may 
l>o  selected  cast  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  towards  the 
l*acilic,  to  connect  the  seaboard  of  British  Columbia 
with  the  railway  system  of  Canatla;  and  further,  to 
secure  the  completion  of  such  railway  witiiin  ten  years 
from  the  date  of  the  union.  And  the  government  of 
Hritish  Columbia  agree  to  convey  to  the  dominion 
government,  in  trust,  to  be  appropriated  in  such  man- 
ner as  tlie  dominion  government  may  deem  advisable, 
In  furtherance  of  the  construction  of  the  said  railway, 
a  smiilar  extent  of  public  lands  along  the  line  of  rail- 
way throughout  its  I'utire  length  in  British  Cuhnn- 
l>ia,  not  to  exceed,  however,  twenty  mil(\s  <in  each 
side  of  said  line,  as  may  be  appropriated  for  the  same 
purpose  by  the  dominion  government  from  the  public 
lands  in  the  north-west  territories  and  the  province 
"t"  Manitoba.  .  .In  consideration  of  the  land  to  be  so 
conveyed  in  aid  of  the  construction  of  the  said  vail- 
way  the  donunion  government  agree  to  pay  to  ]Jritish 
( 'olumbia  Irom  the  ilate  of  the  union  the  sum  of 
."?100,00()  per  annum,  in  half-yearly  ]>ayments  in  ad- 
vance. The  «lominion  gov(>rnment  shall  guarantee 
the  intei'cst  lor  ten  years  iVom  the  date  of  the  com- 
pletion of  the  works  at  the  rate  of  live  per  centum 
per  annum  on  such  sum,  not  exceeding  X'lOO,v)U(t 
sterling,  as  may  be  reipiired  for  the  construction  of  a 
lirst-dass  graving-dock  at  Esquimalt."^' 

"  By  llio  tonus  of  uniuu  ampiulnicnt  m-t,  assented  tc  Miir.  2,  1S74,  Britisk 
Columbia  wjis  to  receive  from  tlio  iloiuiniou  goveriiiiieiit  i,'.>0,000  towiml  tho 
lonstructiou  of  tho  dock  in  lion  of  intere"*    Missayr  nl,  to  Trrms  of  Union,  C.'J. 


600 


UNION  AND  CONFEDERATION. 


M  f^ 


The  care  of  Indians  ai,  I  the  nianagonient  of  lands 
reserved  for  them  were  to  be  assumed  by  the  domin- 
ion government.  Tracts  of  such  extent  as  it  liad  been 
the  custom  of  British  Columbia  to  appropriate  were 
to  be  conveyed  for  that  purpose  by  the  local  govern- 
ment to  the  dominion  government  as  they  might  bo 
needed,  and  were  to  be  held  in  trust  for  the  use  and 
benetlt  of  the  natives. 

Finallv,  the  constitution  of  the  executive  and  Iciris- 
lature  was  to  remam  as  Jt  cxiotcd  at  the  tmie  of  the 
union,  until  altered  under  the  authority  of  the  British 
North  America  act,  it  being  understood  tliat  the  do- 
minion would  consent  to  the  introduction  of  responsi- 
ble government  when  desired  by  the  inhabitants  ol' 
Britisli  Columbia,  and  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the 
governor,  under  the  authority  of  the  secretary  of  state 
for  the  colonies,  to  amend  the  constitution  of  the  legis- 
lature, by  providing  that  a  majority  of  its  members 
should  be  elective,  the  province  having  also  the  right 
of  specifying  the  districts  ft»r  which  the  first  election 
of  members  for  the  comnjons  should  take  place."" 

It  was  provided  that  on  the  presentation  of  ad- 
dresses I'rom  the  legislature  of  British  Columbia  and 
the  Canadian  houses  of  parliament,  the  union  should 
take  eflect  on  such  day  as  her  Majesty  might  appoint. 
On  the  20th  of  January,  1871,  an  address  was  adopted 
by  the  former,  without  i\  dissenting  vote,  and  the 
above  terms  and  conditions  having  been  previously 
agreed  to  by  a  committee  of  the  privy  council  of  the 
dominion  after  considerable  discussion  with  delegates 
sent  from  British  Columbia,'^"  the  measure  received 
the  queen's  consent  and  the  union  was  consummated. 

No  time  was  lost  in  taking  advantage  of  the  clause 
in  the  terms  of  confederation  relating  to  the  establish- 
ment of  responsible  government,  which  was  in  fact 
provided  for  before  the  agreetnent  had  received  the 


'"The  full  text  of  the  agrconient  will  also  bo  found  in  Jour,  Legisl.  Council, 
li.  a,  1871,  14-16. 

••Trutch,  Hchnckon,  ami  Cair.iU.  Id.,  4. 


COXSTITUTION  ACT. 


601 


iuiporiul  consent.  At  a  iMoctin<;  of  the  t'ouncil,  liold 
on  the  12tli  of  January,  1871,  it  was  resolved  that  the 
i^overnor  ho  requested  to  transmit  to  tlie  house,  in 
accordance  with  his  inauijural  address,  a  bill  increasinyf 
the  number  of  elective  members  and  excluding  nomi- 
nated members,  so  that  responsible  government  should 
(ouje  into  operation  at  the  first  session  of  the  legisla- 
lure  subsequent  to  tlu  union  with  Canada.'*'^  On  the 
1 4th  of  Fcbruar^'a  bill  received  tlic  governor's  signa- 
ture, entitled  the  constitution  act  of  1871,  whereby  it 
was  provided  that  the  legislative  council  sljould  be 
abolished  and  a  legislative  asstHiibly  substituted  in  its 
stead,  the  latter  to  be  elected  once  in  four  years,  and 
consist  of  twenty-five  members,  chosen  by  twelve 
il(;ctoral  districts.**  No  public  contractor,  and  no  per- 
son liolding  office  whereto  a  salary  or  emolument  <A 
any  kind  was  attached,  payable  from  the  revenues  ot 
the  colony,  was  eligible  as  a  member;  though  members 
ot"  tlic  executive  council  were  eligible,  provideil  they 
wore  elected  while  holding  such  office,  'i'he  latter 
were  to  be  coniposed  (»f  sueh  persons  as  the  governor 
might  select,  not  exceeding  five  in  number,  and  in  the 
lirst  instance  wuie  to  include  the  colonial  secretary, 
the  attorney-general,  and  the  chiel"  conunissioner  of 
lands  and  works.  The  powers  of  the  executive  were 
to  remain  in  force  as  they  before  existed,  so  far  us  1  hey 
wei-e  unaltered  l)y  the  constitution  act,  or  l)y  the  Brit- 
ish North  America  act,^'^  or  by  ordii-  <»f  her  Majesty 
ill  council,  or  by  act  of  the  Ih'itish  parliament.*' 
A  month  later  an  act  was  passed,  entitled  the  (^nali- 

^"/il.,  1871,  0-10.     Tlio  resolutiou  was  iiiovod  liy  Mr  Iloli'.uUcii. 

*'  Afterward  iiicro;is(ul  to  i;i. 

*•  l>y  this  act  it  was  prctvidiul  that  the  chief  in.ngistrati!  of  the  colony  .siioidd 
laiiiv  as  lieut-^;ov.,  uiid  Lo  aiipointi^d  by  tho  gov.-^'eii.  of  L'aiiMil.i,  liis  rc.s|iiinsi. 
Iilo  advisers  lieilig  llio  atty-gen.,  who  also  held  ollico  as  colonial  sc(  it  t.iiy,  (Ik; 
iiiiiiislci' (if  linaiice,  uiid  tliu  chief  coiiiinissioner  of  lands  and  woilis,  'I'liiis  it 
will  lie  seen  that  tiio  composition  of  tho  execntivo  council  v.a-t  altcnd  liy  I  hu 
iiiiislitiitioiiaet,  though  tho  alterations  mado  in  its  j)owcrs  were  of  slij;lit,  iin- 
imitancc,  thu  principal  one  being  that  uo  part  of  tho  revenue  of  tlie  colony 
.-linuld  be  paid  out  from  tlio  treuaury  except  by  warrant  over  the  governor  3 
tigiKiture. 

"  For  text  of  tiio  constitution  act,  sec  Ads  Lrgisl,  Council,  It.  C,  1871» 
.\  o.  3  of  34th  Vkl. 


fli~ 


UNION  AND  CONFEDERATION. 


fication  and  Registration  of  Voters  act  of  1871,"  in 
accordance  witli  the  provisions  of  which  no  person 
could  bo  elected  a  member  of  the  legislature  who  had 
not  been  a  resident  within  the  colony  for  at  least  one 
year  })revious  to  the  date  of  his  election,  or  who  was 
a  minister  of  any  religious  denomination,  whatever 
might  be  his  nuxk  or  title.  Concerning  the  franchise, 
the  regulations  were  unusually  restrictive,  when  com- 
pared with  those  of  other  British  colonies,  in  some  of 
which,  as  in  New  South  Wales,  suffrage  exists  in  its 
simplest  form,  six  months'  previous  residence  being  tlu' 
sole  qualification.  In  British  Columbia  the  elector,  if 
a  British  subject,  must  be  able  to  read  the  Englisli 
language,  or,  if  a  foreign-born  subject,  the  language  of 
his  native  country,  and  must  have  resided  in  the  colony 
for  six  months  before  sending  in  his  claim  to  vote.  ]  It- 
must  possess  a  freehold  estate,  situated  within  his 
electoral  district,  of  the  clear  value  of  $250,  or  a  lease- 
hold estate  of  the  annual  value  of  $40,  or  be  a  house- 
holder or  lodger  occupying  premises  or  apartments 
rented  at  the  satue  valuation,  or  pay  for  board  and 
lodging  at  least  62C0  a  year,  or  must  hold  a  duly 
recorded  preemption  claim  or  mining  licens(\  flie  for- 
mer of  not  less  than  one  hundred  acres." 

Thus  was  British  Columi)ia  fairly  launched  on  her 

^'Tliis  being  the  sliort  title,  the  net,  in  cdiniiion  with  many  otiiera  passed 
l>y  tlio  legislature,  li:iving  a  longer  title  for  ita  heading,  Miiich  reads  in  tliis 
case,  'An  act  to  amend  the  law  as  ti)  tlic  (jualilication  of  electors  ami  of  elec- 
tive nienibers  of  the  legislatuie,  and  to  provide  for  tho  registration  of  persons 
iiitillcd  to  vote  at  eleetion.s  id'  Kuch  nieniliers.' 

'•'/(/.,  IS71,  A'u.  lJi>/J'/f/i  I'irt.,  p.  '2.  No  foreign-born  siil)jeet  who  liad 
renonncid  his  allegiance  or  lieconie  n  citi/en  of  a  foreign  state  could  be  M'yis- 
tered  under  tlio  provisiouM  of  this  aet  until  ho  had  ag  ilu  taken  tho  oatli  of 
allegiance  to  her  Majesty.  With  regard  to  aliens,  the  regulations  were  the 
wmie  as  those  existing  in  tho  dominion,  as  provided  in  cap.  (JO,  .'tist  Vii't., 
iSiiS.  After  an  uninterrupted  residence  for  three  years,  an  alien  who  iiail 
taken  or  I'aused  to  bo  tiled  tiie  oatiis  of  .alhigiancc  and  residence  became  en- 
titled  to  a  curtifieate  of  naturalization,  and  enjoyed  all  tho  rights  of  a  natural- 
liorn  subject.  Tho  only  charges  wore  '25  cents  for  tho  certilleatoand  ;"»()  cents 
for  reei  (riling.  An  all  en -born  woman  when  married  to  a  liritisli  subject  !"■• 
eanio  theri'l)y  naturali?:ed.  On  tho  2'2d  <'f  March  tho  election  regulations  a>'t, 
1871,  received  tho  governor's  signature,  its  provisions  relating  mainly  to  the 
appointment  ami  duties  of  returning  ollicors,  election  clerks,  and  poll  clerks. 
For  text,  huo  Ads  Lf<jl4.  Council,  li.  (-'.,  No.  13  of  34fh  Vi't.  Five  days 
later  tho  Corrupt  Practices  Troventiou  act  was  passed,  '  to  prevent  bribery, 
treating,  and  undue  influcneo  at  elections  of  members  of  the  legislature.' 


COLONIAL  PROGRESS. 


71,**  in 

pcrrton 
rho  biul 
jast  one 
k'ho  was 
liatevcr 
audi  i  SIN 
ici»  fo\u- 

somo  ol" 
sts  ill  its 
)eing  thy 
jloctor,  il' 

!  English 
iguago  ol 
ho  colony 
otc.    li'' 
,-'ithin  his 
31-  a  leasi - 
3  a  liouso- 
partmcuts 
)oard  ant  I 
a  a  duly 
tho  for- 

od  on  her 

otUere  vassol 
1  rcaila  i"  ^'''^ 
■3  anil  of  i-'l^'*  ■ 
tiou  of  persons 

Ibject  who  Iwiil 
Toulil  l>o  >''"-'^, 

jpll  tllO    Olltil  I't 

liions  woie  Hk' 

1^0,  :ust  Vi't . 

Jalion  who  li^'l 
Ico  becniiie  t  n 
laof  a  natural 
Ioantir.Ociiits 
\\\  suhjt'i't  1»'- 
IguUitionsix't. 
[mainly  to  the 
lul  poll  cUiK^- 
It.     Five  Uiiys 
Tvcnt  bribeiyi 
Igislature.' 


career  as  a  province  of  the  dominion  under  the  forms 
(if  responsil)le  govt'nniujnt,  and  with  a  prospect  of 
heeoniing  at  no  very  distant  day  one  of  the  most  val- 
uahle  of  England's  colonial  possessions.  Since  the 
close  of  the  Douglas  regime  tlie  linancial  status  of 
the  colony  had  materially  improved;  her  deht  liad 
h('t;n  extinguished  by  the  terms  of  the  confedera- 
tion, while  her  exjienditure  had  been  greatly  reduced, 
the  ap[)ropriation  for  the  service  of  1871  being  $017,- 
,135,  or  some  $25  per  capita  of  the  white  po[)ulalinii. 
then  estimated  at  about  fourteen  thousand,  as  against 
s;)0  for  18013.  Meanwhile,  as  we  have  seen,  loads 
liad  been  opened  to  the  [»rincipal  mining  districts,  and 
public  works  had  been  j)ushcd  forward  viL,'on)Usly. 
Though  slow  of  growth  compared  with  other  gold-be;ii- 
iiig  regions,  in  pros[)erity  and  industrial  enterpi'ise  tiie 
province  con)pared  not  uni'avorahly  with  many  ]>or- 
lions  of  the  l*acitic  coast.  Her  cereal  eioits  livalled 
in  quality  those  of  California,  and  her  ro(»t  crops  were 
not  inferior  to  those  of  Oregon.  On  her  }iastuies 
were  raised  sheep  and  cattle  whose  ilesh  was  not  ex- 
celled in  flavor  by  the  stall-fed  beef  of  Aberdeen  and 
the  South-Down  mutton  of  En<>land.  ^lanufactuies 
\veio  not  inconsiderable,  and  were  expanding  year  l)y 
year.*"  The  value  of  exports,  including,  besides  gold, 
twenty-one  articles  of  home  production,  was  estimated 
for  1870  at  $1,848,803,  and  of  imports  at  $l,r)0."),SO'J, 
liaviuLj  a  balance  of  trade  in  lavt)r  of  the  eolonv 
amounting  to  }?24-,Ul)l.*'  Labor  was  in  fair  demand, 
at  rates  fully  equal  to  those  j)revailing  in  California;'' 
and  a  thiifty  mechanic  could  save  I'rom  each  < lay's 
wages  the  price  of  an  acre  of  land. 

'"Jn  ISTI  tlioro  wt'i'c  in  varicms  )i:irta  of  tlio  iirDvinci'  11  (<!i\v-niillH,  11 
llouiiiij;  mills,  3  breweries,  II  (listilleries,  '2  tanneiiis,  '_'  sa^li  faL-tnru'tf,  a  slii|)- 
yiiril,  an  iion-fou  >  'ery,  a  soap  factory,  and  a  beet-8U;,'ar  factory.   Ji.  ' '.  Injunu. 

./''/•  i'.,iiUjf.,  .'t;i-4. 

'■  iMiiinj;  IS7I,  -i>-  vessi'ls  intereil  tlio  jiorts  of  '{.  C'.,  «itli  an  ai.',i.'re>.'nlL' 
t,iiiii;i_'i)  (if  l.'n,t)!Mi.     Clearanecs  numbered  iVsri,  tlieii  tonna^o  iK'in;^  l"_".>,Nit. 

^'Ciii'l^iontei-s  were  paicl  §;j  to  §4  a  day;  masoii.><,  painters,  plastiieiK,  and 
lihu  ksiiiiiliH,  ^.'t.riO  to  $4;  cooperH,  cabinet-makers,  tinsmiths,  ami  wheel- 
«ii;^litrt,  §1;  common  laborers,  ^'J.oO  a  day;  and  farm  laborers,  ^20  to  $10  jier 
iiiiiiiili,  with  lioard. 


eM 


UNIOX  AND  CONFEDERATIOX. 


„  I, 


I.  fi 


P 


Not  least  amouj^  the  noticeable  features  in  the 
records  of  the  colonial  authorities  is  their  kindly 
treatment  of  the  natives;  and  iu  later  years  the  num- 
ber and  extent  of  Indian  i-eserves/"  which  were  seh'oted 
not  because  they  were  uninhaliitablu  by  white  men. 
but  with  a  view  to  the  preservation  of  the  <lifterent 
races,  on  sites  well  adapted  to  agriculture  and  <,aaziiiL;, 
and  well  supplied  with  timber  and  water.  In  I8(j(i 
the  native  population  was  estimated,  as  we  have  seen. 
at  30,000,*^  and  in  1871  it  was  about  the  same  num 
bcr.'^^  At  the  latter  date  Indians  were  lar<>ely  em- 
ployed in  the  interior  as  laborers,  herders,  and  farin- 
hands,  those  wiio  understood  how  to  treat  thorn  beinL; 
j^lad,  in  return  i'or  their  services,  to  feed  and  house 
them,  i»aying  them  besides  $20  to  $30  per  nxtntli. 
Some  ol'  them  displaced  ability  as  artisans;  ;iome  wer> 
engaged  mi  placer  mining  on  the  Thompson  and  Frasei' 
rivers,  antl  not  a  lew  had  farms  and  cattle  of  tlieii-  own. 

*■'  For  location  of  resorvi'S  in  ISGi-.*],  .see  li.  ( '.  Iiiil.  Lniid  Qnfstion,  •_'(!,  iJ!)- 
30;  for  description  of  Kainloop,  Sliusliw.ip.  ncs  I  and  "_',  Aiianis  Lake,  and 
Lower  I'rascr  Uivir  reserves  in  18GG,  sec  /(/.,  ."S-l>,  41-.'{,  47,  '>\-~\  i'orKktteii 
of  fcion^ibli  reserve  and  list  of  other  reserves  in  1S09,  /(/.,  tJl-H,  1('m-()(!;  {•'{• 
libts,  location,  andarc;iin  1871,  Id.,  '.).">-(l,  101-U;  funorrespondenco  relutiiii; 
to  reserves  in  187;{-.">,  Jour.  Lcijixl.  ^Iss.,  1S7j,  app.  (iUo-SO;  lor  Itr/d  ( 'vtn.  E.i. 
< 'o"H';(V  eoncerninj;  reserves  iu  l87r>,  ^i.s*.'.  J'ajicrs,  Itrit.  Vol.,  1870,  pp.  •"'7-7-. 
lOj-oi'S;  forpapcr.s  ielatinj{  to  reserves  in  1877,  Id.  1877,  4.S3-4.  For  iiiissioii 
on  Naas  Itiver  in  l.Sd'J,  .sec  li.  C.  Ind.  Land  (Juedioii,  G.'i.  In  187.'l-4  ^j4,0(K) 
was  appropriated  by  govt  for  llic  expenses  of  reservations.  Id.,  l."J4. 

■"'Sec  p.  7"»,  thid  Vol. 

^'Chittenden  estimates  the  Indian  population  of  B.  0.  in  1882at35,0(K),  tln' 
Haidahs  and  Cliinisyans  being  among  the  most  jiopuloiis  tril)C3.  Trairls  hi  II. 
('.  and  Ala.sta,  12-l.S.  For  report  on  the  c(mdition  of  tlio  Kootenai  Soiiiid 
Indians  in  188.'!,  sec  Ses'i.  Pcqiivn,  D.  C,  ISSt,  p.  3-.").  The  outbreaks  thai 
occurreil  among  Indians  before  the  gold  discoveries  were  not,  as  wo  have  sci  m, 
of  a  formidable  nature.  The  more  importimt  ones  that  occurred  later  iiavr 
already  been  mentioned.  Sec  p.  420-1),  this  vol.  For  Indian  troubles  at^^^l 
couver  Island  in  1850,  sco<9a<T.  Union,  Oct.  4,  I8.'iG;  for  massacre  of  miners  \t\ 
Indians  at  Nicola  lliver,  iS'.  /'.  Bulletin,  Oct.  o,  1858;  for  murders  by  Indian^ 
in  1S5!(,  /(/.,  March  8,  185!),  Savr.  Union,  Nov.  '23,  1S50;  for  depredations  aii' I 
disturbances  in  1870,  S.  f.  BnllHin,  June  13,  July  13,  Nov.  22,  23,  lS(iO;  N. 
/'  Alia,  Juno  13,  July  3,  1800;  Sacr.  Union,  June  21,  July  1.3,  1800;  forout- 
rages  in  ISOS,  ^V.  /'.  Alia,  Juno  28,  18G8.  In  1872  there  was  an  Indi.'in  out- 
break at  tho  Forks,  during  which  anumbcr  of  white  men  were  massacred.  /(/., 
July  23,  1872.  In  lS7t)  an  uprising  was  feared  in  tho  Kandoops  distriiL 
among  the  Nicola  Indians.  For  an  account  of  this  aCFair,  sto  Brili.n'i  Col"- 
iiist,  Dec.  13,  14,  IG,  18,  28,  31,  1879.  For  Ind.  murders  in  1884,  sec  S.  I. 
f'lill,  Jan.  12,  1884.  Small-pox  among  Ind.,  S.  F.  Bulletin,  Jan.  22,  V-^KV. 
I'ietnrin  Chronicle,  in  iSVtor.  Union,  Jan.  24,  18G3;  <S'.  F.  Times,  Sejit.  30. 
1SG8;  S.  F.  Call,  Juno  28,  1808,  Nov.  I(i,  1870.  In  the  last  of  these  years  two 
tltirds  of  an  entire  tribe  were  swept  away. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 

1854-1872. 

The  Arcbifelaoo  db  Habo— San  Juan  Island  Occufied  bt  thk  Hud* 
son's  Bat  Company — Customs  Duks  Demanded  for  th'  United 
States  —  Commissioxeks  Api-oixted  —  Tiikik  AncrMEMs  -Indiam 
Tboubles— The  Affair  op  the  Hoc— A  Mimtarv  Post  Ehtabmshed 
BT  General  Harney — Arrival  of  British  Men-of-war — And  of 
the  U.  S.  Steamer  'Massachusetts'— Protest  of  Docolas— Hau- 
mky's  Reply— Landing  of  U.  S.  Troops— Casey's  Trip  to  Esqui- 
MALT— Its  Besult— a  Compromise  Offered  by  Lord  Lyons — Atti- 
TUOE  of  President  Buchanan — General  Scott  Ordered  to  the 
Pacific  Coast — Negotiations — Harnrt  Recalled — Arbitration  and 
Decision. 


Since  the  treaty  of  1846  the  people  of  British 
Columbia  and  those  of  the  United  States  had  each 
1  ogarded  the  group  of  islands  forming  the  Archipelago 
(le  Haro,  lying  between  the  continent  and  the  south- 
ern end  of  Vancouver  Island,  as  belonging  to  tlioni, 
according  to  the  first  articles  of  that  compact,  which 
leads  as  follows:  "From  the  point  on  the  41)th  par.il- 
lol  of  north  latitude,  where  the  boundary  laid  down 
ill  existing  treaties  and  conventions  between  (jrieat 
Ih'itain  and  the  United  States  terminates,  the  lino  of 
liniindary  between  the  territories  of  her  Jiritaniiic 
AFajesty  and  those  of  the  United  States  shall  he  <'oii- 
tinued  westward  along  the  49th  parallel  of  north  lati- 
tude to  the  middle  t)f  the  channel  wliich  scparutes 
ilie  continent  from  Vancouver's  Island;  and  thence 
•outhcrly  through  the  mithlle  of  said  channel,  and  of 
l'\ica  Straits,  to  tiie  Pacific  Ocean;  provided,  how- 
ever, that  the   navigation   of  the  said  chamiel  and 

(  6C5  ) 


606 


THE  SAN  JU/X\  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


straits,  south  of  the  49th  parallel  of*  north  latitude, 
remain  free  and  open  to  both  parties." 

A  reference  to  the  map  of  this  region  shows  a  pas- 
sajxe  about  seven  miles  in  width  between  the  archi- 
])olago  and  Vancouver  Island,  known  as  the  Canal  do 
lliirc).  Between  tiie  i.slands  a[)poar  numerous  small 
passiit^es,  and  betwi'cn  the  <^r()Up  and  the  mainland, 
another  channil  Its.s  tluin  huh'  tUv  width  of  Canal  do 
llaro,  known  ns  I'osario  Strait,  lying  some  distance 


Archifelac.o  de  IIaro. 


to  the  east  of  the  point  in  the  n^.lddle  of  the  channo! 
at  the  49th  paralkl.  The  archipelago  consists  of  Sun 
Juan,  as  the  Spaniards  had  named  it — Bellevue,  as 
the  Enghsh  called  it — Orcas,  Lopez,  Waldron,  l^Iako- 
ley,  Decatur,  Shaw,  and  several  smaller  islands. 
The  largest,  San  .Fuan,  contains  about  .lO.OOO  acres.' 

'li<;pt  of  U.  I[.  Cr<isl)iu,   ii:   //.  I.'.i:  /!•>■.  7^,  xii.  7,  Mtn  <'oii<j.,  1st  .S'(.«., 


BEGINNING  OP  THE  QUAPwREL. 


007 


About  the  time  that  Fort  Victoria  was  Ibuiidod, 
and  wliilo  tin;  govoriuncnts  of  Great  Britain  and  iho 
United  States  knew  but  little  of  the  actual  hydrog- 
ra[)hy  of  tiie  region,  and  were  discussing  the  line  of 
actual  boundary,  the  Hudson's  13ay  Company  took 
possession  of  San  Juan,  by  placing  upon  it  a  few  of 
1  heir  servants  in  charge  of  their  herds.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  Oiegon  legislature,  in  1852,  organized 
Whidbey  Island  and  the  Haro  Archipelago  into  a  tlis- 
trict  called  Island  county,  which  became,  by  the  divis- 
ion of  Oregon  in  1853,  a  part  of  Washington. 

In  1854  the  collector  of  customs  for  Puget  Sound, 
I.  N.  Ebey,  first  camo  in  conflict  witli  the  Hudson's 
I  Jay  Company,  the  latter  having  recently  imported  u 
large  number  of  sheei),  cattle,  horses,  and  hogs,  and 
j'laced  them  on  the  island  of  San  Juan,  for  which 
customs  dues  were  demanded  by  the  collector.  Ebey 
found  on  the  island  (Jharles  John  (Jriffin,  a  clerk  of 
the  company  and  a  colonial  justice  of  the  peace,  who 
rlaimed  it  as  liritish  territory,  and  who  at  once  noti- 
I'lL'd  Governor  J)ouglas  of  Ebey's  pretensions.  The 
latter  repaired  to  San  Juan  harbor  in  the  compan}'^ 
steamer  Otter,  bringing  with  him  the  collector  of 
(Mistoms  for  the  i)ort  of  Victoria,  ^Ir  Sankster,  who, 
noing  on  shore,  demanded  Ebey's  busi  '.ess  on  the 
i>kui(l,  of  which  he  was  bluntly  inforn.ed.  Sanksti-r 
then  Ljave  notice  that  ho  should  s(  ize  all  vessels  and 
arrest  all  persons  found  navigating  the  waters  Mcst  of 
liosario  Strait  and  north  of  the  middle  of  the  strait 
I  if  Fuca.  To  this  Ebey  re|)ru'd  that  ho  should  leave 
upon  the  island  a  deputy  collector  of  customs,  who 
would  dischartjfe  his  duty,  and  that  he  trusteil  no 
persons  would  be  so  rash  as  to  interfere  with  its 
performance.  Sankster  tlien  suggested  that  ICbey 
nIiouIcI  <xo  on  board  the  Uticr  and  confer  with  (jjov- 
rriior  Douglas,  which  invitation  was  declined.  Sank- 
ster then  carried  the  British  lla<j  ashore,  hoisting  it 

Olympia  Transcript,  July  IS,  18G8;  MHton\t  San  Juan,  l-t-'JS;  <SVm.  Uoc,  S9, 
i.,  iUth  Cong.,  2d  Ses».,  geographical  mcinoir,  witli  maps. 


h 


I    ,    ;.|, 


60S 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


over  the  quarters  of  the  company's  servants,  Ebcy  at 
the  same  time  flincfinjj  to  the  breeze  the  United  States 
revenue  flaj;  which  he  carried  in  his  boat.  Sankster 
then  landed  a  boat's  crew  from  the  Otter,  and  pre- 
pared to  take  up  his  quarters  on  the  island,  while 
Governor  Douglas  returned  to  Victoria.  Ebcy  the 
next  morning  swore  in  his  deputy,  Henry  Webber, 
in  presence  of  Griffin  and  Sankster,  and  left  the 
island,  fully  expecting  that  Webber  would  bo  arrested 
and  taken  to  Victoria.'*  A  writ  was  indeed  served  on 
him,'  but  as  he  refused  to  obey,  the  colonial  author- 
ities refrained  from  pushing  the  matter  further. 

The  same  year  the  property  on  San  Juan  Island 
was  assessed  by  the  officer  whose  duty  it  was  to  ap- 
praise the  property  of  Island  county;  but  the  colloc- 
tiou  was  not  enforced  until  March  18,  1855,  when  tlir 
.sherilV  of  Whatcom  county,  Ellis  Barnes — San  Juan 
and  the  adjacent  islands  having  been  attached  by  tlic 
loLl^iwlature  of  1854-5  to  Whatcom — seized  and  sold* 
thirty  or  more  of  the  sheep  belonging  to  the  Hudson's 
J>ay  Company  at  auction.''  These  proceedings  caused 
Governor  Stevens  in  1 855  to  address  a  communication 
oM  the  subject"  to  the  secretary  of  state,  who  instructed 
him  that  the  territorial  officers  should  abstain  i'roiii 
all  acts  on  tlie  disputed  ground  calculated  to  provoke 

'^Oh/inpi<i  PloiKcr  (tiiil  Ihnt.,  Miiy  i:i,  IS.'tl. 

'  Till)  JSriti.sli  colciiii.il  nutliDiities,  call  the  ai'clii[ieIn;,'oSun  Jiiaii  county. 

*I  iiiii  iiiili  l)U'il  ti)  IClwiioil  I'lvaiis  till'  II  Miliialilo  cdllcclion  of  papers  (jii  llii; 
'Northwest  IJoimdary  Intwccn  (Jivat  llritaiii  niul  the  United  Staler,' in  «  liiili 
I  liiul,  ]).  It.'Sri,  n  Htatunicnt  of  tlieso  (»;cnrri'ni'C8,   taken  from  thn  /'ir/niiinnl 
ICA/'/ of  July  ID,  iStiO,  und  copioil  into  tlio  XatioitiU  J iilelliijeiicii;  Washm  ■ 
ton,  I).  C. 

"For  this  si'i/.nre  tlio  coinjmny  Buhscfpicntly  jtroHcntnl  a  elaini  of  al"  i.t 
$1.',(MM),  'I'lie  liill  made  ont  liy  (irillin  av!1h  fur  '.U  imported  rams,  \vliich  wi  iv 
Bci/ed  ami  Mil. I,  estimated  to  l>e  worth  §;t,7.")l).  'Ihe  remainder  was  for  In  i  , 
siist.iined  in  cont^eiiuence  of  Shcritl'  Ikirnes'  violent  acta  in  driving'  the  xlic  |i 
into  liie  woods,  and  the  cost  of  eolleetini,'  such  as  wcro  not  nlto;:elht  r  h  ■' 
'ilie  American  nut  horilien  state  that  (Irillin  himself  caused  the  Hlici'p  t.l  ■ 
dis|»i  rsed  in  order  (o  e'.  ado  a  si'i/ure,  and  that  tlioso  taken  wero  u  liaml  \\l  i  !i 
till  y  lonnd  in  a  corral  in  n  ri mote  part  of  the  island.     'I'lio  men  w  ho  ai  ■ '  in- 

Iianii  d  the  slierilt'  win;  Mr  Cuilcn,  county  eommisttioner  and  a;;ent  ot  ili" 
'ugct  Sound  Coal  jMinini;  Company,  K.  (.'.  Kitzhuj^ii,  ailerwanl  lieiit-ei.l  of 
volunteers  and  associate  justice,  and  two  others,  who  hecamo  purely. Hers,  iit 
low  iiriics,  of  the  company's  blooded  stock.  .S'.   /'.  Alt't,  July  1(1,  180J;  !!• 
Ec  hor.  77,  '.',  .W/A  <'i''i<i.,  /''  StsM. 
•Suo  Wanh,  Juiir.  Coiiiiri/,  l.s.VI,  101. 


JOIXr  OCCUPATION. 


coo 


Sbcy  at 
i  States 
ankstcr 
nd  prc- 
\,  while 
Ibey  tlic 
W'cbber, 
left  the 
arrested 
ervctl  on 
I  author- 

icr. 

,n  Islaiul 

ras  to  aii- 

hc  colloc- 

whcn  till! 

Sail  Juan 

eel  by  the 
and  sold* 
Hudson^ 

|j<rs  caused 

lunicatioii 
instriut»'d 
ain  iVt'Ui 
o  provtil^' 

mm  county. 

papers  on  t!  '■ 

;vl,.t<,'invh.'l' 

111.!   Hirliiii'""' 

lor,  Wauluir.; 

Maim  of  rtl"><it 
„^,  which  wi  !<• 
■  \vii8  fi>r  1"  '  ■ 
viiij,'  the  hIh'  1' 
Oto-Hhtrh  •' 

,10  nli<'.'l>  '"';■ 

,,al>anil\\l  i  '■> 
,11  \\lli>  11(1. in- 
I  a^.nt  <il  l!"' 
^nl  lii'iit-i''l  of 
pr.rch;.rti'i-s  "ti 

y  :u,  ihoa;  li' 


conflicts,  "so  far  as  it  can  ho  done  without  implying 
the  concession  of  an  exclusive  right  over  the  premises," 
and  that  the  title  ouc;ht  to  bo  settled  before  either 
party  shouivl  forcibly  exclude  the  other.  He  prom- 
ised, moreover,  to  notify  the  British  govermncnt,  and 
to  have  the  boundary  established  at  an  early  date." 
Deputy  Collector  Webber  remained  on  San  Juan 
Island  only  about  one  year,  when  fear  of  the  northern 
Indians  forced  him  to  leave  it.  lie  was  succeeded  by 
Oscar  Olnoy,  whose  stay  lasted  but  a  few  months  for 
the  same  reason,  and  who  wan  replaced  by  Paul  K 
IIuIjIks.  Each  of  these  Amcrijcans  was  compelled  at 
(Hlferent  times  to  seek  the  protection  of  j\Ir  Gritlin, 
<lirk  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Comp;;-^',  and  ]>ritisli 
iiia'istrato  on  the  island.  This  was  aivvays  cliit  rfully 
ivndered,  but  tho  >'on)pany  never  did  anything  to  pre- 
\t'!it  the  recurrence  of  these  incursions  from  the  north 
coasi,  which  tended  to  frighten  away  American  set- 
tlors. 

Th(!  shoritFof  Wliatcitm  county  continued  regularlv 
I  •  ini[)oso  taxes  on  the  island,  but  wiiliout  again  eu- 
I'liviiig  tlieir  collection,  until  in  185'.)  Ihcy  auiMunted 
1  >  .^1);];").  The  customs  inspe>ctor  ])ursued  tho  same 
romse,  merely  taking  account  of  t!io  goods  landitl  and 
ve-sels arriving.  In  IS.VJ  tho  I  [ndson's  Bay  Coiupanv 
h.il   on   San   .)nan    Island,   i>csides   (Jrillin,  eigldoen 

■  MUtniCaSan  Jiinn  I4aiiil,  .'30-7.  'I'liis  lonipilation,  ina(h!  hy  Viscount 
Miltciii,  mill  puhlislii'd  lit  .1  time  \s\Kn  tho  himnclary  (|Ui'stion  w.im  almut  to  hci 
uliiiiiilcl  Id  !ul)itnUii)n,  is  viihuiKlo  as  a  c  olhcti'tn  ut  il<ntiMK!nt.-',  imt  ;i  f  an 
n  nnitiit  i:*  wiUiout  fiircp.  'llio  ailvanta!.'o  itclainii'il  uw  tho  i^iilii  of  (inal 
I',  iiaiu  w.iH  in  poinlinjf  fuit  il.  ,  lil,iii<lrnjoI'  .\iiu'rii;m  cxploiur^,  w  ho,  hy  thrir 
<  "iiir.i,  f^'avo  \M'i;lit  ti)  fT'  Uiiii  'i  ilaiin.  l\ir  exainiilc,  l''ii'in'>ni,'H  iiiapHaif 
.•iiM:n.'ci|  ns  proof,  v  htn  I'^ii'^iimnrH  aciiuainlanro  wilh  ric/rt  Soiiiiil  ^v;;'  no 
):i.al.L'r  tiiaii  MiltouK  l(o;ii  hinii,'  lioivoweil  from  other  aiiUioritii'^,  anil  thosi; 
ly  no  means  ,:oriec:t  AeLiinlin;.'  lo  ,1 ;,;/.  rM.i'n  //(.»'.  A'.  IT.  '  '•■a  ',  MS.,  ;;|- 
'i,  Willies,  inapiivato  letter  to  him  in  ISII,  j;avo  iiu  ojiiiiinn  whieli  wuiiM 
li.i'O  j,ono  far  ill  net llin;,'  tlio  nrhil ration  in  I'avor  of  (ireal  I'liiUiin  iia'l  it  heon 
|:i.  ill  evidriue.  Tho  pcoph)  vlio  nettled  tlio  eouniiyand  (".[ilorccl  cxery 
iiii'k  and  corner  in  ciinoes  !;iu\v  more  alioiit  it  than  tho  ho-eall'  d  ixidorera  ut 
tli.iL  timo  could  Know;  lieiuu;  J.ord  Miltoii  had  Imt  little  to  re^t  Ids  jiiil^^nn  nt 
>il"iii.  ,Seo  Milton's  Nrui  Jiimi  Walt  f  J!t>nn<>(ii<f  (^hir.ilivli,  hnwdim,  lS(i'.».  Aw 
I'lllier  Work  til. Ill  Milton's,  tind  le:s  valiialjle,  i.^  Uiliiliiiii.^  Iittim  n  llir  I'nilt'tl 
Sin'm  n,,,(  X,,rlliiri^t  HiiiUh  Annri'i,  \>y  .lame^  \V.  '{".lyl.T,  \VaMliin;.iton, 
l^<>-',  a  mere  coiii|iilalioii,  w  iiliout  jiid;.,'iiuiit  or  fiiieo. 
Hj.tr.  liuir.  f  oi,.    o'J 


fttO 


TUK  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


;^^ 


kii 


servants,  three  of  whom  only  were  white,  and  these 
were  naturahzctl  citizens  of  the  United  States.  The 
American  settlers  numbered  twenty-nine,  chiclly  men 
who  had  drifted  thither  from  the  Fraser  Hive-  mines, 
or,  not  being  able  to  reach  that  district,  had  decided 
to  take  land  claims  instead,  the  northern  couniit  , 
of  Washin'j-ton  leceivinij  about  this  time  considerabh 
accessions  to  their  population  from  thcj  same  source. 

The  correspondence  between  tlie  United  States  and 
Great  Britain,  on  tlie  subject  of  the  north-west  boiiii 
dary,  had  led,  in  185G-7,  to  the  appointment  of  coin 
missio-.ici-s  by  each  government,  to   examine   into  uy 
furnish  the  data  upon  which  the  lino  should  be  drawn 
througli  the  straits  east  of  Vancouver  Island.     Tin 
eonunissioners  on  the    part  of  Great  Ih'itain    wc:v 
Captain  Prevost  and  Captain  llichanis  ol"  the   [loyal 
Navy;  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  ArchibaM 
Campbell,  assisted  by  Lieutenant  John  (*.  Parke  an  i 
(George  Clinton  Gardner  of  the  t(»[)(>graphical  engi 
neers,  ami  John  F.  Taylor  and  George  P.  liond  as- 
tronomers.    Prevost  left  JOnglaiid  in  J)ecend)er  185C>, 
in  1[.  !M.  S.  Satclh'ti\  arriving  at  Esquimalt  harbor  in 
June  1857,  Richards  I'ollowing  in  11.  M.  H.  J'luiu/irr, 
wliii'h  did  not  arrive  foi-  several  months  latiM*.     Tin 
United  States  commissioner  had  placed  at  his  eoni 
mand   the   surveying    steanujr  Actirr,   anil  the    \iv\s 
Juiitiitfcroi/,  and  arrived  at  Victoria  about  the  saiii« 
time  with  Prevost,  the  first  mi^eting  taking  ])lace  oti 
board  the.SW/<'////(',  June  27tli,  when  tliecoinniissioners 
agreed  as  to  their  initial  [)oint  of  survey. 

At  a  meeting  which  took  place  inSemiahmoo  Pay' 
in  ()ct<»ber,  Prevost  state(l  tliat  he  had  vcirilied  thr 
general  accuiviev  of  tiie  United  States  coast  survey 
map  of  IS.")!,  and  would  take  this  chart  as  the  uii. 

'Tlicro  is  a  moniunent  of  iron  oii  tlio  iiorMi  slioro  of  Sfiuiiilmio')  I'ly  ' 
feet  lii;;l»,  4J  iiiclicii  H'Hiriro  at  tlio  top,  ami  (5  iiiclics  Mi|u;ii'e  at  tlio  lu«i 
pliii'C'il  llurc  ti>  iii;u  U  the  l>oiiii>l;iry  liiiu.  On  tlio  iinlli  «iilo  uro  tlio  w  i.; 
'Treaty  of  \Viisliiiii;t<iii,' uiul  on  llui  Hoiith  Hiile,  Miiiiu  !.'>,  ISUl.'  M  ■■  • 
IJ'.mA.  '/',<•.,  M.S.,  xxii.  10.  See  also  /.'.  ('of.  SLtrhtx,  MS.,  'Jl;  Coii-j.  t,.o'n 
IS-Vh-O,  ii.,  ni>.  l.">-2;>;  Ur.  An/HM,  Nov.  '2'.),  lS."<(»j  //.  Lx.  Doc,  jiii  100,  ^/'i 

(  'Ollij.,   .Ill  Si  •!!. 


A  BOUNDARY  QUESTION. 


911 


these 
The 

f  men 

uincf:, 

L^ckled 

uuiu'-; 

,erablr 

uree. 

:csaiul 

bboun 

if  coin- 

inl»)  "' 
;  drawn 

1.       Thr 

11    wer 

.  Iloyai 
L'ohibiiM 
U'ko  an  1 
ul   en;^i 
)()iul   :>  - 

cr  IS.')''. 

arbor  In 

V.     Tl" 
lis  f<ii!i 
he    bii; 
he   sa'.i. 
place  oil 
issioiiti'-^ 

Loo  Ikiv 
ilied  tii« 
It,  surv<} 
the  oil' 

Ilimoo  T'ly  ' 
lut  tUo  I'ifi'' 

via.'  ^Vw-.w 

i.  100,  i""* 


upon  which  tlie  general  line  of  bounilary  should  be 
iletermineil,  leavinjjj  t  . .  correct  tracinijf  of  the  lino  to 
lie  carried  out  by  tlu;  .surveyint^  officers.  But  when 
it  eanu-  to  the  iliseu.ssion  of  the  treaty  of  184(],  Pre- 
voist  argued  that  the  llosario  channel  would  answci 
the  lan^uatjc  of  that  instrument,  while  Caniijbell  eon- 
tended  for  the  Canal  do  llaro. 

At  a  meeting  which  took  place   the  27th,  l*r^\(>^^t, 
lornudated  hi.s  views  as  follows:  "By  a  careful  e(»ii 
sideration  of  the  wording  of  the  trea(  v,  it  would  seem 
distinctly  to  provide  that  the  channel  nieidioned  should 
possess  tiiree  characteristics:   1st.   It  should  sepaialc 
the  eontinentl'roin  Vancouver's  Island;  2d.   It  should 
admit  of  the  boundarv  line  being  carried  thron<T:h  th< 
middle  of  the  ehannel   in   a    southerly  dircM'tion;   ;Jd. 
It,  should  be  a  navig;djk!  channel.     To   these   tlirv> 
pt'culiar   conditions   the   ehannel   known   as   llosarii' 
Strait  most  entirely  aiiswers."  The  arguments  broughl 
forward  are  too  lengthy  f»)r  even  a   review   in  thest 
pages,  and  arc  moreover  immaterial. 

Cam})beirs  answer  was,  in  substance,  that  the  liin 
of  boundarv  described  in  the   treatv   began  at  th' 
»l)th  jtarallel,  in  the  nuddle  of  the  channel  wdiich  sop 
arated  the  continent  from  Vancouver  Island,  whieh 
point  was  clearly  west  of  the  Ito>ari()  Sti'ait.     As  i>. 
ilii'  boundary  line  rtnming  ctxitinuously  in  a  southerl 
direction   from  this  [>oint,  or  any  other,  that  was  im 
p'>-^sil)le.     If  it  followed  the  Kosario  Strait  it  defleeti'd 
Well  to  the  east,  and  when  it  canu;  to  the  strait  <>l" 
FiKM  its  coiu'se  was  north  of  west.      The  term  'soutli 
t'llv'  could,  therefore,  be;  used  t>nly  in  a  txeneral  scnsi  . 
liosario  channel  was  not  the  main  ciianmd  that  sc[i:! 
rated  A'ancouver  Island  from  the  continent,  but  oii' 
\vhi(  h    sojiarated  certain    islands  i'roin  certain  other 
idatids,  as  did  another  navigable  chanm  1  through  tli< 
archipela«^o.     And  as  to  the  navii/ability  of  the  tw^^ 
'  liamicls,  they  w<'r'j  both  pronctunted  good;  l>ut  tlx 
Canal  de  Ilaro  was,  according  to  the  latest  surveys, 
"thi   widest,  deej>ost,  and  best  chaimel,"  besides  being 


612 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


Hi 


I    1; 


I 


H: 


a  much  shorter  coiiiniunioation  between  the  gulf  of 
Georgia  and  the  Pacific  Ocean  tlian  that  by  the  way 
of  llosario  Strait. 

This  narrowed  the  discussions  down  to  what  wws 
in  the  minds  of  the  framers  of  the  treaty  when  it  was 
(hawn  uj);  it  being  reasonably  clear,  from  Campbell's 
]K)int  of  vitw,  that  the  deflection  of  the  boundary  line 
iron  I  the  49th  parallel  was  a  concession  intended  bi 
avoid  cutting  oft'  the  southern  end  of  Vancouver 
Island,  and  thereby  greatly  injuring  it  as  a  British 
possession,  but  one  that  did  not  give  to  that  govern- 
ment any  right  over  the  archipelago  to  the  cast  of  il, 
which  belonged  to  the  continent;  and  the  language  of 
the  plenipotentiaries  was  quoted  in  su[)port  oi'  this 
position. 

Here  was  in  fact  the  whole  of  the  argument;  mid 
although  it  was  long  drawn  out  in  voluminous  conv 
spondcnce,  it  never  amounted  to  anything  more,     'flu 
IJritish  colonial  authorities  brought  forward  the  elaiin 
of  priority  of  occupation,  tlu;  ]ludson's  Bay  Company 
having  kept  iheir  herds  uj>i)n  it  ever  since  the  eslah- 
lisjnnent  of  Fort  Vietoria  in  1813;  but  as  the  treaty 
<tf  Is'lG  nban(htni'(l  to  the  Unitod  Slates  all  soiiih  i>\' 
the  -lOtli  ]>arallel,  except  ilio  southein  i»ortioiior  \  ah 
<ouver  Islam!,  it   was  claiiued   that  })iior  oecupanry 
could  not  alVeet,  the  title,  although  prior  occupali';:! 
of  an  island  in  the  niid.st  of  an  archipelago  constitiitt  - 
title  in  international  law.     Two  years  were  spent  iii 
a  disenssion   which   t(>rmiuate<l  in   nothing,  its  laes! 
noticeable    result    being    that    it    strengthened     \\u 
ieeling  of  American  ownership  ain<Mig  tlie  people  <•; 
Piiget  .Sound,  and  led  to  a  settlement  of  Americaii- 
to  the  nund)er  of  twenty-nine,  as   I  have  said."     I: 
the  nieaii  time  the  survey  was  compiett'd  from  th' 
gulf  of  Georgia  to    the    Columbia    IJiver,  and    tli' 
line  marked  l»y  stone   monuments   at  a  distance  '' 
twenty    miles   ajiart,  a  ti'ail    being   cut  through   li.' 

*  IiDHHi'.i  S'luiriilr^,  lS(i-!M .     I'm-  ii  jiail  iiiiiiir  luvoiuit  of  the  bouiiilaty  sur- 
vey, BfO  //.  /,'r.  J)()r.  ,s/;,  .rlii.  ^..',   J"'/*  (  oii'J.,  uU  HtHK, 


INDIAN  TUOUllLES. 


613 


licavy  timber  for  the  |)laeiijg  of  iron  monuments  at 
intervals  of  one  mile.  l)urin<^  the  progress  of  the  sur- 
vey the  town  of  Scmialnuoo  on  tlie  frontier  sprang  up, 
us  also  a  settlement  at  Point  lloberts,  and  in  the  min- 
ing region  of  the  upper  Columbia  American  Town. 
(Ml  the  head  wnters  of  Kettle  llivei'. 


Before  proceeding  I'uilhei'  with  the  story  of  the 
San  fJuan  diflicuUy,  it  will  be  necessary  to  refer  to  a 
I'lW  ineidents  in  w  jiich  lh(>  affairs  of  Washingtoti  ter- 
ritory and  of  tlie  Hudson's  ]{ay  Comjiany  are  son»e- 
wliat  intcirnjiiigled.  The  invasions  of  northern  In- 
dians were  the  great  drawback  to  the  occupancy  ol' 
San  Juan,  and  of  all  ihat  part  of  Washington  border- 
ing on  the  straits.  At  ]>ellingham  ]]ay  in  ISjj-O 
there  were  but  thirty  white  inhabitants.  To  protect 
tliemselves,  they  had  crcctciL  .a  block-house  with 
bastions  inside  of  a  stockadt',  luang  furnishotl  from 
the  United  States  vessels  in  the  Sound  with  -.k  howit- 
zer and  detachment  of  twelve  men  (o  garrison  their 
little  fort."  Congress  ami  the  military  authorities 
were  more  than  once  mem»»rialize<l  as  to  ihe  deleiu'e- 
less  condition  of  the  lowei'  coasts  of  l^uget,  Sound, 
mitil,  in  18 JO,  (ient;ral  Wool  announced  his  intention 
iif  establishing  a  post  at  Ijcliingham  l»ay  as  soon  as 
he  could  spare!  tlu)  troops  from  the  tield.  Accoid- 
ingly,  in  the  sunumi'  of  iSjCt,  when  the  war  had  been 
lirought  to  a  close  west  of  the  ( *ascades,  ( 'aptain 
(h'orge  IMckett  was  sent  witli  a.  co;njtany  of  the  '.Uh 
inl'antry  to  garrison  a  post  aiiout  two  and  a  half  miles 
fhdn  the  settler's  block-Iiouse,  and  Majer  ( ).  ( i.  1  lalhr 
to  establish  a  jiost  about  the  same  distance  from  l*ort 


ith 


ownsend,  with   another   mlanti-v  conu)anv 


V 
long 


Tl 


hue 


lesu 
ex- 


Were,  howi^vev,  mere  specks  <>n  (h< 
pesL'd  coast,  and  seldom  wvw  Ihi-  barbaritit  s  ef  the 
savage  pirates  of  the  north  either  prevented  or  pun- 
idied.  Tho  nmrder  of  1.  N.  Ebey  in  1857,  to  which 
1   have  referred  in  my  Jliston/  of  Wimhi nylon,  illus- 

"  Iloder's  liiUiwjham  liay,  MS.,  '1\  1. 


614 


TIIK  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


*' 


^ 


"■ 


i' 
It  1 


i'  ■ 

i    V 

)  'i 

tiiit 

tratcd  the  powcrlcssness  of  a  handful  of  infantry  to 
(leal  Avith  these  dangerous  foes. 

Tlie  lirst  odicial  act  (»f  Mc^Iulhii,  who  was  a]i- 
pf)inted  governor  of  the  territory  about  this  time, 
was  to  visit  Douglas  at  Vietoria,  and  ascertain  whether 
tlie  latter  would  join  in  an  attempt  to  take  the  guilty 
individuals;  but  Douglas  could  do  nothing  whidi 
might  bring  on  a  war  with  their  tribe  without  lir>t 
obtaining  tlie  sanction  of  the  h()nu!  goveriunent,'^ 
and  would  not  have  wished  in  anv  case  to  involvr 
the  company  in  a  war  with  these  sea-kings,  who,  like 
the  barbarous  northmen  of  Europe,  revelled  in  visions 
of  ]tlo(»d.  ]\r('^[ullin  had  neither  an  tirniv  nor  navv 
at  his  eonnnand,  and  I'jbev's  death,  with  that  of  maiiv 
others,  went  unavenged. 

San  Juan  Island   hiy  directly  in  the   route  of  the 
nortlicrn  In<l!ans,  who  paid  many  unwelcome  visits  tu 
its  sliores,  while  du  account  of  the  then  peculiar  pe- 
litical  ;ituatit)n  of  the  island,  no  troops  could  be  sta- 
tioned thei-e,  nor  any  adequate  defence  of  the  settlers 
bo  made.     On    the  21)tli  of  May  1850,  the  schooner 
C((i'olii)c,  Captain  Jones,  fell  in  with  three  largo  canoes 
iilltd  with  nortlu.'rn  Indians,  evidently  bent  upon  mis- 
chi'l'.      On    being   hailed    and   questioned  as  to  their 
destination,  ihey  replied  they  were  going  to  lUuiitoi' 
Smith  Island,  where  a  iiixhtdiousc  had  been  erected, 
and  where  tlx-  only  residents  were  the  light-keejici', 
Vail,  and    his  family.     The   captain  of  the  schooner 
immediately  turned  back  and   informed  Vail  of  his 
danger,  urging  jiim  to  leave  the  })lace  without  delay. 
This  he  did,  going  (^n  board  the  schooner  which  sailed 
for  Port  Townsend.     But  Vail's  deputj',  J.  K.  Ap|i 
gate,  chose  to  remain.      He  barricaded  the  doors  an. I 
windows  of  Avail's  house,  and   j)i'epare<l   for  deleinv, 
knowing  that  jielp  wt)uld  be  sent  IVom  I'ort  Townsend 
at    the    earliest  moment    possible.     Hardly  hatl    lii-- 
j)r'  parations  been  completed  when  the  Indians  landed, 

*'0ll/7npiii  P'loiKir  uiiil  Don.,  Oct.  10,  1357. 


APPLEOATE  AND  THE  INDIANS. 


i  i 


and   approached  the  house,  endeavoring   to   induce 
Applegatc  to  leave  it,  which  he  declined  to  do. 

Ill  the  mean  time  the  schooner  had  run  over  to  Port 
Townsend,  and  a  volunteer  company  was  quickly 
raised,^''   which,    placing   itself  under   the  command 

•  if  Deputy  Sheriff  Van  Valzah,  proceeded  to  Blunt 
iskind,  where  tliey  arrived  the  next  iiiorning,  having 
lioen  delayed  by  variable  winds.  The  Indians,  on 
^'cinir  the  schooner  about  to  land,  ran  to  their  canoes 
with  the  intentivm  of  boarding  her,  but  she  put  off 
licfore  the  wind,  and  their  design  was  frustrated. 
Then,  through  their  interpreter,  they  challenged  the 
\olunteers  to  light,  which  the  latter  declined  doing, 
l)oing  only  twenty  in  number,  to  eighty  or  ninety  of 
the  natives.  Their  errand  was  simply  to  rcscuu 
.\.pj)legate  if  ])ossible,  whom  they  had  little  hope  ot 
linding  alive,  but  who  had  ke[)t  the  Ind'ans  iVom 
fdicinjx  an  entrance  to  his  loni^lv  fortress  lurou'jjliout 
:  he  night.     A  landing  was  effected,  and  the  Indians 

leparted,  ostensibly  lor  A-^ictoria,  vowing  vengeance 
iv^ainst  Captain  Jone.s  and  a  half-breed  sailor  who 
!iad  llrst  warned  Jones  of  their  designs.  On  the  fol- 
lowing day,  liowever,  as  Applegatc  passed  the  tower 
window  in  the  light-house,  he  was  shot  at  by  a  party 

•  -f  these  Indians  in  ambush.  He  returned  their  lire, 
and  wounded  one  of  them,  when  the}'  finally  left  the 
island."  Vail  brought  his  family  back  to  their  liome, 
hut  the  feeling  of  insecurity  was  great,  inasmuch  as 
lh(;  Indians  had  declared  they  were  seeking  revenge 
I'lir  the  hanging  of  three  of  their  tribe  at  Port  Towns- 
'11(1  for  previous  murders. 

Two  weeks  before  the  alfair  of  Blunt  Jslaml,  a 
Mieeting  had  been  called  at  Port  Townsend  to  con- 
>i(ler  the  best  means  of  preventing  the  northern  Iii- 
ilians,  then  on  a  visit  to  Victoria,  IVom  landing  at  the 
I'l inner  place;  and  it  was  resolved  to  give  notice  to 

'■  This  comimuy  included  threo  of  the  famous  Chapman  trouiio  of  i>luy- 
aotors,  who  crossed  tiio  pliiins,  nn<l  wci'o  the  first  regular  theatrical  conipauy 
aa  far  uorth  and  west  as  tlio  L'oluinbia  uiil  I'ujjct  Sound. 

"Letter  of  J.  K.  AjipUgalo,  in  O/ymjri,  I'ionrer  ami  Drm.,  Juno  17,  18."j9. 


li  UJ 


m 


61G 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFK'Ll/rV. 


thern  that  they  would  not  be  permitted  to  visit  Port 
Townsend,  coniiiiittcos  being  ajjpoiiited  to  keep  strict 
watch,  and  to  use  the  best  means  in  tlieir  judgment 
for  preventing  their  a[)proach,  while  Major  Ilaller  was 
requested  to  cooperate.'* 

A  crisis  was,  however,  approaching  which  involved 
the  international  as  well  as  the  Indian  (juestion.  One 
Lyman  A.  Cutler,  who  had  located  himself  on  San 
Juan  Island  in  April  1850,  and  planted  a  garden,  was 
nmch  annoyed  by  tlie  predatory  habits  ot"  a  hog  be- 
longing to  the  Hudson's  IJay  Company,  and  on  the 
15th  ol'  June  he  shot  and  killed  the  offending  animal, 
lie  then  called  Griffin  and  offered  payment  lor  it,  but 
the  latter  claiminij:  $100,  Cutler  refused  the  demand. 
On  the  following  day  A.  (I.  Dallas,  son-in-law  of 
(lovernor  ]3ouglas,  with  Tolmie  and  Fraser  of  Hk; 
colonial  council,  arrivcul  at  the  island  in  the  com[)aiiy's 
armed  steamer  Bcdver,  when  Dallas  pereni[>torily 
claimed  the  island  to  bo  British  soil,  and  ord<'re(l 
Cutler  to  j)ay  the  i?lOO  «»r  be  taken  to  Victoria  for 
trial.  Cutler  refused  to  do  either,  threatening  to  kill 
any  who  should  try  to  force  him.'"' 

After  this  encounter  Dallas  returned  with  his  party 
to  Victoria,  when  it  was  determined  to  place  a  magis 
trate  on  the  island,  and  to  arrest  Cutler.     ^MeanwhiL  , 
as  will  be  remembered,  the  Pacific   coast  jjortion   ol 
the    Hudson's    J;>ay   Company's    territt^ry    had    been 

"Olio  resolution  of  the  inft'tiiip;  reveals  the  cause  of  lair  invasions  as  \vi;ll 
H.3  llio  aociiil  uoniUtion  of  tiio  country:  '  Tliat  (ill  men  luivinj;  nortlu'rn  woniLii 
1)0  notilicil  that  if  tiicy  do  not,  on  or  before  tiio  li>t  tl;iy  of  June,  sonil  tlicsuiiiu 
out  of  till)  country,  that  le^'al  action  will  lie  coiiiiiuiici'il  aj^ainst  them,  as  hy 
act  jiasscil  January  -M,  I8.i7.'  From  thiti  it  appears  that  tho  legialuturo  hiul 
I'oiinil  it  nccijssjiry  to  interfere  with  the  practice  of  cohaliiting  with  women  of 
llio  liritish  Colnmlii.v  triiics,  wheruliy  occasion  was  given  to  their  mule  rela- 
tives to  visit  the  settlements. 

'^'I'liis  alFair  is  diU'eientlv  represented  by  Jlilton,  who  says  that  Dallas  and 
(Jrillin  only  remonstrated  with  Cutler,  who  threatened  to  ^ihoot  any  other  of 
tho  company's  ^^tock  which  should  iutcifero  with  him.  San  Juan,  '1'}\-<k 
Other  Uritish  writers  say  that  he  threatened  to  shoot  Dallas;  but  the  .\iiu'ri- 
can  autliorilicM  and  tho  dei)ositioii  of  Cutler  agree  with  tho  above.  //.  Ilx. 
l>ot\  C'l,  ix.  iid,  Mill  Ciiit'i.,  14  Sisii.;  Uolcr'ii  tli lllinjham  lluy,  MS.,  IW-I; 
(Irovn'H  /'ill),  life  in  (Jr.,  MS.,  tiS;  Mursen  IKtw/i.  7Vc.,  MS.,  xv.  15-10; 
Ihan'n  Si'lllduiiit  <>/  Vane.  Isli\  MS.,  11-12;  Anwrkan  State  I'a[)erii,  'JiiU. 
Cutler  died  atSnanish  scltlcinent  in  1877. 


A  MILITAUY  I'OST. 


017 


(loclarud  ]3ritisli  colonics.  In  May  of  this  year  the 
Americati  settlers  at  San  Juan  petitioned  (Jeiieral 
IL'irney,  the  connnander  of  the  niilitaiy  doj)aiiint  nt 
of  Oregon,  to  send  them  a  small  guard  of  twenty 
soldiers  as  a  i)roteetion  against  the  northern  Indians, 
which  the  general,  with  the  usual  reluctance  of  niili- 
lary  officers  to  credit  the  alarms  of  citizens,  withiield. 
ill  the  following  July,  however,  being  on  a  tour  of 
inspection  of  his  department,  and  having  paid  a  coin 
plimentar}'  visit  to  Douglas,  he  ran  over  to  San  Juan 
to  see  for  himself  the  condition  of  the  Americans, 
and  to  take  some  notes  concerning  th(^  vahu-  of  ilic 
disputed  territory  in  a  military  point  of  view,  the 
JJritish  at  this  time  terming  San  Juan  the  Cionstadt 
nf  tlie  Pacific  iUid  the  key  to  the  gulf  of  (jieoigia. 
Tlie  settlers,  taking  advantage  of  thtir  op[)ortunity, 
addressed  another  j)ctition  to  Harney,  asking  for  pro- 
t(.rtit)n  from  the  natives,  who  a  shoi-t  time  bel"(»ri>  had 
cnnnnitted  sevei-al  mur<lers,  and  (»f  whom  tlioy  stood 
in  constant  dread,'"  the  |)etitioners  taking  occasion  to 
add  that  the  island  was  LTnited  States  territory,  antl 
that  they  had  a  right  to  claim  a  snllicient  military 
loice  tt)  prevent  Indian  outrages  and  encourage  sd- 
llcinent.  At  the  same  time  tin;  general  was  inl'oi  imd 
as  to  the  affair  of  the  hog,  and  that  Dallas  iiad  coinf 
ill  an  aimed  vessel  to  take  Cutler  to  Victoria.  Al'ter 
a  week's  icflection  he  decide»l  that  if  the  Ijritish  au- 
liiurities  could  proceed  to  usuip  sole  jinisdictiou  of 
di.s|)uted  teiritory,  so  could  lie.  uVecordingly,  on  tlie 
isth  of  July  he  issued  an  ortler  to  Captain  IMikctt 
to  ti'ansfer  his  company  from  Fort  IJeHingham''  to 
San  .hian  Island,  anil  the  steamer  Massdi-fidscfts  was 

'"Tliu  petition  wits  sIljiu'iI  l)y  .f.  M.  JFiivL'aret,  Saimirl  Mi'l ',iiil\ ,  .1.  Iv 
llii:-ii.H,  Cli.-irka  II.  Ilubl.a,  L.  A.  Cutler,  William  I'.utlcr.  .1,  D.  WmIt.  ii,  II. 
\\i..ii!oii,  ,lr,  .liiliii  Wiltyi  i>-  S.  .\nili-i'\v.-<,  .lulm  llunti  r  McK.iv,  \im1  l!iit, 
Miiliiiul  I'anis,  (Icorgd  l'iiliiii>4,  Ali'\aiui>  r  Mr|  (dnalil,  I'l'tir  .liilinsi.n,  Aii'^u* 
McDonald,  William  Smith,  Cliailis  McKay,  D.  W.  OaLcM.  i'aiil  K.  lluMi.s, 
■'i.  ami  I'.uil  K.  Jluldis,  Sf.    Mil/oii'.t  Snu  .lunii  It  mil,  '2'i~. 

'■  l''i)rt  liollingliam  waa  cstablialiotl  by  (.'(ilonul  ( 'ascy  in  IS.'ili,  ami  \  as  tlio 
M'  Olid  cstablisiicil  on  tlio  Sound,  Fort  Toxvnm'iid  liiiiii;  Icji.'ati'cl  innnuiliatuly 
altirit.  ir.wA.  T<r.  ,S/.Wc/ir.v,  MS.,  lOO-L';  Llilridni'H  SLtcli,  MS.,  '2[);  Kbeifs 
Jvurifil,  MS.,  iii.  ■!!>. 


'f= 


ti  f;!! 


Hj'  !■: 


018 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


''J 


I 


Kont  to  remove  tlic  troops  and  government  propcrt}-. 
Major  ]Ialler's  company  was  afterward  ordeied  on 
briard  the  vessel,  which  was  to  bo  enij)Ioyud  whcnvt  r 
tho  servlci's  of  tlio  men  were  required.  On  the  'J7tli 
Pickett  Inidcd  liis  command  on  San  Juan,  l;.  mi'^ 
1hr<»UL,di  the  i'ollowiiiL,'  formula:  "1st.  In  com[)haii(i! 
with  ohUts  jind  instructions  from  tho  conimandiiii; 
gciK-Tid,  a  military  jjost  will  be  established  on  this 
island,  on  whatever  site  the  conmianding  ollicer  may 
select;  2(1.  All  the  inhabitants  of  the  island  are  rc- 
(juested  to  I'cport  at  onco  to  the  commanding  odicci- 
in  case  of  any  incursion  by  the  northern  Indians,  so  that 
he  may  take  such  steps  as  he  may  deem  necessary  to 
prevent  any  further  occurrence  of  the  same;  od.  'J'his 
I  K-ing  United  States  territory,  no  laws  other  than  th<  "si' 
of  tlio  United  States,  nor  courts  except  such  as  an 
held  by  virtue  of  said  laws,  will  be  recognized  or 
allowed  on  this  island.  By  order  of  Captain  Pick 
t'tt."  This  document  was  signed  by  James  W.  Foi- 
syth,  second  lieutenant  in  the  0th  infantry,  and  post 
adjutant. 

It  happened  that  the  SxtcIItte  brought  from  Vic- 
toria on  the  same  day  !Major  De  Courcy,  whom  Pic 
\dst  was  to  install  as  sti[)endiary  ujagistrate  on  tlic 
island  by  <lirection  of  J3oU'>las.  No  maijistrate  ac- 
com[)anied  Pickett,  although  it  has  been  so  stated 
by  a  colonial  writer.'**  Great  surprise  was  I'elt  by  l)c 
('(»nrcy,  wliose  commission  was  fouiul  to  antedate  the 
arrival  of  Pickett,  by  one  day.  It  could  not  tlniv 
fore  be  denied  that  the  colonial  government  hail 
intendi'd  to  do  what  l*ickett  had  done — establish 
jurisdiction,  notwithstandinu:  the  aLrreement  betwe(  ii 
th(!  respective  powers  to  refi-ain  from  such  acts. 

These  occurrences  caused  a  profound  seiisation  at, 

'"  Doniiltl  Frascr,  inuiiilicr  of  tho  fxi-cutivo  council.  On  the  'JDlh,  iwo 
(lays  attir  tlic  military occupatiKU,  II.  It.  Crosbic,  magistrate  of  Whattiiin 
county,  vi)<itc(l  the  iHlanil  out  of  curiosity,  as  did  many  others,  and  lindiug 
an  l')n<^lisli  mairistratc  there,  remained  to  be  useful  to  tho  American  residents 
in  case  of  an  attempt  to  arrest  Cutler,  which  was  expected.  Kept  of  Cros- 
bie,  in  JI.  Ex.  Doc.  77,  SGlh  Comj.,  1ft  Sess. 


READY  FOR  WAR. 


m 


Victoria.  Two  war  vessels,  tho  Tribune,  a  thirty -j^un 
(Vij^ate,  and  the  Plnniper,  wen;  oiderctl  to  j<»iri  the 
Sdfr/litr  at  San  Juan,  to  prevent  tho  hmdiiii^  of  nioro 
United  hJtati'S  troops,  while  the  Pleiades  was  sent  to 
San  Franeiseo  with  despatciies  for  Eii'^iand.  On  the 
;;Olh  (Trillin  notified  Piekett  that  tiie  island  was  t\\r 
property  of  and  in  occupation  l»y  the  ]  tudson's  JJay 
( 'onipany,  an<l  requested  him  to  leave  it  with  his  men. 
'  Should  you  1)0  unwillini^  to  comply  with  my  re- 
i|iicst,"  he  added,  **  I  feel  hound  to  apply  to  the  civil 
luthorities."  Pickett  replicl  that  he  did  not  ai  - 
knowledge  tho  ri;.jht  of  the  Hudson's  Lay  (Company; 
that  ho  was  on  tho  island  by  virtue  of  an  order  fmni 
liis  tjjovernment,  and  should  remain  unlil  recalh.'d  hv 
I  h(!  same  authority.**  This  reply  of  Pickett's  was  n<»t 
strictly  true,  though  he  may  have  so  construed  ihr 
■ituation.  He  was  on  tho  island  hy  order  ol"(Jeneral 
I  larney,  his  superior  <jllicer.  Upon  receiviiig  (jlrillln's 
iioti(;o  to  leave,  l*ickett  wrote  to  Colon(d  Case}'  at 
I'ort  Steilacuom,  that  the  attitude  assumed  hy  tin! 
Hudson's  liay  Company  was  threatening,  and  n- 
(piestod  him  to  .send  (ho  Mitssdchusetts  at  once  to  Sai: 
.luan.  "I  do  not  know,"  he  said,  "  that  any  actual 
collision  will  take  place,  hut  it  is  not  condortahle  lo 
\n^  lying  within  range  of  a  couple  of  war  ste'amer>. 
The  Tribune,  a  thirty-gun  IVigate,  is  lying  hroadsjdc 
to  our  camp,  and  from  pres(Mit  indications  «.'\eryLhing 
li  ads  mo  to  suppose  that  they  will  attem[>t  to  pi'cvent 
my  carrying  out  njy  instructions." 

On  tho  31st  Pickett  was  reeiiforc<:d  l»y  another 
'ompany  I'rom  Port  Steihu-oom,  tlu:  Massdchusefts 
•  laveying  them  to  San  Juan,  together  with  rain]) 
I  i[uipago  and  all  necessary  tools  for  co!istructing 
'luartcrs,  besides  a  few  howitzeis.  Provost  now  has- 
tiiied  to  San  Juan  to  hold  an  intei'view  wilh  Camp- 
i»!|,  who  was  ab.sent.  From  .l*icki;tt  he  Karui'd, 
however,  that  ho  intended  to  obey  orders,  would  pie- 
vent  tho  landing  of  any  inferior  force,  light  any  equal 

"  Milton's  San  Juan  Idand,  2U2. 


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THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


force,  and  protest  against  any  superior  force  of  Brit- 
ish troops  being  placed  on  the  island,  the  proposition 
having  been  made  of  a  joint  military  occupation  by  an 
equal  number  of  troops  of  both  nations,  and  rejected. 
The  captain  could  well  afford  to  assume  this  position, 
for  he  was  aware  that  the  American  population  of 
Victoria,  outnumbering  five  to  one  the  available  Brit- 
ish force,  and  more  skilled  perhaps  in  the  use  of  arms, 
would  rally  to  his  aid,  and  were  indeed  already  in 
communication  with  the  island. 

Douglas  now  issued  a  proclamation  protesting 
against  the  invasion,  and  declaring  that  the  sover- 
eignty of  the  island  was  and  always  had  been  vested 
in  Great  Britain.^"  Armed  with  this  demand,  on 
the  3d  of  August  Captain  Hornby  of  the  Tribune 
and  connnissioners  Provost  and  Kicbards  sought  ;i 
second  interview  with  Pickett,  in  which  they 
again  urged  the  joint  occupation  of  San  Juan  by  an 
equal  force  of  both  nations,  and  the  establishment 
of  military  rule  thereon  until  the  boundary  questioii 
should  be  settled  by  their  respective  governments. 
To  this  Pickett  replied  that  he  had  no  authority  to 
make  such  an  arranajement,  and  susTgested  that  thev 
mio^lit  refer  the  matter  to  Governor  Douglas  and 
General  Harney.  He  assured  them  that  any  attempi 
to  land  a  British  force  on  the  island  before  an  ai - 
ranorcment  was  made  would  bring  on  a  collision, 
which  it  was  desirable  to  avoid,  and  advised  them  to 
remain  in  their  present  position  until  instruction ■< 
were  received  from  those  in  authority. 

Immediately  after  this  interview  Pickett  wrote 
to  Adjutant-general  Pleasanton  at  Vancouver,  ot 
all  that  had  taken  place,  and  asked  that  instructions 
be  sent  hira.  The  adjutant  replied  that  General 
Harney  approved  of  his  course,  and  told  him  to  allow 
no  joint  occupation.  In  answer  to  Douglas' protest. 
Harney  addressed  a  communication  to  him,  of  which 
the  following  is  part:     "As  the  military  commander 

'"See  Olympia  Club,  MS.,  0-10. 


HARNEY  AND  DOUGLAS. 


621 


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of  the  department  of  Oregon,  assigned  to  tliat  com- 
mand by  the  orders  of  the  president  of  the  United 
States,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  for  your  information 
that,  by  such  authority  invested  in  me,  I  have 
placed  a  mihtary  command  upon  the  island  of  San 
Juan  to  protect  the  American  citizens  residing  on  that 
island  from  the  insults  and  indignities  which  the  Brit- 
ish authorities  of  Vancouver  Island  and  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  recently  offered 
them,  by  sending  a  British  ship  of  war  from  Vancou- 
ver Island  to  convey  the  chief  factor  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  to  San  Juan  for  the  purpose  of  seizing 
and  forcibly  transporting  him  to  Vancouver  Island, 
to  bo  tried  by  British  laws.  I  have  reported  this 
attempted  outrage  to  my  government,  and  they  will 
doubtless  seek  the  proper  redress  from  the  British 
government.  In  the  mean  time  I  have  the  honor  to 
inform  your  Excellency  I  shall  not  permit  a  repetition 
of  that  insult,  and  shall  retain  a  command  on  San 
Juan  Island  to  protect  its  citizens,  in  the  name  of  the 
United  States,  until  I  receive  further  orders  from  my 
government.""^ 

To  this  Douglas  replied  that  he  was  glad  to  find 
that  the  general  was  acting  under  orders  from  the 
president,  and  not  by  positive  authority  from  the 
cabinet;  denying  that  any  British  ship  of  war  had 
been  sent  to  San  Juan  to  seize  an  American  citizen; 
asserting  that  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  officers 
exorcised  no  official  power  or  authority,  but  declaring 
thorn  as  entirely  distinct  from  the  officers  of  the 
i-xecutive  government  as  any  other  inhabitant  of  Van- 
<'ouver  Island;  alleycinnf  that  no  outrafjo  had  been  com- 
i:iittod  on  an  American  citizen,  and  no  attempt  had  been 
made  to  arrest  one  and  take  him  to  Victoria  for  trial." 

'•^'  Ilar.icy  committed  an  ovorsiglit  in  giving  tliia  as  tlio  solo  roason  for 
] 'lacing  troops  on  tlio  islauil,  hut  this  lie  afterward  athibiitcd  to  1ih  iudi;,'- 
iKitioii  in  viuw  of  tlio  circumstances  of  tlio  attempted  ancst  of  Cutler.  It 
nuulo  hit)  Htatcmcnt  difTcr  from  I'iciictt's. 

■^-'Croshio  iji  ilia  rcpoit  in  //.  Lx.  Doe.  77,  5-0,  SGth  Cowj.,  14  S'.-w.,  f^aya 
!'i'\t  Douijlas'  letter  is  incorrect  on  two  points;  that  altliotigh  it  was  the  licacpr 
uud  not  u  mau-of-wur  wUiuli  brouj'ht  IJallas  to  tlia  island  on  tlio  ocoaaioii  re- 


G2-2 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


Having  made  this  denial  of  Harney's  accusations,  he 
called  upon  him,  if  not  as  a  matter  of  right,  at  least 
as  a  matter  of  justice  and  humanity,  to  withdraw  the 
troops  stationed  on  San  Juan,  their  presence  still 
further  complicating  the  question  of  sovereignty,  and 
being  calculated  to  provoke  a  collision  between  two 
friendly  nations.  But  Harney  replied  as  Pickett  had 
done,  that  the  step  having  been  taken,  he  would  now 
await  the  expression  of  the  president's  pleasure  in  Ihij 
matter.'" 

During  the  progress  of  this  correspondence,  Harney 
on  the  7th  of  August  ordered  Casey  to  reiinforcc 
Pickett,  and  also  wrote  to  the  naval  officer  in  coid- 
mand  of  the  Pacific  squadron  a  request  to  send  vessels 
to  Puget  Sound  for  the  protection  of  American  in- 
terests thereabout.  On  the  morning  of  the  9th  Casey 
left  Fort  Steilacoom  with  his  whole  command,  con- 
sisting of  three  companies,  and  with  howitzers  and 
fifty  tons  of  ammunition,  on  board  the  passengoi' 
steamer  Julia.  He  was  met  by  the  surveying  steamci' 
Active,  commanded  by  Captain  Alden,  who  advised 
him  not  to  attempt  to  land  his  troops  on  the  island, 
as  it  would  be  likely  to  bring  on  a  conflict,  the  Tribiuu' 
lying  broadside  to  the  landing  with  her  fires  banked. 
Nevertheless  Casey,  somewhat    imprudently  if  not 

ferred  kO,  Mr  Dallas  waa  at  that  time,  and  had  Tjccn  for  some  time  previous, 
a  member  of  the  executive  council,  as  was  also  Mr  Donald  I'Vascr,  wlio  accoiu- 
pauied  him;  and  that  immediately  on  their  return  without  their  iuteudcJ 
prisoner  a  magistrate  for  the  island  waa  determined  on,  and  Mr  Giilliu 
ilireotcd  to  lodge  a  complaint  against  Cutler,  not  only  on  the  ground  of  kill- 
ing the  hog,  but  as  a  trespasser  upon  lands  belonging  totho  company,  of  -wliicli 
Dallas  was  a  director.  The  arrival  of  Do  Courcy  as  magistrato  soon  iiftcr 
conlirma  CrosCic'a  statement,  as  do  the  affidavits  of  Paul  K.  llubbs  uiul  L. 
iV.  Cutler,  in  //.  Ex.  Doc.  Go,  ix.  53,  SGth  Cong.,  1st  Sens.  Sco  also  stiitemeut 
of  Cajitain  Aldca  concerning  an  American,  R.  W,  Cussans,  who  was  forced  to 
abandon  liis  improvements  on  Lopez  Island,  and  who  was  ordered,  after  ii;ty- 
icg  for  a  license  to  cut  timber,  to  clear  his  vessel  at  the  Victoria  custom-lioiisu. 
Sea.  Doc,  i.'9,  i.  S7,  30th  Con>i.,2dSesa. 

'■''  Milloii's  San  Jaan  Island,  273-8.  Harney  was  in  error  conconiiir^ 
Bomo  minor  matters.  For  instance,  he  eaya  that  when  Douglas  heard  of  the 
arrival  of  I'ickettV  command  on  tho  island  he  appointed  a  justice  of  the  peace 
and  other  civil  authorities,  and  sent  them  over  on  tho  I'lumper  to  cxecuti; 
British  laws  on  tho  island;  wlicn  tho  truth  was,  as  I  havo  previously  stated, 
tho  magistrate  was  commissioned  0:10  day  before  I'ickett's  arrival,  and  eaiiio 
over  in  the  commissioner's  stcaincM-,  i\\o  Sutellitc,  instead  ot  the  Plumper,  as 
Harucy  states.  Puijct  Sound  Ihiahl,  \wj,.  o,  12,  and  20,  18o9. 


ALMOST  A  BATTLE. 


623 


impudently,  landed  his  men  under  the  frigate's  guns, 
thus  throwing  on  the  British  officers  the  responsi- 
bility of  beginning  hostilities,  though,  as  he  relates, 
"he  fully  appreciated  the  terrible  consequences  of  a 
liostile  collision  with  his  quasi  enemy,  which  would 
probably  be  no  less  than  involving  two  great  nations 
in  war."^* 

There  were  on  service  in  Pugct  Sound,  according 
to  Harney's  statement,  five  Britisli  vessels  of  war, 
with  1G7  guns  and  2,140  men,  of  whom  GOO  were 
marines,  or  of  the  engineer  corps;  and,  reports  the 
general,  "this  force  has  been  employed  from  the  27th 
tlay  of  July  until  the  10th  day  of  August — the  day 
on  which  Colonel  Casey  with  reenforcoraents  reached 
the  island — in  using  every  means  in  its  power,  except 
opening  fire,  to  intimidate  one  company  of  infantry 
but  sixty  strong.  The  senior  officer  of  these  British 
ships  of  war  threatening  to  land  an  overpowering  force 
upon  Captain  Pickett,  he  nobly  replied  that  whether 
they  landed  fifty  or  five  thousand  men  his  conduct 
would  not  bo  affected  by  it,  that  he  would  open  his 
tire,  and  if  compelled,  take  to  the  woods  fighting.""^ 
This  statement  of  General  Harney's  must  bo  taken 
with  due  allowance.  There  is  little  doubt,  however, 
that  Pickett  intended  to  fight,  and  would,  when  joined 
by  Colonel  Casey's  command,  have  opened  lire  on 
the  British  had  they  landed.  He  would  then  have 
retired  to  a  strong  position  in  tlie  mountains,  where 
ho  could  hold  them  in  check  until  the  arrival  of  further 
rcenforceraents. 

Finding  the  aspect  of  affairs  somewhat  serious, 
however,  the  colonel  sent  an  officer  on  board  the 
Tribune^  requesting  that  Captain  Hornby  would  call 
oil  him  with  a  view  to  a  conference.  The  captain 
tliought  it  would  have  been  in  better  taste  had  tli(^ 
colonel  called  on  him;  nevertheless,  he  returned  a 
courteous  answer,  and  after  despatching  his  business, 

"  Casey's  Rept,  in  //.  Ex.  Doc,  SOth  Conrj.,  M  Semt.,  ix.,  no.  Co,  p.  30. 
''^  MiUoii'a  San  Juan  Island,  2'J2;   I'.  /.  lirillsh  Colonist. 


I  'I'i 


024 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


repaired  to  the  camp,  in  company  with  Prcvost  and 
Campbell.  Casey  asked  for  the  officer  higjicst  in 
command,  and  where  he  was  to  be  found,  and  was  re- 
ferred to  Admiral  Baynes,  then  on  board  the  flag-ship 
(hiiifjcs  at  Esquimalt.  The  next  day,  accompanied 
by  Ca])tain  Pickett  and  the  American  commissioner, 
the  colonel  steamed  over  to  Esquimalt  on  board  the 
Shiihrich;  and,  per  favor  of  Pickett,  who,  as  he  says, 
was  courteously  received,  Douglas  being  also  present, 
sent  a  note  to  the  admiral  desiring  his  presence,  witli 
a  view  to  a  conference.  The  request  was  declined, 
the  adm'.ral  remarking  that  he  should  be  most  happy 
to  see  the  colonel  on  board  the  flag-ship.  "I  was  of 
the  opinion,"  writes  Casey,  "that  I  had  carried  eti- 
quette far  enough  in  going  twenty-five  miles  to  S(.  o  ;i 
gentleman  who  was  disinclined  to  come  a  hundred 
yards  to  see  me."  Thereupon  he  returned  in  dudgeon 
to  San  Juan,  and  in  his  report  a  few  weeks  later  ac- 
cused Hornby  of  lying.""  Harney,  when  infoiiiied 
of  Casey's  visit,  disapproved  it,  and  the  colonel  was 
naturally  mortified  at  the  result  of  his  attempted  me- 
diation. 

It  is  admitted  by  British  authorities  that  Douglas 
had  ordered  a  landing  of  troops,"''  but  the  admiral  le- 
fuscd  to  do  anything  that  might  provoke  a  collision, 
and  especially  to  take  advantage  of  an  inferior  ibree, 
even  withdrawing  his  squadron,  and  keeping,  merely 
for  show  of  occupation,  a  single  vessel  at  a  time  In 
the  harbor  of  San  Juan,-^  although,  after  the  ar)'l\;il 
of  the  Afassachusettt^,  the  Americans  built  a  redoiilit 
near  the  Hudson's  ]jay  Company's  station."'    For  t  his 

^'^Cftsqf's  Rrpr,  in  //.  IJr.  Doc,  SGth  Coiirj.,  M  6Vs-».,  ix.,  no.  6'.7,  .'11,  C:!. 
Miictloriiilil,  Ji'nt.  Col.  and  I'niic.  Jul.,  t2.")S,  siiya  tlint  Hornby,  llioimli  ninlor 
pDsitivo  instructions  from  Douglas  to  dccliiro  war  at  once,  took  on  liini'^ilt'  tlio 
responsibility  of  delaying  llio  execution  of  his  orders  until  the  arrival  cf  tliu 
admiral,  who  wiia  daily  expected. 

'■"  Sec  Milloii'a  Sen  Juan  (Question,  284;  ZlavdonaliTj  B.  O.  and  Vaif.  J^!., 
2r)8. 

'^  The  Tr'ihune  was  relieved  by  the  Satellite,  and  tho  latter  by  the  /'/.  inda. 
Ovcrhind  Monthly,  ii.  211. 

■■"Tho  earthworks  extended  on  tho  Mcst  water-front  .IfiO  fcot,  on  thosniitli- 
cast  100,  on  tho  east  100,  and  on  tho  north-east  150  feet,  tho  north  side  being 


NEGOTIATIONS. 


025 


line  of  conduct,  though  acting  in  disobedience  to  orders, 
Baynes  was  complimented  by  the  British  govern- 
ment.*' , 

On  the  day  when  Douglas  issued  his  protest  he 
addressed  a  message  to  the  colonial  legislative  council 
and  assembly  in  extra  session,  in  which  he  reiterated 
liis  belief  in  the  right  of  Great  Britain  to  the  archi- 
pelago lying  west  of  Rosario  Strait.  But  owing  to 
the  condition  of  Victoria  at  this  period  of  her  history, 
the  town  being  about  as  much  American  as  English, 
many  Californians  and  Orcgonians  having  purchased 
])roperty  and  entered  into  business  there  during  the 
lieight  of  the  Fraser  River  mining  rush,  compara- 
tively little  impression  was  made  by  the  governor's 
proclamations,  the  interest  on  the  British  side  being 
confined  chiefly  to  official  circles. 

Meanwhile  the  commissioners  could  not  agree,  and 
the  governments  of  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States  were  in  correspondence,  endeavoring  to  conic 
to  a  satisfactory  understanding  as  to  their  rights — an 
iin])ossibility,  since  both  claimed  exactly  the  samo 
thino'."*  On  the  24th  of  Augfust,  however,  Lord 
Lyons,  minister  at  Washington,  received  a  dospatcli 
I'rom  the  foreign  office,  instructing  him  to  oH'or  a 
(ompromise,  adopting  as  the  line  of  water  boundary 
between  Vancouver  Island  and  the  continent  a  passage 
botween  Rosario  Strait  and  the  Canal  de  Haro,  ruii- 

kft  open,  with  tho  garrison  ground  in  its  rear.  Tlio  embankment  had  a  Ijaso 
I'f  tvvcnty-livo  feet,  and  a  widtli  at  top  of  eight  foot.  Inaido  of  tho  redoubt 
wi'i';!  (ivo  gun-platforma  of  cartli,  reaching  to  witliin  two  feet  of  tho  level  of 
tho  parapet,  each  twelvo  by  eighteen  feet,  two  of  them  being  at  cdi-neir,  of 
tliQ  redoubt.  Tho  parapet  was  seven  feet  abin-o  tho  inteiior,  and  tiii!  slniic 
<if  llio  interior  twelve  to  fifteen  feet,  tho  exterior  tslopo  being  tw(iity-li\e  to 
i'lvly  feet,  with  a  ditch  at  tho  bottom  from  three  to  five  feet  (hup.  Moi'sc'.i 
ll'</x/).  To:,  MS.,  XV.  41-.');  V.  I.  llri/i^h  ('i>h}ii^t.  On  tho  'Jbt  .)f -August 
'i(i\ernor  Ciholaon addressed  acomumniealion  to  (ieneral  Harney,  ii;  uhieii  ho 
in  formed  him  that  liiero  wero  li^s  than  J, 000  stands  of  arms  iu  XVashinglon, 
and  tli.it  there  was  not  a  shot,  shell,  or  cartridge  for  any  of  them.  Supplies 
Were  tjcnt  to  I'ort  Stcilacoom,  eubjeet  to  llio  order  of  tl'.o  governor. 

'■"  Millon'n  San  Junn  Question,  '281.  This  author  intimates  that  Douglas 
li.id  ni)t  at  thi.i  tiuio  tho  full  powers  of  a  Dritish  colonial  governor.  Macdou- 
a!d  lakes  a  diirercnt  view. 

'^^Annuh  BrU.  Lcijia.,  x.  141-.';   Y.  I.  /lri'!-h  Colonist. 
liiHi-.  lliur.  OoL.    10 


626 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


ning  through  the  iniddlo  of  the  archipelago,  which 
boundary  would  give  Orcas  and  Lopez  islands,  the 
two  largest  after  San  Juan,  to  the  United  States. 
This  concession  Lord  Lyons  thought  would  fulfil  the 
terms  of  the  treaty,  though  the  channel  was  inferior 
in  some  respects  to  the  others  ;^^  her  Majesty's  gov- 
ernment being  willing  for  the  sake  of  peace  to  rcsi'ni 
its  claim  to  three  islands,  though  maintaining  its 
right  to  all.  At  the  moment  this  ofter  was  made  the 
intelligence  was  received  at  Washington  of  the  occu- 
pation of  San  Juan  by  an  armed  American  force. 

Harney  first  wrote  to  army  headquarters  ou  the 
subject  on  the  lOtli  of  July,  but  for  some  reason  his 
letter  was  delayed,  and  does  not  appear  to  have 
reached  the  commander-in-chief  until  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember, the  latter  sending  it  to  the  president;  bu! 
the  newspapers  got  hold  of  the  information,  and  in 
this  way  Lord  Lyons  and  other  statesmen  obtained  :; 
knowledge  of  it,  when  there  was  profound  agitaticn 
in  diplomatic  circles. 

President  Buchanan  directed  Acting  Secretary  of 
War  Drinkard,  on  tlui  3d,  to  say  to  General  Harncv 
that  although  he  believed  the  Canal  de  Haro  to  be 
the  true  boundary  between  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States,  yet  that  he  had  not  anticipated  so  de- 
cisive a  step  being  taken  without  instructions;  that  it 
was  not  customary  to  disturb  the  status  of  territory 
in  dispute  between  friendly  nations  while  the  question 
was  pending  before  a  joint  commission;  but  if  the 
general  had  good  reason  to  believe  that  the  colonial 
authorities  of  Great  Britain  were  about  to  do  so  by 
assuming  jurisdiction  over  the  disputed  territory,  he 
was  right  to  anticipate  their  action,  and  the  president 
would  wait  for  further  details  before  expressing  any 
opinion. 

Upon  the  5tli  Lord  Lyons  held  an  intervie"  with 

''  This  third  midcllo  passage  was  used  by  steamers  during  the  Frn  cr  River 
gold  excitement,  and  surveyed  by  the  Active,  after  which  it  was  named,  but 
Oapt.  Richards  renamed  it  Plumper  Pass,  and  as  such  it  was  offerei'.  to  the 
United  States  as  a  boundary — a  narrow  channel  between  islands. 


Mr  ( 

Han 

notifi 

be  ni, 

the  I 

line  t 

Lyon; 

'JO  niG 

jurisdi 

pains  • 

try.     : 

sent   t 
origin 
orders 
spondei 
'•iitions 
order  G 
"lid  inqi 
'ley's  ac 
Ijiuj,  the 
merely  i 
the  title 
the  two 
the  inte 
I'crniitt 
J>iaced 

After 

^"aiicouv 

'"ail  stea 

'joard  th 

-ath  to  C 

rary  arra 

should  be 

(-'ach  natic 

t'-'ction  of 

Property. 

/'Itwasaa 
""gilt  bo  allow 
o»i' superiors.' 


01 


SCOTT  IN  PUGET  SOUND. 


627 


Mr  Cass,  when  ho  was  informed  of  the  contents  of 
Harney's  tiespatcli.  On  this  occasion  Secretary  Cass 
notified  Lyons  tliat  ^vhile  the  actual  status  should 
bo  maintained,  no  orders  had  boon  sent  to  withdraw 
the  United  States  troops,  but  that  they  were  to  con- 
lino  themselves  to  the  protection  of  American  citizens. 
Lyons  understood  this  to  mean  that  Harney  was  "by 
no  means  to  take  possession  of  San  Juan,  or  set  up  any 
jurisdiction  there" — a  construction  which  Cass  took 
pains  to  disavow  before  the  London  mail  left  the  coun- 
try. In  the  mean  time  further  despatches  had  been 
sent  to  Washington,  with  full  explanations  of  the 
origin  of  the  difficulty,  the  depositions  of  citizens,  the 
orders  of  Harney,  and  the  proclamations  and  corre- 
spondence of  Douglas.  So  warlike  did  all  these  indi- 
cations appear,  that  the  president  felt  constrained  to 
order  General  Scott  to  proceed  to  the  Pacific  coast, 
and  inquire  more  particularly  into  the  causes  of  Har- 
ney's action.  The  adjustment  of  alFairs  was  left  to 
him,  the  instructions  of  the  secretary  of  war  being 
merely  to  preserve  peace  and  prevent  collisions  until 
the  title  to  the  Island  could  be  determined  between 
tho  two  governments;  it  being  suggested  that  during 
the  intervening  period  a  joint  occupancy  might  bo 
permitted,  in  which  American  citizens  should  bu 
l)laccd  on  an  equal  footing  with  British  subjects. 

After  an  interview  with  Harney"^  and  Pickett  at 
Vancouver,  Scott  proceeded  to  Puget  Sound  in  tho 
mail  steamer  Northerner,  and  took  up  headquarters  on 
board  the  Massachusetts,  addressing  a  letter  on  the 
25th  to  Governor  Douglas,  and  proposing  as  a  tempo- 
rary arrangement  that  separate  portions  of  the  island 
should  be  occupied  by  an  equal  number  of  troops  of 
each  nation,  not  to  exceed  one  hundred,  for  the  pro- 
tection of  their  respective  countrymen  in  person  and 
property.     But   Douglas,  who,  notwithstanding   his 

'^  It  was  said  that  when  Harney  expressed  a  hope  to  Scott  that  matters 
might  bo  allowed  to  remain  as  they  were,  Scott  testily  replied,  '  We  both  have 
our  buperiors.'  He  then  proceeded  to  show  Harney  that  he  was  his  superior. 
Evans'  JV.  W.  Boundary,  36. 


iiil;  I 


nil 


ill 


028 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


disavowal  of  any  collusion  between  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company  and  the  colonial  authorities,  intended  that 
the  former  should  own  San  Juan,  and  who  did  not 
really  desire  the  home  government  to  become  too 
much  concerned  in  the  military  value  of  the  Island, 
disapproved  of  a  joint  occupation,  and  expressed  his 
desire  to  have  the  order  of  civil  magistracy  restored, 
remarking,  as  to  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants,  thut 
"the  principal  protection  that  may  be  required  is  from 
dissensions  among  themselves,  and  not  against  hostile 
Indians,  from  whom  I  do  not  apprehend  there  is  the 
slightest  danger  of  molestation;"  and  further  reminded 
the  general  that  the  sole  reason  furnished  in  Harncy'.s 
correspondence  with  himself  for  placing  troops  on  the 
island  had  been  that  he  wished  to  protect  citizens  of 
the  United  States  from  the  indignities  offered  tlicm 
by  the  British  authorities,  of  which  they  stood  in  no 
danger.^*  His  final  argument  for  not  accepting  Scott's 
proposition  was  that  the  general  was  an  accredited 
agent  of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  where- 
as he  did  not  occupy  that  position  toward  the  govoni- 
ment  of  Great  Britain. 

To  this  Scott  replied  that  his  government  had  not 
authorized  him  to  evacuate  San  Juan;  and  to  hiui  it 
was  apparent  that  if  a  magistracy  could  bo  legally 
established  on  neutral  territory,  it  could  not  l)o  niatlc 
subject  to  the  orders  of  any  military  ofScer,  nor  even 
to  the  direct  control  of  the  president,  and  therefore  it 
would  not  be  discreet  at  this  juncture  to  intrust  such 
an  officer  with  matters  affecting  the  peace  of  nations. 
"Besides,"  he  continued,  "I  have  adopted  the  im- 
pression of  my  countrymen  generally  on  this  frontier, 
that  the  few  citizens  settled  on  San  Juan  Island, 
though  like  all  other  American  pioneers,  brave,  and 
possessed  of  effective  weapons  for  defence  and  attack, 
do  in  reality  stand  in  need  of  troops  for  protection,  not 
only  against  predatory  bands  of  Indians  coming  from 
foreign  parts,  but  also  from  such  bands  residing  within 

'<  Milton's  San  Juan,  S-27-9;  //.  Ex.  Doe.  65,  ix.  65-7,  SGth  Cong.,  1st  SeiS. 


our 
fron 
duri 
mem 

tOWl] 

Tl 

(•an  i 

there 

settle 

sider, 

whei'i: 

The 

■sent  t 

tion  oj 

nniinU 

not  th; 

Britaii 

to   resl 

uithou 

oncy  o 

dispute 
jcct  his 
ence  to 
to  pers( 
(he  sett 
volunta 
treachei 
Whe 
ment, 
forcibly 
gon  sett 
the  rem£ 
Hate  for 
"ot  Dou 
Douo-] 
(-'ommittc 
ulations, 

o    "There., 
^  HeeoUecti 


SCOTT  AND  DOUGLAS. 


629 


our  own  limits;"  and  further  that  he  had  just  come 
from  BelHngham  Bay,  where  an  attack  had  been  made 
during  the  summer,  and  again  threatened,  a  detuoh- 
ment  having  been  recently  sent  from  San  Juan  to  the 
town  of  Whatcom. 

Thus  sliowing  Douglas  that  he  entertained  Ameri- 
can and  not  English  sentiments,  with  his  reasons 
therefor,  Sc(jtt  submitted  a  project  for  temporary 
settlement,  wliieh  he  requested  his  Excellency  to  con- 
sider, deelaving  that  he  could  sec  no  other  principle 
whereupon  a  present  adjustment  could  be  ma^e. 

The  reply  of  Douglas  was  that  he  could  not  con- 
sent to  a  joint  military  occupation  without  the  sanc- 
tion ol'  his  government;"'  that  he  was  authorized  to 
maintain  but  not  to  make  treaties,  and  that  he  did 
not  think  it  advisable  to  anticipate  the  action  of  G  rcat 
Britain;  that  protection  against  all  ordinary  danger 
to  residents  on  the  islantl  could  be  i'ully  attained 
without  military  occupation.  Moreover,  the  expedi- 
ency of  aflbrding  protection  to  persons  settling  on 
disputed  territory  might  be  questioned;  on  that  sub- 
ject his  instructions  left  him  in  no  doubt  with  refer- 
ence to  his  colony;  "protection  could  not  i>o  afforded 
to  persons  who,  by  wandering  beyond  the  precincts  of 
the  settlements  and  the  jurisdiction  of  the  tribunals, 
voluntarily  expose  themselves  to  the  violence  or 
treachery  of  the  native  tribes." 

Whether  this  was  an  order  of  the  home  govern- 
uient,  the  governor  did  not  say;  but  it  reminds  one 
forcibly  of  tlie  accusations  brought  by  the  early  Ore- 
gon settlers  against  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and 
the  remark  made  by  some  of  them,  that  it  was  fortu- 
nate for  the  first  immijxrations  that  McLouGjhlin  and 
not  Douorlas-was  in  command. 

Douglas  denied  that  the  colonial  authorities  had 
committed  any  act  in  violation  of  existing  treaty  stip- 
ulations, or  had  been  guilty  of  discourtesy  toward  the 

'^  There  wero  some  Hudson's  Bay  Company  men  who  agreed  with  Scott. 
See  Hecoilectiona,  MS.,  30. 


Til 

4i 


iif 


)Hi 


w 


:!H| 


0 
It 


•I 

k 


'M.i 


G30 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


United  States  government,  but  said  tliat  they  had 
exliibitod  a  degree  of  (brbearaiiee  wliieli  r'lititlcd 
l.lieni  to  tvei'v  confidence;  and  aufain  be  ururd  the 
withdrawal  of  the  troojis  IVoni  the  ishmd,  when  lie 
prt>niised  that  the  naval  force  in  the  haibor  should  be 
removed,  at  the  same  time  assuring  Sccjtt  tliat  there 
was  no  intention  on  his  part  to  dislodge  bv  force  the 
troops  in  possession,  without  orders  from  the  homo 
government. 

This  assurance  Scott  accepted.  IJeing  persuaded, 
he  said,  that  the  cordial  relations  existing  between 
the  two  governmer.trt  precluded  the  probability  ol 
war,  he  would  at  once  order  the  number  of  troops  on 
the  island  to  be  reduced  to  one  company  of  infaiiti'v, 
and  enclosed  sudi  an  order  to  Douglas  on  the  otli  ol 
November.  It  was  his  first  intention  to  leave  Pickett 
in  command;  but  fearing,  lest  there  niiglit  be  a  l>reju- 
dice  against  this  rt.'cldess  ofKcer,  in  whose  honor  the 
Ibrt  on  San  Juan  v^as  named,  another  company  under 
Captain  Hunt  was  substituted,  and  Pickett  was  yent 
to  Fort  Pellingham;  not  that  Hunt  was  less  fearles.s, 
but  that  he  was  possessed  of  more  prudence  and  coui- 
tesy,  and  had  not  given  cause  of  offence.  On  the 
departure  of  Scott,  however,  Pickett  was  at  onco  re- 
instated hy  General  Harney. 

The  withdrawal  of  tl.  United  States  forces,  exce])t 
t)ne  company,  could  not  be  complained  of,  especially 
as  the  govdnor  was  invited  to  place  a  company  on 
the  island,  Douglas  replying  that  he  should  take 
pleasure  in  reporting  this  action  to  the  homo  govern- 
ment, which,  he  doubted  not,  would  accept  it  as  proof 
of  a  desire  of  the  United  States  to  restore  the  former 
status  of  the  islands;  and  expressing  a  hope  that  the 
commander-in-chief  would  direct  his  officers  to  ab- 
stain from  all  acts  provocative  of  conflicts,  or  from 
attempts  to  exclude  British  subjects  by  force,  or  in 
any  inanner  interfere  with  them;*^*  and  on  his  part  he 

^"Thia  caution  arose  from  the  arrest  of  William  Moore,  a  British  subject, 
for  selling  liquor  on  the  island,  which  was  forbidden.    Moore,  after  being 


GENERAL  HARNEY. 


631 


would  enjoin  upon  the  British  authorities  the  same 
abstinence  from  exclusive  jurisdiction. 

Scott  replied  tiiat  he  should  direct  the  American 
ifliccr  in  command  not  to  permit  the  territorial  func- 
tionaries to  interfere  with  any  British  subject  on  the 
island  while  it  was  in  dispute;  but  should  add  the 
iVirthcr  instruction,  that  if  a  British  subject  disturbed 
the  peace,  or  sold  strong  liquor  to  American  soldiers 
without  leave  from  their  commander,  that  officer 
must  represent  the  case  to  the  nearest  British  author- 
ity, asking  for  the  removal  of  the  oftbndcr;  and  if 
ho  should  return  to  the  island  without  permission,  the 
officer  must  expel  him  without  further  ceremony.^' 

This  ended  the  correspondence  between  k^cott  and 
Douglas.  By  v\-ithdrawing  the  main  f  roe  and  tbi 
batteries  from  Fort  Pickett,  the  fcuier  liad  lol't 
(ilreat  Britain  to  take  the  initiative  in  any  iutiire  lios- 
tilitiL.>,  i)ut  without  yielding  any  right.-  or  njaking 
my  binding  concessions.  Scot*"  was  made  aware,  be- 
ibre  leavinij  Washinjjton,  that  tlie  British  ijovcrnnu'nt 
would  demand  the  removal  of  Harney  from  the  Ore- 
L;on  department;  and  the  president,  reluctant  to  ro- 
licve  from  his  command  a  popular  officer,  though  one 
whose  excessive  zeal  in  the  interests  of  the  people  and 
the  government  had  almost  involved  the  countr}'  in  a 
war,  had  suggested  reuniting  the  departments  of  Cal- 
ifornia and  Oregon,  whereby  Harney  would,  without 
jirejudice  to  his  standing,  be  forced  to  take  a  com- 
mand in  some  other  part  of  the  United  States  terri- 
tory. But  Harney,  not  at  first  perceiving  the  motive 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  placed  before  him  strong- 
arguments  against  throwing  the  two  departments  into 

|)ut  to  work  iu  the  trendies  for  half  a  day,  was  tried  before  Justice  Crosbio 
iiiul  lined,  according  to  his  deposition,  §75.  II.  Ex.  Doc,  ix.,  no.  C5,  pp. 
7:>-4,  oOth  CoiKj.,  1st  Sess.  The  case  fully  illustrated  the  trouble  that  would 
arise  from  a  divided  jurisdiction. 

■^'  Sen.  Doc.  10,  To,  v.,  SGth  Cong.,  1st  Sess.;  II,  Ex.  Doc,  11-13 — Mvss. 
amlDoc.jtti. — 36lh  Cong.,  1st  Sess.;  Iil.,pt  ii.,  39-90,  577;  House  Jour,, 
U45,  SGlhCong.,  1st  Sess.;  Sen.  Jour.,  lOiiG,  %th  Cong.,  1st  Sess.;  II,  Ex. 
Doc  29,  8-10,  22-9,  37-63,  SGth  Cong.,  2d  Sess. 


'A' 


632 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


one,  and  cited  the  condition  of  the  country  when  the 
headqu  xrters  were  at  San  Francisco. 

At  length,  just  as  he  was  taking  his  departure  from 
the  Columbia,  Scott  gave  Harney  his  true  reason  for 
making  the  suggestion,  and  left  with  him  an  order  to 
repair  to  St  Louis  and  assume  command  of  the  de- 
partment of  the  west,  placing  Wright  in  command  of 
the  department  of  Oregon,  but  giving  him  leave  to 
decline  or  accept  the  order  as  ho  should  elect.  Har- 
ney, however,  did  not  wish  to  go  to  St  Louis  just  at 
that  time.  He  had  begun  the  erection  of  a  residence 
about  one  mile  east  from  Vancouver,  then  nearly  com- 
pleted,^ and  did  not  find  it  convenient,  had  it  been 
otherwise  agreeable,  to  leave  the  territory.  Neither 
did  he  believe  that  his  action  with  regard  to  Sau 
Juan  would  embarrass  the  president.  That,  at  all 
events,  was  the  opinion  expressed  in  reply  to  the 
commander-in-chief's  suggestion,  written  on  the  spur 
of  the  moment. 

Two  days  later  I  find  him  entertaining  the  idea. 
In  a  long  communication  to  the  adjutant-general,  in 
which  he  recommends  the  continuance  of  the  Orerjuii 
department,  he  concludes  by  saying  that,  although  lie 
would  not  make  a  formal  application  to  be  relieved 
from  his  command  lest  it  should  derange  any  coursc 
already  decided  upon,  he  would  esteem  it  a  favor  il' 
the  president  would  at  his  earliest  convenience  allow 
him  to  return  to  the  east  and  to  his  family,  from 
which  he  had  been  for  five  years  separated.  He  was 
not  recalled  until  the  following  summer,  althouL>li 
Scott,  vexed  on  account  of  some  private  official  mis- 
understandings, used  his  influence  against  him.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  legislatures  of  Oregon  and  Wash- 
ington, on  being  informed  of  the  contemplated  change 
in  their  military  department,  memorialized  congress 

"This  structure  went  by  the  name  of  Dundaa  Castle.  It  was  beautifully 
situated  in  a  plateau  overlooking  the  Columbia,  and  surrounded  by  a^'ovo 
of  stately  fir-trees.  Hiriiey  wished  to  sell  it  for  an  arsenal,  but  the  title  to 
the  land  was  unsettle  I.  It  came  later  into  the  possession  of  J.  E.  Wychc, 
and  was  afterward  again  suld. 


rOPULAR  FEELING. 

against  it,  and  prayed  to  have  Harney  retained  in 
command;  and  Scott,  whose  visit  had  been  received 
with  deference,  began  to  be  severely  criticised,  which 
was  nothing  new  for  him.** 

Not  until  March  did  Admiral  Baynes  disembark 
on  the  disputed  island  a  company  of  marines  equal  in 
number  to  the  force  of  Captain  Hunt,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  George  Bazalgette,  his  instructions 
being  the  same  as  those  given  to  the  American  cap- 
tain. The  respective  commanders  observed  the  ut- 
most courtesy  toward  each  other,  as  they  had  been 
instructed  to  do.  In  the  mean  time  the  American 
population  of  San  Juan  was  doubled,  farms  were 
opened,  and  manufactures  started. 

Nor  did  the  Fourth-of-July  spirit  die  out;  but  in 
November  a  public  meeting  was  held  to  express  the 
sentiments  of  the  settlers  with  regard  to  the  sover- 
eignty of  this  bit  of  insular  territory.  At  Olympia 
the  democratic  portion  of  the  legislature,  at  a  meeting 
held  for  the  purpose,  nominated  Harney  as  their 
choice  for  president  in  18G0,  It  was  quite  clear  that, 
whatever  the  government  might  do,  the  people  in- 
tended to  sustain  Harney. 

The  American  aspect  of  the  case  descends  now  to  a 
disgraceful  quarrel  between  two  of  its  officers,  a  posi- 
tion in  which  they  are  too  often  found  in  the  history 
of  the  nation.  Nor  will  it  bo  of  any  import  to  this 
liistory  to  follow  a  private  quarrel  between  Scott  ;ind 


'"According  to  tlic  Oregon  Statesman  of  Jauuary  2i,  ISOO,  tho  iiitcrvciitioii 
of  tho  cominundor-iu-cliief  had  done  more  harm  than  good.  When  lie  arrived, 
saiil  that  journal,  the  San  Jnau  qucstiou  was  practically  .settled.  There  was 
no  occasion  for  him  to  interfere.  The  British  lloct  had  retired  to  Esfiiiiinalt 
Imrbor,  except  the  SatcllUc,  which  still  lay  in  the  harbor  of  8an  .Tuan.  'i'he 
Americans  had  peaceable  possession,  and  exercised  civil  and  military  jiiris- 
iii;tiou.  lint  iiiat(;ad  of  letting  matters  remain  as  they  were,  he  ordenil  off 
I'icUctt,  offered  joint  occupancy,  and  recommended  the  recall  of  Harney  and 
tho  abolition  of  tho  Oregon  department.  Nor  were  the  Oregon  and  I'tigct 
■Sound  papers  the  'iidy  journals  to  question  the  wisdom  of  the  commander-in- 
chief  in  sacrificing  Pickett  and  Harney,  whom  tho  government  and  himself 
indorsed,  by  leaving  a  military  force  on  tho  island,  and  by  abolishing  IJritish 
civil  jurisdiction,  but  the  western  press  in  general  lamented  tho  ueccssity, 
real  or  imaginary,  of  the  implied  censure.  See  National  Inldlijcncer,  July  28, 
18(30;  Emns'  N.  W.  Boundary,  'XV,   V.  I.  Unthh  Colonist. 


m 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


Harney,  except  so  far  as  it  affects  the  question  under 
consideration.  On  the  10th  of  April,  18G0,  Harney 
.sent  a  despatch  to  Pickett  from  Fort  Vancouver, 
wlierein  he  informs  him:  1st.  That  Scott  left  no  in- 
structions with  him  to  grant  a  military  occupation 
of  San  Juan  Island  by  British  troops;  nor  had  any 
authority  been  delegated  by  the  government  to  Scott 
to  offer  or  accept  such  occnpation;  nor  was  the  offer 
made  by  him  accepted  by  Governor  Douglas,  or  any 
such  arrangement  subsequently  made,  so  far  as  lie, 
Harney,  was  informed;  2d.  The  British  authorities 
had  simply  submitted  an  assurance  that  no  attempt 
would  be  made  by  them  to  dislodge  the  American 
troops,  in  view  of  which  they  were  permitted  to  land 
troops  for  a  purpose  similar  to  that  of  the  commandei' 
of  the  department,  to  protect  the  British  residents; 
3d.  Under  the  organic  act  of  compress  for  the  estab- 
lishment  of  Washington  territory,  the  legislature  ot' 
1854  had  passed  an  act  including  the  island  of  San 
Juan  in  Whatcom  county,  which  act  on  being  sub- 
mitted to  congress  was  not  disapproved,  and  was  there- 
fore the  law  of  the  land,  and  being  such,  Pickett  would 
be  expected  to  regard  the  civil  jurisdiction  of  Washini;- 
ton,  any  attempt  to  ignore  which  would  be  followed 
by  deplorable  results.  In  the  event  of  British  in- 
terests being  involved,  Pickett  was  required  to  iiotilV 
Captain  Bazalgette,  who  would  pro])ose  some  ari'ango- 
nient  satisfactory  to  his  instructions,  as  well  as  tlios(> 
of  the  civil  officer,  no  action  in  any  case  to  be  taken 
until  it  had  been  referred  to  the  British  admind  and 
the  LTovernor  of  Washington. 

No  sooner  had  the  reappointment  of  Pickett  boon 
made  known  in  Washington  city  than  the  ]3ritisli 
minister  called  the  attention  of  Secretary  Ca^^s  to 
the  event,  expressing  his  confidence  that  the  United 
States  government  would  not  lose  anytime  in  })r(>vid- 
ing  against  the  deplorable  consequences  likely  to  follow. 
Lord  Lyons,  as  well  as  General  Scott,  endeavored  to 


ARBITRATION. 


635 


arouse  the  government  against  Harney,*"  and  tbo 
secretary  of  war  was  directed  to  recall  him  at  once. 
Accordingly  Harney  went  to  Washington,  Hunt  was 
ordered  back  to  San  Juan,"  and  Colonel  Wright  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  department  of  Oregon. 

The  reprimand  which  General  Harney  received 
t'rom  the  secretary  of  war  was  a  mild  one.  The  sec- 
lotary  disapj^roved  of  violating  the  order  of  General 
Scott;  but  while  expressing  his  disapprobation,  he  en- 
tertained no  doubt  of  the  proper  intentions  of  General 
Harney,  "and  from  his  known  high  character  and 
distinguished  services,  he  was  not  disposed  to  be  severe 
ill  his  condemnation." 

There  remains  little  that  need  be  told  of  the  history 
of  San  Juan.  Unable  to  settle  the  boundarv,  the 
British  government  authorized  Lord  Jjyons,  on  the 
1 0th  of  J)eccmber,  18G0,  to  propose  arbitration  by 
(»iic  of  three  European  powers;  namely,  Belgium, 
Denmark,  or  the  Swiss  republic;  but  for  the  tiuK; 
tills  proposal  led  to  no  result.  Then  came  the  civil 
war  in  the  United  States,  when  the  cabinet  had 
enough  to  do  to  manage  its  domestic  aftairs,  and  tlio 
Sau  Juan  question  was  suifered  to  be  forgotten. 

It  was  not  until  18G8  that  Adams,  minister  to  Eiiijf- 
land,  v.'as  notified  by  S<3cretary  Seward  that  among 
other  important  questions  to  be  negotiated  the  San 
■luan  boundary  should  be  included.  In  1809  Adams' 
successor,  Reverdy  Johnson,  was  instructed  to  give 
liis  attention  to  the  adjustment  of  this  question,  accept- 
ing the  proposal  made  ten  years  before  that  it  should 
U'  settled  by  arbitration ;  and  on  the  17th  of  October 
a  i)rotocol  was  signed  by  Stanley  and  Johnson,  agree- 
ing that   the  question   should    be  referred  to   some 


"Scott  wrote:  'Ii  t]iis  docs  not  lead  to  a  collision  of  arms,  it  v  ill  njiiiiii 
111'  duo  to  tlio  fofbciirancc  of  tlio  British  (lutlioritics.'  Milloii's  San  Jitan,  li."il. 

^'  Pickett  was  a  southerner,  and  when  tlio  civil  war  broke  out  joined  the 
0(jufc(lcracy  and  was  made  a  general.  He  commanded  a  division  under  Long- 
street  at  Gettysburg.  lie,  bko  moat  of  tho  southern  oliicers  who  resigned 
from  tho  United  Statos  army,  died  in  a  few  years  after  the  close  of  the  war. 


636 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


friendly  sovereign  or  state,  and  that  within  three 
months  after  the  ratification  of  any  treaty  ;^iviu<'' 
effect  to  the  agreement  the  referee  should  be  selected, 
the  naturalization  treaty  being  mentioned  as  the  one 
that  must  be  first  disposed  of  On  the  10th  of  No- 
vember, the  claims  questions  having  been  relern'd  to 
four  commissioners,  two  chosen  by  each  government, 
it  was  also  agreed  that  the  boundary  question  should 
be  determined  by  the  president  of  the  federal  council 
of  the  Swiss  republic  on  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty 
above  named. 

When  the  first  proposition  was  made  in  18G8  to 
accept  arbitration  as  a  means  of  ilisposing  of  tlu; 
question,  the  officials  of  Washington  territory  sent  ;i 
remonstrance  to  congress,  entreating  the  senate  to  con- 
sent  to  no  protocol  nor  convention  admitting  a  doubt 
of  the  right  of  the  United  States  to  the  line  of  the 
Canal  de  Haro,  or  a  possible  surrender  of  the  Haro 
archipelago.^'" 

Mr  Seward,  however,  not  being  satisfied  with  the 
claims  convention,  wrote  Johnson  to  allow  the  natural- 

^-TIic  rcnionstrnnco  was  signcil  by  ^Itirsliall  F.  Moore  jioveriior,  Jliizanl 
Stevens  collector,  S.  D.  IIowo  assessor  internal  revenue,  Joscpli  Ciishinan 
receiver  of  tlic  same,  E.  Marsli  register  of  tlic  lanil-ofiiee,  .J.  E.  Wyelie  U.  S. 
ilistriet  jvulge,  Leander  Holmes  U.  S.  attorney,  S.  Garfield  surveyor-general 
Philip  D.  jMoorc  collector  of  internal  revenue,  E.  L.  Smith  territorial  secre- 
tary, T.  JI.  Rccil  chief  clerk  in  laiul-olDce,  Cliarles  A.  White  surveyor,  (_'. 
11.  Hale  cx-sujierintcndcnt  Indian  atlairs,  W.  \V.  Miller  the  same,  E.  (iielc- 
liug  late  acting  surveyor-geueral,  Benjamiu  llarncd  territorial  treasurer,  ( '. 
S.  King  Indian  agent,  Levi  Siielton  territorial  librarian,  William  lluntin.'loii 
U.  S.  marshal,  ]J.  F.  Deunisou  U.  S.  district  judge,  O.  B.  McFadden  ex-U.  S. 
chief  justice,  Frank  Clark,  II.  G.  Steiuer,  I'lhvood  Evans.  U,  S.  Sci>.  J/(>''. 
J)i)C.,  '11,  JfOth  Coiif/.,  3d  Se.is.  In  reply  to  a  letter  from  the  president  of  tlir 
Norllieru  I'acilio  railroad,  George  Gibbs  wrote  a.  letter,  afterward  pubUslied 
in  j)amphletl'orm,  on  the  protocol  of  1809,  in  which  he  reviewed  tlio  ai'iee- 
ment  in  no  friendly  spirit,  lie  declared  the  president  of  the  Swiss  confeilna- 
tiou  a  myth,  which,  regarded  in  the  light  of  a  sovereign,  he  really  was;  saiil 
that  England  meant  that  San  Juan  Island  and  I'oint  Huberts  were  to  be  given 
up  for  the  naturalization  treaty;  hoped  that  to  avoid  a  war  the  U.  S.  wuiiM 
adopt  tlie  middle  or  President's  passage,  as  the  Active-Plumper  elianml  \\a> 
nowealleil;  and  declared  tiiat  if  England  was  to  lose  her  possessions  on  tlu 
Paeide,  as  she  must  eventually,  she  wished  to  make  the  U.  S.  pay  the  lii.;liest 
price  for  the  ae(|uisition,  a  price  that  would  bo  enhanced  by  the  po3ses:;iim  el 
San  .luan  and  Point  Rol)erts,  for  which  slio  was  striving.  IIo  concliidiil  1  y 
s.iyiug  that  it  would  never  ilo  to  have  I'uget  Sound  entirely  under  lliiiisli 
guns,  as  tlie  eonunand  of  the  Sound  involved  that  of  the  Columbia  llivcr. 
Uilih.i'  San  Jiiiui  Tnaf'j.  Point  Iloberts  is  a  neck  of  laud  extcniling  bcloff 
the  I'Mi  parallel,  directly  bou'.li  <4'  the  mouth  of  Fi'aser  River. 


TREATY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


637 


ization  and  San  Juan  questions  to  remain  in  protocol 
unless  Great  Britain  agreed  to  amend  the  former,  and 
the  reference  to  arbitration  was  rescinded  by  this 
action.  An  amended  convention  was  then  accepted 
by  Great  Britain  and  forwarJud  to  the  United  States, 
but  rejected  by  the  senate,  which  rejection  rendered 
nugatory  a  second  agreement  to  submit  the  boundary 
question  to  the  arbitration  of  the  president  of  the 
♦Swiss  confederation. 

Thus  this  question  was  suffered  to  drift  along  until, 
in  1871,  England  sent  five  commissioners  to  Wash- 
ington  city  to  negotiate  a  treat}'',  which  was  concluded 
May  8th  of  that  year,  and  is  known  as  the  treaty  of 
Washington,  the  thirty-fourth  article  of  which  is  in 
the  following  language:  "Whereas,  it  was  sti[)ulated 
by  article  1  of  the  treaty  concluded  at  Wasliington 
on  the  15th  of  June,  1846,  between  the  United  States 
and  her  Britannic  Majesty,  that  tlie  line  of  boundary 
between  the  territories  of  the  United  States  and  tliosc 
of  her  Britannic  Majesty,  from  the  point  on  the  4l)th 
parallel  of  north  latitude  up  to  which  it  had  been 
already  ascertained,  should  be  continued  westward 
aUnig  the  said  parallel  of  north  latitude  *to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  cliannel  which  separates  the  continent  from 
Vancouver's  Island,  and  thence  soutlierly  through  tlie 
middle  of  said  channel  and  of  Fuca  Straits  to  the 
.L'acific  Ocean;'  and  whereas,  the  commissioners  ap- 
pointed by  the  two  high  contracting  j)artics  to  deter- 
r.iine  the  portion  of  the  boundary  wliieh  runs  southerly 
llirough  the  middle  of  the  channel  aforesaid  were 
unable  to  agree  upon  the  same;  and  whereas,  the  gov- 
*  rnment  of  her  Britannic  Majesty  claims  that  such 
'  nundary  line  should,  under  the  terms  of  the  treaty 

-  .0  recited,  be  run  through  llosario  vStraits,  and 
the  government  of  the  United  States  claims  that  it 
slioidd  be  run  through  the  Canal  do  Ilaro — it  is  agreed 
that  llie  respective  claims  of  the  government  of  the 
United  States  and  the  ijovernmcnt  of  her  Britannic 
Majesty  shall    be   submitted  to  the  arbitration  and 


i,' 


m 


:5I 


638 


THE  SAN  JUAN  ISLAND  DIFFICULTY. 


award  of  his  Majesty  the  emperor  of  Germany,  who, 
having  regard  to  the  above-mentioned  article  of  the 
said  treaty,  shall  decide  thereupon,  finally  and  with- 
out appeal,  which  of  those  claims  is  in  the  most  accord- 
ance with  the  true  interpretation  of  the  treaty  of  Juno 
15,  1846."" 

Emperor  William  of  Germany  accepted  the  odic' 
of  arbitrator,  both  governments  presenting  a  carefully 
prepared    case,   with  documents   and    maps,   George 
Bancroft,  the  American  minister  to  Germany,  and 
Mr  Petro,  the  British  charge  d'affairs,  having  the  I'e- 
sponsibility  of  laying  before  him  all  the  arguments  on 
either  side.     Present  in  Berlin,  and  laboring  for  the 
acceptance  of  his  views,  was   Captain,  now  Admiral 
Prevost,    the   British   commissioner   of   1859.     The 
award  was  not  made  until  October  21,  1872,  when  it 
was  given  to  the  United  States.     There  are  some  on 
both  sides  of  the  line  who  hold  to  the  opinion  that 
the  decision  was  wrong;  others  believe  it  right;  still 
others  say  that  it  is  a  matter  of  small  moment  to 
which  of  the  great  powers  this  little  patch  of  earth 
belongs.     Great  as  was   the  disappointment   of  tlu' 
people    of  British    Columbia,   the   award    was  most 
courteously  accepted,  and   within  a  few  weeks  orders 
were  given  by  the  imperial  government  for  its  troops 
to  evacuate  San  Juan.     The  greatest  good  feeling  had 
all  alona:  existed  between  the  officers  and   soklicrv. 
and  three  hearty  cheers  were  given  by  the  American-' 
on  the  departure  of  the  royal  marines;  none  the  less 
hearty,  because  on  this  occasion  the  Yankees  coultl 
well  afford  to  cheer.** 

*^  Treaty  of  Washhir]ton  Papers,  v.  25C;  Cmhing^a  Treaty  of  WiHihUvjiun, 
npp.,  257-74;  Ex.  Doc.  1,  j)t  1,  4^d  Gong.,  3d  Sesa,;  Foreign  lidatlin^,  [., 
xxv.-vi.,  4Jd  Coiuj.,  LilSess. 

*' Paget  Sound  Despatch,  Dec.  .5,  1S72;  Butler's  Wild  North  Lnirl.  WW. 
The  cost  to  Englaml  of  occupying  San  Juan  was  between  twelve  and  lliii  ticii 
thousand  doHars  a  year,  besides  the  pay  of  officers  and  men.  J/aiisunl-^  I'liri 
Del).,  excix.  123S.  The  cost  to  the  United  States  was  that  of  kocpiiit;  up  :i 
jiost  where  it  was  needed  to  watch  the  nortiiern  Indians.  Sec  uienioiiiil  of  tlic 
Washington  legislature  in  Wanh.Slnt.,  18t)7-8,  183-5,  asking  relief  for  isaiic 
J'l  Higgins,  a  'persecuted'  settler,  and  that  Captain  Grey  bo  punished  f<ir 
abuses  of  power.     Also  correspondence  of  Acting  Gov,  AIcGill  witli  the  sec.  of 


END  OP  THE  CONTROVERSY. 


639 


state,  in  Ecaua'  X.  IV.  Boundary,  39,  and  the  decision  of  Judgu  Fitzhugh  on 
|).  40,  also  the  opinion  of  Judge  li.  h\  Deiiniatm  in  tiie  Port  Towiiseiitl  Mrs.iaijc, 
Oct.  1  and  8,  1808.  The  award,  which  removed  all  the  disabilities  coiiiplaincil 
<if,  left  the  United  HUites  for  the  lirst  time  in  the  history  of  Iho  nation  without 
a  boundary  dispute  with  (ireat  ISritain,  and  consequently  in  a  condition  to 
iiulgrow,  (111  both  sides,  many  prejudices  and  imaginary  causes  of  dilFcrcnce. 
Some  year;!  before  tiio  emperor's  decision  was  rendered  the  Hudson's  Uay  and 
l*a,i,'et  Sound  Agricultural  companies  brought  forward  claims  against  the  U. 
S.  for  loss  of  territory.  They  were  finally  disallowed,  on  the  ground  tlwit  it 
iiad  been  decided  by  the  emperor  of  (Jernuiny  that  the  islanda  rightfully  be- 
longed to  the  U.  S.,  although  the  eonmiissioners  appointi^d  under  the  treaty 
.jf  KSt;3  had  awarded  §150,000  to  the  II.  IJ.  Co.  and  §1200.000  to  the  rugc'fc 
Soi'ud  Co.  Claims  were  also  brought  forward  by  ISritish  residents  of  Nan 
.luan,  and  Hazard  ytcvcns  was  appointed  commissioner  for  tlio  purpose  of 
inquiring  into  and  settling  them.  After  visiting  the  inland  and  making  an 
investigation,  ho  reported  to  the  president  that  no  claims  existed  which  the 
government  was  botind  to  recognize.  Htcvcnx,  San  Jtuiu  Cluims,  MS.  Mr 
Stevens  remarks  that  the  numner  in  which  the  demands  of  tiie  two  companies 
v.erc  presented  by  the  l>ritish  minister  at  Washington,  and  investigated  by 
iirdcr  of  congress,  forms  a  curious  episode  in  thisiirotracted  dispute.  In  IS.Sl 
Mr  Stevens  was  practising  law  in  Boston.  Tiio  evidence  fur  the  companicj 
and  for  the  U.  S.,  with  tiie  memorials  and  arguments  of  claimants,  tiie  argu- 
uunts  of  counsel  for  the  U.  S.,  the  opinions  and  award  ot  the  connnissiouci.-, 
and  the  opinions  of  the  press,  were  puljlished  in  live  volumes  and  part;,!,  undri- 
tiie  general  title  of  t'laims  of  lite  JIudsoii'ti  Dan  and  I'mjit  Sound  A</ricidlurii 
I'oinpnnlcx,  ^Montreal,  ISOS,  Washington,  1807,  1808. 

In  thus  presenting  an  account  of  the  San  Juan  dilliculty,  I  have  stated  the 
facts  as  I  have  founil  them,  making  little  conmient  thereon.  Hundreds  of 
oi)inion3  and  ver.sions  have  bi^en  ])ublislied  in  newspaiiers,  books,  and  maga- 
zines, as,  for  example,  that  of  William  John  Maedonald,  though  by  no  means 
a  reliable  writer,  but  an  employe  of  the  Hudson's  IJay  Company,  who,  witii  a 
party  of  French  Canadians,  was  stationed  at  San  Juau  two  or  tliieo  years  be- 
fore the  dispute  occurred,  and  afterward  became  a  citizen  of  Victoria,  lie 
states  that  the  American;!  never  considered  the  island  as  any  portion  of  their 
territory  until  about  the  year  IS.").'}.  Captain  Aldeu.of  the  surveying  steamer 
Active,  found  deeper  water  in  the  Canal  de  Harothan  in  tlic  liosario  channel, 
iuid  claimed  the  former  as,  under  the  terms  of  the  treaty,  '  the  channel  which 
separates  Vancouver's  Island  from  the  mainland.'  Afteriiegotiations  and  sur- 
veys extending  over  two  years,  Capt.  I'revost  being  sent  from  Kngland  in  the 
SaUU'dc,  to  protect  British  interests,  and,  if  possible,  to  arrange  matters,  the 
ciiunnissioners  appointed  by  both  nations  faile<l  to  agree.  In  1S.")9  Gon.  Har- 
ney came  from  Oregon  iu  the  sloop  of  wiiv  Dccatnr,  with  about  150  men. 
Anchoring  in  Griflin  Bay,  he  threw  up  rougli  earthworks  on  the  high  land 
above  the  harbor  and  planted  some  cannon.  Sir  James  Douglas  went  over  in 
a  sliip  of  war  to  remonstrate,  and  re(piesled  Harney  to  remove  his  troops, 
wliieh  the  latter  declined  to  do.  The  people  of  Victoria  were  sorely  annoyed 
■dt  the  aggressiveness  of  the  Ameiicans,  and  as  there  were  at  this  time,  in  the 
iiurbor  of  Victoria,  nine  vessels  of  war,  recently  arrived  from  China,  all  were 
in  f:ivor  of  resorting  to  arms.  At  tiie  instance  of  Admiral  Bayncs,  however, 
a  council  was  held  and  milder  measures  prevailed,  llarney,  who,  it  was  I)c- 
licved,  acted  unier  the  advice  of  Commissioner  Campbell,  was  severely  cen- 
sured for  his  conduct.  lirit.  Col.  SLctrhex,  MS.,  24-0. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 

1871-1874. 

TnB  Tide  of  Westward-bound  Migkation — Reasons  for  and  aoainst 
THE  Railway  Project — Tub  Bill  Carried  in  tub  Commons— Reso- 
lution Passed  by  the  Canadian  Parliament — Policy  of  the  BniTisii 
AND  Canadian  Governments — Preliminary  Surveys— Tiik  llrcu 
Allan  Contract — A  Modest  Demand — The  Contract  Annullkd— 
CnANGE  of  Administration — James  D.  Edgar's  Negotiations— Tiu-n; 
FAiLURk,  and  its  Cause — Mackenzie's  Railway  Scheme — Objections 
to  his  Pro.ect. 


The  project  for  interoceanic  communication  between 
the  British  possessions  on  the  Atlantic  and  Purilic 
was  one  mooted  long  before  the  confederation  gavo  it 
definite  form.  It  was  the  dream  of  Mackenzie  and 
his  fellow-explorers,  who  set  forth  for  the  great  north- 
west in  their  bark  canoes,  and  whose  journeys  ante- 
date by  nearly  half  a  century  the  existence  of  rail- 
ways in  this  quarter.  Not  until  1837 — the  year  di' 
the  Canadian  rebellion — were  the  first  sixteen  niik^s 
of  railroa.d  constructed  in  Canada,  the  line  beinL;"  in 
operation  only  some  ten  years  later  than  the  first  one 
completed  in  the  United  States,  and  about  sewn 
years  later  than  the  first  one  completed  in  England. 
At  that  date  the  greater  portion  of  British  North 
America  was  as  yet  a  wilderness,  a  i'ow  trails  tliroiiL^h 
the  forest  between  lakes  Huron  and  Ontario  bcii)'j; 
then  the  grand  trunk  roads  of  Canada. 

Until  the  gold  discovery  in  California,  the  idea  was 
perhaps  never  conceived  that  England's  domain  in 
the  north-west  would  form  one  with  her  Canadian 

(C40) 


KA8T  AND  WEST. 


641 


possessions;  but  alter  that  event  another  condition 
ot'aftairs  prevailed.  The  stream  of  inimii^ration  tliat 
Howed  steadily  westward  throuLjh  the  British  posses- 
sions, finding  itself  barred  by  Lake  Huron  and  the 
mountainous  rc<;ion  to  the  north,  passed  onward  into 
Michigan  and  the  western  states,  there  beinjx  absorbed 
in  the  tide  of  American  travel.  It  now  became  evi- 
ilent  that  the  surplus  ])opulation  of  Canada  West  was 
destined  to  overflow  into  the  United  States;  while,  on 
the  other  hand,  Vancouver  Island  ami  the  mainland 
were  in  damper  of  fallini;  into  the  hands  of  foreigners. 
Then  it  was  that  Great  Britian  first  realized  the  im- 
portance of  her  })OSsessions  on  the  Pacific. 

If  England  now  proposed  to  maintain  herinfiuence 
on  the  western  continent,  she  must  not  delay  much 
longer,  as  it  seemed,  tiie  task  of  establishing  overland 
communication  between  Canada  and  the  Pacific,^  this 
heing  the  only  means  by  which  her  power  could  be 
consolidated,  and  the  principal  reason  for  establish- 
ing colonies  on  the  western  shores  of  the  Hudson's 
ixiy  Company's  territory.  Such,  at  least,  were  the 
views  ilerived  from  an  inlimale  knowledue  of  tlie 
great  northern  iutisrior,  as  well  as  of  the  Pacitic  coast, 
and  entertained  by  the  advanced  intelligence  and 
statesmanshiji  of  the  mother  country.  l>y  Canada, 
liowever,  these  \iews  were  not  shared,  until  the  fiicis 
disclosed  durinu*  the  confederation  movement  brou'-iit 
ho'iiie  to  her  the  need  of  a  western  outlet;  until  it  wa:s 
shown  that  several  hundred  thousands  of  her  citizens 
liad  within  a  few  years  been  absorbed  by  the  union. 
''Canada,"  write  her  jNTajesty's  emigration  counnis- 
.■-ioners  in  their  rept)rt  for  1871,  "cannot  at  j);'escnt 
absorb  more  than  ;]0,000  or  40,000  emigrants  a  year, 
and  the  e.\cess  beyond  that  number  can  obtain  em[)loy- 
iiient  only  in  the  labor  market  of  the  United  Stati-s."^ 

^ In  Filzgi'rald's  I'.  /.,  1 '20-8,  it  ia  i'CCi>iniiiciulcil  that  a  cIkuii  of  ixists  bo 
wt.'iblishcd  by  tho  IIiuLsou'a  15ay  Co.  a  tliousaiul  miloa  in  Inij^th,  aL'ii.j  tho 
Ijauks  of  tho  Saskatchewan  llivcr,  niul  theuco  wcstw  anl,  ami  that  a  higliway 
Ijc  opened  for  trallic  between  tho  two  oceans. 

MVilson,  Canada  and  the  Can.  Par.  lia'dimij,  1-',  states  that  between 
Htsr.  Burr.  Col.    al 


m 

I 


m 
m 


641: 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


It  was  not  until  tlio  discovery  of  the  Frascr  River 
gold-fields  in  1858  that  tlio  project  for  a  railroad  l)e- 
tween  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific,  and  the  idea  of  a 
united  British  American  cmj)ire,  first  took  definite 
shape.  The  Grand  Trunk  railway,  completed  about 
that  (late  to  Sarnia,  was  extended  in  imagination  in 
New  Westminster.  Sarnia  was  to  compete  witli  ])uf- 
falo,  Montreal  with  New  York,''  and  Boston  looked 
on  and  said  :  "While  congress  is  postponing  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Pacific  railway  bill  from  May  to  JJc- 
cend)er,  and  from  December  till  ^Eay,  Great  Britain 
has  her  railway  to  the  Pacific  already  coinnienetd. 
.  .  .Let  any  one  who  doubts  the  joint  ability  ot 
the  Canadian  and  English  governments  to  accomi)Iis]i 
so  great  an  enterprise  take  down  the  map  and  look  at 
the  lino  of  the  Grind  Trunk,  already  connecting  the 
Atlantic  with  the  lakes,  and  then  look  at  the  compar- 
atively short  distance  from  Lake  Superior  to  Van- 
couver Island."' 

For  so  important  a  stake  as  the  control  of  inter- 
oceanic  commerce,  it  was  of  course  supposed  that 
Great  Britain  would  ]>lay  boldly;  nor  did  her  govern- 
ment remain  an  idle  spectator  of  the  events  that  werr 
transpiring  in  the  north-west.  "I  hope,"  said  hvv 
Majesty,  in  her  speech  from  the  throne  in  1858,  "that 
this  new  colony  in  the  Pacific  may  be  but  one  stej>  in 
the  career  of  steady  progress  by  which  my  dominion> 
in  North  America  may  be  ultimately  peopled  in  an 
unbroken  chain  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  b}-  a 
loyal  and  industrious  population."^ 

Will  tiie  line  of  the  Pacific  railroad  traverse  British 
Columbia?  was  now  among  the  absorbing  questions  of 


ISGOand  1870  Can.ula  ili<l  not  absorb  any  population,  busing  his  statement 
on  tlio  ligures  given  in  tiio  Caiiadian  Year-Book  for  1S73,  v  here  the  increase 
of  population  in  the  province  of  Qtiebce  between  ISGl  anil  1871  is  given  at  7.- 
per  tent,  and  in  Ontario  at  1(!.()9  per  eent,  against  28.01)  anil  57.0  percent  re- 
spectively for  the  previous  decade.  In  the  former  province  the  increase  for 
ISO  1-71  was  below  tlie  natural  rate. 

"  Lc  Journal  (Ic  Vh'iiijiin',  Paris,  ISoS. 

*  Boston  Ec.  Trauxcrlpt,  Juno  5,  ISoS. 

''  Brawling  £stia]/,  Brit.  Col.,  04. 


SLOW  PROGRESS. 

tho  day,  and  ono  ot\ijrave  import  to  the  newly  created 
coloiiios  and  to  tlie  ootnmercial  world,  liut,  save  tliat 
an  (Miginoers'  camp  was  established  at  Xew  Westmin- 
ster in  cliarLje  of  Coloiirl  ^[oody,  to  whom  im})()rtant 
interests  were  afterward  confided,  little  was  accom- 
plished; lor  at  this  date  the  proje(;t  seemed  almost 
impracticable.  No  suitable  pass  liad  as  yet  been  dis- 
covered;" no  column  of  emigrants,  bringing  wagons 
and  herds  from  the  Canadian  settlements,  had  pene- 
trated the  forest  and  snow-dad  mountains,  which,  a 
few  degrees  to  the  south,  presented  to  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Oregon  no  insuperable  d'.fticulty.  INIoreover, 
the  country  was  far  too  remote  from  Canada  for  tlu; 
dominion  government  to  construct  a  road  in  advance 
of  emigration.  Says  Palliser,  in  his  report  to  the  sec- 
retary of  state  for  the  colonies,  in  185'.),  after  the  i'ail- 
uve  of  his  ettbrt  to  find  a  practicable  route  to  the 
Fraser:  "Tho  manner  in  which  natural  obstacles  have 
isolated  the  country  from  all  other  British  possessions 
in  the  cast  is  a  matter  of  considerable  weight;  indeed, 
it  is  tho  obstacle  of  the  country,  and  one,  1  fear,  almost 
beyond  the  remedies  of  art."'  Then,  for  a  time,  the 
[troject  was  forgotten. 

In   18G8-9,  h    vever,  British  Columbia  was  yield- 

"Tlic  Kooteiiai  pass,  discovered  by  Capt.  IJlakiston,  some  forty  miles  north 
iif  the  bouudury,  was  r),OUO  feet  above  tlic  sea-level,  ami  for  seven  and  a  half 
miles  after  entering  it,  the  rise  would  be  one  in  ISO.  'I'lienec  u  cutting  of 
^uinc  three  and  a  half  niiles  would  lead  to  a  tunnel  5  miles  in  length,  at  a 
u'ladient  of  one  in  l.'W.  Tho  line  would  then  skiit  the  base  of  the  mountains 
until  it  reached  a  second  riilge,  with  an  elevation  of  T),  10(3  feet,  a  few  miles 
fiuni  which  there  was  a  gradient  of  about  one  in  '.)'>.  J-'or  extracts  from  the 
captain's  I'eport,  see  MardoudUl's  B.  (/.  u)ui  V.  /.,  'Jl!7— b'{. 

'  /(/.,  '242.  The  Papers  It(  lulirc.  to  tlie.  Kfjilonitliui  Inj  the  Expedition  iiii'i<  r 
( 'tifitniii  Pallixcr  of  tlud  portion  of  liriti^h  i^'urth  Aim  rif(i  irhirh  lii  ■<  bi/irrc  n 
'If,  Northern  Branch  of  the  llivcr  SanLdti-hcirnn  and  (he  Frontier  of  the  United 
Stdten,  and  between  the  lied  Riccr  and  the  Itockij  Mountain-^,  and  thenee  to  the 
Piieijic  Ocean  (London,  IS.'iS),  form  merely  .a  preliminary  report,  consisting 
M],-iinly  of  copies  of  letters  to  the  secretary  of  state,  though  containing  several 
L'cnlogical  reports  ami  maps  of  tlie  country  nt;ir  Winnipeg,  cuinpiled  and  ar- 
luiiged  by  Dr  Hector  in  systematic  form.  In  the  Fnrthir  I'ti/iers  (London, 
iS(it)),  the  title  being  otherwise  the  s'' me,  are  recorded  the  I'csultsof  his  exjic- 
ihtiou.  In  addition  to  copies  of  olficial  despatches  are  reports  on  special  suh- 
j<'rts,  relating  to  physical  features,  natural  productions,  climate,  the  aborigines, 
Iiiilian  missions  and  settlements,  tho  fur  trade,  means  of  transpoi-t,  mail  antl 
telegraph  routes,  and  other  matters.  Following  the  title-page  is  a  map,  show- 
ing tiio  routes  taken  by  Palliser  and  Hector. 


;.  ■  -s; 


Mil 


fifl 

m 


mm 


C44 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


ing  a  largo  amount  of  gold ;  and  it  was  at  the  former 
date,  and  partly  duo  to  the  efforts  of  Viscount  !Mil- 
ton  in  the  two  houses  of  parliament,  after  his  ox[)l(j- 
ration  of  the  Yellowhead,  Thompson,  and  Frasor 
route,  that  the  subject  of  transcontinental  communi- 
cation was  revived.  At  this  juncture  Alfred  Wad- 
dington  presented  in  the  commons  a  petition  in  favor 
of  a  Canadian  Pacific  railway,  urging  in  an  elaborate 
argument  ^  that  British  Columbia  was  the  key  to  tho 
commerce  of  the  Pacific,  the  possession  of  which  was 
coveted  by  the  United  States;"  but  as  yet  little  inter- 
est was  awakened  in  the  mother  country. 

In  the  Canada  Official  Gazette  of  September  28, 
18G9,  appeared  the  first  notice  of  the  existence  of 
such  an  incorporation  as  the  Canadian  Pacific  llail- 
way  Company,  setting  forth  that  application  would 
be  made  at  the  next  session  of  the  Canadian  parlia- 
ment for  a  charter  to  build  a  railway  from  Canada  to 
the  British  Columbia  boundar}'.  In  the  Montreal 
Gazette  was  published  the  prospectus  of  tlie  promoters, 
containing  twenty-nine  paragraphs,  and  without  sig- 
nature.^" If  wo  can  believe  Waddington,  this  jdaii 
originated  with  jNfr  Burpee,  a  Canadian  engineer  of 
his  acquaintance,  and  was  compiled  fromhi.s  own  noti's, 
without  further  object  than  to  bring  tho  nialfri' 
before  the  attention  of  the  public.  Burpee's  scheme 
proposed  to  raise  a  capital  of  £20,000,000,  to  be  ex- 
pended mainly  on  the  building  of  a  road  from  ]\Iiunc- 
sota,  over  the  plains  of  the  Saskatchewan,  to  the 
eastern  end  of  the  Yellowhead  pass.  Through  AYad- 
dingtoii's  influence  at  Ottawa,  whither  he  repaired, 
in  1870,  by  the  advice  of  b's  parliamentary  friends  in 
London  great  prominence  ^vas  given  to  the  proposi- 
tion foi'   ';  railway  in  connection  with  the  negotiation 

*TIic  tcx,  f  which  is  yiven  in  tho  Brit.  Colonist,  Aug.  15,  18CS. 

'  Ilia  viev  were  not  eharcd  by  Charles  Wcntworth  Uilke,  who  remarks, 

'  In  all  histor;  there  is  nothing  stiangcr  than  the  narrowness  of  mind  that  lias 

I'.d  us  to  sec  Canada  a  iiicca  «t  l-'ngland,  and  in  America  a  hostile  countiy.' 

O renter  Brilo  i,  i.  G7. 


ofth 
Cane 
liad 
tho  t 
W 

CUSSCi 
<o    til 

disirit 

and  n 

v.'ere  ( 

'^rac(l( 

iiiajori 

with  d 

by  ten 

II lent  V 

I>romis 

jection; 

ent  wii 

liouse  t 


iirdav, 
and   wo 
dominio 
be  give 
of  such 
nioney, 
taxation 
determ 

l^  thj 
private 
have  bee 
the  reso 
the  prov 


ir 


'Copied  in  the  C'olovi 


i:s,  ]S:]'.\ 


IN  PARLIAMEXT. 


m 


of  tho  terms  of  union  between  Britisli  Columbia  and 
Canada;  and  the  Canadian  Pacific  railway  henceforth 
had  a  history  apart,  and  one  involving  the  action  of 
the  two  govermncnts. 

When  the  subject  of  the  coniederatior  was  dis- 
cussed in  the  dominion  parliament,  the  terms  relating 
to  the  construction  of  tiie  railway  seemed  to  most 
disinterested  persons  almost  impossible  of  fulfilment, 
and  many  of  the  strongest  friends  of  the  government 
\vcr<;  opposed  to  them.  In  the  commons,  where  the 
^[acdonald  ministry,  then  in  power,  had  usually  a 
majority  of  three  to  one,  the  measure  was  passed 
with  difficulty,  one  motion  against  it  being  lost  only 
by  ten  votes.*'  It  is  almost  certain  that  the  govern- 
ment would  have  been  defeated  had  not  the  })remier '^ 
l)romised  to  introduce  a  resolution  modifying  tho  ob- 
jectionable features,  though  one  altogether  inconsist- 
ent with  the  intent  of  tlie  address  adopted  by  tho 
house  ten  days  before.  It  was  couched  in  the  follow- 
ing phrase:  "That  the  railway  referred  to  in  the  ad- 
dress to  her  Majesty  concerning  the  union  of  British 
Columbia  with  Canada,  adopted  by  this  house  on  Sat- 
urday, the  1st  April  instant,  should  be  constructetl 
and  w^orked  by  private  enterprise,  and  not  by  the 
dominion  government;  and  that  the  public  aid  to 
be  given  to  secure  that  undertaking  should  consist 
of  such  liberal  grants  of  land,  and  such  subsidy  in 
money,  or  other  aid,  not  increasing  the  present  rate  of 
taxation,  as  the  parliament  of  Canada  shall  hereafter 
determine."  '^ 

If  the  construction  of  the  railway  was  to  await 
private  enterprise,  it  seems  only  just  that  it  should 
have  been  so  stated,  not  only  in  the  address,  but  in 
the  resolutions  that  were  afterward  made  bindini>'  on 
the  province  and  tho    dominion  as  terms  of  union. 

"  The  numbers  were  75  to  85.  Eighteen  of  the  regular  ministerial  sup- 
porters voted  against  it,  and  many  declined  to  vote.  Machenzie'a  Can.  Pac. 
li.  Ji.,  MS.,  3;  Jour.  Commons,  1871,  IGl. 

''Sir  George  Cartier,  then  acting  premier. 

"/d,  3-4;  Jour.  Commons,  1871,  264. 


M' 


646 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


I 


Considering  the  great  difficulties  ot'  the  task,  the  cer- 
tainty of  its  enormous  expense,  the  fact  that  by  many 
sliilt'ul  engineers  it  was  considered  ahnost  impossi- 
l)lc  at  any  cost,  that  most  of  the  route  lay  through  a 
wilderness,  that  the  San  Francisco  of  British  Cohmi- 
bia  was  then  but  a  village,  while  the  entire  whito 
population  of  the  colony  was  less  than  that  of  a  thiid- 
]'ato  town,  and  that  transcontinental  trathc  was  already 
in  tlie  lumds  of  the  Central  and  Union  Pacific,  it  was 
extremely  improbable  that  j)ri\ate  individuals,  pos- 
sessing sufficient  enter[)rise  and  capital,  would  come 
ibrward  at  this  juncture.  It  is  certain,  moreover,, 
that  when  ]3ritish  Columbia  merged  her  individuality 
in  the  dominion,  her  ])eople  believed  that  the  terms 
v.ere  made  in  good  faith,  and  that  the  road  would  bo 
begun  and  comj^leted  within  th(!  specified  time.  When, 
therefore,  as  will  be  mentioned  later,  the  province  iii- 
s'-ted  on  the  contract,  she  re[)udiated  the  resolution 
Wiiich  the  dominion  legislature  had  passed  in  order  to 
protect  Canada  from  unreasonable  demands,  and  if 
necessary,  to  avoid  the  literal  fulfilment  of  its  obliga- 
tions." 

Other  events  besides  the  confederation  brought  the 
matter  prominently  before  the  minds  of  the  peo[)le. 
It  was  generally  understood,  when  the  railway  agree- 
ment was  concluded  at  Ottawa,  that  Mr  Campbell 
went  to  England  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  what 
assistance  would  be  given  to  the  enterprise  by  the 
home  government.^^  On  the  American  side  of  the 
line  the  Northern  Pacific  railway  project  took  shape 
simultaneously  with  the  Canadian  Pacific,  the  people 
of  Minnesota  and  the  western  states  being  fully 
awakened,  in  1870,  to  the  advantage  of  an  enterprise 
that  promised  to  free  them,  whether  at  the  hands  of 


'*  For  a  year  or  two  later  it  appears  to  have  been  an  open  question  v.  hctlior 
tViO  line  could  bo  constructed.  In  liis  report,  dated  Ottawa,  Jan.  *2(>,  IS74, 
however,  the  chief  engineer  says:  'The  practicability  of  establishing  I'ailwiiy 
coinmunication  across  the  continent,  wholly  within  tho  limits  of  the  domin- 
ion, is  nu  longer  a  matter  of  doubt.'  Paper/i  rcl.  Mlmou  De  Cosmos,  'I'i. 

''' Ottawa  T' men,  quoted  in  ('olo)iiKt,  Aug.  10,  1870. 


ENGLISH  POLICY. 


647 


St  Louis  or  Dulutli,  from   the   monopoly  held   by 
Chicago.^" 

The  English  government,  to  which  appeal  was 
finally  taken,  decided,  as  will  presently  appear,  in 
I'avor  of  the  province,  and  it  was  probably  due  to  the 
skill  of  her  statesmen  that,  during  the  controversy 
which  ensued,  British  Columbia  did  not  sever  her 
connection  with  the  dominion.  The  policy  of  the 
secretary  for  the  colonies  was  somewhat  in  contrast 
with  that  of  Canadian  statesmen,  though  doubtless 
there  were  selfish  motives  which  caused  England  to 
iavor  the  construction  of  the  road. 

The  British  empire,  of  which  the  Canadian  Pacific 
railwa}?^  would  be  one  of  the  main  lines  of  intercom- 
munication, contained  at  this  time   8,500,000  s(piare 
miles,  and  239,000,000  people  in  Europe,  Asia,  Amer- 
i' a,   and  Australia.     Though   British  America  con- 
tained but  5,000,000  inhabitants,  Great  Britain  on 
the  one  side  had  32,000,000,  while  India  and  Austra- 
lasia on  the  other  had  nearly  200,000,000.    It  was  one 
of  the  problems  which  the  future  alone  could  solve, 
whether  this  great  commercial  empire  could  be  main- 
caincd   in   its  integrity,  and   especially  whetlicr  the; 
boundary  line  of  tlie  49th  parallel,  and  of  the  lakes, 
fould  be  held  ajjainst  the  United  States  with  theii- 
;>9, 000,000,  and  their  bond  of  union  already  estab- 
lished  by  a  railway.     Moreover,   the   population  of 
British  Columbia,  with  an  area  of  233,000  square 
miles,   was   comparatively  far   more  insignificant  in 
relation  to  Canada  than  was  Canada  herself  to  tlie 
mother  country.     When,  some  few  years  later,   Mr 
llo.scoe  was  taken  to  task  in  the  dominion  parliament 
lor  demanding  on  behalf  of  the  province,  after  it  had 
refused  a  fair  money  equivalent,*'  the  fulfilment  of  the 
original  contract,  he  denounced  in  no  measured  phrase 
the  sor'lid  [)olicy  which   would  lose  to  Canada  her 


■it 

ill 

f 
'■):; 

t'  f" 
I'  j   ' 

Br  I 

iifil 

m 


^'^ MinneaimU!)  Tribune,  Jan.  14,  1870. 

"The  sum  of  $750,000,  aa  will  be  mentioned  later. 


l! 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


frontage  on  the  Pacific,  the  only  thing  that  could 
ever  make  of  the  dominion  a  nation.^® 

When  British  Columbia  was  admitted  into  the  con- 
federation she  did  not  ask  a  dole  of  money,  nor  was 
she  in  need  of  it.  In  the  Fraser-Thompson  district 
there  were  estimated  as  fit  for  agriculture  GO, 000 
square  miles,  in  the  upper  Columbia  district  50,000, 
and  on  Vancouver  Island  1C,000  square  miles,  their 
value  depending,  of  course,  on  means  of  communica- 
tion, being  not  less  than  $2.50  to  $5  per  acre.  Lands 
along  the  Grand  Rapids  and  Indiana  railway  aver- 
aged, in  1872,  seven  dollars  an  acre;  in  Ohio,  where 
wheat  was  worth  ninety  cents  a  bushel,  $40  an  acre; 
unimproved  lands  in  Indiana,  where  wheat  was  worth 
forty  cents,  $7.50  per  acre;^*  the  difference  in  the  cost 
of  forwarding  being  the  main  difference  in  their  value. 

The  interest  of  the  Canadians  in  the  proposoil 
transcontinental  railroad  was  mainly  directed  to  the 
construction  of  the  eastern  end,  known  as  the  inter- 
colonial road,  whereby  the  ocean  voyage  was  reduced 
to  a  hundred  hours,  while  avoiding  the  dangers  of  the 
thousand  miles  of  fog  and  storm-girt  coast  between 
Newfoundland  and  New  York.  By  those  holding 
liberal  and  patriotic  views  of  the  destinies  of  the  em- 
pire, however,  there  was  manifested  a  lively  interest 
in  the  success  of  the  scheme;  and  it  was  argued  that 
there  must  have  been  serious  apprehension  of  a  diver- 
sion of  the  trade  of  the  east  from  the  hands  of  the 
English  through  the  opening  of  the  Union  and  Cen- 
tral Pacific  railways,  or  there  would  not  have  been  so 
much  haste  to  insure  the  completion  of  the  Canadian 
road.'"' 

England  meanwhile  supported,  though  in  a  some- 
what equivocal  manner,  an  enterprise  which  promised 
to  complete  the  chain  of  her  American  possessions. 
In  the  British  house  of  commons,  on  the  24th  of 

"For  copy  of  Roscoo's  speech,  see  Brit.  Colonist,  May  28,  1870. 
"Canda  Year-Book,  1873. 

'"  Montreal  corregpondence  of  the  New  York  World,  on  the  intercolonial 
and  Canadian  Pacific  roads,  quoted  in  Brit.  Colonist,  Aug.  19,  1873. 


PRELIMINARY  SURVEYS. 


m 


June,  1873,  Mr  Hugesen  oxplainod,  on  the  second 
reading^  of  the  Canadian  loan  jijuarantGO  bill,  that  the 
sum  of  £2,500,000,  which  it  was  then  proposed  to 
raise,  was  to  be  appropriated  for  the  construction  of 
the  Canadian  Pacific.  Sir  Charles  Dilkc  denounced 
this  guarantee  as  in  the  nature  of  a  bribe  to  Canada, 
for  the  concessions  she  had  made  in  regard  to  the  fish- 
eries, in  order  that  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  of 
Washington  might  be  executed;  and  declared  that 
i  he  railroad  was  nothing  more  than  a  gigantic  parlia- 
mentary job.  To  this  Gladstone  replied  that  the 
guarantee  had  no  connection  with  the  treaty  of  Wash- 
ington, the  action  on  this  bill  having  been  purposely 
delayed  until  after  that  treaty  was  disposed  of,  and 
its  object  being,  not  to  give  Canada  a  certain  amount 
of  hush-money,  but  to  recognize  her  just  demands 
against  England  on  account  of  the  Fenian  raids  on 
her  territory.  Canada  had  suffered  on  England's  ac- 
count, and  desired  thus  to  cancel  the  debt.'*' 

The  time  for  commencing  the  construction  of  the 
railway  expired  on  the  1st  of  July,  1873;  but  at  that 
(late  none  of  the  surveys  were  approaching  comple- 
tion on  any  portion  of  the  line,  and  in  British  Colum- 
bia only  such  exploratory  surveys  had  been  made  as 
were  required  to  determine  the  direction  in  which  in- 
strumental surveys  should  bo  carried  on.  Between 
1871  and  1878  the  dominion  government  expended 
some  $3,250,000  for  explorations  and  surveys  before 
the   chief    engineer   finally  decided    that   the  route 

should  be  alonsr  the  val- 


through  British  Columbia 


'' London  telegram,  in  Colonist,  July  0,  1S73.  Wlicn  this  matter  was  ar- 
ranged, more  than  a  year  before,  the  Tinirs  had  commented  upon  tlio  matter 
in  connection  witii  the  decision  on  the  San  Juan  question,  and  the  (Jauadian 
I'aeitio  railway  scheme.  'This,'  said  tho  Timet,  'is  tho  Canadian  dream,  to 
wliich  it  will  1)0  remembered  wo  aro  so  far  couunitted  that,  as  au  iuducc- 
mcut  to  tho  Canadian  ministers  to  press  the  acceptance  of  tho  treaty  of 
Wiiahington  upon  tho  Canadian  parliament,  wo  undertook  to  guarantee  a  loan 
(if  two  millions  and  a  lialf,  to  be  expended  on  tlio  railway  which  is  to  make 
the  dream  como  true.  Wo  heartily  wish  wo  wero  freo  from  all  complicity  in 
what  we  cannot  but  regard  as  a  very  wild  undertaking;  and  wo  especially  ro- 
gict  tho  way  in  which  wo  were  brought  into  connection  with  it.' 


C50 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


leys  of  the  Thompson  and  Fraser  rivers,"  and  its 
terminus  on  Burrard  Inlet.^ 

It  was  now  the  prevaihng  sentiment  among  the  |)oo- 
plo  of  British  Columbia  that  if  Canada  vas  unwillinL;- 
or  unable  to  bind  together  by  means  of  a  tr-iwsconti- 
nental  railroad  her  vast  possessions  west  of  the  great 
lakes,  she  had  l)etter  at  once  abandon  all  idea  of  em- 
pire, since  no  weaker  bond  would  suffice  to  hold  it  to- 


'' Flemhni's  Hcpt  Can.  Pac.  Railway,  1S79,  17.  It  would  seem  tliat  Mr 
Fleming  was  somewhat  tardy  in  arriving  at  this  conclusion.  In  liis  rcpoii 
for  1874,  p.  11,  he  states  that  in  order  to  acquire  a  correct  knowledge  of  the 
physical  cliaracteristics  of  tho  entire  territory  in  line  of  route,  and  to  ohtain 
such  information  concerning  its  engineering  features  as  only  a  personal  exam- 
ination could  furnish,  he  started,  early  in  ,July  187-,  in  charge  of  an  explor- 
ing expedition,  across  tlio  continent.  On  Sept.  l.")th  he  reached  Yullowliciul 
I'uss,  and  thence  following  tho  Fraser  from  its  Yellowhead  source  to  Tctu 
Jauno  Cache,  crossed  to  the  Canoo  River,  and  tho  Albreda;  and  from  t'.iat 
point  followed  tho  north  Thompson  to  Kamloop.  Touching,  on  his  way,  at 
Ly tton,  Yale,  and  New  Westminster,  and  examining  Burrard  and  Bute  inlets, 
Barclay  Sound,  Seymour  Narrows,  Dent,  and  Arran  Rapids,  and  other  inter- 
mediate points,  he  arrived  at  Victoria  on  the  11th  of  October,  'thus  complet- 
ing a  reconnoissauce  which  altogether  extended  over  5,300  miles.'  Ihipcn 
ret.  Mh-Moii  J)e.  Cosmos,  23.  Tho  journey  and  reconnoissauce,  thus  accom- 
plished in  about  90  days,  over  a  most  difficult  country,  were  at  least  swifter 
than  the  conclusions  at  which  ho  arrived;  but  why  some  iive  or  six  years 
were  needed  to  arrive  at  these  conclusions,  the  chief  engineer  does  not  state. 
lie  was  certainly  not  stinted  for  means  wherewith  to  employ  a  corps  of  com- 
petent assistants. 

■■^^Tho  chief  engineer  states  that,  being  required  to  give  his  views  as  t(j  a 
terminus  on  the  I'acilic,  lie  submitted  that  it  would  be  desirable  lirst  to  ob- 
tain complete  information  concerning  .a  northern  route,  by  way  of  I'eacc  or 
I'ine  Rivev.  The  government,  however,  desired  that  construction  filioulJ 
coinnieiico  immediately  in  British  Columbia,  and  as  no  further  postponi'nu'nt 
could  be  allowed,  ho  recommended  tho  above  line  of  route.  In  the  same  re- 
port he  admits  tliat  the  choice  of  Burrard  Inlet  as  a  terminus  had  not  given 
satisfaction  to  the  people  of  British  Columbia.  In  a  report  of  the  piivy 
council  of  Canada,  dated  June  0,  1S73,  it  was  ordered,  as  wo  shall  see  later, 
that  I'^sipiimalt  shou :  1  bo  the  terminus,  though  tho  alignment  on  tlio  main- 
land had  not  then  Ijcen  determined.  Pnjiers  rd.  Mission.  JJe  Cosmos,  7.  In 
tho  same  report  it  was  recounnended  that  a  lino  of  railway  bo  located  be- 
tween I'^sqtiiinalt  and  Seymour  Narrows,  V^.  I.  Scss.  Papers,  P.  C,  ISSl.  In 
1S7.")  an  exploration  was  made  of  tho  Peace  River  pass  and  valley,  in  ehargo 
of  Mr  Selwyn,  with  Professor  Macoun  as  botanist,  and  A.  Welister  us  geo- 
logical assistant,  in  connection  M-ith  tho  choice  of  a  route  for  the  Canadian 
Pacific.  Tho  party  left  Quesnel,  on  tho  Fraser  River,  on  the  oth  of  June,  le- 
turning  on  tho  20th  of  October,  after  a  journey  of  1,700  miles,  extending' 
over  three  and  a  iialf  degrees  of  latitude,  and  7  of  longitude.  The  results 
will  bo  found  in  tho  progress  report  for  1875-0.  During  the  same  summer, 
George  M.  Dawson  examined  tho  district  between  the  Homatheo  River  ami 
Fort  Ceorg.i,  on  tho  west  side  of  tho  Fraser.  In  1870  Mr.  Dawson  was  again 
in  charge  of  surveys  in  British  Columbia,  the  results  of  his  investigations  oc- 
cupying about  140  pages  of  tho  progress  report  for  187G-7.  Tho  region  exam- 
ined lay  chiefly  in  the  basins  of  tho  Blackwater  and  Ncchaco  rivers,  and 
included  largo  tracts  of  densely  wooiled  plateau. 


SURVEYS  AND  LANDS. 


681 


gether.  They  had  no  desire  to  insist  too  strictly,  as 
they  declared,  on  the  limit  as  to  time;  nor  did  they 
expect  tlie  dominion  to  impoverish  itself  in  order  to 
build  the  road;  but  as  the  construction  of  the  inter- 
colonial road  from  Halifax  to  Quebec  was  one  of  the 
terms  under  which  the  Atlantic  provinces  joined  the 
confederation,  so  the  building  of  an  interoceanic  rail- 
way was  a  condition,  and  the  main  condition,  under 
which  the  Pacific  province  became  one  with  the  do- 
minion."* 

Although,  apart  from  surveys,  little  had  as  yet  been 
(lone  toward  the  fulfilment  of  the  contract,  on  the 
2Gth  of  April,  1872,  a  bill  was  introduced  in  parliament 
by  Sir  G.  E.  Cartier,  in  which  it  was  proposed  to  grant 
a  subsidy  of  $30,000,000,  together  with  50,000,000 
acres  of  land,  for  the  construction  of  a  railway  from 
Lake  Nipissing  to  the  Pacific  coast.  The  government 
was  authorized  to  make  contracts  with  a  single  com- 
pany for  the  construction  of  the  entire  line,  provided 
that  such  company  possessed  a  capital  of  $10,000,000, 
of  which  ten  per  cent  must  be  deposited  with  the  re- 
ceiver-general. As  it  might  not  be  possible  to  come 
to  terms  with  a  single  company,  an  agreement  could 
be  made  with  amalgamated  com[)a!;;e.>,  and,  failing 
titlier  arranfjement,  a  charter  mii»ht  be  u^ranted  to 
other  capitalists  by  order  in  council,  under  the  general 
lailroad  act.  It  was  desiral^le,  howexer,  that  the 
road  should  be  constructed  and  worked  by  a  single 
('or|)oration.  The  land  grant  was  to  be  made  in  alter- 
nate   blocks,  twenty  miles  in  depth,  the    remaining 


-'On  the  other  hand,  the  orcrau  of  tliu  oi';.o8itif);i  party  in  the  dominioii 
iiailiainent  spoke  in  1872 of  tlic(j;iiiaili;ii)  ;  aciiio  vail\v;iy  project  as  'an  insiiiic 
II iiitract  with  a  handful  of  pLdiilc  \n  rriUbh  Cohinihin.'  Drit.  CoJo^iUt,  Apr. 
I-,  1872.  Cartwright,  tlic  iiiini.^lcr 'i  linaticu  uiulur  Mackenzie's  admiiiistra- 
lioii,  on  the  overthrow  of  Macdo:i,;lira  a(hniidstration,  declared  in  his  sjiooch 
at  Diinville  that  'confederation  was  Uio  mere  eh  ildi.s'i  vanity  of  haviuLj  to  nay 
tliat  they  had  extended  tiie  doiiiiiii  m  from  oocan  to  ocean.'  Spcakin'j;  of  the 
I'acilie  railway  project,  he  Hr.id;  'li'  ever  a  hody  of  men  wore  looponsihh'  for 
inllieting  a  great  evil  on  tlie  country,  it  was  tin;  government  wliieli  forced  on 
y\>,  in  1871,  the  task  of  constructing  the  Pacific  railway,  and  which  thereby 
inovided  the  way  for  their  own  downfuU,  and  also  caused  great  niiseliief  and 
loss  to  the  people  of  the  whole  dominion.'  Standard,  Oct.  25,  1870. 


652 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


blocks  being  reserved  b}-^  governrnent.^^  As  to  the 
money  grant,  it  was  anticipated  that  most  of  it  would 
be  reimbursed  by  sales  of  land.  The  imperial  guar 
antee  on  a  loan  of  £2,500,000,  of  which  notification 
had  already  been  received,  would  reduce  somewhat 
the  rate  of  interest  on  the  sums  to  be  borrowed;  and 
it  was  believed  that,  without  increasing  her  taxation, 
Canada  could  pay  that  interest,  and  establish  a  sink- 
ing fund  which  would  cancel  the  entire  debt  within 
thirty  or  forty  years. 

Alexander  Mackenzie  replied  to  Sir  G.  E.  Cartier'.s 
speech,  characterizing  the  bill  as  one  which  gave  to 
the  government  power  to  do  whatever  it  pleased  as  to 
the  construction  of  the  railway.  It  was  notorious,  ho 
said,  that  there  were  already  two  rings,  between  wliieh 
there  was  the  utmost  hostilitj'-,  each  striving  to  obtain 
the  charter,  and  each  largely  composed  of  members  of 
the  dominion  parliament.  The  bill  was  then  read  a 
lirst  time  without  further  discussion,  and  after  beini; 
passed  to  a  second  and  third  readin^^,  was  approved 
by  the  cabinet.  News  of  this  measure  was  immediately 
telegraphed  to  Victoria,  and  an  application  for  the 
charter  was  at  once  made  by  a  political  clique,"^  which, 
as  was  understood,  was  about  to  combine  with  the 
party  represented  by  Sir  Hugh  Allan,  then  reputed 
one  of  the  richest  men  in  the  dominion,  and  who,  with 
his  associates,  Abbott,  Foster,  "..nd  Brydges,  arrived 
at  Ottawa  in  December  1873.  About  the  same  time 
John  Carling  and  Major  Walker  made  their  appear- 
ance at  the  capital  as  the  leading  representatives  of 
the  rival  company.^''     Thus  there  was  no  difficulty  in 

^•'  Every  alternate  block  of  that  size  along  the  line  of  route,  then  estimated 
at  about  2,700  miles,  would  give  only  34,r>UO,000  acres.  It  was  proposed  to 
furnish  the  remainder  from  government  lands  in  other  parts  of  the  dominion. 
As  tlio  reader  will  remember,  according  to  tlie  terms  of  the  union  the  land 
grant  in  ]J.  C.  territory  was  to  be  20  miles  in  depth.  The  main  provisions  of 
the  bill,  as  explained  by  Sir  G.  E.  Cartier,  will  be  found  in  tlic  Brit.  Colony, 
May  10,  1872. 

^"Do  Cosmos,  Powell,  Robertson,  Walkcni,  Drake,  Haymur, 'Wallace,  ami 
'i'honipson. 

'-''  Id.,  Jan.  1,  May  23,  29,  1873.  The  first  was  known  as  the  Montreal  oi- 
(}achcc  company,  and  the  sjcond  ai  t!ic  Toronto  or  Ontario  company,  from  tlie 
fact  cf  their  loaders  being  from  Montrcr.1  and  Toronto  respectively. 


m 


A  COMPANY  FORMED. 


forming  an  association  in  command  of  the  requisite 
amount  of  capital.  It  was  the  policy  of  the  cabinet, 
however,  to  select  the  most  responsible  and  best  qual- 
ified men  from  either  party,  and  before  the  close  of 
the  year  the  charter  was  granted  to  an  association 
composed  of  members  of  both  companies,  together 
with  some  of  the  wealthiest  residents  of  British  Co- 
lumbia. 

On  the  1st  of  March,  Allan  and  his  colleagues  met  at 
Ottawa  and  elected  as  directors  the  charter  members."* 
A  synopsis  of  the  articles  of  agreement  of  the  Pacific 
Railway  Construction  Company  was  published  in  the 
Colonist  of  May  14,  1873,  giving  a  list  of  the  names 
of  its  members,  among  whom  were  Sir  Hugh  Allan. 
Sandford  Fleming.,  J.  H.  Helmcken,  and  Sir  John 
Macdonald.  Allan's  prospectus  appeared  immedi- 
atcly  afterward  in  the  newspapers  of  tlic  dominion, 
stating  the  work  proposed  to  be  accomplished,  and 
the  moneys  needed  for  the  purpose. 

Proceeding  to  London,  Sir  Hugh  attempted  to  raise 
the  sum  of  $108,000,000  in  behalf  of  his  venture — a 
railway  to  bo  built  through  an  almost  uninhabited  and 
unexplored  country,  with  a  subsidy  of  $30,000,000.'''^ 
But  capital  is  conservative,  and  cspeeiall}''  English 
capital.  Attempting,  therelbrc,  to  forge  in  England 
his  financial  chain.  Sir  Hugh  met  with  little  encoiir- 
ageiaent.  That  money  invented  in  a  wiklernuss,  though 
for  the  most  part  a  Ibrtile  wilderness,  would,  merely 
tlirough  the  construction  of  a  railrotid,  yield  within 
i!ie  span  of  a  generation,  or  even  of  two  generations, 

■■*  J>rit.  Colonist,  Miuxli  19,  1873.  Four  of  the  ilircctovs  were  to  retire  at 
C.ic  cud  of  the  first  and  secouil  ycar.s,  five  at  the  ciul  of  the  third,  aud  so  on 
(!':iiii'4  succeeding  years. 

-'■'Aljout  this  date  the  Xorthcrii  Pac.  railway  failure  occtirrod,  vliilo  for  tlie 
iiiirthern  colonization  road  iJl.OoO.OOO  was  asked,  aud  for  other  roadd  fr7,0'J0,- 
''.)'■).  La  JJincrvc,  hi  I>ril.  Culonisf,  ^liiy  14,  1^7.■).  On  the  '27th  of  Octoher, 
I^SJ,  the  Northern  Pacifio  made  application  to  tlio  X.  Y.  f^loclc  exchan;^o  to 
iiit  iJ'-'0, 000,000  eecoud-mortgago  bonds,  its  statcinent  for  the  jirevions  niontli 
:  iiowing  aa  Ri'0S3  earnings  1?1, '-'-•'>, 000,  a;;ainst  operaliu','  expenses  aud  taxes 
;■. mounting  toii!r)CO,000,  or  §000,000 1 if  net  earnings.  At  tiiat  date  tiie  connnoa 
•'-'lOck  was  quoted  at  about  §ild,  preferred  at  H'.i,  and  first-niortga; ;  bonds  ati 
l.)'J.  ,S'.  /'.  Bulleliii,  Oct.  27,  ISSo. 


i 


It- 


-1 


i 


654 


THE  CANADIAN  PACT  PIC  RAILWAY. 


a  fair  return  on  the  outlay,  was  a  proposition  that 
found  little  favor  in  Great  Britain.  Said  the  carl 
of  Dufferin,  addressing  an  audience  at  Victoria  somk! 
three  vears  later,  and  uiludinfj  of  course  to  the  terms  (jt 
the  union:  "When  the  bargain  was  made,  everythiu<r 
in  Canada  was  prosperous,  and  it  was  supposed  that  a 
Canadian  PaciHe  railway  could  be  easily  constructed. 
]iut  ignorance  of  the  route  was  not  taken  into  consid- 
eration; and  obliging  herself  to  commence  the  wor]^ 
in  two  years  and  finish  it  in  ten  years,  Canada  assumed 
a  phj^sical  impossibility,  as  the  surveying  alone  would 
require  several  years."^' 

Thus  the  contract  made  with  Sir  Hugh  Allan  and 
his  com))any  in  187.5  fell  through,  and  was  formally 
annulled,  the  $1,000,000  of  cash  deposited  as  security 
being  of  course  returned. 

Meanwhile  an  election  had  been  held,  and  one  at 
which  the  main  point  at  issue  was  the  railway  scheme. 
The  American  road,  it  was  said,  had  cost  $200,000,000, 
and  the  Canadian  Pacific  would  cost  $300,000,000,  no 
heed  being  paid  to  the  fact  that  the  cost  of  the  former 
was  computed  in  greenbacks,  and  at  a  time  when 
greenbacks  were  worth  only  fifty  to  seventy  per  cent 
of  their  face  value  in  gold.  Moreover,  early  in  18G;] 
it  became  known  that  Sir  Hugh  had  obtained  the  con- 
tract by  advancing  a  largo  sum  of  money  in  order  to 
carry  the  elections,  and  a  formal  charge  was  brought 
against  the   ministry  in   the  dominion  parliament." 

3' Victoria  telegram,  in  S.  F.  Alia,  Sept.  2.3,  187G. 

■^^Mackenzie's  Mem.  Can.  Pat:  Railway,  MS.,  5;  Drit.  ColouUt,  An,'.  7, 
1873.  L.  S.  Huntington  of  Montreal,  on  tlio  2cl  of  April,  1873,  niado  tln-lnl- 
lowing  specific  eliargca  in  tlio  domiuiou  parliament:  Tliat  lio  w;;s  credibly 
informed,  and  believed  lie  could  prove,  that  in  anticipation  of  tlio  Icgi.slatidii  of 
last  session  in  regard  to  the  I'acilio  railway,  an  .ngrcemcnt  w.ns  iiuulo  butucuii 
.Sir  Hugh  Allan  and  other  Canadian  promoters,  and  G.  W.  McMullen,  .Tctiiii; 
on  the  ]iart  of  United  States  capitalists,  whereby  the  latter  agreed  to  fiiiiiisli 
all  tho  funds  necessary  for  tho  construction  of  tho  contemplated  railwiiy,  iunl 
to  give  the  former  a  certain  percentage  of  interest  in  consideration  ol  tlicii' 
positi()n  giving  tho  company  the  character  of  a  Canadian  com[)any  with  lliicrh 
All, m  at  its  head;  that  tlio  Macdonald  government  wore  aware  such  iiogoti- 
ations  were  pending;  and  thatsubsecjnently  thereto  an  undcr.standing  wa^  coriio 
to  l)etw(!en  tlio  government,  Hugh  Allan,  and  Abbott,  ono  of  the  members  of 
tho  house  of  coninions,  that  Allan  and  his  friends  should  advance  a  large  sum 
of  money  for  tho  purpose  of  aiding  in  the  election  of  ministers  and  their  sup- 


MORE  WRANGLING. 


055 


An  extra  session  was  called  for  October,  in  order  to 
deal  with  this  charfje,  and  durinijf  the  debate  on  a 
motion  of  want  of  confidence,  moved  by  Alexander 
Mackenzie,  Sir  John  JVIacdonald  resij^ned,  the  for- 
mer being  called  upon  to  form  an  administration.  In 
-luly  187;J  the  executive  council  of  British  Cohuu- 
l)ia,  Josepli  W.  Trutch  being  then  governor  of  the 
province,^'  fornudly  called  the  attention  of  the  domin- 
ion government  to  the  non-fullihnent  of  the  terms  of 
union  so  far  as  they  related  to  the  commencement  of 
;i  railroad.^'*     Thus  the  new  ministrv  soon  Ibund  itself 


linitei's  lit  tho  ensuiug  election,  ami  that  Allan  ami  his  friends  Khould  receive 
the  contract  for  constructiug  tho  railway;  that  Allan  did  advaneo  such 
iiidiicy;  nud  that  part  of  tho  nioncya  so  expended  by  him  in  connection  witli 
tho  obtaining  of  the  act  of  incorporation  and  charter  were  paid  by  U.  S. 
cipitalists  under  the  agreement  with  him.  lioyal  C'ommlxsiun  Ji\'}jt  Pac. 
/.'(ulirai/,  3-'.').  Sir  John  Macdonald  moved  the  appointment  of  a  eonimitteo 
ot'hve  to  iuvcstigato  the  cliarges,  which  was  agreed  to;  l)ut  before  further 
progress  had  been  made,  the  gov. -gen.,  Lord  Dntl'erin,  by  the  advice  of  the  i;i- 
nilpated  ministry,  suddenly  jirorogued  tho  parliament,  without  obtaining  it.s 
consent  to  the  discharge  of  tho  committee.  In  lieu  thereof,  he  appointed  a 
royal  commis.sion  to  luake  tho  investigation.  Macdonald  acknowledged  re- 
ceiving .^4.">,000  fi-oni  Hugh  Allan  to  control  tho  elections;  but  claimed  that 
it  was  an  independent  transaction.  It  was  shown  that  Allan  had  advanix'd  as 
much  as  §100,000,  and  it  wiis  presimied  that  those  who  took  the  money  and 
used  it  for  political  purposes  well  knew  that  it  was  given  in  tho  cxpeetatiun 
:iiid  with  tho  understauiling  that  tlio  railway  sehenio  would  receive  the  sup- 
port of  tho  niinistiy;  tho  eonseipienec  being  that  everything  in  eonnoction 
uitli  the  ))i'oject  was  tainted  with  suspicion,  even  thougli  it  did  not  appear 
tiiiit  the  interests  of  the  country  had  been  really  sacriliced.  Londun  'J'inifn, 
Sept.  ID,  1S7<'>.  Huntington's  charges  were  founded  upon  tho  eonteiit.j 
iif  a  package  of  letters  left  by  Hugh  Allan  with  Mr  Starnes  for  safe-keeping 
lifter  his  ilisagreement  with  Mc.Mullen  and  the  American  capitalists,  being 
the  correspondeneo  between  them  on  +!ie  subject  of  tho  railway.  A  rumor  of 
their  existence  got  abroad,  and  tlie  party  in  opposition  to  Maedonald'sadinin- 
istiation  became  aware  of  their  contents  through  tlio  instrumentality  of  the 
ihsappointed  cx-partuers  of  Allan's  company. 

''■'Trutch,  a  native  of  England,  and  a  civil  engineer  by  profession,  emigrated 
to  C;d.  at  an  early  day,  and  obtaining  a  contract  for  suiveying  lands  in  Or., 
I oou  afterward  removed  thither,  where  ho  married  a  sister  of  the  sur. -gen. 
AlK)ut  the  year  lSo8  ho  arrived  in  \'ietoria,  where,  on  the  departure  of  Col 
Moody,  ho  was  appointed  acting  chief  eommi.soioncr  of  liuidsand  worl;:i,  belli;; 
elected,  before  the  confederation,  a  member  of  tlio  legislative  eouneii.  He 
was  accounted  a  shrewd  politician,  not  over-trutliful  of  j-pjeeli,  !;n  able  ri'.ler, 
.'iiiil  one  having  always  at  heart  the  interests  of  tho  jirovinee,  though  nmer 
titigetting  those  of  Joseph  W.  Trutch.  JJc  Co'^iiio.i  (j'oct,  JIS.,  'Jl-"_';  HV.'y 
lirit.  Col.,  Feb.  15,  1871;  Brit.  CuL,  May  2:?,  1870.  lu  his  Uritix/i  dliini- 
hill  and  the  Canadian  Pacijic  Jtailwui/,  Sjiaechhi/  and  Contjilim'  ular;i  llinu'i- 
ly)  llic  lion.  Mr  Trutch  at  the  liussiU  Jlouyc,  Ottawa,  April  10,  ISil,  Montreal 
I S71,  is  clearly  brought  out  tho  then  condition  of  the  railroad  <iuestion,  its 
completion  within  the  specified  time  being  insisted  upon  as  a  fiuidamental 
ecmclition  of  tho  confederation. 

'■"Tho  committee  regret  that  the  construction  of  tho  railway  has  not 


^  'fl 


656 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


hampered  with  this  lonjif-vexed  question,  and  in  the 
liopc  of  arriving  at  some  agreement  with  the  province, 
sent  to  Victoria,  as  a  special  agent,  James  1).  Edgar, 
a  Toronto  barrister.^ 

Reaching  the  capital  in  the  spring  of  1874,  Edgar 
addressed  a  letter  to  G.  A.  Walkem,  attorney-general, 
wherein  he  states  that  the  scheme  originally  adopted 
had,  for  a  variety  of  reasons,  proved  almost  imprac- 
ticable, and  that  it  was  now  the  aim  of  the  cabinet  to 
devise  a  more  feasible  plan.  The  main  difficulty  was 
the  stipulation  as  to  time,  and  in  requesting  an  ex- 
tension of  time,  the  government  asked  only  for  a 
reasonable  concession.  The  engineering  difficult  its 
were  so  much  greater  than  had  been  expected,  that  it 
would  be  impossible  to  build  the  road  within  the  datos 
specified  without  wasteful  expenditure  and  fiiiaiieinl 
embarrassment.  In  order  to  make  amends  for  tliis 
disa[)pointment,  the  dominion  cabinet  proposed  to 
begin  at  once  the  lino  between  Esquimalt  and  Xa- 
nainio,  completing  that  portion  in  the  shortest  po.s.sil)lo 
time.  As  to  the  mainland,  it  was  useless  to  b^'giu 
construction  before  oven  the  entire  route  had  beeu 
{{uall}'-  selected;  but  the  government  would  ininitdi- 

bccu  commciiccil,  and  therefore  sh-oiigly  iirotcst  npainst  the  brcacli  hy  llio 
dominion  govt  of  a  condition  of  tlio  terms  so  lii.^hly  inipovtiint  to  llie 
[irovincc'  Order  in  council,  in  Sws.  Papern,  Brit.  Col.,  ISSi,  1-1(1.  To  tl-.is 
minute,  forwarded  by  the  lieiit-gov.  to  the  .secretary  of  suite,  K.  J.  Laiii,"  viii, 
mider-secrotary,  merely  replied  that  the  despatch  and  its  enclosures  would  l)-.; 
at  onco  laid  lieforo  the  gov. -gen.  In  Kov.  a  second  minuto  was  forwardcu, 
couched  in  somewhat  peremptory  phrase.  Taking  into  consideraliuii  that  no 
reply  waa  made  to  the  former  protest;  that  the  donnnion  jiarliameut  liini 
l.iccn  prorogued  without  making  any  provision  for  the  construction  of  the  rail- 
way; that  the  legislature  of  13.  0.  was  convened  for  the  18tli  of  Dec;  aud  tli;;i 
the  non-fulfilment  of  the  terms  of  union  had  caused  much  anxiety  auil  dis- 
couragement throughout  the  province — the  committee  of  council  advi^icd  tlio 
licTit-gov.  to  ask  for  a  decided  expression  of  the  policy  of  the  dominion  govt. 
The  answer  was,  that  the  eahiuet  was  giviug  its  most  earnest  cousider.itioa 
to  the  project  for  the  construction  of  the  Pacific  railway,  an  outline  (if  Asliiili 
v/as  given  iu  the  speech  delivered  hy  .^Ir  Macken/ic  at  Sarnia  on  tlio  'J5ili  1 1 
Nov.,  a  scheme  which  they  believe  will  be  acceptable  to  the  whole  doniiiii'Hi, 
including  li.  C,  and  that  they  hope  to  be  able,  Mithin  a  short  lime,  to  i  "i.i- 
iiiuiucate  more  deliuitely  with  that  province  on  tho  subject,  /'/.,  It. SI,  !•">-. 
Jlero  we  have  probably  tho  inception  of  tho  Pacific  railway  bill,  of  wIimIi 
more  ])rescutly. 

^'  In  one  of  hia  letters  of  introduction,  Mackenzie  states  that  he  ^yould  liave 
sicnt  a  member  of  the  cabinet  but  for  tho  near  approach  of  tho  meeting  of  par- 
liament. 


VVALKEM  AND  EDGAR. 


057 


ately  open  a  wagon-road  along  the  portion  that  lay 
within  the  province,  and  constiuct  a  telegraph  line, 
placing  British  Columbia  in  direct  communication 
with  Canada.  Although  the  terms  of  the  union  con- 
tained no  provision  for  the  amount  of  expenditure 
during  any  special  period,  or  on  any  particular  portion 
of  the  line,  and  although  the  length  falling  within 
the  province  was  not  estimated  at  more  than  one  fifth 
of  the  entire  length,  the  dominion  government  pro- 
posed, as  soon  as  the  surveys  were  completed,  a  mini- 
mum expenditure  of  $1,500,000  a  year  on  the  work 
of  construction  within  the  province,  thus  securing  its 
progress  without  intermission. 

Walkeni  replied  that  ho  would  submit  Edgar's  pro- 
posals to  the  local  administration,  but  could  not  advise 
the  lieutenant-governor  in  council  to  treat  them  as 
official  until  he  was  assured  that  the  former  was  spe- 
cially accredited  as  agent  of  the  general  government. 
At  this  letter  the  barrister  took  offence,  freely  ex- 
pressing his  disgust,  and  requesting  that  the  proposals 
of  the  dominion  government  should  receive  tlio  con- 
sideration to  which  they  were  entitled.  The  answer 
of  the  attorney-general  was  again  somewhat  insulting, 
though  covered  with  a  thin  lacquer  of  professional 
courtesy.  Ho  had  received  but  one  letter  froni  Mr 
^Fackenzie,  he  said — and  that  not  an  ofliclal  one — 
wherein  Mr  Edgar's  mission  was  expressly  stated  to 
l)e  for  the  purpose  of  holding  personal  interviews  wltli 
the  members  of  the  executive  council,  in  order  tliat 
the  policy  of  the  provincial  government  might  be 
ascertained  without  a  tedious  correspondence.  lie 
must  be  pardoned,  therefore,  when  he  considered  it 
his  duty  to  ask  for  Mr  Edgar's  oflicial  authority. 
This  information  he  had  not  yet  received.  In  his 
further  efforts  to  negotiate  with  tlie  executive,  Edgar 
fared  even  worse.  His  letter  of  introduction  to  the 
lieutenant-governor,  couched  in  somewhat  ambigu- 
ous phrase  for  the  credentials  of  a  plenipotentiary,^'' 

"It  reads  as  follows:  Fob.  21,  lS7t.  Sir:  The  bcaror  is  James  D.  Edgar, 
Hut.  Brit.  Col.    ii 


658 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


was  not  even  delivered,  as  tlie  executive  council 
objected  to  any  coninmnication  being  made  except 
through  themselves.'^''  Nevertheless  he  sent  a  brief 
note  to  the  chief  magistrate,  enclosing  a  copy  of  his 
communication  to  the  attorney-general,  though  it  dots 
not  ai)pear  that  any  notice  was  taken  either  of  his 
missive  or  of  its  enclosure.  On  the  contrary,  the 
executive  council,  by  advice  of  the  attorney-general, 
(jn  the  day  when  the  latter  received  a  curt  reply  frum 
the  barrister,  reconnnendcd  his  Excellency  to  ascertain 
by  telegraph  whether  Edgar  was  empowered  to  nego- 
tiate with  the  provincial  government,  and  whetlier 
his  ])ropositions  would,  if  accepted,  be  considered  bind- 
ing by  the  dominion  government.  Mackenzie's  answei- 
was  brief  and  somewhat  emphatic:  "I  refer  niinistiy 
to  my  letter  by  Mr  Edgar,  which  sufficiently  indi- 
cated his  mission,  and  which  they  recognized.  He  is 
now  recalled,  and  I  await  his  return  and  reports." 
Three  days  later,  on  the  21st  of  May,  1874,  the  attor- 
ney-general sent  word  to  the  premier  of  the  dominion: 
"Will  you  kindly  answer  governor's  telegram  fully? 
Do  Mr  Edgar's  propositions  to  change  railway  terms 
bind  your  government?"  On  the  8th  of  June  Trutch 
was  informed  that  the  proposals  were  withdrawn; 
whereupon  the  latter  at  once  appealed  to  the  home 
government,*'  complaining  of  a  breach  in  the  terms 
of  the  union,  a  petition  being  also  forwarded  to  her 
Majesty. 

Thus  through  a  want  of  precision  in  the  negotia- 

Ksq.,  barrister,  Toronto,  who  visits  Columbia  as  the  agcut  of  the  ilominion 
government  to  consult  with  your  gc>vernmcnt  with  reference  to  the  late  a;;!- 
tation  concerning  an  extennioa  of  time  for  the  construction  of  the  I'acilic 
railway  beyond  that  prc>>i'<ist  d  in  the  terais  of  union.  Mr  Edgar  will  ex- 
plain to  your  Excellency  our  aiixicty  to  do  everything  in  our  power  to  incut 
the  views  of  your  people,  Fj  v.  ill  be  f^'lul  to  receive  your  suggestions  cou- 
ccrning  matters  which  may  .equiro  attention.     I  am,  etc.,  A.  Mackuuzio. 

'"lu  a  despatch  to  Trutch,  dated  Ottawa,  Mar.  24,  1875,  Mackenzie  slates 
that  if  he  had  known  this  to  bo  the  case  he  would  have  directed  Edgar  to  de- 
liver the  letter  notwitlistanding  the  objection. 

"  Copies  of  tlie  petition  aud  of  all  the  correspondence,  including  Edgar's 

Erivate  instructions  from  the  premier,  his  communication  to  the  atty-gen.,  and 
is  report  to  the  sec.  of  state  for  Canada,  will  be  found  iu  the  Railway  Papers, 
in  Seas.  Papers,  D.  C,  1881,  155-79. 


&4 


people 

W(>re  t] 

liad  b( 

almost 

diminii. 

1874,  0 

project, 

'lividod 

to  the 

I^ake  ;^ 

from  Ii( 

ton  and 

<"roni  th 

some  pc 

was  to  I 

into  subs 

the  line, 

tractors  ^ 

together 

'juality  a 

tracted  f 

interest  l 

l>o  stipula 

to  own  ar 

tions  as  tc 

'ind  numb 

'I'oin  time 

.i,^ovornmci 

•'ill  the  Ian 

i'l>"n  by  tl 

to  the  latt 

^^■ay,  or  an 

actual  cost 

land  and  m 

"  Wihon'a  C 


PACIFIC  RAILWAY  BILL. 


tions  with  tho  provincial  executive,  through  want  of 
statesmanship  on  one  side,  and  through  want  of  for- 
bearance on  both  sides,  a  serious  rupture  was  tlireat- 
oned  between  the  province  and  the  dominion.  Tiiu 
l)eoplc  of  British  Columbia — now  sorely  discontent — 
w(!re  not  to  blame  if  their  hopes  and  their  ambition 
had  been  unduly  excited  by  promises  which  it  was 
almost  impossible  to  fulfd.  Nor  was  their  discontent 
diminished  by  the  passage,  late  in  tho  session  (»[' 
1874,  of  the  Pacific  Kailway  bill.  According  to  this 
project,  introduced  by  Mackenzie,  the  line  was  to  bu 
divided  into  four  sections:  first,  from  Lake  Nij)issing 
to  the  western  end  of  Lake  Su})erior;  second,  from 
Lake  Superior  to  lied  River,  in  Manitoba;  third, 
from  Red  River  to  some  point  between  Fort  Edmon- 
ton and  the  foot  of  the  Rocky  Mountains;  fourtli, 
from  the  western  terminus  of  tho  third  section  to 
some  point  in  British  Columbia.  The  government 
was  to  be  at  liberty  to  divide  any  oi'  these  sections 
into  subsections,  and  might  at  its  discretion  construct 
the  line,  or  any  part  of  it,  as  a  public  work.  Con- 
tractors were  to  receive  a  subsidy  of  $10,000  per  mile, 
together  with  20,000  acres  of  land,  of  fair  average; 
(j^uality  and  in  alternate  sections,  for  each  mile  con- 
tracted for,  and  also  a  guarantee  of  four  per  cent 
interest  for  twenty-five  years,  on  such  sum  as  niiglit 
be  stipulated  in  the  contract.  The  contractors  were 
to  own  and  run  their  sections,  subject  to  such  regula- 
tions as  to  rates  of  fare  and  freight,  accommodation, 
and  number  and  description  of  trains,  as  might  be  made 
from  time  to  time  by  the  governor  in  council.  The 
TOvernment  reserved  the  risjrlit  to  sell  two  thirds  of 
all  the  land  grants  at  such  j)rices  as  might  be  agreed 
U[)on  by  the  contractors,  the  proceeds  to  be  paid  over 
to  the  latter,  and  also  the  right  to  purchase  the  rail- 
way, or  any  portion  of  it,  for  a  sum  not  exceeding  the 
actual  cost,  with  ten  per  cent  added,  the  subsidies  in 
land  and  money  being  first  deducted  from  the  amount " 

"  Wilson's  Canada  and  Tlie  Can.  Pac.  Raiboay,  13-14. 


3S 


(JGO 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


To  this  measure  there  were  several  weighty  objec- 
tions.    First  of  all,  it  was  framed  in  such  a  manner 
that  detached  sections  of  the  road  might  be  built  and 
operated  by  several  companies,  and  those  interspersed 
with  other  sections  owned  by  the  dominion.     It  was 
a  moral  certainty  that  if  responsible  parties  could  bo 
Ibund  to  accept  contracts  they  would  take  only  those 
which  would  give  them  the  best  sections,  leaving  the 
rcuiainder  to  the  government.     No  transcontinental 
rail'.vay  in  America,  whether  built  or  in  contempla- 
tion, would  lay  open  to  settlement  so  vast  an  extunt 
of  agricultural  land  as  the  Canadian  Pacific,  and  tl'c 
more  valuable  sections  should  have  been  so  distributed 
as  to  aid   in   the  construction  of  inferior   portions. 
Second,  the  condition  whereby  government  retained 
the  right  to  sell  two  thirds  of  the  land  grants,  at  sucli 
prices  as  might  be  agreed  upon,  was  one  that  few  busi- 
ness men  would  entertain,  for  the  dominion  would 
possess  as  much  land  along  the  line  of  route  as  tlic 
contractors,  and  could  force  the  latter  to  accept  its 
own  terras.     Tlien  the  clause  depriving  contractor.^  of 
the  privilege  of  determining  rates  of  laro  and  frciglit 
was  most  objectionable,  for  on   this  matter,  even  il' 
traffic  were  abundant,  the  profits  would  mainly  de- 
pend.    Finally,  tlio  power  reserved  by  government  to 
buy  up  any  or  all  of  the  sections,  at  ten  per  cent 
above  tlieir  cost,  was  n  stipulation  not  likely  to  find 
favor  with  capitalist.s.     Under  such  an  agreenient,  a 
[portion  of  the  line  might  bo  worked,  for  in.stance,  I'u' 
a  term  of  twenty  years,  by  a  company  of  stockludd- 
er;s;  and  if,  at  the  end  of  that  period,  their  section 
had  developed  into  a  paying  property,  they  might  ho 
called  upon  at  any  time  to   surrender  it,  recclvinc,^ 
back  barely  their  purchase  money,  with  one  hali'  of 
one  per  cent  a  year  added  by  way  of  interest,  and 
losing  perhaps,  meanwhile,  several  millions  iu  work- 
j  ng  expenses.^" 

'"  'Xilmii'n  Canada  and  Cnn.  Pur.  Unihrajf,  passim.  Mackrnziu's  project 
waa  vijjorously  attuckcil  iu  iiriUsli  Coluuibia  iu  coiiuoctiou  with  iiulilKal 
iinyuca. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 

1874-1883. 

The  Caknarvon  Terms— Their  Acceptance — Defeat  of  the  Esquimait 
AND  Nakaimo  Railway  Bill — The  Provi.vcial  Lf.gisl,\tciie'.s  Tetitiom 
TO  HER  Majesty — Rejoinder  of  the  Dominion  Co\'ernmi:nt — Visit  of 
THE  Earl  of  Dcfferin — His  Sfeecii  at  Victoria— Threats  of  Se- 
cession— A  Second  Petition  to  the  Qi-een— PRorosEn  Annexation 
TO  THE  United  States — One  Moi:e  Peiition — Contract  with  the 
Syndicate — Engineering  Difficulties — Port  Moody— Reasons  for 
its  Selection  as  the  Terminus— Completion  of  the  Line — A  Costly 
Undertaking — The  Road  Built  as  a  National  Hichway. 


On  the  11th  of  June,  1874,  the  secretary  of  state  for 
the  colonies  was  informed  by  telegram  that  a  delegate 
was  about  to  proceed  to  London  for  the  purpose  of 
laying  before  the  home  government  the  complaints  of 
the  provincial  legislature  as  to  the  breach  in  the  terms 
of  union.  Exactly  one  week  later  a  confidential  mes- 
sage from  the  banking  firm  of  Faulkner,  Bell,  &  Co. 
was  received  by  Governor  Trutch,  stating  that  the 
oarl  of  Carnarvon  had  consented  to  arbitrate,  and  that 
both  parties  had  concurred.  In  a  despatch  to  the 
governor-general,  liearing  the  same  date,  the  earl  re- 
marked that  it  was  neither  his  wish  nor  any  part  of 
his  duty  to  intcifero  in  the  controversy.  It  seeiiied 
to  be  one  which  the  dominion  jjovernment  and  le<xisla- 
ture  should  bring  to  a  satisfactory  conclusion,  and  lier 
Majesty's  government  was  reluctant  to  take  any  action 
which  might  imply  a  doubt  whether  the  former  would 
deal  with  the  province  in  a  fair  and  liberal  spirit.  Ho 
.    \dercd  his  services  only  because  he  was  re;-  jlved 


662 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


that  no  means  should  be  spared  to  bring  about  a  speedy 
and  amicable  settlement  of  a  question  which  could  not, 
witliout  disadvantage  to  both  parties,  remain  the  sub- 
ject of  a  prolonged  and  acrimonious  discussion,^ 

After  some  correspondence  on  botli  sides,  Earl 
Dufferin  forwarding  for  consideration  a  report  of  the 
privy  council,  in  which  it  was  made  to  appear  that  tlut 
government  of  British  Columbia  had  no  just  or  rea- 
sonable ground  of  complaint,  while  on  the  other  lian  (, 
the  attorney-general  for  the  province  argued  his  cajso 
with  considerable  acumen,  on  the  I7th  of  November, 
1874,  the  decision  was  rendered.  Only  in  two  mate- 
rial ])oints  did  it  differ  from  the  terms  proposed  hy 
Mr  Edgar:  first,  the  minimum  expenditure  within  llh 
province  after  the  completion  of  the  surveys  was  to 
be  62,000,000  instead  of  $1,500,000  a  year;  seconc 
the  limit  of  time  for  the  completion  of  the  road'' ^Voh, 
the  Pacific  seaboard  to  a  point  at  the  western  nnd  tl 
Lake  Superior,  at  which  it  will  i'all  into  connection 
with  the  existing  lines  of  railway  through  a  portion  ot 
the  United  States,  and  also  with  the  navigation  on 
Canadian  waters,"  was  altered  to  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber, 1890.  To  construct  thus  early  the  remainder  of 
the  line  north  of  Lake  Superior,  extending  to  the  Ca- 
nadian lines  then  in  operation,  ought  not,  as  the  carl 
considered,  to  be  required  He  hoped,  however,  that 
at  no  very  distant  day  a  continuous  line  of  road  would 
be  built  throusjhout  the  lenofth  of  the  dominion.^ 
The  earl's  decision,  or  as  it  was  afterward  known,  the 
Carnarvon  terms,  was  accepted  by  both  parties,  though 
with  a  reservation  on  the  side  of  Canada,  providing 
that,  in  accordance  with  the  resolution  passed  by  tho 
dominion  parliament  in  April  1871,  the  lino  should  bo 
built  without  increase  in  the  rate  of  taxation.' 

'For copy  of  despatch,  sec  Sess.  Papem,  D.  C,  1881,  182-3. 

^/d.,  210-11;  Mackcnzir's  Miin.  Cdii.  Par.  Rnihmy,  MS.,  5-0. 

"Ill  a  niiuuto  of  council  dated  March  13,  1870,  wo  read:  'It  must  bohonie 
iu  mind  that  every  step  in  tiio  negotiation  was  necessarily  predicated  upon 
and  subject  to  the  conditions  of  tiio  resolution  of  the  house  of  conmons  passed 
in  1871,  contemporaneously  with  the  adoption  of  the  terms  of  union  with  IJ. 
C.  subsequently  enacted  iu  the  V.  l\  rail.- ay  act  of  1872,  and  subsequently 


const] 
was  a 
]lowe^ 
j)ose  ii 
<'arrie( 
hy  a  n 
it  bein 
huildir 
tended 
apart  f 
obligat 
Thus  t: 
as  prac 
the  ne< 
the  bre 
Earlj 
nor  Tn 
cl  OS  i  no- 
it  Avas  c 
almost  ( 
von  set 
huildin 
Jand,    nd 
intendec 
iiicnt  re 
>*ection 
'■arried 
had  fulfil 
■•  'anada, 
•"minioi; 
uiution 


rt^nacted,  af 
<-•  1'.  lailway 
inishniciitof  1 
siicli  subsidy 
taxation,  as  t 
termination  r 
tained  by  pub 
necessity  cont 
*  The  vote 


O' 


'.&. 


THE  QUESTION  REOPENED. 


663 


The  portion  of  Mr  Edgar's  proposal  relating  to  the 
construction  of  a  railway  from  Esquimalt  to  Nanaimo 
was  also  embodied  in  the  Carnarvon  terms.  When, 
liowever,  the  premier  introduced  a  bill  for  this  pur- 
pose in  the  dominion  parliament,  the  measure,  though 
carried  in  the  commons,  was  defeated  in  the  senate 
hy  a  majority  of  two,*  among  those  who  voted  against 
it  being  several  members  of  the  premier's  party.  The 
building  of  this  road,  it  was  argued,  was  merely  in- 
tended as  compensation  for  delay,  and  was  altogether 
apart  from  the  terms  of  union,  in  which  there  was  no 
obligation  to  extend  the  line  to  Vancouver  Island. 
Thus  the  entire  question,  whicli  had  been  considered 
as  practically  settled,  was  reopened  for  discussion,  and 
the  negotiations  which  ensued  served  but  to  widen 
the  breach  between  the  two  governments. 

Early  in  187 G  a  despatch  was  forwarded  by  Gover- 
nor Trutch  to  the  secretary  of  state  for  Canada,  en- 
closing a  copy  of  a  petition  to  her  Majesty,  in  which 
it  was  complained  that  the  dominion  government  had 
almost  entirelv  disregarded  the  terms  of  the  Carnar- 
von  settlement.  They  had  neither  commenced  the 
building  of  the  railroad  on  the  island  nor  on  the  main- 
land, nor  of  the  wa":on-road  or  engineering  trail 
intended  to  facilitate  railroad  work ;  nor  had  the  agroo- 
Hient  relating  to  the  construction  of  the  provincial 
section  of  the  transcontinental  telegraph  line  been 
•  arried  out.  It  was  claimed  that  British  Columbia 
!);k1  fulfilled  all  the  conditions  of  her  agreement  with 
( 'anada,  while,  through  the  repeated  violations  by  the 
iominiou  of  the  railway  terms,  all  classes  of  the  pop- 
ulation of  the  province  had  suffered  loss.     Distrust 


».    i' 


rcLnautud,  after  a  Inrgo  addition  had  been  iiiado  to  the  rate  of  taxation,  in  tho 
<A  1*.  railway  act  of  187-4 — that  the  public  aid  to  be  given  to  secure  tho  accom- 
lilislnnontof  the  undertaking  should  consist  of  such  liberal  grants  of  land  and 
such  subsidy  in  money  or  otiier  aid,  not  increasing  the  then  existing  rate  of 
taxation,  aa  the  parliament  of  Canada  should  thereafter  determine.  This  de- 
termination not  to  involve  tho  coiuitry  in  a  hopeless  burden  of  debt  is  sus- 
tained by  public  opinion  everywhere  throughout  tho  dominioD,  and  must  of 
necessity  control  tho  action  of  tho  government.' 

*The  vote  was  23  to  21.  Papers  rcl.  Mmion  De  Cosmos,  74. 


Ji 


664 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


had  been  created;  trade  and  commerce  had  been  un- 
settled ;  the  progress  of  the  country  had  been  checked, 
and  the  confident  anticipations  of  commercial  and 
political  advantage  to  be  deiived  from  the  construc- 
tion of  the  line  had  given  place  to  a  feeling  of  depres- 
sion. The  petitioners  therefore  submitted  that  the 
conditions  of  the  settlement  effected  through  the  in- 
tervention of  the  secretary  of  state  for  the  colonics 
should  be  carried  out  in  letter  and  in  spirit.^ 

In  a  report  of  a  committee  of  the  privy  council  of 
Canada,  dated  the  13th  of  March,  mainly  in  answer 
to  these  allegations,  is  a  review  of  the  whole  contro- 
versy as  it  then  stood.  The  western  terminus  of 
the  road,  urged  the  dominion,  was  a  question  that  did 
not  enter  into  the  agreement  between  Canada  and 
Bri  .'^vi  Columbia,  but  one  to  be  determined  by  the 
govej;  aneral  in  council.  The  first  action  taken 
in  this  ..  ,ter  was  in  June  1873,  when,  most  injudi- 
clously  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  an  order  in 
council  was  passed  selecting  Esquimalt  as  the  ter- 
minus. If  this  decision  had  nc<t  been  reversed,  the 
government  would  have  been  c  mpelled  to  construct 
thence  more  than  a  hundred  and  sixty  miles  of  rail- 
way to  some  point  opposite  Bute  Inlet,  at  a  cost  of 
about  $7,500,000,  while  the  bridging  of  the  Narrows 
— the  latter  a  most  gigantic  undertaking — would  re- 
quire a  further  outlay  of  more  than  $20,000,000.  The 
Mackenzie  administration  had  from  the  first  declined 
to  adopt  this  portion  of  the  policy  of  its  predecessors. 
They  had  offered,  however,  as  compensation  for  delay, 
a  cash  bonus  of  $750,000,  or  about  $75  per  capita  of 
the  white  population  of  tiic  province;  but  this  offer 
had  been  refused."     So  far  from  the  province  having 

^Sess.  Papers,  B.  C,  1881,  329-31. 

'As  to  thia  matter  there  was  soino  misunderstanding  on  the  part  of  thi 
government  of  B.  C.  In  a  report  of  tlio  privy  council  dated  Sept.  20,  187''. 
and  referring  mainly  to  the  construction  of  the  Esquimalt  and  Nanaimo  rail- 
way, it  is  recommended  that  the  people  of  B.  C.  should  construct  this  line  them- 
selves, or  undertake  such  other  local  public  works  as  they  think  best,  and  that 
the  compensation  granted  by  Canada  'for  any  delays  whicii  pis'.;'  take  place 
in  the  construction  of  the  Pacific  railway  should  be  in  the  for:n  of  a  ca^li 


SEPARATION  THREATENED. 


666 


suffered  loss  and  deprivation  from  the  union,  as  was 
alleged,  it  had  already  derived  therefrom  no  incon- 
siderable advantage.  Apart  from  railway  expenditure, 
Canada  had,  between  the  date  of  the  union  and  the 
close  of  1875,  spent  $1,204,388  over  the  amount 
derived  from  rcvenuc.'^  The  object  of  the  provincial 
legislature  appeared  to  be,  not  to  secure  the  com- 
pletion of  the  road  as  a  national  undertaking  under 
such  conditions  as  would  tend  to  the  welfare  of  the 
entire  community,  but  to  enforce  an  enormous  ex- 
penditure, at  whatever  cost  to  Canada,  within  their 
own  province,  and  for  which  that  province  could 
render  no  equivalent.  The  urgency  with  which  the 
government  of  British  Columbia  demanded  this  ex- 
penditure, with  a  view  to  secure  vast  profits  for  a 
small  popu>  -tion,  would  not  encourage  the  people  of 
the  dominion  i,o  support  their  rulers  in  the  effort  to 
fulfil,  as  far  as  possible,  the  appalling  obligations  to 
which  they  were  committed.  In  conclusion,  it  re- 
mained only,  undc^  the  circumstances,  to  endeavor  to 
construct  the  railway  as  rapidly  as  the  resources  of 
the  country  would  permit. 

Here  for  the  moment  negotiations  practically  ceased, 
and  separation  from  the  dominion  was  for  the  time 
openly  threatened,  the  executive  council  expressing 
in  their  reply  the  fullest  confidence  that  her  Majesty 
would  noi,  require  her  subjects  in  British  Cohuubia, 


bonus,'  to  1)0  expended  aa  the  legislature  might  determiuc.  lu  the  petition  to 
the  queen  this  was  interpreted  as  an  indemnity  to  bo  paid  on  condition  tliat 
the  agreement  for  a  yearly  expenditure  of  §2,000,000  within  the  province,  and 
for  tlio  completion  of  the  road  to  Lake  Superior  before  tlic  end  of  1800,  siiould 
bo  sun  jndercd.  In  a  letter  to  DafTcrin,  dated  Jlay  '2.?,  1870,  Carnarvon  says: 
'I  cannot  but  suppose  tliai  the  complaints  tl;at  have  readied  mo  from  tlie 
govt  of  13.  C.  have  been  founded  on  a  misapprehension,  witli  reference  to  llio 
•expression  used  in  tho  Canadian  minute  of  council,. .  .as  well  as  to  tlm  in- 
tentions of  the  dominion  minister.'  Correspondence  Can.  I'ac.  ItaiUcay,  11. 

'  'J'lic  total  expenditure  for  tho  four  and  a  half  years  was  §;},0S;i,.')(i.').'JI ,  and 
the  total  revenue  $l,S70,'2"2ll.3!J.  ^leanwliile  the  railway  expenditure  was 
.?fi70, 144.39,  making  a  total  excess  of  expenditure  of  §2,080,  l^s^.oO,  or  about 
5208  per  capita  of  the  population.  Sesn.  Puper.^,  B.  ('.,  1881,  '2;]'J.  'I'd  this 
tlie  executive  council  of  tlio  province  replied  that  a  large  part  of  tlie  expendi- 
ture was  incidental  to  the  extension  of  the  system  of  coiifodoration  over  a  new 
province,  and  that  the  disbursements  would  be  greatly  reduced  after  the  com- 
pletion of  the  public  buildings  and  works  provided  for  in  tlic  terms  of  union. 


609 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


however  few  in  number,  to  submit  to  injustice  from  the 
majority  to  which  they  had  united  themselves  on  dis- 
tinct and  carctully  considered  terras.  Unless  means 
were  promptly  taken  to  remove  this  sense  of  inju.<^- 
tico,  and  to  satisfy  the  people  that  their  rights  would 
bo  maintained,  the  "  growing  alienation  of  sentiment 
must  result  prejudicially  to  the  interests  of  the  em- 


Pi 


re 


"8 


In  a  despatch  to  the  earl  of  Carnarvon,  enclosing  a 
copy  of  the  report  to  the  privy  council,  the  governor- 
general  states  that  he  is  about  to  visit  the  western 
portion  of  the  dominion,  mainly  with  a  view  to  bring 
about  a  settlement  of  the  diiferences  with  British  Co- 
lumbia. From  this  visit  much  was  expected.  With 
the  authority  of  his  rank  and  office,  Duflferin  com- 
bined, in  no  limited  degree,  sound,  practical  judg- 
ment, tact,  and  temper,  together  with  much  official 
experience.  He  was  an  adroit  and  versatile  diplomatc, 
one  who  never  gave  offence,  and  who  well  knew  how 
to  make  allov\'ance  for  local  prejudices,  and  to  smooth 
artificial  impediments.  If  he  failed  in  his  efforts  to 
adjust  the  dispute,  then  the  difficulty  might  almost 
be  regarded  as  insurmountable.  So  hopeful,  how- 
ever, was  the  secretary  for  the  colonies  of  his  suc- 
cess, that  he  postponed  his  reply  to  the  minutes 
of  council  from  British  Columbia  and  Canada,  and 
deferred  laying  before  her  Majesty  the  petition  of 
the  provincial  legislature  until  he  was  informed  as  to 
the  result  of  Dufferin's  visit.® 

After  making  a  tour  of  the  provinces,  northward 
as  far  as  the  borders  of  Alaska,  and  eastward  to 
Kamloop,  on  the  20th  of  September,  1876,  the 
governor-general  addressed  a  deputation  of  the  rocon- 
tion  committee  at  Victoria.  Dufferin  was  a  trained 
and  polished  speaker  for  an  English  nobleman,  some- 

^Id.,  18S1,  245.  Tho  report  of  the  executive  council  is  dated  June  3, 
187G. 

*  Correspondence  Can.  Pac.  Railwat/,  11. 


DUFFERIN'S  ADDRESS. 


Mft 


what  ornate,  but  still  an  orator  of  marked  ability. 
All  his  eloquence  was  thrown  away,  however,  on  this 
self-willed  audience.  In  vain  did  he  exert  to  the 
utmost  his  well-known  powers  of  pleasing;  in  vain 
did  he  compliment  his  hearers  on  their  unswerv- 
ing loyalty,  and  the  province  on  its  amazing  resources; 
in  vain  did  he  dwell  on  the  idyllic  beauty  of  its  scen- 
ery, its  noble  harbors,  and  its  labyrinth  of  navigable 
channels,  winding  for  thousands  of  miles  around 
islands,  promontories,  and  peninsulas,  unruffled  by 
the  faintest  swell  from  the  neighboring  ocean,  and 
adapted  as  well  to  the  largest  merchantman  as  to 
the  frailest  canoe ;  in  vain  did  he  point  to  the  agri- 
cultural and  pastoral  resources  of  the  country,  its 
wealth  in  gold  and  silver,  coal  and  iron,  fisheries  and 
forests,  winding  up  his  glowing  picture  by  declaring 
British  Columbia  to  be  "  a  glorious  province — a  prov- 
ince which  Canada  should  be  proud  to  possess,  and 
whose  association  with  the  dominion  she  ought  to 
regard  as  the  crowing  triumph  of  federation."  Of 
all  this  the  people  of  British  Columbia  were  well 
aw'ire,  though  probably  they  did  not  object  to  being 
reminded  of  it.  They  had  nev^er  doubted  that  their 
country  was  one  which  Canada  should  be  proud  to 
possess,  and  had  always  regarded  their  union  as  the 
brightest  jewel  in  the  dominion  crown.  What  they 
complained  of  was  that  Canada  did  not  keep  faith 
with  them,  and  thereb}'"  show  a  becoming  pride  in  her 
new  acquisition,  instead  of  appearing  entirely  indifFer- 
out  as  to  the  stability  of  the  federal  edifice.  Passing  to 
the  main  point  of  his  address,  the  earl  assured  his  audi- 
ence that  he  came  on  no  diplomatic  mission,  nor  as 
•  •no  intrusted  with  any  announcement  either  from  the 
imperial  or  the  dominion  government.  His  visit  was 
in  order  to  become  acquainted  with  them  as  the  rep- 
resentative of  her  Majesty,  to  ascertain  their  wants 
and  wishes,  and  to  learn  as  mu<:h  as  possible  concern- 
ing the  physical  features  and  resources  of  the  prov- 
ince.    He  had  no  desire  to  persuade  them  into  any 


.1) 


668 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


line  of  action  that  did  not  accord  with  their  own 
interests,  and  he  would  neither  make  any  new  prom- 
ises on  behalf  of  his  government  nor  renew  any  old 
ones;  least  of  all  did  ho  wish  to  force  upon  them  any 
I'urther  modification  of  the  Carnarvon  terms.  Nev- 
ertheless, the  greater  part  of  his  speech  was  devoten 
to  an  elaborate  exculpation  of  the  Canadian  govern- 
ment, though  he  did  not  deny  that  British  Columbia 
had  suftcred  in  many  respects  through  the  non-ful- 
filment of  the  terms  of  union. 

Touching  on  the  question  of  the  Esquimalt  and 
Nanaimo  railway,  he  stated  that  he  well  knew  the 
importance  which  they  attached  to  this  portion  of 
the  work,  and  admitted  that  its  immediate  execution 
was  definitely  included  in  the  Carnarvon  settlement. 
He  was  not  surprised,  therefore,  that  the  miscarriage 
of  this  part  of  the  bargain  should  have  caused  so  much 
irritation.  "Two  years  have  passed,"  he  said,  "since 
the  Canadian  government  undertook  to  commence  the 
construction  of  the  Esquimalt  and  Nanaimo  railway, 
and  the  Nanaimo  and  Esquimalt  railway  is  not  even 
commenced,  and  what  is  more,  there  does  not  at  pres- 
ent seem  a  prospect  of  its  being  commenced.  What, 
then,  is  the  history  of  the  case?  and  who  is  answerable 
for  3'our  disappointment?  I  know  you  consider  Mr 
Mackenzie.  I  am  not  here  to  defend  Mr  Mackenzie, 
liis  policy,  his  proceedings,  or  his  utterances.  I  hope 
this  will  bo  clearly  understood."  Notwithstanding 
this  disavowal,  however,  the  earl  proceeded  to  defend 
the  premier's  administration,  as  an  advocate  would 
plead  before  a  court.^°     As  to  the  proposed  money 

'"  'It  is  asserted,  and  I  imagine  with  truth,'  ho  said,  'that  Mr  Mackenzie 
.lud  his  political  friends  Iiad  always  been  opposed  to  many  portions  of  Canada's 
bargain  with  li.  C.  It  therefore  came  to  bo  considered  iu  this  jjrovinco  that 
the  new  governnicut  was  an  enemy  to  the  Facific  railway.  i>ut  I  Ijclieve  this 
ti)  liavo  Ijeen,  and  to  be,  a  complete  misapprehension.  I  believe  the  L'acilic 
lailway  has  no  better  friend  than  Mr  Mackenzie;  and  that  ho  was  only  op- 
posed to  the  time  terms  in  the  bar^'ain,  because  ho  believed  them  inipossihlo 
of  aceonipli.shment,  and  that  a  eoiisi:ii'ntioii3  endeavor  to  fullil  them  woiiM 
unnecessarily  and  ruinously  increase  the  linaneial  expenditure  of  the  country; 
and  in  both  these  opinions  ^laeken/.ie  was  undoubtedly  iu  the  right.'  So 
persistently  had  the  liberal  premier  been  accused  of  breach  of  (aith,  insiucer- 


SPECIAL  PLEADING. 


6G0 


compensation,  he  could  not  hold  out  any  hope  that  its 
amount  would  be  increased,  and  he  was  of  opinion 
that,  in  making  this  offer,  alter  the  defeat  of  the  rail- 
way bill  in  the  senate,  Mackenzie  had  adopted  the 
only  alternative  left  open  to  him.  Otherwise,  every 
item  in  the  Carnarvon  terms  was  in  course  of  fulfil- 
ment. The  thirty  millions  of  money  and  the  fifty 
million  acres  of  land  were  ready;  the  surveys  were 
being  pushed  forward  to  completion;  the  profiles  of 
the  main  line  had  been  taken  out;  the  wagon-road 
would  follow  ^9rt/'i  jxessii  with  construction;  several 
thousand  miles  of  the  telegraph  line  had  been  built; 
and  now  that  the  terminus  on  the  mainland  appeared 
to  have  been  selected,  at  Bute  Inlet,'*  tenders  would 
probably  be  invited  at  an  early  date.  If  the  railway 
was  once  completed  to  Bute  Inlet,  it  could  not  stop 
there,  and  as  soon  as  the  tide  of  traffic  fairly  set  in 
with  Australia,  China,  and  Japan,  the  line  nmst,  of 
necessity,  be  continued  to  Esquimalt.  In  that  case 
tlic  Nanaimo  road  would  almost  spring  into  existence 
of  its  own  accord,  and  the  people  of  Britisli  Colunil)ia 
would  be  in  possession  not  only  of  the  $750,000  ol' 
compcnsaiion  money,  but  of  that  for  which  it  was 
paid.  As  to  the  throat  of  secession,  of  which  more 
later,  he  remarked  tliat,  if  hasty  counsels  sliould  s.) 
far  prevail  as  to  render  necessary  a  readjustment  oi' 
tlieir  political  relations,  he  feared  tliat  Victoria  would 
be  the  greatest  sullerer,  Tliere  wove  men  with  wliom 
he  had  Jield  much  pleasant  intei'course,  and  from  whom 


i;y,  and  (loublo-dcalin^j,  that  at  tlii^  time  tliroo  fourths  of  tlic  people  of  1!.  C. 
v'lTo  opposud  to  liiin.  In  tlio  !iUt.iiiJ'ir<l  of  .Jan.  I,  1S7."),  was  imhli.sIiL'd  ii  val- 
(.■di,:tii)ii  to  tlic  (dosing  srcno  of  l:;7'>,  dedicated,  \vit!iont  in'rmissiiin,  to  t'lO 
caliiiiot  of  tlio  doiniuinii  of  Cinail.i,  aud  especially  to  Alexander  Mackuii/io, 
by  tiie  autlior,  Jaiuc-i  Macljiaiio  Smith. 

•  Tli'ii  iiliiiT'  nil  view,  in  (liC  ronti'iiiiiiil  Park, 

Our  111  r  I'rt  ;>i.iini',  l.bi'IU',!,  llroljni  'i'l'r.ua; 

Alul  if,  ill  lli-i'i,  llio  jiirUMil  In  lliosn  lines 

SlinllM  KWl'll  lllO  rr(j\\\l  ell  Ill.li'prlnlCIl.O  Pay, 

lliN  1'  liiiii  11  »'  I'iii  II  w'.K  re  Ml  \.r.  grc^-s  hliiucn, 

llurki'il,  I'lii'ii  In  II 11  s  u.Ihu  1  I'M  is  il  i.i  iliu.ul'i. 
I'lti-'  Weill    Till'  pi  11  lili-U  iicvtr  rust 

That  wroti'  ItiimUiiitioii  Ww  Uiy  (lu.~t.' 

"  At  tliis  date  it  w:i3  eoiniiioiily  in  liuved  thnt  .saeh  was  the  case,  llioiifjli, 
;a  fact,  110  turiniiius  had  a.s  yet  hinii  liiially  yelccted. 


670 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


lie  liad  received  the  utmost  kindness  and  courtesy, 
but  wlio  declared  that  if  the  legislature  of  Canada  was 
not  coni[)elled  forthwith  to  build  the  Esquinialt  and 
Nanaiuio  railway,  they  would,  notwithstanding  thu 
jiremier's  ofler  of  a  money  equivalent,  bring  about  the 
separation  of  the  province  from  the  dominion.  This, 
lie  dLC'larcd,  they  could  not  do,  or,  at  least,  such  .1 
proposition  would  find  no  favor  on  the  mainland.  In 
rejecting  the  railway  bill — and  this  was  now  their 
main  grievance — the  senate  had  merely  exercised  its 
leijitimato  functions,  and  on  this  matter  there  was 
nothing  more  t  >  be  said.  Should,  however,  the  iii- 
lluence  of  these  persons  prevail,  what  good  purpose 
could  it  serve?  IBritish  Columbia  would  still  remain 
a  portion  of  the  dominion.  The  line  of  the  railway 
would  probably  be  deflected  toward  the  south,  in  which 
case  New  Westminster  would  become  the  capital  of 
the  province,  the  seat  of  government  and  of  justice, 
the  social  centre  of  the  British  domain  in  the  north- 
west, and  would  doubtless  develop  into  a  prosperous 
cit}'.  Burrard  Inlet  would  contain  a  thriving  com- 
mercial port,  where  the  miners  of  Cariboo  would  ex- 
pend each  winter  their  stores  of  gold-dust.  Esquinialt 
would,  of  course,  be  retained  as  a  naval  station  on  the 
Pacific;  but  Vancouver  Island  and  its  inhabitants, 
M'hose  influence  was  due  rather  to  their  intelligence 
than  their  numbers,  would  sink  into  insignificance. 
Nanainio  would  become  the  principal  town,  while 
Victoria  would  lapse  into  the  condition  of  a  village, 
until  the  growth  of  a  healthier  sentiment  should  jiavo 
the  way  for  her  readmission  into  the  dominion.^" 

Though  Duffcrin's  visit  allayed  somewhat  the  pop- 
ular discontent,  it  failed  altogether  in  its  main  purpose, 
which  was  to  obtain  from  the  people  of  British  Colum- 
bia their  consent  to  lie  premier's  latest  proposal  to 
evade  the  obligations  of  the  dominion.  It  must  bo 
admitted,  however,  that  his  task  was  one  of  peculiar 

'•*  A  copy  of  the  carl's  addrcRS  will  bo  found  in  Sesa.  Papers,  B.  C,  KS81, 
249-Gl. 


THE  EAltl'S  FAILURE. 


071 


difficulty.  Ho  was  coin[)clle».l  to  appear  before  them 
ill  the  dual  character  of  a  rc!)rcsentativeof  the  crown 
and  of  an  indc])en(lent  constitutional  system — func- 
tions always  difficult  to  reconcile,  and  especially  so  at 
the  time  of  his  visit.  In  I'uKilling  his  mission,  ho  was 
compelled  to  assume  in  a  measure  the  character  of  a 
(li[)lomatc.  While  attemping  to  show  that  Canada 
had  acted  in  good  faith,  he  urged  the  province  to 
accept  what  was  in  fact  merely  the  compromise  of  a 
compromise,  the  offer  of  a  government,  which  had 
virtually  lepudiated  its  obligations,  to  pay  so  nmch  in 
the  pound  to  a  creditor.  It  must  be  admitted  that, 
on  tliis  occasion,  the  viceroy  failed  to  do  justice  either 
to  himself  or  to  his  office,  pleading,  as  he  did,  before 
her  Majesty's  subjects  the  cause  of  the  Mackenzie 
administration.  Granted  that  he  found  it  necessary 
to  keep  his  ministers  in  good  humor,  to  remedy  their 
blunders,  and  if  possible  to  prevent  the  secession  of 
British  Columbia,  it  was  no  part  of  his  duty  thus  to 
attempt  the  negotiation  of  a  bargain  between  his  own 
cabinet  and  the  executive  council  of  one  of  his  prov- 
inces, still  less  to  enact  the  role  of  apologist  for  his 
own  government." 

In  an  address  presented  by  the  people  of  British 
Columbia  to  the  governor-general  a  few  days  before 
liis  speech  at  the  capital,  it  was  stated  that  the  wide- 
spread feeling  of  dissatisfaction  caused  by  the  action 
of  the  dominion  ofovernment  had  been  intensified  bv 
the  remarks  of  men  prominent  in  affairs  of  state,  who 
ai)peared  to  regard  the  province  merely  as  a  source  of 
trouble  and  expense,  and  as  one  whose  withdrawal 

"The  comments  of  the  English  press  on  Earl  Dufleriu's  visit  and  tln^  rail- 
way questiou  were  for  the  most  part  ad  verso  to  tlio  dominion,  andsoiii'M.t" 
tiicm  were  a  little  severe.  See  llic  London  S/aiid'iril,  (Jet.  17,  ]S7(i;  /'n/l 
Mull  Gazette,  Sept.  '22, 1870.  On  the  otlier  hand,  tlie  Lowlon  Tinir.i  remarks: 
'  ft  is,  judging  by  past  cxi)ericucc,  a  moderate  estimate  to  sii|)|)()se  that  pr'i' 
ahly  a  generation  will  elapse  before  tlie  (Canadian  raeille  railway  eaii  pay  i!.< 
working  expenses.  Is  it  wortlj  Canada's  while?  We  doulitit.  AtalicvciiL, 
it  must  bo  apparent  to  any  mind  that  its  construction  means  probably  an  addi- 
tion  of  at  least  from  forty  to  fifty  millions  sterling  debt  to  tiio  already  licavy 
Canadian  debt  before  the  lino  has  been  worked  live  years.'  Victoria  Stand- 
ard, Nov.  10,  1877. 


i-nm 


672 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


would  not  bo  regretted.  The  allusion  was  in  part  to  the 
premier,  whose  speeches  implied  that  the  connectior 
was  embarrassing  and  unprofitable.  The  minister  ( 
justice"  had  also  declared  that,  should  British  Colum- 
bia not  be  content  with  what  Canada  chose  to  give 
her,  she  had  better  withdraw  from  the  union.*"  "  If," 
continues  the  address,  "the  Canadian  government 
fail  to  take  practical  steps  to  carry  into  effect  the 
terras  solemnly  accepted  by  them,  we  most  respect- 
fully inform  your  Excellency  that,  in  the  opinion  of 
a  largo  number  of  people  of  this  province,  the  with- 
drawal of  the  province  from  the  confederation  will  be 
the  inevitable  result." 

Nearly  two  years  elapsed,  and  notwithstanding  the 
assurances  of  Dufferin  and  Carnarvon,"  no  decisivo 
action  was  taken.  The  Wasatch  Mountains  wero  full 
of  surveyors  and  theodolites;  but  nothing  had  boon 
done  toward  the  actual  construction  of  the  line  witliiii 
the  province,  nor  had  even  tenders  been  invited,  Ju 
September  1878,  therefore,  an  address  from  the  pro- 
vincial legislature  was  forwarded  to  her  ^Majesty,  in 
which,  after  once  more  setting  fortli  their  gricvai  ^ns, 
the  petitioners  ask  that  in  the  event  of  the  doi  n 
government  failing  to  carry  out  before  the  1st  o.  ^ 
the  aci^rccmcnt  of  1874,  "IJritisli  Columbia  shall  Ikivo 
the  right  to  exclusively  collect  and  retain  her  cus- 
toms and  excise  duties,  and  to  withdraw  from  tlio 
union;  and  shall  also  in  any  event  be  entitled  to  bo 
compensated  by  the  dominion  for  losses  sustained  by 
reason  of  past  delays,  and  the  failure  of  tho  dominion 
government  to  carry  out  their  railway  and  other  obli- 
gations to  the  province."^^ 

'*  Mr  Blake,  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  liberal,  or  as  it  was  termed,  the  'grit' 
party. 

'■'lli.'j  remarks  were  indorsed  1)y  J?ir  Alexander  Gait,  a  prominent  con- 
serv.iiive  leader.   Pall  Mull  O'ar.' If r, 'Sept.  22,  ISTO. 

"'Ill  a  despatch  to  DtiU'crin,  dated  Deo.  18,  KsTO,  Carnarvon  says:  'I  fully 
hope  and  Viclievc  that,  after  tho  very  limited  delay  of  a  single  HUiiimcr,  the 
province  of  ]!.  O.  will  find  that  tliere  is  no  longer  any  ohstacle  to  the  activo 
pro.seention  of  tlie  undertaking.'  Corrc^jioiidencc  Can.  Pac.  L'ailiray,  ]'>. 

"  For  copy  of  the  address,  see  Jour.  Lcjid.,  B.  C,  1873, 105-7;  ISc  s.  Poperi, 
B,  C,  ISSl,  -JTS-SO. 


ANNEXATION. 


U73 


This  was  sufficiently  decisive,  and  if,  at  this  juncture, 
British  Cohinibia  Imd  detonnined  to  secede,  neither 
England  nor  Canada  could  have  prevented  it ;  lor  it 
is  the  long-established  policy  of  the  home  government 
that  colonies  shall  not  be  retained  against  their  will. 
In  accordance  with  constitutional  law,  a  court  would 
probably  have  held  that  the  union  could  not  be 
severed,  and  that  the  dominion  must  fulfil  its  part  of 
the  contract  or  make  compensation  for  failure  and 
delay.  But  the  dominion  could  no  more  have  insisted 
on  the  integrity  of  the  union  than  could  the  province 
have  compelled  Canada  to  do  her  justice,  for  British 
colonies  arc  no  more  liable  to  coercive  jurisdiction 
than  are  sovereign  states.  It  is  almost  certain  that 
the  separation  of  British  Columbia  would  have  been 
followed  at  no  long  interval  by  annexation  to  the 
United  States;  nor  would  the  imperial  government 
have  had  any  just  grounds  for  exception  to  such  a 
measure. 

Long  before  this  date,  annexation,  ii  not  opeidy  dis- 
cussed, had  at  least  suggested  itself  to  men's  tlioughts 
as  one  way,  and  perhaps  the  best  way,  out  of  the  dil- 
liculty.^^  Nor  can  it  be  believed  that  the  United 
States  would  have  refused  to  accept  this  ])orti()ii  of 
England's  domain,  which,  lying  between  Alaska  and 
Washington,  is  the  only  break  in  the  stretch  of 
their  Pacific  seaboard.  The  province  is  indeed  a 
magnificent  one.  With  a  vast  area,  a  scant  popu- 
lation, and  boundless  resources,  as  yet  almost  un- 
touched; with  ports  on  the  most  direct  line  of  travel 
l)ct\veen  Europe  and  Asia,  Victoria  being  but  twenty 
(lays'  distance  by  steamer  from  Hong-Kong — the  trade 
!>f  this  country  is  destined  to  become  a  not  inconsider- 
able factor  in  the  commerce  of  the  world.  Taking 
Yokohama  as  a  central  point,  its  distance  from  Liver- 


^pii  m 


■i'i'i 


iii«i 


"  For  comments  of  the  Pacific  coast  press  on  tbo  threatened  secession  and 
probable  annexation  of  the  province,  see,  among  others,  S.  F.  Alia,  Dec.  29, 
1S74,  April  IG,  Auq;.  14,  1870;  Brit.  Colonist,  April  23,  1S70;  Portland  Teh- 
gram,  March  22,  1879. 

UlBX.  Lbit.  Col.    43 


^J 


074 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


pool  via  Montreal  and  Port  Moody  is  computed  at 
10,963  miles,  and  by  way  of  New  York  and  San 
Francisco  at  12,038  miles,  a  difference  of  1,075  miles 
in  favor  of  the  former  route.  At  this  date  the 
Panamd  canal  was  believed  to  be  impossible  of  ac- 
complishment at  any  reasonable  expense  of  life,  labor, 
and  capital.  If  Great  Britain  sought  for  means  of 
commercial  intercourse  with  the  far  cast  and  her 
Australian  colonies,  other  than  these  which  Cook  and 
Vancouver  had  discovered  in  the  eighteenth  century, 
and  Do  Lcsscps  had  endeavored  to  improve  in  the 
nineteenth,  where  was  she  to  look  for  them  save  to  the 
dominion  or  to  the  United  States?  And  what  would 
be  the  prospect  for  England's  commerce  with  tlic  east 
should  British  Columbia  become  one  with  the  United 
States? — a  danger  all  the  more  imminent  because 
British  Columbia  still  contained  a  very  large  percent- 
age of  Americans.  Tliough  the  dominion  miirht 
afford  to  shi'lit  tlicsc  considerations,  the  home  tjov- 
ernment  could  not.  The  question  was  no  longer  as 
between  Canada,  with  her  four  millions  of  inhabitants, 
and  British  Columbia,  with  her  few  thousands;  but 
between  the  mother  councry  and  one  of  her  most  dis- 
tant and  sparsely  settled,  though  most  valuable,  colo- 
nies. 

Fortunately  there  occurred  at  tbisjuncture  a  change 
of  administration  in  the  Canadian  goveriimcnt.  In 
answer  to  a  telcuram  from  Victoria,  dated  tlie  IGtli 
of  January,  1879,  wherein  it  was  stated  that  no  an- 
swer had  yet  been  received  to  the  last  petition  of  the 
legislature,  the  following  reply  was  returned  by  Sir 
John  A.  Macdonald:  "Bailway  matters  are  now 
under  consideration,  and  your  representations  and 
claims  will  receive  our  best  attention."  Tlien  followed 
one,  dated  a  few  weeks  later:  "The  attention  of  the 
present  ministry,  on  taking  ofilee,  Avas  not  called  t<» 
this  petition,  and  it  remained  unnoticed.  On  its  lin- 
ing discovered,  it  was  transmitted  to  England.  The 
government  here  greatly  regret  the  oversight."     After 


awaiti 
reply  t 
dian  g< 
this  sc; 
Alactloi 
strong! 
iwtniei 
Kamloc 

'looks, 

paper  h( 

taineil  a 

■Tfrcsli. 

•'anno  C; 

tlio  cross 

—on  tlie 

joining  tl 

tiiia  route 

survey  of 

cral  lines 

'-^anlncr, 

proniiso  h 

could  ?)o  f 

mentally  f 

clients  tow 

rcpresentc 

route.     Tl 

t  lie  railway 

«ation,  Ijot 

cult.     The 

they  never 

I'Vedcric  A 

-*'>'>  miles. 

hor  ciiual  t( 

Vuat-iuo. 

'■lu<lin;,'JJut 

•iml  Tliompi 

■'"it  Tort  M, 

minu.s  for  se 

<o  I'ort  iMooi 

"o  gradient  < 

were  gradien 

let  route  con 

K'll'le,  and  ex 

'-5  miles  to 

I'rovinco.     ^it 

''uld  yet  disci 


READY  TO  BEGIN 

"Jn  \v]i  ,•/.».    ,    _  '■ 


;  r     T,^'  and  to  7)resa  i>  v;^^      ^""'racnco  w, 

— on  tho  cMtcrn  ?In,  .    t .,    ^^'^'"^0  aljovo  Biff  Hon  )        ,    '•''^''-  t'HIio  J',;,,,,.- 

;^i"ing  the  Bu  0  iS  t  nLS^'':^'^'^''"  ^=^"^^  u^  W ''^'ll^'-  ^'^^^^^^ 

tiu3  routo  to  1,0  imSc  *blr  '    a1  '""'"''^^M.       ato frTn?*  ^'i?  W'ilkoti,,. 

;™^?«?s,s!jS^ /-i- -"i  E^  r  -=»^ 

<lient,s  ton-ar.l  t  ,o  s.i        /^]orahl^  lino  marlcM  ou     t/"^'f  '""^^^•>'i«  instn 

!sss  ^£!f  rSis  &!;sar  ps;":a,?  -sr 

"l"<i''"^'Buto  In  ;4    L  ''"  •'''"^■•'Iti-s  conn  S  '  \v   ,  ''V^"^'^'-  ^"'-'^t  of  V.  {'"ft 

'">  gradient  0x^00^  L     OO  L  "'^  V,"''''I'^T  *''^'''  t!'o  ono        >  u    fM'''"^'  *''«  '""• 

'1^0  gradient,  of  n,  ro^  1    n  ,  1?'"  ""^'''  ^»I"I"  ou  tL  l/u      r   /'r*'  "''•  ^^.'^ f 

'<;  route  could  l.o  conm  , '"i  '  ,  *.  ^'^^,^"  ^''^'  '"'l'^^-        I    T     /  '/' ^r*"'"  <'"''''-' 

K^>le.  and  oxtcnde-l  to      M  i     '   ^■"•'  *"  "^'i^J*  Point  f  nV   '  ^''"■'■"•''  J"" 

open  t,oj,  could  be  reachcil 


676 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


the  virtual  fulfilment  of  the  railway  clause  contained 
in  the  terms  of  union,  a  telegram  was  received  on  the 
9th  of  January,  1880,  from  the  secretary  of  state  for 
Canada,  asking  that,  in  accordance  with  these  terms, 
twenty  milcb  of  land  on  either  side  of  the  line  be  con- 
veyed to  the  dominion  government.  On  the  8th  of 
May  the  conveyance  was  authorized,  and  on  the 
25th  of  March,  1881,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legis- 
lature of  British  Columbia,  providing  that  "the  su- 
preme court  of  Canada  and  the  exchequer  court,  or 
the  supreme  court  of  Canada  alone,  according  to  the 
provisions  of  the  act  of  the  parliament  of  Canada 
known  as  the  supreme  and  exchequer  court  act," 
should  have  jurisdiction  in  controversies  between  the 
dominion  and  the  province.^^ 

Thus  did  British  Columbia,  possibly  of  her  own 
free-will,  though  probably  through  a  slip  of  the  Hoii- 
orablc  George  A.  Walkem,  bind  herself  once  raoro  to 
the  dominion,  and  by  a  statute  which  neither  Eng- 
land nor  Canada  had  power  to  enact.  Yet  one  more 
petition  was  presented  to  her  Majesty,  wherein  the 
oft-recited  grievances  were  rehearsed,  the  constructioii 
of  the  Esquimalt  and  Nanaimo  branch  insisted  upon, 
and  the  threat  of  secession  repeated."  To  this  the 
dominion  government  replied :  "As  regards  the  prayer 

much  nioro  easily  than  by  way  of  Bute  Inlet.  Mackevzle'n  jMetn.  Can.  Pac. 
Railway,  MS.,  8-11.  A  description  of  each  year's  explorations  and  surveys 
will  1)0  found  in  I'kmiiKfn  lieports,  Can.  Pac.  liailway.  lu  this  connection 
may  bo  mentioned  the  geologic  survey  of  Canada,  undertaken  in  1871  l>y  Al- 
fred 11.  C  Selwyn,  F.  11.  8.,  assisted  by  J.imcs  Jlichardsou  of  the  gcologio 
stafT,  for  tho  purpose  of  ascertaining  tho  physical  character  of  the  country, 
Iho  general  distribution  of  tho  geological  formations,  and  tho  facilities  for 
travel  in  tho  several  districts.  Tlio  route  examined  was  ono  of  thoso  which 
attracted  attention  in  connection  with  tho  surveys  fur  tho  Canadian  Pacilic, 
extending  obliquely  across  tho  province  through  tho  valleys  of  tho  Frascr  aiid 
Thompson  to  Leather  Pass  in  tho  llocky  Mountains.  Surveys  were  afterward 
conducted  by  Richardson  on  V.  I.  and  tho  mainland.  For  description,  see 
Id.,  Mem.  Oeol.  Survey,  MS. 

'■"  Also  in  cases  of  controversy  between  B.  C  and  fny  province  of  the  dn- 
minion  which  might  Lave  passed  a  similar  act,  and  in  suits,  actions,  or  pro- 
ceedings in  which  the  parties  in  their  pleadings  raised  tho  question  of  the 
\-alidity  of  an  act  of  tho  Canadian  parliament,  or  of  an  act  of  tho  provincial 
U'^islature,  when,  in  the  opinion  ot  a  judge  of  tho  court  in  which  they  wcro 
pending,  such  question  was  material.  44th  Vict.,  in  D.  O.  Stat.,  1S81,  17. 

**For  copy  of  petition,  see  Jour.  Legist.,  Brit.  Col,,  1881,  50-2;  PapernreL 
Mission  De  Cosmos,  3-5. 


PROVINCIAL  REVENUE. 


817 


of  the  proposed  petition  to  her  Majesty,  that  the 
province  bo  permitted  to  regulate  and  collect  its  own 
tariff  of  customs  and  excise,  until  through  communi- 
cation by  railway  be  established  through  British  Co- 
lumbia with  the  eastern  provinces,  the  committee  of 
the  privy  couccil  desire  to  observe  that  this  request 
involves  a  breach  of  the  terras  of  union,  and  the  vir- 
tual severance  of  British  Columbia  from  the  domin- 
ion."^ De  Cosmos  pleaded  in  London,  in  1881,  the 
case  of  the  provincial  legislature,  and  was  politely 
heard,  though  doubtless  her  Majesty's  government 
was  now  somewhat  weary  of  the  matter.  Said  the 
earl  of  Kimberley  to  the  marquis  of  Lome,  in  a  de- 
spatch dated  August  25,  1881:  "The  request  of  the 
legislative  assembly  of  British  Columbia  for  permission 
to  regulate  and  collect  its  own  tariff  is,  in  my  opin- 
ion, inadmissible,"  "Far  be  the  day,"  remarked  Duf- 
ferin,  in  his  speech  at  Victoria,  "when  on  any  acre  of 
soil  above  which  floats  the  flag  of  England,  mere  ma- 
terial power,  brute  political  preponderance" — what- 
ever that  may  be — "should  be  permitted  to  decide 
such  a  controversy  as  that  which  wo  are  discussing. 
A  governor-general  is  a  federalist  by  profession,  and 
you  might  as  well  expect  the  sultan  of  Turkey  to 
throw  up  his  cap  for  the  commune  as  the  viceroy  of 
Canada  to  entertain  a  suggestion  for  the  ui&integration 
of  the  dominion.' 


Meanwhile  work  had  been  progressing,  though 
somewhat  slowly,  on  the  Canadian  Pacific.  Early  in 
1880,  264  miles  of  the  eastern  section,  commenced  in 
1874,  were  in  operation,  and  up  to  the  1st  of  July,  1880, 

''  On  the  other  hand,  it  was  claimed  in  tho  petition  that,  under  the  terms 
iif  the  treaty,  B.  C.  was  allowed  to  retain  its  own  tariff  until  tho  C.  P.  should 
bo  ';ompit:UJ,  but,  'believing  in  the  good  faith  of  the  dominion,  and  boin;? 
desirous  of  promoting  confederation  in  its  truo  sense,' surrendered  its  turiif 
in  1872.  It  would  seem  tliat  tho  dominion  government  was  in  tiio  right. 
Tho  clause  to  which  reference  is  made  reads:  'It  is  agreed  that  the  existing 
customs  tariff  and  excise  duties  shall  continue  in  force  in  11.  C.  until  tho  rail- 
way from  the  Pacifio  coast  and  tho  system  of  railways  in  Canada  are  con- 
nected, unless  the  legislature  of  B.  C.  should  sooner  decide  to  accept  the  tariff 
and  excise  laws  of  Canada.' 


673 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  UAlLWAY. 


about  816,500,000  had  been  expended  on  surveys  and 
construction."*  In  June  of  this  year  it  was  also  an- 
nounced by  Sir  John  A.  Macdonald  that  negotiation;; 
had  been  concluded  in  London  whereby  the  complution 
of  the  road  was  to  be  undertaken  by  a  syndicate 
composed  of  capitahsts  in  New  York,  St  Paul,  Lon- 
don, and  Paris."'^ 

According  to  the  terms  of  the  contract,  the  por- 
tions of  the  line  not  yet  constructed  were  to  be 
divided  into  three  sections:  the  first  or  eastern  sec- 
tion extending  from  Callander  station,  near  Lake 
Nipissing,  to  a  point  of  junction  with  the  Lake  Su- 
perior section,  then  being  built  by  the  government; 
the  second  or  central  section  from  Selkirk,  on  Ivctl 
Piver,  to  Kamloop;  and  the  third  or  western  section 
from  Kamloop  to  Port  Mood}',  The  syndicate  agreed 
to  construct  by  the  1st  of  May,  1891,  and  keep  in 
running  order,  a  line  of  uniform  gauge,-^  and  pay  to 
the  dominion  the  cost,  according  to  an  outstanding 
contract  of  one  hundred  miles  of  road  westward  from 
the  town  of  Winnipeg,  a  few  miles  south  of  Selkirk. 
The  dominion  agreed  to  complete  the  portion  of  tliu 
western  section  between  Yale  and  Kamloop  by  the 
end  of  June  1885,  between  Yale  and  Port  Moody  by 
the  1st  of  June,  1891,  and  the  Lake  Superior  section 
according  to  the  contract  The  road  was  to  be  the 
property  of  the  syndicate;  but  until  the  eastern  and 
central  sections  were  finished,  the  Canadian  govern- 
ment reserved  the  privilege  of  working  those  already 
constructed.  On  the  completion  of  the  former  sec- 
tions, the  dominion  agreed  to  convey  to  the  syndicate 
the  portions  of  the  line  then  constructed,  or  to  bu 
constructed  by  the  government,  and   meanwhile  to 

°*In  Papers rcl.  Miniiiun  Dc.  Cosmos,  CD-Gi, arc  tablca showiiig  approxiiiuitc  ly 
the  sums  voted  and  actually  cxpcuilcd  for  each  year  bctwocii  1671  and  1 '>">■-'. 
The  total  amount  voted  mulcr  :iU  heads  up  to  the  latter  year  was  §10,(1117, • 
Sl'2.48. 

"John  S.  Kennedy  of  New  York,  Richard  IJ.  Angus  and  James  J.  Hill  of 
St  Paul,  Morton,  Kose,  &  C'(j.  of  London,  and  John  Kciuach  &  Co.  of  Paris. 
Chillp)i(lni'.i  n,  C.  (iiKlAliisLu,  :',-2. 

'"  I'uur  f<H>t  eight  and  a  lialf  inehei. 


THE  CONTRACT  RATIFIED. 


670 


grant  to  them  subsidies  of  $25,000,000  and  25,000,000 
acres  of  land,^^  both  of  which,  as  wc  shall  sec  later, 
were  afterward  largely  increased.  As  soon  as  any 
jiart  of  the  road,  not  less  than  twenty  miles  in  length, 
was  in  operation,  the  government  would  transfer  to 
the  syndicate  their  pro  rata  of  cash  and  land,  and 
agreed  to  admit  free  of  duty  all  material  needed  for 
the  construction  of  railway  bridges,  and  of  a  telegraph 
lino  in  connection  with  the  road.  For  twenty  years 
I'rom  the  date  of  the  contract  the  government  also 
Mcrreed  that  it  would  not  authorize  the  buildin<x  of 
any  line  near  the  Canadian  Pacific  unless  it  ran  in  a 
south-westerly  direction,  nor  of  any  that  ran  to  within 
liftoen  miles  of  the  international  boundary.  The  en- 
tire railway  and  its  equipments  were  to  be  forever 
exempt  from  taxation,  and  the  land,  unless  previously 
sold,  was  to  remain  untaxed  for  twenty  years. 

On  the  motion  to  ratify  this  contract  arose  one 
of  the  warmest  discussions  ever  witnessed  in  the 
dominion  parliament.  The  ceaseless  friction  which 
had  occurred,  however,  while  the  government  was  in 
charge  of  the  work,  and  the  fact  that  there  was  no 
prospect  of  its  completion  within  the  stipulated  time 
unless  some  radical  changes  were  made  in  the  method 
of  prosecuting  the  enterprise,  were  strong  arguments 
in  its  favor.  Moreover  the  ministry  stated  that 
under  its  provisions  the  line  would  bo  finished  for 
some  $22,000,000  less  than  if  completed  by  the  gov- 
ernment. The  measure  was  finally  carried  by  an 
overwhelming  majority,-^  and  immediately  afterward 
the  syndicate  entered  upon  the  execution  of  its  con- 
tract, the  work  being  thenceforth  prosecuted  with 
energy. 

Accordinjr  to  a  measurement  in  1882  of  the  various 


I 


"  Fur  the  central  section  §10,000  a  milo  for  tho  first  000  miles,  and  for  tlio 
remaining  430  at  the  rate  of  $i:),:).')3  per  mile;  and  for  tho  eastern  section  of 
010  miles,  $15,3S4.G1.  The  Ir.nd-grant  was  for  tho  central  section,  l'J,500 
acres  for  each  of  tho  first  DOG  miles,  and  1C,GC0.C7  acres  per  milo  for  tho  tt- 
raaindcr.     For  tho  eastern  section  tho  f^rant  was  $9,01.'). .I.")  per  milo. 

"The  vote  waa  140  to  45.  S.  F.  Bulletin,  Nov.  la,  1885. 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


sections  as  finally  located,  the  entire  length  of  lino 
from  Callander  to  Fort  William,  on  Thunder  Bay,  at 
tho  head  of  Lake  Superior,  thence  to  Winnipeg,  ami 
from  that  point  to  Savona's  ferry,  at  the  foot  of 
Kamloop  Lake,  crossing  the  Rocky  Mountains  by 
way  of  Kicking  Horse  Pass,  and  from  Savona's  lorry 
to  Port  Moody,  was  2,557  miles.  To  this  must  bi; 
added  the  sections  between  Callander  and  Ottawa,  a 
distance  of  228  miles,  and  from  Ottawa  to  Montreal, 
119  miles,  making  a  total  of  2,904  miles  as  tho  grand 
trunk  road  of  the  Canadian  Pacific,  though  it  may  be 
presumed  that  the  entire  line  from  Halifax  to  Port 
Moody  will  eventually  be  under  tho  control  of  a 
single  company.'^' 

Of  the  sections  between  Callander  and  Kamloop 
Lake  no  further  mention  is  required  in  these  pages; 
but  of  the  one  between  Savona's  ferry  and  Port 
Moody,  lying  as  it  does  entirely  within  British 
Columbia,  a  description  may  not  be  without  interest 
to  the  reader.  The  length  of  this  portion  of  tho  lino 
was  213.5  miles,  and  it  was  divided  into  five  subsections, 
from  Port  Moody  to  Emory's  Bar,  a  distance  of  85.5 
miles,  from  Emory's  Bar  to  Boston  Bar  29  miles, 
from  Boston  Bar  to  Lytton  29.5  miles,  from  Lyttoii 
to  Junction  Flat  29  miles,  and  from  Junction  Flat  to 
Savona's  ferry  40.5  milcs.^''  Tho  contracts  for  all 
these  subdivisions,  of  which  tho  first  was  awarded 
early  in  1879  and  the  remainder  in  the  winter  of  1882, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  A.  Onderdonk,  an  engineer  and 
contractor  of  good  repute,  and  one  who  represented 
several  prominent  capitalists  in  California,  Oregon,  antl 
New  York."^  Their  amount,  including  the  cost  of 
a  bridge  across  the  Fraser  at  Cisco  Flat,  was  about 
$11,900,000,^'  apart  from  tho  expense  of  the   rails 

2' From  Callander  to  Fort  William  G50  miles,  from  Port  Arthur  to  Winnipir!,' 
433  miles,  from  Winnipeg  to  Savona's  ferry  1,250  miles,  and  from  Savouii 's 
ferry  to  Port  Moody  215  miles. 

'".S'cs,*.  Papers,  11.  C.,1881,  295;  D.  C.  Directory,  1882  ?  373. 

"D.  O.  Mills  of  Cal.,  S.  G.  Rcid  of  Or,,  and  H.  B.  Laidlaw  and  L.  V. 
Morton  of  N.  Y.  Sm.  Paper.'*,  11.  ('.,  ISSl,  2i)5. 

"'Fur  tho  Bubsuctiuu  iictwccit  Ihnury  l]ar  and  Uostou  Bar  $2,7-7,300, 


CONSTRUCTION  OP  THE  ROAD. 


ttl 


and  fastenings,  which  for  all  but  the  first  subsection 
were  furnished  by  the  dominion. 

Early  in  1880  ground  was  broken;  and  from  that 
date  work  was  continued  almost  without  interrup- 
tion until  the  lino  was  completed.  On  portions  of 
the  road,  and  especially  between  Emory  and  Boston 
bars,  it  is  probable  that  the  diflBculties  were  greater 


Canadian  Pacific. 


between  Boston  Bar  and  Lytton  $2,57.1,640,  between  Lytton  ami  Junction 
Flat  $2,050,050,  and  between  Junction  Flat  and  tsavona's  ferry  §1,809, 150,  or 
ftn  average  of  nearly  $43,000  per  mile.    Tlio  first  was  to  bo  linislicil  by  J)oi' 
1,  1883,  the  second  by  Juuo  30,  1884,  tho  third  by  December  31,  1SS4,  imc 
tlio  fourth  not  later  than  Juno  30,  1 885.     It  appears  that  contracts  were  (iiigi 
nally  made  with  other  parties,  but,  remarks  Walkcni,  in  tho  report  of  his 
negotiations  at  Ottawa  with  tho  dominion  government,  'tho  manifest  ad  van 
tages  of  dealing  with  one  firm  of  uncjuestionablo  means  and  ability,  instead  o 
with  three  or  four  firms,  in  tho  construction  of  tlie  work,  iiilluenced  tho  govern 
mcnt,  as  I  learned,  to  consent  to  tho  transfer  of  tho  contracts  mentioned.' 
For  tho  portion  between  Port  Moody  and  Emory  I5ar  llio  contract  was 
$2,487,000,  or  an  average  of  $.30,000  per  niilo,  and  tho  estimated  cost  of  tho 
bridge  across  the  Fraser  was  $250,000,  li.  ('.  Dlieclorif,  1882-3,  373-4. 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAi. 


than  liad  hitherto  been  encountered  in  railroad  build- 
ing, except  perhaps  in  Switzerland  and  Peru,  the  aver- 
age cost  per  mile  being  $80,000,  and  of  some  miles  as 
much  as  $200,000.  Other  lines,  difficult  of  con- 
struction, as  the  Central  and  Union  Pacific,  passed 
around  and  over  the  mountains  by  gradual  ascents; 
but  on  the  Cascade  Ilange  no  practicable  gradients 
could  be  found,  and  it  was  necessary  to  run  through 
it,  on  a  line  almost  parallel  with  the  canon  of  the 
Fraser.  For  almost  the  entire  distance  between 
Yale  and  Lytton  the  river  has  cut  its  way  through 
this  range,  plunging  in  foaming  cataracts  through  deep 
lateral  gorges,  flanked  in  places  by  spurs  of  perpen- 
dicular rock.  Along  nineteen  miles  of  the  route  thir- 
teen tunnels  were  bored,  one  series  of  four  being  within 
a  mile  of  Yale,  and  another  of  six  occurring  some 
2,500  yards  farther  in  the  direction  of  Boston  Bar. 
Elsewhere  the  roadway  was  literally  hewn  out  of 
rock,  the  crevices  being  filled  with  masonry,  and 
the  ravines  and  rivers  spanned  by  truss  and  trestle 
bridges,  of  which  there  are  many  between  Savona's 
ferry  and  the  sea,  among  them  being  a  three-spanned 
iron  and  steel  truss-bridge  crossing  the  Fraser  below 
Lytton.^^ 

The  road-bed  throughout  the  entire  section  was 
substantially  built,  the  cuttings  and  tunnels  being 
twenty-two  feet,  the  embankments  seventeen  I'eet  in 
width,  and  the  track  laid  with  sixty-pound  steel  rails, 
and  heavily  ballasted.  To  perform  this  gigantic  task, 
an  army  of  laborers  and  mechanics  was  employed, 
mustering  at  times  more  than  7,000  men,  and  witli  the 
aid  of  the  best  modern  machinery.  They  were  fairly 
paid,^^  and  humanely  treated;  and  it  is  worthy  of  note, 

'^  The  total  length  of  the  biidj^e  is  5.30  ft,  and  of  the  central  span  31.")  ft, 
the  ends  of  the  latter  resting  on  piers  of  solid  masonry  90  ft  high.  The 
superstructure  contains  0,000  tons  of  iron  and  steel.  The  total  cost  was  §280,- 
000.  Porlland  West  Shore,  Dec.  1885,  300. 

*'  According  to  a  schedulo  of  wages  issued  at  Yale,  Marcli  1,  188.3,  laborers 
reccivc<l  ij 1 .75  to  §'2  a  day;  hewers,  §3.50;  choppers,  §2  to  §2.50;  drillers,  §ii 
to  §2.25;  blacksmiths,  §3  to  $3.50;  masons,  §2.50  to  §3.50;  stone-cutter.s,  §3 
to  §3.50;  carpeatets,  §3  to  §3.50;  foremen,  $2.50  to  $4.     These  rates  were  for 


A  GRAND  ACHIEVEMENT. 


that  although  some  of  the  work  was  of  an  extremely 
hazardous  nature,  men  being  often  lowered  hundreds 
of  feet  down  almost  perpendicular  rocks,  in  order  to 
blast  a  foothold  on  the  mountain  side,  only  thirty-two 
fatal  accidents  occurred  between  April  1880  and  No- 
vember 1882,  though  the  average  number  employed 
during  that  period  exceeded  4,000.  Supplies  were 
ibrwarded  on  pack-animals,  over  trails  never  before 
deemed  practicable  except  by  Indians,  and  by  them 
only  with  the  aid  of  ladders.  Building  materials  were 
landed  at  enormous  cost,  the  toll  of  ten  dollars  per 
ton  on  all  freight  passing  ever  the  Yale  and  Cariboo 
road  being  strictly  enforced.  As  the  work  advanced, 
transportation  becauK)  each  year  more  costly,  until  it 
was  resolved  to  attempt  the  passage  of  the  Eraser 
caiion  to  the  navigable  water  above,  in  order  to  supply 
the  more  distant  camps,  the  steamer  Skuzzy  being 
built  for  the  purpose.  But  who  could  be  found  daring 
enough  to  steer  this  boat  up  the  swift-running  river 
and  through  the  frightful  canon,  where  the  pent  waters 
rushed  down  in  foaming  fury?  One  captain  after 
another,  looking  at  the  tiny  craft  and  at  the  Scylla 
and  Charybdis  beyond,  declared  the  feat  impossible. 
At  length  two  brothers,  Smith  by  name,  well  known 
for  their  daring  exploits  on  the  upper  Columbia,^" 
consented  to  undertake  the  task.  Witli  a  steam-winch 
and  capstan,  and  several  large  hawsers,  they  set  forth 
on  their  voyage  with  a  crew  of  seventeen  men,  the 
steamer  being  in  charge  of  a  skilled  engineer,  J.  W. 
Burse.  The  severest  struggle  was  at  a  point  called 
China  Riffle,  where  the  power  of  the  engines  and 
.steam-winch,  with  fifteen  men  at  the  capstan,  and  of 
150  Chinamen  laying  hold  of  one  of  the  ropes,  barely 


ten  hours'  work  aiul  for  white  labor.  Boarding-houses  were  provided  at  con- 
vonicat  distances,  where  tlie  rate  M'as  §4  per  week,  though  none  were  required 
to  patronize  them.  U.  C.  Inform. /or  Em'njr.,  15;  li.  C.  JJirccton/,  18S'2-;I,  IMG. 
•'•'S.  K.  Smith  ran  the  steamer  (S7io.iAo?j(^  down  the  Snake  Kiver  for  a  dis- 
tance of  1,000  miles,  a  portion  of  the  route  being  through  the  rapids  near  the 
base  of  the  Blue  Mountains.  Up  to  188.3  this  was  the  only  boat  that  had  over 
attempted  this  perilous  passage.  lie  also  carried  a  steamer  safely  over  the 
Willamette  Falls,  near  Oregon  City.  VhUteiiden'-i  lirit.  Col.  and  Alaska,  36. 


'  .ji| 


m 


TlIK  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


suflSccd  to  pull  the  vessel  over  the  shoals.  Over- 
coming this  difficulty,  and  passing  safely  through  Hell- 
gate  and  Black  Canon,  where  the  stream  runs  at  the 
rate  of  some  twenty  miles  an  hour,  the  Skuzzij  started 
with  her  first  load  of  freight  from  Boston  Bar. 

Along  the  entire  route  between  Port  Moody  and 
Savona's  ferry,  and  apart  from  tunnel-boring,  some 
10,G00,000  cubic  yards  of  earth  and  rock  were  re- 
moved by  pick,  powder,  and  nitro-glycerine.  On  the 
line  between  Emory  and  Yale  were  complete  works 
for  the  manufacture  of  explosives,  with  a  capacity  of 
about  2,000  pounds  per  day,^°  and  at  Yale  were  con- 
struction and  repair  shops,  supplied  with  all  the  ma- 
chinery needed  for  the  building  of  cars  and  engines, 
and  for  general  work. 

Port  Moody  is  distant  seventy-five  miles  from  Vic- 
toria and  overland  from  New  Westminster  about  five 
miles.*''  That  it  is  a  safe  and  commodious  harbor  is 
proved  by  the  fact  that  within  fourteen  years  after 
the  first  saw-mill  was  built,  in  1864,  six  hundred  ves- 
sels of  large  tonnage,  and  countless  smaller  craft,  loaded 
at  and  left  it,  not  one  of  which  was  injured.^^     In  1882 


'*  The  cartridge  cases  for  giant-powder  wero  made  of  paper  dipped  in  hot 
paraffino  and  wax,  5-8  to  1  inch  iu  diameter,  and  wcigtied,  when  tilled,  about 
5-12  of  a  pound. 

*'In  section  2  of  a  report  of  the  privy  council  of  Canada,  dated  May  10, 
ISSl,  the  reasons  for  the  change  of  terminus  arc  thus  given:  'Ou  the  Gth  of 
June,  1873,  in  view  of  tho  then  probability  of  tho  railway  running  by  Jiiitu 
Inlet,  an  order  iu  council  was  passed  declaring  that  Esquimalt  should  '..  lie 
terminus  of  the  railway  on  tho  Pacific  coast,  but  tho  alignment  on  th  main- 
land was  at  that  timo  wholly  undetermined.  In  May  1878,  the  gover  mtnt, 
on  increased  information,  determined,  however,  to  select  Burrard  Inlet  'sthc 
objective  point  on  tho  Pacific  coast  to  bo  reached  by  tho  railway;  and  they 
cancelled  tho  order  relating  to  Esquimalt.  Still  further  examinations  wore, 
however,  deemed  necessary,  particularly  with  reference  to  the  advantages  of 
a  still  moro  northern  route  which  should  terminate  at  Port  S'.npson;  aiul  to 
keep  tho  whole  question  entirely  free  until  additional  exploratory  surveys 
should  be  made,  the  order  in  council  of  June  1873  waa  in  April  1870  re- 
vived, and  continued  iu  force  until  October  1879,  when  the  selection  of  Bur- 
rard Inlet  was  finally  made.'  Papers  rel.  Misfiion  JDe  CoamoK,  15. 

'*  Letter  of  Capt.  Jas  Cooper  to  the  gov. -gen.,  in  Fleming's  Rept.  Can.  Pw. 
liciilway,  1877,  300.  See  also  Brit.  Colonist,  in  Can,  Pac.  Railway  RoiiIik,  4. 
Admiral  llichards,  hydrographcr  to  tho  admiralty  in  1882,  describes  Tort 
Moody  as  a,  snug  harbor,  and  capacious  for  shipping  beyond  all  probable  re- 
quirements. 


CHOICE  OP  TERMINUS. 


685 


a  substantial  wharf  had  already  been  constructed  1,370 
feet  in  length,  and  with  a  breadth,  for  GOO  feet  I'rom 
its  centre,  of  150  foot.  It  was  supported  by  more 
than  1,700  piles,  from  twelve  to  twenty  inclics  in 
diameter,  strongly  capped  and  braced,  the  front  and 
sides  of  the  structure  presenting  a  solid  wall  of  four- 
teen-inch  timber,  and  the  surface  being  covered  with 
four-inch  planks,  fastened  with  eight-inch  spikes. 
On  this  structure,  freight  and  passenger  stations, 
offices,  work-shops,  warehouses,  and  other  buildings 
needed  for  traffic  were  completed;  and  here  ships 
could  unload  in  a  depth  of  water  never  less  than  four 
and  a  half  fathoms  at  low  tide. 

Nevertheless  it  cannot  be  disputed  that  Port  jNIoody 
was  selected,  not  as  the  best  terminus,  but  probably 
because,  as  the  privy  council  of  Canada  remarked  in 
its  report  touching  the  latest  petition  of  the  provincial 
legislature,  "it  rendered  unnecessary  the  lino  between 
Nanaimo  and  Esquimalt  as  a  condition  of  the  union 
with  British  Columbia."^'  In  his  official  report  to 
the  premier,  dated  April  26,  1878 — some  eighteen 
months  before  the  selection  of  the  terminus — the  cn- 
i^ineer-in-chief  stated  expressly  that  Burrard  Inlet 
was  less  eligible  than  Esquimalt.  Navigation  to  the 
ibrmer  point  from  the  ocean  was  more  or  less  intri- 
cate ;  nor  could  it  be  reached  at  all  by  vessels  of  large 
tonnage  without  passing  within  cannon-shot  of  a  group 
of  islands  belonging  to  a  foreign  power.  As  to  the 
Bute  Inlet  route,  supposing  even  the  wide  channels 
of  the  Valdes  Islands  bridged  at  an  enormous  cost — 
one  which  it  was  almost  impossible  to  estimate — and 
the  road  extended  to  Esquimalt,  the  travel  thence  by 
rail  to  Bute  Inlet  would  be  at  least  150  miles  farther 
than  direct  by  steamer  to  Burrard  Inlet,  while  to 
substitute  a  ferry  for  the  bridging  between  the  former 
inlet  and  the  mainland  would  entail  a  very  consider- 
able and  unnecessary  expenditure.     From  the  crossing 


'Papers  rel.  Mission  De  Cosmos,  15. 


68G 


THE  CANADIAN  PAanc  RAILWAY. 


of  Lalio  Manitoba,  about  midway  on  the  continent, 
to  Burrard  Inlet,  the  distance  was  more  than  eleven 
hundred  miles,  and  to  Esquimalt  more  than  fourteen 
hundred.  In  this  entire  region  there  were  not  more 
than  12,000  white  inhabitants.*"  It  was  difficult,  in 
hin  opinion,  "to  recognize  any  commercial  advantage 
in  carrying  the  line  to  Esquimalt  at  this  period  in  the 
history  of  Canada  to  compensate  for  these  grave  objec- 
tions;" and  after  considering  the  engineering  leuturcs 
of  each  route,  and  weighing  carefully  the  eoniniercial 
considerations,*'  he  was  forced  to  the  conclusion  that, 
if  a  decision  could  not  bo  further  postponed,  souk 
point  on  Burrard  Inlet  should  be  selected  as  the  t(  i 


mums 


42 


*'Thc  actual  figures  wcro  probably  nearer  20,000. 

*'Wliat  tlio  cliiL'f  engineer  had  to  do  with  commercial  considcratioua  lu- 
does  not  explain. 

*' FlciiiiiKjn  J,'<pt.  Can.  Par..  linlbraii,  1S78,  12-14.  Tho  chief  engineer, 
in  tho  correspondence,  queries,  and  nautical  evidence  respecting?  harbors  and 
waters  in  1?.  C,  2S3,  says:  'Tiio  railway  Hues  which  have  been  rirojoctod 
across  the  lloeUy  Mountain  zone  touch  tho  navigable  Waters  of  the  I'acilio  at 
tlio  following  inlets:  1.  Ihirrard  Inlet;  2.  llowo  iSound;  3.  Buto  Iide^;  4. 
Bi'ntiok  Arm,  North;  5.  iJeau  Inlet;  0.  Gardner  Inlet;  7.  Skcena  llivcr.'  lu 
reply  to  (jiicstions  propounded  by  Fleming  to  naval  ollicers  in  hi^h  coinniaml, 
as  to  the  selection  of  a  terminus,  there  was  little  diUercnco  of  opinion.  Iti 
answer  to  the  question,  '  Could  largo  sea-going  ships  approaching  by  the  niid- 
i\\\'  channel  pass  witlic.ut  danger  or  difliei  ''y  through  ny  Johnston  Stiait  to 
Ihirrard  Inlet,  Howe  Sound,  or  \Vaildiugt(.n  Harbor  (near  tho  heail  of  Unto 
Inlet)?'  Ailniiral  Cochrauo  answered,  'No;' Admiral  Richards:  'The  ap- 
proach wouhl  always  bo  attended  with  some  danger; '  Admiral  Farquhar, 
tluit  he  understood  from  ollicers  under  his  orders  that  tho  navigation  was 
'intricate  and  dillicul';  for  large  vessels  (even  steamers),  and  impracticable 
for  ocean  sailing  vesseh.'  In  answer  to  the  request,  '  Having  regard  to  naval 
and  commercial  considerations,  mention  tho  point  on  tho  coast  which  ap]ioars 
to  you  tlio  most  suitable  for  the  railway  terminus,'  (.'ochrane  answered:  '  I  am 
of  belief  that  the  most  advantageous  site  for  the  terminus  is,  as  before  stated, 
that  of  Burrard  Inlet;  Kicliards:  'From  a  nautical  point  of  view,  Burrard 
Inlet  is  everyway  prefera  I  lie;'  Commander  render:  'Burrard  Inlet  is,  in  my 
opinion,  preferable  to  either  of  the  other  places  named.'  Carnarvon's  de- 
spatch to  Earl  DuQ'erin,  in  Id.,  1S77,  278  ct  seq. 

To  Dean  Iiih^t  a  line  was  instrumentally  burvcyed,  and  a  very  favorabli! 
route  was  found,  but  it  had  high  gradients  for  some  distance  from  the  sea. 
While  neillier  the  harbor  nor  the  sia apjiroach  to  it  proved  as  good  as  was  ex- 
pected, tho  route  and  terminns  at  Dean  Inlet  '.vero  found  in  every  respect  su- 
perior to  Buto  Inlet.  To  Bute  Inlet  tho  railway  was,  Inisides,  fifty  miles 
longer,  even  to  tho  head  of  tho  inlet;  and  it  was  quite  clear  that  it  wouM 
have  to  bo  built  on  to  Frederic  Arm,  at  tho  north  side  of  tho  mouth  of  the 
inlet.  Furthermore,  tho  navigation,  either  north  to  Queen  Charlotte  Souml 
or  south  toward  Fuca  Straits,  iiresented  serious  diiriculties.  So  well  aw.\ri! 
were  the  Butc-Inlct-or-not'dng  party  of  the  dilliculties  here  mentioncil,  tl.;it 
the  inlet  as  a  terminal  harbor,  or  as  of  any  iicriiiauent  importance  to  tiie  rad- 
waj',  was  thrown  out  of  the  calculation  (says  Mackenzie);  and  the  teriiiiiial 


COMTLETION  OF  THE  ROAD.  Mf 

Early  in  November  1885  tlio  Canadian  Pacific  rail- 
way was  completed  from  Montreal  to  Port  Moody, 
the  last  rail  being  laid  at  Eagle  Pass,"  some  twenty 
miles  from  the  second  crossirtjj  of  the  Columbia.** 
The  work  was  finished  more  than  five  years  before 
the  date  required  in  the  Carnarvon  terms,  as  much  as 
four  miles  of  road  having  been  built  on  some  sections 
in  a  day,  and  twenty-two  miles  in  a  week.  The  co.st 
of  the  undertaking  far  exceed  jd  the  early  estimates, 
some  of  which  were  placed  as  low  as  $00,000,000, 
while  the  actual  outlay  was  probably  more  than  doublt; 
that  sum,  most  of  the  amount  expended  being  drawn 
from  Europe.  In  London  and  Paris  the  syndicate 
raised  nearly  all  its  fuutls,  mortgaging  for  this  purpose 
its  enormous  land  grant,  btssides  selling  at  fair  prices 
considerable  portions  of  the  most  fertile  tracts. 

That  the  r'anadian  Pacific  would,  in  the  near  future, 
pay  dividiMids  on  the  original  outlay  was  not  expected. 
The  main  purpose  was  to  establish  overland  commu- 
nication within  British  America,  and  to  open  up  for 
settlement  tlic  vast,  uninhabited,  and  roadless  wilds  t)f 
interior  Canada.  In  the  work  of  exploration  ah^nc^ 
more  than  50,000  miles  were  surveyed,  of  wliich  at 
least  15,000  were  carefully  measured,  at  an  expense; 
of  some  $4,000,000,  by  chain  and  spirit-level,  througli 


(liiGcuIty  was  avoided  by  proiiosing  to  continiio  tho  railway  250  or  300  iiiik's 
farther  than  to  the  head  of  Doau  or  Burrard  Inlet,  aud  to  iiiako  tho  tcriiiiiiiis 
at  Esnuinialt,  on  Vancouver  Island. 

"So  named  by  Engineer  Walker  Moberly,  who  in  1805  was  ordered  (o 
search  out  a  pass  for  a  wagon  route  througli  (Jold  Mountain-^.  Ho  had  wt'U- 
uigh  abandoned  his  task  as  liopcless,  when  out;  day  lie  (ib-i<!rved  an  caglo  llying 
up  one  of  tho  narrow  valleys  near  Lako  Shuswap,  and  following  the  direction 
of  its  ilijiht,  discovered  tho  pass.  J'ortlnii'l  West  Shore,  Dec.  18S5,  liliO. 

"On  this  occasion  a  train,  consisting  of  tho  oilicial  car,  a  Blocpcr,  and  bag- 
gage-car,  arriveil  from  Winnipeg,  making  tho  distance  of  1,0'_''_'  miles  to  tiie 
lir.st  crossing  of  the  Columbia  in  ',V2\  hours,  aud  8to])ping  a  short  distanco  from 
tho  end  of  tho  track.  Tho  honor  of  driving  tiio  last  spike  was  granted  to  D. 
Smith,  Major  Rogers,  a  civil  engineer  in  llio  company's  employ,  holding  the 
tie.  TIio  ccrcmouy  was  not  a  very  di'inonstrativo  one,  not  more  than  ITit) 
persons  being  present.  As  tho  last  blow  was  struck,  cl'ecrs  were  given  for 
tho  success  of  tho  enterprise,  ami  Manager  Van  Ilorno,  being  requested  to 
make  a  few  remarks  on  tho  occasion,  merely  replied,  'All  that  I  havo  got  to 
say  is,  that  tho  work  was  well  done  in  evei'y  way.'  Van  llorim  had  been  con- 
nected with  tho  lino  since  187J,  when  tliere  were  but  I'i  miles  constructed. 
-S'.  I'\  Alia,  Nov.  9,  1885. 


6(N  THE  CANADIAN  J'ACIFIC  RAILWAY. 

mountain,  forest,  and  })rairio.  Tlic  coast  of  Britisli 
Columbia,  with  its  countless  iiords,  flanked  by  moun- 
tains rcachinj^  far  above  the  limit  of  perpetual  snow, 
was  repeatedly  explored  in  the  search  I'or  a  suitable 
terminus.  The  northern  portion  of  the  province  was 
mapped,  at  least  as  far  north  as  Port  Simpson,  by  men 
who,  alter  laborinj^  in  vain  amidst  extreme  peril  and 
hardship,  were  compelled  to  abandon  it  once  more  to 
its  J)!  imeval  solitude. 

In  the  interior  of  ]3ritish  Columbia  are  still  vast 
districts  as  yet  almost  untrodden  by  the  foot  of  civi- 
lized man,  though  forming  little  more  than  a  spcc-k 
when  compared  with  the  deserts  of  the  dominion. 
The  entire  area  of  Canada  is  but  little  smaller  than 
that  of  Europe;  and  excluding  irom  each,  is  almost 
worthless,  the  portion  within  the  Arctic  circle,  it  will 
be  found  that  the  surface  of  the  former  is  equal  to 
that  of  all  the  empires,  kingdoms,  principalities,  and 
republics  between  the  Adriatic  and  the  Black  Sea. 
Covering  the  broadest  and  not  the  least  fertile  portion 
of  the  continent,  with  an  almost  endless  extent  of 
vacant  land,  an  invigorating  climate,  and  unlimited 
resources;  with  valuable  fisheries  in  ^hc  lakes  and 
rivers,  and  around  the  coasts;  with  boundless  forests 
within  reach  of  navigable  water;  with  immense  de- 
posits of  coal  and  iron,  gold  and  silver,  copper  and 
lead,  on  the  seaboards  and  in  the  interior; — with  all 
these  elements  of  wealth,  the  question  was,  how  to  (K- 
velop  a  region  thu;^  lavishly  providetl.  This  railway 
is  the  answer. 

]i)Ut  the  railway  was  projected  also  as  a  portion  of  .i 
great  national  highway,  extending  fron)  Great  Uritaiii 
to  the  Indies,  and  to  many  ]>ortions  of  the  Ihitish 
om])ire.  EsquimJilt,  the  naval  station,  antl  prol>ahly 
destined  to  be  the  arseial  (<f  the  province,  was  from 
Liverpool  at  least  a  three  months' voyage  l)y  steamer, 
while  via  Halifax  and  by  rail  it  could  be  reached  in  a 
fortnight  By  the  construction  of  this  line,  the  Au.s- 
trr.!ir.:;  colonies.  New  Zealand,  and  every  portion  of 


COMPARISONS. 


England's  possessions,  both  in  the  North  and  South 
Pacific,  would  be  more  or  less  benefited;  while  to  Can- 
ada herself,  ranking  already  among  the  great  maritime 
powers  of  the  world,  with  a  shipping  trade  greater 
than  that  of  Germany,  and  at  least  twioe  that  of 
Spain  or  Russia,  a  transcontinental  railway  under  her 
own  control  was  an  advantage  worth  any  n-asonable 
outlay. 

Whether  the  buildinj;  of  tlie  Canadian  ]*acific 
railway  ^'as  a  somewhat  premature  enterprise,  und 
whetiier  the  lino  could  have  been  built  at  smaller  cost 
to  the  domi  lion,  are  questions  which  I  shall  not  dis- 
cuss. With  the  overland  roads  between  San  Fran- 
cisco and  New  Yorl-',  or  betwe-Mi  San  Francisco  and 
New  Orleans,  no  fair  comparis(  n  can  be  made,  not 
only  on  account  of  the  disparity  of  population,  but 
because  tlie  latter  were  mainly  .ommercial  enterprises. 
IVrliaps  the  nearest  counterpiit  may  i)e  found  in  the 
Australian  railroads,  and  t^sj)!  cially  in  the  one  between 
Sydney  and  ^Melbourne,  n;  ny  of  tiiese  lines  being  the 
[U'operty  of  the  governnunt,  and  mo^t  of  tliem  oper- 
atetl  at  a  small  profit,  on  an  average  proli^bly  some 
two  or  tiiree  j)er  cent.  In  the;  Aiistrahan  ('(tionies,  as 
in  tlie  dominion,  a  larger  extent  of  (Hflieuit  but  wortli- 
loss  ami  unoecupitHJ  coiuitry  was  ti'a\ersed,  though 
tlie  ob.staeles  eiieouiitired  in  tlie  luriner  were  by  com- 
])arison  of  little;  moment. 

In  1H7;3,  Canada,  with  a  population  somewhat  under 
four  millions,  a  traije  of  about  .'^•J I H, 000,000,  a  d.-bt 
'if  at  least  Si 00.000,000,  and  a  rate  of  laxalioii  e(|ual 
to  $l.r)8  j)er  capita,  eontaiii'd  '2,('>'-)\)  miles  ofrailroad; 
while  in  Australia,  with  less  than  two  millions  of  peo- 
ple, a  trade  of  .s;u;0,000,000,  a  debt  of  .i?;{L',O00,000, 
•iiid  an  inct>nic  derived  iVom  taxes  and  land  sales  of 
!^."). .'>;")  per  capita,  there  wi're  at  the  same  date  some 
l,.")00  miles  in  oj)eration.  The  volume  of  lra<le  in 
cither  instance  includes  only  exiun'ts  and  imports,  and 
the  difference  in  its  ratio  to  population  may  be  i)artly 

IIiiT.  DniT.  Coi.,    44 


i 


,^i 


THE  CANADIAN  TACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


1- 


explaincd  by  the  paucity  of  manufactures  in  the  Aus- 
tralian colonies,  their  most  valuable  products  boin'i- 
shipped  to  England.  Apart  from  this  consideration, 
it  will  be  seen  that  in  relation  to  the  revenue,  debt, 
and  population  of  the  two  countries,  there  was  no  yreat 
disproportion  in  the  extent  of  their  railroads,  and 
twelve  years  later  the  disproportion  had  certainly  not 
been  altered  in  favor  of  Canada.  It  would  appear, 
however,  that,  in  the  construction  of  the  Canadian 
Pacific,  the  dominion  added  to  her  burdens  all  that. 
she  could  bear,  and  that  the  completion  of  the  ta.sk 
according  to  the  strict  letter  of  the  terms  of  union 
would  have  driven  her  to  the  verge  of  bankruptcy. 

Nevertheless,  it  is  not  improbable  that  if  the  men 
bcrs  of  the  provincial  legislature  had  been  less  pirsi.st 
ent  in  their  demands;  if  they  had  acted  in  the  matte  r 
not  merely  as  colonists,  but  as  representatives  of  an 
integral  portion  of  the  dominion  and  of  the  13riti>h 
empire;  if  tluiy  had  accepted  the  spirit  as  well  as  the 
letter  of  the  Carnarvon  terms,  whereby  the  comple- 
tion of  the  road  was  to  be  deferred  until  the  close  ol 
1890,  not  insisting  on  the  immediate  fulfilment  of  the 
contract  at  whatever  cost — Esquimalt  would  have  becii 
finally  selected  as  the  terminus.  Nou'*  knew  better 
than  did  the  citizens  of  Victoria  that  the  senate  ot 
the  dominion  was  not  bound  to  ratify  an  agreement 
proposed  by  the  ministry,"  and  the  rejection  of  the 
Esquimalt  and  Nanainu)  bill  l)y  the  upper  house  ol 
Canada  was  no  fair  |)retext  for  an  overt  threat  of 
secession.  The  warning  uttered  by  Dufl'erin  was  not 
in  vain.  The  lino  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  has  heeii 
deflected  toward  the  soutli.  Burrard  Inlet  alivadv 
contains  a  small  but  tliriving  commercial  port,  and 
th'  ca|)ital  of  the  proviiiei!  has  thus  far  reaped  hut, 
little  benelit  from  the  transcDntinental  line  of  Jhiti.sh 
America. 


"Tlio  action  tukcu  '>y  the  Rcnato  wuh  iiidor.Md  l.v  iii(>  imjiuriiil  govern- 
nifut.     tiw  tital.  Hi  it.  Cut.,  188'J,  '."). 


NEW  RAILWAYS. 


en 


Meanwhile  new  lines  of  vond  have  been  projected 
n  several  portions  of  the  province.  In  April  1882 
an  act  was  passed  incorporating  tlie  New  Westminster 
and  Port  Moody  llailway  Company,  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $200,000.*"  In  May  1883  the  New  West- 
minster Southern  was  incorporated  by  statute,  with  a 
capital  of  .SGOOjOOO."*'  On  the  same  date  were  also  in- 
•orporated  the  Columbia  and  Kootenai  Railway  and 
I'ransportation  Company  with  a  capital  of  .$."), 000,000, 
and  the  Fraser  River  Kailway  Company  with  a  capi- 
tal of  $500,000.  By  the  terms  of  its  contract,  the 
former  was  required  to  construct,  <<iuip,  antl  work  a 
continuous  lino  <>f  road  from  the  outlet  of  Kootenai 
J^ake,  throui,di  the  Selkirk  Range,  to  a  poiiit  on  the 
Columbia  as  near  as  practicable  to  its  junction  with 
Kootenai  River,  and  to  luiild  and  run  a  line  of 
steamers  from  that  point  to  the  spot  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  former  stream  where  the  Canadian  l\icilic 
strikes  it,  near  Eagle  Pass.*^  The  route  of  the  latter 
was  from  a  point  on  the  forty-ninth  parallel  near 
Semiahmoo  J3ay,"  to  connect  with  the  Canadian 
X'acitic  near  its  western  terminus,*^  and  thence  to  New 
Westminster  district. 

^"Tho  original  stockliolilcrs  wore  Klionezor  Brown,  Janioa  (!!unninglitun, 
ilobt  Dickinson,  John  Hendry,  \\'n\  N.  IJolo,  Loftua  11.  Meliuii's,  ami  .lo!in 
Irvin;',  nil  of  New  Wostniinsfi-r.  Tlio  lino  \\nn  to  bo  coinnioni-cil  w  itliin  ono 
yoar  unil  to  bo  conipU'toil  within  fouryoars  frt)ni  Iho  passing' of  tho  act,  'from 
:i  point  in  the  city  of  Now  Wo.stniinHtir  to  ii  point  iit  or  noar  I'ort  Mooiiy,  or 
'Isowiicro  on  I'liUTaril  Inlot,  or  to  a  jioint  botwoon  Port  Mixuly  iind  I'itt 
Kivcr.'  Still,  lirit.  Col.,  ISSI,  (Jj-(J.  J!y  mt  <if  l'\I>.  IS,  18S),  tiio  tinio  for 
loinincuucmcut  was  oxtcndod  to  .Ian.  I,  1(>S0,  and  for  couiiiiolion  to  .hiu.  I, 
ISSS. 

*'•  Hugh  Nelson,  Tho8  11.  Mclnno.s,  Jo.shua  A.  15.  lloinor,  Kboiu/.or  llrowii, 
.lo8.  Hunter,  Chaa  M.  Carter,  auil  (Jordon  !■'.  Corboidd  wiTo  tho  lirst  nharo- 
In)ldcr8.  Tho  lino  of  ronto  was  a  little  indclinito— 'from  .sonu^  point  ncir  tho 
C.llli  purallol  of  nortli  latitude  between  •Seiiiiahnioo  l>.iy  and  'rovMi.sliiji  l(i,  in 
liiu  district  of  New  Weatndnsler,  to  tiio  oily  of  New  Westuiiuslir,  and  (o 
KKUio  point  on  Burrard  Islet.' 

"Also  a  lino  of  Hteaniers  'from  that  point  on  Kootenai  Uiverwiiere  the 
(iiiutliern  boundary  liiKMif  Briti--h  Cohiniliiii  inl>r,srot3  the  H.ii.l  rivei-,  Iheiieo 
down  tho  said  river  to  Kootenai  l^ke,  and  lliriiu;,'h  and  tliroughout  aaid  laku 
and  its  navigablt^  tributaries.' 

*•  Between  tiio  bay  aiul  tho  eastern  lino  of  to\vnshi[i  'J'J,  New  West- 
iidiister  district. 

''"Between  tho  ternunii  i  ami  the  eiistern  lino  of  townshiii  'J7,  New  West- 
milliter  district,  'i'iie  linu  was  to  bo  eoinnieneed  within  twoyearaand  linished 
within  (ivo  ycara  after  tho  lussing  of  I  lie  act.     Tho  stockholders  wcro  llobl 


HI  THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 

Finally,  in  August  1883,  a  contract  was  niado  with 
a  party  of  capitalists  lor  the  construction  of  the  Es- 
quinialt  and  Nanaimo  railway  and  telegraph  line,  with 
a  subsidy  of  $750,000,  the  amount  to  be  contributed 
by  the  dominion  government,  together  with  a  liberal 
grant  of  land,"  the  capital  stock  being  $3,000,000. 
The  contractors  were  required  to  commence  work  im- 
mediately, and  to  complete  and  equip  the  line  on  or 
before  the  10th  of  June,  1887,  time  being  declared  as 
of  the  essence  of  the  contract;  and  in  default  of  sucli 
completion  within  the  date  sjtecified,  the  contractors 
were  to  forfeit  the  subsidy,  land  grant,  and  tlie  amount 
to  be  deposited  as  security  with  the  receiver-general."^ 
The  road,  with  its  equipments,  was  to  be  exempt  from 
ta.Kation  for  ten  years  after  completion,  and  all  the 


A\'.  Doaiio,  Loftus  I'.  Mcliinos,  Justus  Ilowison,  Jus  A.  Clark,  Ilonry  ];ili(»tt, 
Jas  A.  J.aidlaw,  llciiry  V.  Kdmomls,  Donald  Chisholin,  C'liastt.  Major,  Alex. 
I'lux'U,  .lolm  A.  ^V^•ll.^tor,  Jolm  S.  Mcf)on;dd,  Joliii  Adair,  and  Sam.  Tripi). 
/ /.  18S:>,  10.">-1.  Ou  tlio  1-tii  of  May,  ISSH,  llio  Victoria  Transfor  Cuinpany 
Limited  was  iin-orporated,  uitlj  a  capital  of  .':?.'>(>.(H)0,  its  main  purposo  lirini^  to 
liiiild  and  work  strict-railroads  in  Victoria  and  J-^siniinialt,  and  tlieirnci,:,'hl)iii- 
liood.  Acts  of  incorporation  for  uadi  company  will  U;  found  in  St'if.  11.  ('. 
for  tlicir  several  ycais. 

•''  Ou  tnc  eastern  side  of  the  island;  bounded  Uy  str.-ii^'lit  lines  drawn  from 
1'u'  liead  of  Sa  uiicii  Inlet  to  Muir  Creek,  on  the  Kaca  Strait.i;  <Iriicc  west  to 
Crown  Mouhlaiii,  and  llicncc  noitli  to  Seymour  Narrows,  and  ou  tliu  east  liy 
tliocoaat  Hue  t  i  tlic  pointof  commouecment,  'iiu'hulim,' all  coal,  en:d-oiI,  ores, 
8tones,  clay,  niarlile,  .'late,  mines,  minerals,  and  sulistances  wiiatsoever  tliere- 
ui'ou,  therein.  ;md  then  iindci'.'     I''roin  this  tract  there  was  excepted  lhe|ior- 
tioii  lyii'.i.;  to  tlu!  northward  of  a  line  rumiinL;  east  and  west  lialf-w;iy  lictween 
the  mouth  of  Courtenay  iiiver  ami  Seymour  Narro\»  «.      l''or  four  years,  eniii- 
meuciu,'  from  I'ec.  |;(,  IS.S,'i,  the  entire  ^raiit,  exeepliu;^  of  course  tl\e  miiier.il 
lands,  ^^as  to  lie  open  for  iijirieultural  seKlcnu'ut  Jil  the  rate  of  $!|    per  aei'e, 
the  ;,'overnmcnt  is-uiu;;  prceni|ition  records  I'nr   lliO  acres  to  actual  sctlh'!''. 
Seo   '.\ct  niatiii.,'   t't  the    Ishmd   Itailwav,  the   Cia\iu;,'   Pock,  and  Ihiiluav 
I/Mid.i   of   the   I'roviuee'  (approved   l)c.;.'l!t,  ISS;l),  in  Stol.  Jl.  ('.,    ISSI,  <ii. 
01,  (>7.     lu  the  same  slalule  it\\as  enacted   that  the  douiiuion  noveriinieiiL 
nhoulil  lake  o.  er  and  eomph'tc,  aiul  operate  as  a  dominion  «oik,  the  dty-dnrl; 
at  i']s(pumall,  lieinj;  « ntitled  to  the  lands,  jipi/roaehes,  and  plants  beloni^in.; 
to  it,  nud  the  .'ippropriation  <  f  tlu:  imperial  govcrument,  i)aying  to  the  pio\ 
iuco  the  iiinount  expended  or  lenrduiri,!,'  due  for  work  and  mateiial,  anil  a 
furllier  nun  of  $'2.'iO,0(K).     In  onh'r  linally  to  settle  all  disputes  wilh  the  d" 
million,  it  was  also  enacted  that  ;i,ot)0,(Hi()  acres,  in  tiio  i)ortiou  of  the  I'eaiK 
l!i\er  district  lying  cast  of  the  itocky  Mountains  and  ad joinim;  the  ni.rlh- 
\\  est  territory  of  Canada,  should  lie  transferred  in  one  rectangular  hlock.  t.) 
lie  located  \ty  the  dominion.     l'"or  concspomlence,  reports,  etc.,  reli  tin.;  to 
these  disputes  nud  their  settU'nient,  seo  Sfx^.  I'uiicrx,  II.  C,  ISSf,   l.")7  7-, 
1.S7  S,  'JOl-'i. 

■'''Tho  sum  of  $'2.jO,00()  in  cash,  ou  which  they  wcro  to  bo  imid  four  per 
cent  intcrtst  after  the  fullilment  ami  aeeeptiinco  of  tho  contract. 


PLtVNS  FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


«98 


material  used  in  its  construction  was  to  bo  adniittcil 
free  of  duty.  The  character  of  the  lino  was  to  be  in 
all  respects  equal  to  that  of  the  Canadian  l*acific,''' 
and  the  company  was  required  to  maintain  it  in  run- 
ning order,  and  to  work  it  "continuously  and  in  good 
faith."^*  It  is  among  the  possibilities  of  tlio  future 
that  this  lino  may  be  extended  northward,  and  that 
the  terminus  on  the  mainland  be  eventually  at  Bute 
Inlet,  and  on  the  island  at  Esquimalt,  the  former 
point  being  connected  witli  Vancouver  by  suspension 
bridges,  or  steam-ferries,  when  traffic  shall  be  sutH- 
eiently  developed  to  justify  tlio  outlay.'^ 

"  With  tlic  same  gauge,  tlic  aligniiieuts,  gradients,  niul  curvatiirca  bting 
tlio  best  that  the  physical  features  of  ti)o  country  would  permit,  the  grades 
not  to  exceed  80  feet  to  the  mile.  Tho  width  of  cuttings  was  to  be  -6  feit, 
and  of  embankments  1(5  feet.  All  bridges,  culverts,  etc.,  were  to  be  of  ainplo 
size  and  strength,  equal  to  tiie  best  description  of  Mork  on  tiio  Canadian  I'a- 
ciljc.  Sullicient  rolling  stock,  and  all  buildings  necessary  for  tlie  acconnnoda- 
tion  of  trallie,  were  to  be  furni.shed  by  tlio  contractors. 

'■♦The  full  tcNt  of  the  contract  will  bo  found  in  «SV»vt.  Pajx'iit,  li.  ('.,  1884, 
183-0 

'•'  Among  the  most  valuable  authorities  consulted  in  this  and  the  preceding 
chapter  may  be  mentioned  a  Mi  imiraii(Uuii  uii  t/ic  Tirmn  of  Union  and  ihc  I'a- 
iijic  I'ailwdi/,  hij  Ah Xiiinlrr  Mucbir.ir,  MS.,  wherein  I  havo  been  supplied 
\»ll!'  a  clear,  brief,  and  succinct  accouiit  of  tho  subject-matters.  The  mate- 
rial furnished  by  tho  former  pi'cmiertif  the  dominion  contaiua,  not  a  statement 
of  his  own  views,  but  a  statement  of  the  facts,  so  far  as  ho  knew  them.  It 
vas  fortunate  for  the  doMiiuion  lii.it.  ii*,  tliis  juncture  in  her  liiatorj',  a  man  of 
Mackenzie's  intuitive  i.-iution  .•iihI  I'liri.-ij^ht  had  sway  for  a  limo  over  tho 
interests  of  bis  adopted  ci'untry,  and  fur  several  years,  as  leader  of  the  oiipo- 
."^ition,  held  in  «'he<'U  tlio  more  ambitious  designs  (if  Sir  .lohn  A.  Macdoiiald. 

In  the  P<ij»  rn  in  Connrilinn  irit/i  Ihv  ('onslrnrtioii  <;/'  Ihr  Ciinitiliiiu  l\tcij!c 
I'dilirfti/.  liHir.  I'll  tlic  ])itmiition,  Inqurinl,  and  i'rorini '<(d  (<'on  rinn<  nf.'',  in 
.'\i  xsionid  I'li/iir/i,  It,  ('.,  IsM,  i:W  ;il(>,  are  coiiits  of  all  tho  ollieial  eorrc- 
s[)ondenco  relating  to  the  Caniulian  I'arilie,  between  the  1  Uh  of  August,  ISti'.i, 
ami  tlio  8th  of  May,  1S81>.  On  tho  fonuer  date,  while  yet  tho  tpnstiouof 
conlederatioii  iutd  notassuuied  ditiniti>  sliiipe,  I'larl  (!r;inville,  inades|iatcli  to 
(lovernor  Alusgravi>,  then  recently  apiiointed,  says;  'It  is  evident  that  the 
establishment  of  a  Itritish  lino  of  iMi'miuinicjition  belweiMi  the  Alliintie  and 
I'acilio  oceans  i.s  f,ir  more  feasible  by  tlie  o|ieration3  of  a  siii;;Ie  goMinmeiit 
responsiblo  for  llio  )irogress  of  both  shores  of  (lie  contimnt  tluiii  by  the  b;ii'- 
gain  negotiated  between  separate,  jk  i  haps  in  some  re,s[)cets  liv.il,  gourumenta 
luul  legislatiins.'  On  theMliof  May,  INSO  tlir  pioviiui.il  h  ^i.^I.iiiiii- gianted 
to  th(>  dominion,  as  we  lia\e  himii,  tin-  lands  reipiired  in  llie  tiiius  \>i  tin'  re- 
vised agreement,  the  contiaet  with  the  S3udieate  haviiii;  been  ihi  ii  pidb:d»ly 
eoncludi'd,  though  not  ollieially  aunoiiuced.  In  the  ('•!!  n  fj'  ■n'li  m-i  n  Idllmj 
to  Ihf  Ciinadian  J'oriiii-  /i'.i/7»'fj^  aro  a  few  of  tin;  more  inipnrlaiil  despatches 
relating  tv)  this  e  introversy,  though  all  of  tln'ui  are  eontaiued  in  the  Si  ssii  'd 
rn/Mn  of  ISSI.  In  that  year,  A.  De  (.'osmos  vas  ordered  by  the  provincial 
h';^islatnr(' to  proe>'eil  to  London  in  onhr  to  support  tlie  jielilioii  to  the  im- 
perial government,  llo  opjicars  to  havo  jicrforined  his  duty  faithfully.  In  a 
dc8i)atcli  to  tho  Maiquia  of  Lonio,  dated  Aug.  iVi,  1881,  acknowledging  the 


*'■;! 


694 


THE  CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


receipt  of  the  petition  ami  of  the  report  of  the  privy  council,  the  earl  of  Kim- 
bcrlcy  writes:  'I  have  also  h:>  '  tlie  advantage  of  several  interviews  with  Sir 
J.  A.  Macilonald  and  with  Mr  Do  Cosmos,  and  I  will  now  proceed  to  com- 
niuuicato  to  you  tho  conclusions  whicli  I  h;ivo  formed  on  the  subject. .  .Hav- 
ing regard  to  tho  statements  and  representations  whicli  have  been  made  to  me 
on  tlio  part  of  tho  dominion  goveriuncnt  and  of  tho  province  respectively,  I 
am  of  opinion  that:  Ist,  the  constiucUon  of  a  light  lino  of  railway  from  Na- 
naimo  to  Eaquimalt;  2d,  tho  extension  without  delay  of  the  lino  to  Port 
Moody;  and  Sd,  tho  grant  of  reasonable  compensation  in  money  for  the  failure 
to  complete  tho  work  within  tho  term  of  tea  years,  as  speciliod  in  tho  condi- 
tions of  union — would  oiler  a  fair  basis  for  a  settlement  of  tho  whole  question. ' 
An  account  of  tho  emissary's  negotiations  will  bo  fouml  in  the  Papem  relaliiig 
to  the  Mission  of  the  JIun.  A.  De  Cosmos,  The  O/dmons  of  the  Enqlish  Press 
oil  (he  Uritish  Coluvihiaii  lluilway  Question,  Victoria,  1877,  and  the  Canadian 
Pacific  Jiailway  Jtoutes,  Victoria,  1877,  are  pamphlets  containing  extracts 
from  tho  Pall  Mall  Oazelte,  Saiurdan  lieview,  London  Standard,  and  British 
Colonist,  the  last  touching  only  on  tho  question  of  the  terminus.  In  The  Do- 
minion of  Canada  and  the  Canadian  Pacijic  liailway,  by  \\m  Wilson,  Victoria, 
1874,  is  an  ex  parte  statement  of  tho  case,  as  it  then  stood,  from  tho  provincial 
standpoint,  and  ono  for  which  tho  preface  is  a  rather  unfortunate  selection 
from  Duffcrin's  speech  at  Simcoe,  on  tho  27th  of  August,  1874:  *  The  time  has 
como  for  laying  aside  sectional  diflcrcnces,  and  for  combining  in  ono  grand 
cQ'ort  to  create  a  nationality  that  shall  know  no  distinction  from  the  Atlantic 
to  tho  Pacifio  Ocean.' 

Vancouver  Island  and  British  Columbia,  tJieir  History,  Besourcea,  and  Pros- 
]>ects,  by  Matthew  Macjie,  F.  B.  O.  S.,  London,  1805,  was,  as  its  author 
claims,  tho  first  work,  published  in  Great  Britain,  containing  full  and  classiticd 
information  on  tho  various  topics  relating  to  tho  colonies  of  V.  I.  and  H.  C. 
In  scope  and  arran;;emcnt,  it  must  be  admitted  that  tho  book  is  much  to  be 
preferred  to  tho  one  published  by  D.  G.  Forbes  Macdonald  under  a  similar 
title,  although  tho  latter  reached  a  third  edition  in  I8G3.  Mr  Maclie,  who 
resided  for  live  years  in  Victoria,  devotes  tho  first  six  chapters  of  his  work 
mainly  to  an  account  of  tho  topography,  geology,  geography,  history,  and 
resources  cf  V.  I,,  which  ho  terms  *tho  England  of  tho  Pacific,'  two  of  tlicm 
treating  mainly  of  the  gold  discovery,  and  of  tho  trade,  progress,  and  coudi 
tiou  of  tho  capital.  Then  follow  chapters  relating  to  the  commerce,  the  min- 
ing ami  agrieultuinl  interests,  and  the  faun%  and  ilora  of  tho  mainland;  con- 
cluding witli  n  description  of  society  and  of  the  Indian  tribes,  the  last  chapter 
containing  some  excellent  advice  to  intending  emigrants. 

The  fmlowing  is  an  additional  list  of  referunces  to  authorities  consulted 
in  tho  preceding  chapters:  Hansard's  Pari,  Deb.,  vol.  clxxii.  61-01,  clxvi. 
2023-4,  and  clxvii.  C45,  1404-5;  Confcd.  Mcsb.,  35-40;  Dam.  Miii. 
Priry  Council,  Dec,  18,  1884;  ^.ess.  Papers,  B.  C,  1875-85,  passim;  The 
Oenl.  Survey,  Can.  (B.  AVestn.inter  &  Co,,  N.  Y,,  Dawson  Bros,  Montreal, 
1880);  Papers  Proposed  Union  B.  C.  and  V.  I.  (London,  Eyre  &  Spottis- 
woodc,  1800);  tho  files  of  Iho  London  Times;  E».  Mail;  Pall  Mall  Gazelle; 
Hat.  Bevieie;  Standard;  Victoria,  Brit.  Co!.,  Standard,  Tdegraph;  J)om.  Par. 
Ifrrald;  Mainland  Guardian;  Toronto  Globe;  London  (Ont.)  Advertiser; 
Qood'»  Brit.  Col.,  MS,;  ])e  Cosmos,  Government,  MS,;  Sketches,  B.  C, 
MS,;  Bayley'a  Vancouver  Island,  MS,,  passim;  Acts,  It,  C,  1871,  nos  ."t, 
13.  14,  10,  17,  23;  Stat.  B.  C,  1880,  .10-40;  Id.,  1881,  17;  /(/.,  1882,  .1, 
05-75;  /(/.,  188.3,  25-8,  .39-45,  05-101,  103-11,  11.3-1.''.,  HO-.VJ;  Jour.  Lr<,UI. 
roHHci/,  1804,  2,  4-5,  -  -- 


1800,  1-4,  39-40,  app, 
1-.1,  1 1-12,  2.5-7,  40-1,  app. 


29,  31,  39,  41-4;  /(/„  1804-5,  1-.5,  app,  iv,-vi,;  /-/. 
I),  app,  i.;  /(/.,  1807,  1-0,  01,  04,  71-2,  app.  xvi.;  Id.,  ISOS, 
7,  40-l,app,  i,-iii,.  xvii,-xix.;  Id.,  1809,  2-.'),  44-0,  70-1;  A/., 
1870,2-4,  28-3.-.,  02-3,  app,  i.-ii.;  /d.,  1871,  2-0,  14-17,  2.3,  27,  app.  .V2; 
Jour.  Leiiisl,  Ass,,  1873-4,  v,-viii,,  1-3,  app,  iii.  3  !0,  vi.  1-8,  vii.  1-4,  49-07, 
8V-90;  Id.,  1875,  vii,-xiii,  1-2,  npp,  487-541,  58.V90,  OO.VSO;  Id.,  1S70,  vii. 
xiii.;  Id.,  1877,  vii,-xi,  3;  Id.,  1878,  vii.-xi,  .3,  71-0,  lO.'MJ;  /(/.,  1879,  xiii.- 
xiT,;  /(/.,  1880,  xi,-xvi,;  /(/,,  1881,  3-4,  CO-2,  app.  04;  Id.,   1882,  ix,-xv.  3, 


AUTHORITIES. 


60B 


26,  29,  34,  44,  46-8,  60-3;  Id.,  1883,  2;  Sesa.  Papert,  B.  O.,  1876,  57-72, 
165-328,565-92,  637-46,  673-6,  731-2,  737,  751-7;  Id.,  1877,359-72,  375-84, 
389,  400,  431,  449-74;  Id.,  1873,  379-88,  415-16,  549;  Id.,  1880,  327-59; 
Id.,  1881,  189,  260-1;  Id.,  1883,  453;  Id.,  1884,  157,  183,  325;  Indian  Land 
Question,  Brit.  Col.,  26,  29-36,  38-9,  41-3,  47,  54-7,  64-8,  95-6,  104-6,  154, 
165-6;  8.  F.  Alia,  Bulletin,  Call,  Chronicle,  Herald,  Post,  Times,  passim; 
Sacramento  Union,  Aug.  24,  1855;  Oct.  4,  1856;  Apr.  25,  1857;  June  9,  July 
9,  10,  Aug.  9,  26,  Sept.  2,  6,  1859;  Mar.  3,  Aug.  29,  Sept.  15,  Nov.  23,  1860; 
June  21,  July  13,  20,  1861;  June  1,  1863;  Feb.  15,  1834;  St  Jhlena 
Star,  Aug.  27,  1880;  B.  G.  Directory,  1882-3,  1884-5,  passim;  Chittenden's 
Travels  tn  Brit.  Col.,  31-7;  St  Helena  (Cal.)  Star,  Aug.  27,  1880;  Har- 
per's Mag.,  Aug.  1882;  Portland  (Or.)  West  Shore,  Dec.  1886,  359-62;  Ev. 
Telegram,  Feb.  20,  Mar.  22,  29,  1879. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


POLITICS  AND  GOVERNMENT. 

1870-1886. 

Tax  VioroitiA  and  Esquiualt  Bailwat— Fbotest  of  thb  Mahtland 
FopcLATiON— The  Cabnabvon  Club— Secession  ob  tbb  Cabnabtok 
Tebms — Defeat  of  the  Eluott  Ministbt — A  Litelt  Debate— The 
Leoislature  Votes  fob  Sefabation — Discontent  in  the  Capital— 
CoBNWALi.  Appointed  Chief  Maoistbate — Gotebnhent  of  Bbitish 
Columbia— The  Suffbage- Pbooeedinos  of  •nm  Legislature— The 

JUDICIABT. 

In  the  preceding  chapters  I  have  endeavored  to  lay 
before  the  reader  the  main  incidents  in  relation  to  the 
Canadian  Pacific  Railway,  avoiding,  as  far  as  possible, 
the  political  i-Ksues  to  which  the  project  gave  rise  in 
British  Columbia,  as  a  matter  apart  from  the  disputes 
and  negotiations  Oetween  the  province  and  the  do- 
minion. At  the  first  mention  of  the  scheme,  in  con- 
nection with  the  terms  of  union,  certain  parties  in 
Victoria  raised  the  cry  of  "no  terminus,  no  confed- 
eration;"* and  the  question  of  the  Bute  Inlet  route  as 
against  Burrard  Inlet  was  discussed  and  remarkably 
well  understood  as  early  as  1870.  In  December  of 
that  year  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  governor- 
general,  praying  that  if,  after  the  surveys  had  been 
completed,  it  should  be  found  impracticable  at  once  to 
extend  the  line  to  Vancouver  Island,  then  a  road 
should  be  constructed  between  Victoria,  Esquimalt, 

*Tho  Victoria  Standard  of  Oct.  I.*),  1870,  declared  that  no  candidate  ought 
to  bs  returned  for  that  city  who  would  not  pledge  himself  to  vote  for  con- 
federation onlv  on  condition  that  Victoria  or  Esquimalt  be  made  the  termiuuB. 


RAILROAD  POLITICS. 


m 


and  Nanaimo,  on  the  same  conditions  as  were  granted 
to  the  mainland  sections.''' 

When  it  was  announced  by  the  !Macdo!jald  ministry 
that  Esquimalt  had  been  selected  as  the  terminus,  ar. 
incorporation  was  organized  and  chartered  by  the 
locallegislature,  early  in  1873,  under  the  style  of  the 
Victoria  and  Esquimalt  Railway  Company,  the  length 
of  the  proposed  line  being  three  and  a  half  milcs.^  In 
July  of  that  year  certain  members  of  the  government 
proceeded  to  Esquimalt,  and  after  driving  the  first 
stake  for  the  location  survey  of  the  Canadian  Pacific 
at  the  south-east  corner  of  the  dock-yard  fence,  hoisted 
a  flag  upon  it,  and  quaffed  champagne  in  honor  of  the 
occasion.  Two  days  later  the  location  for  the  termi- 
nus was  selected  by  the  same  parties,  the  ceremony 
consisting  of  marking  one  of  the  posts  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  fence  enclosing  the  admiral's  resi- 
dence at  Thetis  Cove  with  the  inscription,  C  P.  R. 
S.,  July  19,  1873.  Several  hundred  yards  of  trail 
were  cut  through  brush,  though  no  sod  was  turned 
under  official  authority,  Helmcken,  who  was  present 
as  the  representative  of  the  Allen  company  in  the 
Pacific  province,  declining  to  officiate.  On  the  same 
date  a  telegram  was  received  from  Ottawa,  stating 
that  the  commencement  of  the  location  survey  was 
not  in  conflict  with  the  terms  of  union,  the  limit  of 


*Tho  petitioners  desired  to  havoa  clause  to  this  effect  embodied  in  tlio 
terms  of  union.  In  his  reply,  dated  Ottawa,  Dec.  HI,  1870,  Lord  Lisgar  said 
that  tlio  routo  could  only  bo  determined  after  coufeduiation,  and  after  explor- 
ation and  survey,  in  which  B.  C.  would  bo  duly  rtprostMitcd;  that  tho 
interests  of  tho  whole  dominion,  including  those  of  V.  I.,  wouUl  then  be  con- 
sidered; butnot  until  then  couUl  tho  question  of  a  brancii  roiul  Ikj  entertained. 
Urit.  CohniKt,  Jau  11,  1871. 

•Tho  company  was  empowered  by  its  charter  to  condemn  lauds,  and  was 
required  to  commence  building  within  a  year,  and  to  complete  the  road  witliin 
two  years.  In  tlio  Comol.  Slut.,  It.  (J.,  1877,  (ill,  tho  time  for  comnuMice- 
ment  was  extended  to  July  I87(i,  and  for  completion  to  July  1S77.  Thus, 
remarked  tho  Colonist  of  Feb.  'J(S,  187.'1,  'there  wero  two  great  railway  com- 
panies—tho  Canadian  Pacilic,  with  a  capital  of  Sl.S(),0(K),(X)(),  !510,()(K),0(iO  paid 
up,  and  >,'i?  Victoria  and  Ksrpiiinalt  Railway  Company,  with  §17.">  paid  up;' 
tlie  objccv  jf  tho  latter  being  to  capture  the  situ  of  the  termiuus,  and  tha 
principal  parties  interested  being  tho  champions  of  the  'no  terminus,  no  con« 
federation'  idea. 


698  POLITICS  AND  GOVERNMENT. 

time  for  the  commencement  of  the  line  expiring  on 
the  following  day.* 

A  year  later,  after  the  downfall  of  Macdonald, 
njeetinijs  were  held  at  i^ale  and  New  Westminster, 
at  which  the  entire  action  of  the  people  of  Vancouvci 
Island  on  the  railroad  issue  was  repudiated,  and  their 
right  denied  to  speak  in  the  name  of  British  Coluni 
bia.  It  was  also  declared  that  the  bcfjinniniif  or  com- 
jiletion  of  the  island  road  would  in  no  way  affect  the 
Canadian  Pacific.'^  On  the  defeat  of  the  island  rail- 
way bill,  however,  and  the  refusal  to  accept  $750,000 
as  compensation,  the  premier  of  the  dominion  dealt 
with  the  provincial  administration  as  with  one  whose 
interests  were  entirely  identified  with  the  island  line, 
which  placed  that  line  before  the  Canadian  Pacific, 
and  whose  tenure  of  office  depended  on  the  persistence 
with  v.hich  they  urged  the  fulfilment  of  this  portion 
of  the  Carnarvon  terms.  Thenceforth,  as  we  have 
seen,  the  principal  bone  of  contention  between  the 
two  governments  was  the  Esquimalt  and  Nanainio 
railroad. 

Early  in  187G  the  attention  of  the  people  of  Vic- 
toria was  called  to  the  fact  that  E.  Brown,  president 
of  the  provincial  council,  and  Forbes  George  Vernon, 
chief  commissioner  for  lands  and  works  under  the 
Elliott  administration,^  were  in  favor  of  accepting  the 
offer  of  the  dominion  government.^  In  the  summer 
of  that  year  was  organized  at  the  capital  the  Carnar- 


*BrU.  Colonist,  July  20,  1873. 

'At  Lillooet  and  Spellmans,  in  the  Lillooct  district,  meetings  were  also 
held,  at  wliich  similar  resolutions  were  adopted.  Colonist,  July  12,  15,  1874. 

"  Winch  succeeded  to  that  of  George  A.  Walkem  in  Feb.  1S7G.  A  list  of 
the  members  of  the  legislative  council  and  assembly  of  V.  I.  during  the  co- 
lonial period,  and  of  the  members  of  the  executive  council  during  tlio  provin- 
cial period,  will  bo  found  in  the  Brit.  Col,  Direct. 

'  Wherefore  the  ministry  was  roundly  abused  by  a  portion  of  the  Victoria 
press.  'Do  not  trust  a  premier,' said  tlio  Standard,  in  its  issue  of  Tel).  9, 
1870,  'who  says  one  tiling  and  moana  another.*    To  this  tlio  governmLut  or- 

§an  rejoined  that  one  would  have  thought  the  Walkem  administration  hud 
one  enough  to  injure  the  country,  in  linking  its  fortunes  with  the  conscrva- 
tivep,  to  cure  its  contemporary  and  tho  men  whom  it  supported  of  tiieir  pen- 
chant for  party  politics.  B.  C.  had  no  interests  in  common  with  either  of  the 
political  jHurtiea  at  Ottawa.  Jirit.  Colonist,  Feb.  17,  1876. 


CARNARVON  CLUB  DEMANDS.  1^ 

von  club,  by  the  members  of  which  threats  of  seces- 
sion were  openly  avowed  in  tlel'ault  of  the  execution 
of  tlic  Carnarvon  terms,  the  visit  of  Lord  Duflferin 
appearing  rather  to  increase  than  diminish  their 
clamor. 

When,  in  reply  to  an  address  from  the  citizens  ot 
Yale  deprecating  the  threat  of  secession.  Governor 
Albert  Norton  Itichards*  observed  that  his  ministers 
"did  not  sympathize  with  the  view  that  separation 
must  follow  as  a  result  of  the  non-commencement  of 
the  island  railway,"  the  Carnarvon  club  demanded 
an  interview  with  Elliott  on  business  of  g'  at  public 
importance."  Giving  audience  to  a  deputation  from 
the  club,  the  premier  was  asked:  "Did  the  govern- 
ment indorse  the  sentiment  expressed  in  the  governor's 
reply  to  the  Yale  address?"  The  answer  was  in  the 
negative;  the  premier  observing  that  the  address  was 
of  a  mixed  nature,  containing  "a  little  good  and  a 
great  deal  of  an  objectionable  character;"  whereupon 
the  members  urged  him  not  merely  to  repudiate  the 
responsibility  of  what  the  lieutenant-governor  had 
said,  but  to  "make  him  take  back  his  words  or  stop 
his  supplies."  Ellio*.t  remarked  that  the  governor 
received  his  supplies  in  the  form  of  a  stipend  from 
Ottawa.  The  Carntrvon  club  then  asked  whether 
the  provincial  legislature  could  not  reach  the  matter 
in  some  other  way — by  refusing  to  pay  the  salary  of 
the  governor's  private  secretary,  or  to  supply  materials 
needed  at  the  gubernatorial  residence.  For  a  moment 
the  premier  was  staggered ;  but  he  was  equal  to  the 
v)Ccasion,  and  with  the  versLtility  of  a  statesman,  re- 
plied that  he  was  hardly  prepared  for  such  a  question. 
Ho  hoped  that  before  the  next  session  of  the  house 
the  railroad  difficulty  would  be  adjusted,  and  that 
addresses  and  replies  would  be  forgotten.     Ho  could 

•Successor  to  Trutch,  who  lield  office  from  July  1871  to  July  1870,  Eifh- 
iirda  being  appointed  for  the  ensuing  live  years. 

•  Richards  had  said,  moreover,  to  the  people  of  Yale:  'I  have  no  doubt 
liut  what  your  views  arc  those  entertained  by  the  people  of  the  province  at 
large.' 


\m 


: 


700 


I'OLITICS  AND  GOVERNMENT. 


not  say,  however,  at  a  luoiuent's  notice  what  the 
govcrnnjcnt  might  or  might  not  do  it'  no  satisfactory 
settlonient  were  nmdo."'  Tho  deputation  thou  de- 
parted, fully  satisfied  that  tho  interests  of  tho  province 
were  safe  in  Mr  Elliott's  keeping." 

In  January  1877  there  wore  oh.served  at  Victoria 
evidences  of  unusual  activity  among  the  leaders  of  the 
two  parties.  On  the  convening  of  the  local  1»  gislature, 
Elliott  was  vigorously  attacked  by  Walkem,  iieavon,'^ 
and  others,  for  sacrificing  the  island  railway,  and  aid- 
ing Mackenzie  in  his  repudiation  policy."  A  public 
meeting  was  held  at  Victoria  on  the  3d  of  March,  with 
a  view  to  demand  separation  or  the  Edgar-Carnarvon 
compronuse  terms,  the  one  or  the  other,  and  in  any 
event  the  removal  of  Elliott's  non-Carnarvon  minis- 
ters. A  connnitteo  was  appointed  to  wait  on  tho 
premier  and  ascertain  what  course  he  intended  to 
pursue  with  regard  to  the  chief  commissioner  of  lands 
and  works,  who,  it  was  reported,  had  declared  himscll' 
opposed  to  forcing  tho  island  railway  and  the  Bute 
Inlet  terminus  on  the  dominion  government.  Another 
mass-mooting  was  hold  shortly  afterward,  wbon  reso- 
lutions wore  a(lor)Lod  demandinir  the  rosiufna'.ion  of 
Elliott.  In  tho  local  [parliament  Walkem,  in  discussing 
a  motion  respecting  tho  Edgar-Carnarvon  terms,  re- 
marked that  tho  secret  of  the  chanfje  in  Carnarvon's 
views,  as  to  tho  island  railway,  was  to  be  found  in  tho 
influence  brought  to  bear  on  DufTorin  by  members  ol 
the  Elliott  government;  and  Vernon  did  not  donv 
having  advised  the  governor-general  not  to  undertake 
tho  eonstruetion  of  this  line. 

The  change  to  which  ho  referred  is  probably  the 

>»  Toroiilo  Globe,  in  lirit.  Colonist,  Dec.  12,  1S70. 

"  If  wo  can  helicvc  tlio  Olluwa  Tiinc>*,  tlio  Carnarvon  club  woa  regarded  at 
the  ciipital  of  tlio  dominion  as  a  da)i;{croii3  org-anization,  an<l  oiio  witli  pri'- 
American  leanings.  To  this  tlio  .SVir.-if/an/ replied,  in  its  issue  of  Nov.  I,  I^Tii: 
•  The  cIuIj  is  iindt.)id)t'.'dly  dangerous  t<)  e'.ii^adian  repudiators,  but  there  is  ii  i 
fear  of  ))ro-Ainerican  leanings  if  the  railway  I'lntract  Ik;  carried  out.' 

'•'I{ol)ert  Heaven  was  chief  commissioner  of  lands  and  works  from  Hn- 
177'2  to  Jan.  I.S7(>;  was  a|)[ioi!ited  minister  of  linance  and  cgriculture  Feb. 
•J8,  1S7:»,  and  held  tho  latter  otiice  from  .June  187^  to  June  1882. 

'•' AV««t/a,(/,  .March  2,  .">,  Feli.  27,  I.S77. 


THE  ELLIOTT  MINISTRY: 


one  mentioned  in  the  carl's  despatch  to  tlio  governor- 
general,  dated  December  18,  187G,  Nvlicrcin,  after 
weighing  the  considerations  on  either  side,  hu  says: 
"I  wish  you  to  inform  your  advisers  and  the  j^iovin- 
cial  government  that,  while  I  do  not  feel  myself  in  a 
position  to  decline  to  entertain  the  representations 
pressed  upon  ntc  by  the  province,  I  am  ncvortht'less 
at  this  moment  unable  to  pronounce  an  oj^inion  as  to 
the  course  which  should  be  taken,  either  with  regard 
to  the  Esquimau  and  Nanaimo  railway,  or  with 
regard  to  the  delays  which  havo  occurred  or  may  yet 
occur  in  the  construction  of  the  main  line."'*  Tiio 
follonors  of  the  government  said  that  Waliu-m  slioulil 
be  ashamed  to  follow  a  leader  who  had  not  the  cour- 
age to  show  them  where  the  battle  was.  The  min- 
istry must  not  be  allowed  to  sliirk  such  an  important 
question.'' 

Elliott's  ministry  endeavored  to  control  the  move- 
ment by  giving  way  to  it;  but  in  vain.  Jn  !March 
1878  Walkom  introduced  a  resolution  in  tlieass(;Mibly 
'Icclaring  that  if  railway  construction  wei-e  not  coni- 
inencecl  by  May  1879,  the  legislature  would  ilemand 
separation.  The  Elliott  I)arty  oppc^sed,  pleading  that 
it  would  l>c  better  not  to  press  Canada  ibr  another 
year. 

In  Juno  the  Elliott  ministry  resigned,  (jioorge  A. 
WalkcMi,  whose  second  term  of  oflieo  lasted  I'or  i'our 
vcars,  being  aijain  called  to  the  head  of  allairs. 
I'^irther  action  on  the  resolution  was  deferred  until 
September.  Meanwhile  the  ^Mackenzie  administra- 
tion was  attacked  by  the  conservatives  at  Ottawa  on 
the  island  railway  question.     On  the;  '_*3d  of  ^ranli, 

'^(  'onrnjiouilfiicc  rd.  Citn.  Piir.  Jiiiiliraij,  15-I0. 

'"'Mr  M.ira,  a  iiieiiibcr  for  the  iiiaiiilaii<l,  siid,  on  tlio  ltd  of  Ajiril,  ls77, 
iliiit  111!  had  strongly  opposed  the  a<lniiiiistratioii  of  W.ilkcin,  in  In;  had  lieiMi 
■  tnignliii^  liard  for  surveys  down  tlio  Frascr  llivcr.  Il'  llie  l!si|ii'.iiialt  lino 
Mid  JJiitc  Inlet  lino  had  heeii  coninu'incil,  it  would  ha\c>  hiin  tatal  to  liie 
I  Vasur  Kiver  route.  There  were  no  landn  lit  foi-  .sittltuiint  (•n  the  inland,  and 
I  lie  expcndituro  would  be  uselesa.  In  the  iiiteiior  was  a  ri'^^ion  whiili  iniist 
lie  opened  up  to  Lo  in  any  manner  available.  It  was  not  in  the  interest  of 
llie  wliolo  province  Hint  the  Esquimalt  and  Nauainio  railway  should  bo  com- 
menced first.  Sluiiihiril,  April  4,  1877. 


il 


708 


rOUTICS  AND  (lOVKIlNMKNT. 


1870,  JKiUfHiKdi  \va.saskc«liii  tlio  . senate  as  lo  tin;  |»iir- 
cliascof  r),00()  Umsot'.stocl  rails wliicli  liad  Im-ch  laiidi  i| 
'M  J^sqiiimalfc  heloic  i]\v  lino  had  ovi'ii  Ih-cii  siiivrM  ,|. 
'Vhr  answer  was,  thai.  Ilio   Esr|uiMialt  and    Nanainm 
pntjcet  liad  bein  indorsed  l)y  the  coniinons,  and  tlial 
IIk!  froverinnent  was  justified  in  takinij;  advantaLje  i>\' 
a  low  markets   loi-  the  piircliuso  of  rails.     'I'liu  I'aft. 
Iiowever,  that  in    1878,  sonio  three  yeais  al'tc^r  tin 
railway  hill  was  delealed  in  the  senati',  the  r:iils  wer( 
in  process  of  n.'inoval  to  Yale,  was  rej^jarded   Ity  tin 
opposition  in  the  provincial  loj^islatun!  as  an  elect i 


(III 


eeiini^  loo. 


On    this  and   other  points,  issu(!  was   taken  in  (In 
loi'al  parliaint;nt,  and  when  Walkein's  resolution  \\a 
attain  hroujj^ht  helore  the  honse  a  lively  debate  ensued 
Jiasil  Jluniphreys,  jtrovincial  seoretaiy  and  niinisti  i 
of  mines,  sai<l  no  one  eoiild  think  that  th<^  removal  <> 
till!  lails  was  in  j^ood  faith,  tor  the  purpose  uC  cdnst  na- 
tion; and  tlu>y  should  scout  this  lust  deliherate  insull 
of  the  ('anadian  .LifoV(!rnnH'nt.     They  were  nowap]»e;il 
inn  '<»  the  imperial  t^^ovenuncnt  in  a  maimer  not  iv 
snited  to  hitherto,  and  one  which  would  urove  efl'eel  iial. 


I' 


veiv  ar<Mimen 


t  had 


ted. 


iK'cn  exnausie(l,an<i  <>very 


d 


IcL^ti 


mat(!  means  used,  to  obtain  their  just  ii;jfhls,  witlmni 
.-iuccess.  Mr  iJeaveii  said  it  was  evident  that  Canada 
never  intended  to  build  the;  road.     Sinc<!  coid'ederatieii, 

the  expiMiditures  of  the  dominion   had   ex< led   the 

revenue   by  over  a  million  dollars  annually.      Was  it, 
leasonable,  Ik;  asUed,  fer  thi;m   ti»  e\|»eet  that  a  rail 
way  to  cost  more  than  a  hundred  million  d(»llars  c<»ultl 
be  built  without  increasinjj^  the  rate  of  taxation?     Jb 
observed  that  tenders  ueic  invited  jbi"  the  construct  ion 
of  I'J,")  miles  of  i-oad  iVom  \'ale  to  Kandoop,  but  tlii> 
he  re'j^arded  as  a  mere  ti'iek,  disi^iied  for  elect ioneei' 
in;j^  purposes.     j\lr  Abiams  said  a  iL;overnment  that 
couM  stoop  so  low  as  to  crijiple,  in  the  way  they  had 
done,  the  late  Walki-m  administration,  was  an  enemy 
to  the  pio\ince. 

J)r  Asli.  w  lio,  as  provini'ial  .secretary  under  \\'alk(  iii, 


FINANCIAL  ASI'KCTS. 


70.1 


UH.si.slcd  ill  <)l)taiiiiii^llM,'  Kdi^ar-Carnarvon  scitlciiK  ni, 
ppoHcd  <li('  i('S()luii<»:i  oil   (Ik;  •,'i<)Uii(l   iliat   it  would 


f) 


<lc{)rivc<  liiitisli  Coluiiiliia  of  ail  claiiii   i<>  (Im;  htiild- 
iiig  <>r  111*'  road.      ]\v.  rocoiiitiiiMidfd  a  iiiodilicat ion,  if 
iKM'cs.sary,  ol'tlu!  Carnaivoii  Icniis.     'I'o  Hiis  Widkciii 
replied  that  tlio  doctor  well  knew   that  I'Mi^ar's  |»ro 
posals  weiL;  imaut!iori/,(;d,and  lliat  it  ir(piin'dan  onli  i 
in  couiU'il  to  saiietioii  tliein  liulore  tliey  roiild  Ix;  eiiter- 


taidet 


I.      ( 


(nmiiis.su>ncrs  wore  inej( 


■i.y  <•! 


laniK 


lis  of 


eoin- 


niunieatioii;  with  negotiations  tliey  had  nothing  to  do. 
The  resolution  was  adopted  l>y  a  vote  of  .seventeen  to 


nine 


lietweeii  1871  and  1H7H  h<  iik-  Icn  niiilions  of  d(»l- 
lars  were  expended  l»y  the  d*  iuinion  government  lor 
tin;  .surv(!ys  and  construeiion  ol"  IIk;  Canadian  i*a(ili<' 
railway,  of  which  sum  ahont  .*?!,.'!()(),()()()  was  appro- 
priated for  survi-ys  in  Ihitish  ( 'ohimhia;  hut  as  yet 
not  a.sin''le  dollar  had  heeii  e.\i)end(,'d  on  eoiistruclion 


within  th 


1 


rovniee 


It 


was  el.iiined.  nioreovei 


that 
mil 


during  this  pciiod  1  he  cftntrihiif ion  ol"  jhitish  ('ol 
hia  to  the  eonsolidateil  I'lind  of  the  <lomiiiion  excccd.d 
its  jiroportion  to  th(!  liahility  nioiH;  than  a  million,  tho 
average!  taxation  lor  1S7H  heiiig  i?!)  per  capil.-i  lor  the 
province,  as  against  .i?.")..']t  lor  tlio  dominion."  ]l 
W(nild  Heeiii  that  as  '  et  the  lornicr  had  ;i"aincd  nolli 
ing  by  confederation  j^ave  the  phantom  ol"  an  unreal- 
ized tiream.  No  wonder  that  tluro  were  not  a  liw , 
and  these  by  no  means  destitute  ol"  iiilclligtiinc,  who, 
after  eoiisi<l(;ring  the  geiieial  iM-arings  of  the  matter, 
•  •aine  to  the  c*  iiclusion  Ihat  it  would  have  been  bettei-  lo 
remain  an  mdejiciidcnt  colony  tiiidrr  I  In-  home  govern- 
ment f  l;ah  io  have  unilid  w  il  li  (  '.uiada.  Moi'covci*,  ;is 
I  \m\'c  said,  llu;  ])opuIatiou  of  (he  capital  contained  a 
large  iiercentage  of  American-:,  always  imp.it ii  iit,  o 


ontrol,  and  especially  of  dominion  control.      1 1  .should 
not  be   i'.!fnori-d,  lio\\c\(r,  that   before   coufcdi  ration 


th 


m  province  w 


as  burdened  v.  il  h  a  debt  t  hat  liun'i'  lit 


\('. 


All  IK.'i'olllit  of  till!  tlilililc  Will  III'  foil  I II I  ill  tlic  Sill  I. dill-'',  Si'iil.    I,   IS7S. 


y 


UJIl 


i7.  Mi 


/'(•  f ' 


PS 


h  ■■  t 


704 


POLITICS  AXD  OOVi:RNMENT. 


a  inillstonc  around  its  nock,  was  virtually  bankrupt, 
and  that  men  had  lost  laith  in  its  power  of  recupera- 
tion. The  terms  of  union  relieved  the  people  of  their 
most  oppressive  burdens,  enlarged  their  interests,  and 
made  them  rich,  at  least  in  promised  greatness. 

Concerning  the  government  and  political  annals  of 
Britisli  Columbia,  there  is  but  little  more  worthy  of 
record.  It  may  indeed  be  stated,  however,  that  for 
many  years  the  latter  were  so  intimately  connected 
with  the  affairs  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  railway,  that 
the  history  (tf  one  is  almost  the  history  of  the  otlier. 
As  ill  other  provinces,  the  chief  magistrate  was  aji- 
pointed  by  the  governoi'-geneial  «>f  Canada  ajid  held 
oflice  i'«>r  live  years,  this  j)osi(iuii  being  filled,  between 
July  1S81  and  July  J  88(5,  by  ( 'lemeii't  Francis  Corn- 
wall, I'oniierly  a  mcinbir  of  tlic  Canadian  senate.'^ 
]i('gulations  jieitaining  to  ciistoins  and  excise,  trade 
and  navigation,  the  militia,  the  jiostal  service,  and  the 
administration  of  justice,  together  with  such  other 
matters  as  elsewhere  in  Canada  fell  under  domiiiioii 
control,  were  for  the  most  part  framed  by  the  privy 
council,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  parliament, 
while  tlu^  province,  of  course,  i-etained  control  of  its 
local  aH'aiis.  In  that  [)arriament  l>riti>li  Columbia 
was  represented  by  tlii'ce  senators  and  six  members  of 
the  ((nnmons,  her  own  ligislative  assembl}'  consisting 
of  twenty-five  members,  elected  by  the  people  from 
tliirtei'ii  disti'icts*'  for  ;i  term  of  lour  years,  while  of 
ihe"  cMcutive  council  there  were  but  three  iiienibers.*" 

'  Ml'  l'onn\all,  a  ^.'racluatc  <.f  Caniluidne,  nml  ii  uh'IiiIht  of  tin-  iiimi' 
lcm]>lr,  is  11  iiativu  of  l';ii;L;laiul,  ati<l  a  koii  of  Allan  tiariliirr  ('oiiiwall,  fliaii- 
lain  ill  oi'iliiiary  to  tliu  (|iii'(  ii.  Jii  iSli'J  Ik;  raiiif  Id  It.  ('.,  iiii<l  in  iiartncrNlni) 
with  M-i  liiutlirr  I'liL'agi  (I  in  Htoilv-raiNln^'  in  tlu!  iii'i;;li)ii'i  lioml  of  Asliirofl, 
wlii'ii'  in  IsT'S  was  liix  conntry  Kcat.  Umiil'ti  Ii.  ('.,  MS.,  ."i.'S.  Mlcitiil  Hinatur 
iiiiiii<  illati'ly  aftd' llio  ooiifcdi'i'ution,  liu' luJd  that  IK-Hitiun  until  liis  a|piiuiiit- 
nionla.i  ;;()V('rniir. 

''M''oi'  tli<!  Iniirtli  |iai']ianicnt,  flcctol  in  1S82,  tlicro  wrro  four  nn-inlMTs  for 
\  ii'Idi  i.i  (  ity,  Iwufiir  Vii.'loriii  ilisli  iif,  oni;  for  tlm  city  ami  two  for  tluMlistritt 
of  Niw  Wi^tiiiinsti-r,  tlirro  for  ('aiil)oo,  two  each  for  ^'alo,  l'lK(|uiinalt,  Koo- 
tciiui,  L'ow  icliaii,  ami  LillooLt,  ami  oiio  cnili  for  Nanuiino,  Cuniox,  uiid  Cussiur. 
Ihcir  iiaiiH')!  uio  given  in  i!.  <'.  JJinrt..  168*2-3,  Jlt>4. 

'''In  isn't  tlio  inuiiiliurH of  tlio  council  wcro  Wni  Smitlio,  premier  and  cliiof 


The 
durii 
been 
donct 
subjc 
Tl 
anrl 
impr 
tolls, 
publi 
later,' 
the  ]ii 
In 
justice 


LKGISLATIVK  I'llOCEEDINGS. 


705 


The  cumbersonio  rostrictioiis  on  the  suirrai><>  existing 
<luriii<^  tlio  lirst  years  of  llie  eonredeialion  luul  now 
been  abolished,  registration  and  twelvt;  months'  resi- 
dence i)eing  tlio  only  <|naliiications  nei'ded  lor  British 
subjects,-^  and  vote  being  by  ballot.-'^ 

The  proceedings  of  the  legislature  between  1872 
and  188G  related  mainly  to  municipal  affairs,  to  public 
iinnrovementa,"''  to  the  incorporation  of  eomi)anies,  to 
tolls,  taxes,  and  revenue,  to  the  disposition  of  the 
public  lands,  of  all  which  matters  mention  will  be  made 
latei','-*  and  to  the  administration  of  justice,  so  far  as 
the  |iro\  inee  was  not  under  the  control  of  the  dominion. 

In  1H8G  Sir  Matthew  B.  Bcgbie,  appointed  chiel 
justice,  as  will  be  remembered,  in   1858,-*  was  still  at 


cijinniissii)iK;r  of  lumlii  au<l  woiks;  A.  K.  j>.  Daviu,  atty-guii.;  anil  .loliii  Kuli- 
nun,  jdovinciiil  ki'c. 

'-' Accunliii;;  to  tiK' ti'mi-"  nf  tlic  (jiiulilii'iitiiin  anil  l!fL,'istiatiiiii  of  \'<itir.'* 
act,  iSTli,  ic))L'aliii<x  !i  similar  ai't  jias-scil  in  IST"',  tlio  latlir  rciieaiin;^  .'i  liiiii- 
lar  act  (it  Is7l,  ami  tlii.<  araiii  n  ]i(.'aliii,'  iu.'ls  of  \>,'l  and  ls7-.  Im'  li">t  of 
tho  lii'Mt  lino,  Kcu  Slut.  II.  ('..  IsTii,  '_'l-(>.  Aoiordinf;  to  itn  luovisions,  tln' 
fraiii.liisu  was  willilitld  Ironi  jucl'i  >,  Ktiiiciidiary  n>a,L;isti'afi-'H,  ami  I'onstuMc-', 
(■xcc'iit  in  (.ci'tain  cases  provide  I  in  tliii  act ;  iiKo  from  ]Hr.sciMs  nnd'i'j^'oin^  n  ri- 
tcnrc  for  treason,  felony,  orotlic^r  infamous ollciicc.     'I'lii'unly  i|iialiliratioii  fi 


'  of  tho  Icgi.slutui'o  was  tliat  hi:  hhnidd  In'  duly  ciitcK 


ii  imnilii' 

tci*  111  chctors,  nnd  bhould  1 


liavi 


1, 


PC'  n  ii  resident  of  tlie  iirovinee  lor  at  lea 


;i  the  red- 
t  K 


twi'lve  inontliM  hcforo  tho  date  of  his  election. 

'-■' Aecordin'/  to  rules  ijre.icriijed  in  II.,  1>77,  M  7,  the  iioilinL;-|i!aee  i  well! 
to  ])i!  fiiniiahcil  with  ii  nunilicr  of  eMni]);ii'tniiiit  i,  in  whii'li  tlie  elcrloivt  I'l.idd 
mark  tin  ir  vote.s  wliilo  r.ereencd  from  ohsi  rvation.  Jvicli  liallot-papi  r  was  to 
eonlaiii  11  list  of  the  cmdidates  id[iIialK't  ii-.dly  ai  laiiu'' d.  'I  ho  (  leifor  iii  u- 
I'eivini,'  tiie  liallot-iiaiier  must  enter  on'M.f  iho  enmii.iVtmi  ills  ami  mark  il  with 
;v  cross  o|i|i(isiU!  llio  naniu  of  tho  eandid.iti  s  for  w  hoiii  ho  pii  lerred  lo\ole. 
Ho  liillit  then  told  it  so  as  to  ci  aecd  I  ho  nanii'l  of  the  candidal  es.  the  marks 
on  its  face,  ami  tho  |irinted  nnmirals  on  its  liaeli,  lli(>ii;^li  dis[ilayin;,'  tho  olli- 
eiiil  mark  thereon  to  tho  jiresidin;^  otlieer,  and  di'iiositin;,'  his  iiaper,  ica\e  ihi- 
lioliin.;  hitation  williout  making  known  to  any  onu  lor  wlmni  lie  had  toted. 
Women  wcru  enlilled  to  vote  at  municipal  elcetions. 

-■' l(y  .'lit  of  I'i7-,  it  was  declared  lawful  for  the  lieiit-gov.  to  appicpiiite 
any  real  estate,  titre.ims,  watercourses,  etc.,  which  ini^ihl.  in  Ids  opini'in,  ln! 
necessary  for  tho  usu,  constiiielion,  maintenance,  or  iinpiovcineiiL  of  any  jiul 


lii!  wiiik,  and  especially  siielj  as  1 
of  tho  dry-dock  at  J'.sipiiinalt. 
eonimissioner  of  lands  and  work.s 
aide  vaiili',  villi  notici,'  that  the 
and  ;;;>diiys  llieieattcr  was  author 
I'd.  I  i77h  7!».'. 


e  mi'.'ht  li 

re 

In  e.isK   t 

II) 

mi;!ht  te 

ml 

maltcr  w 

m 

ri/cd  to  t 

>k 

ni  lieccMsaiy  tor  the  e  iiisMuetlon 
ow  lier  n  filM'il  to  Hell,  tlie  cliief 
Icr  wiiat  lio  eiMlsiderc  I  ;i  leaHon- 
Id  he  suliiiiitti'd  to  iii'liilralion, 
lion.  (  oitiiiil.  Soil.  It.  (', 


1 


v.  lios  less 


I  he  lawM  iiiaetod   hy  llie  luuislature  up  to  I 


he    lollll 


i|    III  /./. 

i'or  p 


lianshii,  aiel  alti  r  that  date  in  tho  yearly  \  "lumejof  the  A^'^  /.'. 
<eedint,'s  of  the  Ic'rixjativc* assembly,  scu  Jmir.  Lcji  I.  A--'*.  Ii.  C,  t'urcuch  year, 
wiiere  will  alsii  he  hitiiid  tlio  jjovcmor's  upcochcs. 
'■Seo  p.  4'.':',  this  vol. 

IIMT.  Unit'.  Cui,.    ii 


TOG 


I'OLITK  .S  AND  GOVERNMENT. 


the  head  of  the  judicial  y,  buing  assisted  by  four  puisne 
judges.'^  Next  in  rank  wore  the  county  court  judges, 
many  of  whom  had  held  office  since  18G1,"'  and  for 
each  settlement  and  electoral  district  were  one  or 
more  justices  of  the  peace,  of  wlionj  more  than  20() 
were  in  office  in  IS8G.^  Thus  the  law  has  hern 
lirought  to  every  man's  door.  Of  late  years  it  has 
l)eon  matter  for  congratulation  that,  notwithstandin-^- 
variety  of  race  and  diversity  of  interests,  [leace  and 
order  have  been  maintained  without  resorting  to  any 
unusual  expedients.  Absolute  protection  has  bccii 
afforded  to  all,  without  rcigard  to  creed  or  nationality, 
and  even  during  the  construction  of  the  railroad  the 
Aast  iniiux  of  workmen  belonging  to  every  nationalitv 
merely  rendered  necessary  the  appointment  ofai'ew 
additional  constables.^' 

'^11.  r.  1*.  Crease,  J.  Ilaniiltou  Gray,  John  l'\  McCrcij;lit,  and  (Joorgo  A. 
Wnlkcni.     At  this  iliile  tlicro  were  '_'.")  members  of  tlio  IJ.  <J.  har. 

'^'Uood'ii  Jirit.  I'lil.,  MS.,  101,  suy.s  that  ill  l878thoy  were  favf)ral)ly  Uiiowii, 
iKit  (iiily  for  their  cxiiericnce,  hut  fur  the  Hkilftil  and  conscientious  iliscliurge 
lit'  their  duties. 

'^'  l'"or  names,  witii  jurisdiction  and  address  of  thoao  in  (illico  iu  18S.">,  see  11. 

I'.  Dinrt.,  iss4-r>, -j;;!-:. 

'•  For  particulars  as  to  the  ndinitnstration  of  justice  between  IS.'tfi  and  1 SM), 
seueluip.  x.xiii.,  this  vol.  .Vmon;.^  the  enactments  relating  to  the  judiciary  diir- 
in;.;  tho  coufidenilion  period  may  be  mcniioned  the  County  Courts  I'ractitiDiu  im 
act,  ISTU,  where))y  all  jiersons  were  i-ntitled  to  ap]iear  in  tlio  county  eonrt.s, 
lh>)  courtsof  stipendiary  iiiaj,'i!^trates.  and  of  justices  of  the  iieace,  as  the  advo- 
cates of  parties  to  any  proceedings  in  such  court.s,  thoiirtji  n,,f,  (juaUiicd  [irac- 
titioners.  t'oiixol.  ,Slaf.  li.  ('.,  1877,  141.  15y  net  of  I.s77,  the  |iro\ine(^  was 
divided  into  county  court  districts.  In  187- an  net  was  passed  to  pniviiic 
lor  the  holding  of  circuit  courts  in  coimoetion  with  tho  suprcirio  courts.  Km- 
acta  relating  to  legal  professions,  see  hi.,  (;()U7:  Slat.  li.  ''.,  KS7><,  HD-'.'O; 
1S8'_',  f)7;  ls8t,  101-11.  JJyacts  of  1S7!>,  judicial  districts  were  estahiishtil 
for  t lie  jmlgea  of  the  suprenie  court,  and  tim  j)ractico  and  ])roe()dure  of  the 
supremo  court  were  amended.  In  tho  Jjocal  Administration  id  Justice  act, 
Issl,  pruviMion  was  made  whereby  iiroceediiigs  in  the  siiprenie  court  could  liu 
deterinin"d  in  any  of  the  judicial  districts  as  ell'cetuallj' as  in  the  city  of  Vic- 
toria. \>y  tho  I'rovincial  .Superior  Court  act,  KSSJ,  there  was  estaliii.shi-d  a 
court  of  record  and  of  original  and  a|ipeliate  jurisdiction,  btyled  Her  Majesty's 
Court  of  (^tueen's  rieudi  for  l>iiii.<li  Columbia,  l''oract  regulating  tlio  powers 
of  NiilJlTino  court  judges  in  eases  of  appeal,  .see /(/.,  ISS.'i,  lll-l  I.  The  A :fnizo 
( 'uurt  act,  lss.">,  appoint )  the  datej  lU'  hoMiii  ,'  courts  of  as>i/o  and  nisi  prill-, 
and  <if  oyer  and  iiiniiner,  and  geiiiv,'!  j  :ililrlivi  ry,  :it  \'ictori.i,  \aiiaiiiio, 
Ni'W  WeslniinsU  r,  Vale,  Kaiiiloop,  CliiiLni,  l.ytti  n,  and  lli.hlield.  I'oracl 
lela'.iiig  to  the  jinisilictinn  aiiil  procedure  of  c  luii; v  courts,  hco  /i/.,  IsVi, 
l7-(il;  for  acts  11  lilting  to  juriis  and  jurors,  .SCO  CoK.si,/.  S.'at.  /A  C.  (ed.  l.'iTT), 
;tl5-lti;  ,'i!al.  J!.  ('.,  I8t>;i,  17  71;  l!Jo4,  G'J;  18SJ,  71). 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 


SETTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  IsDUCATlON. 

1801-188G. 

VicToniA— The  UnnjiiTurs  CniNAMAN— Ksyi  i\im  i- Nawaimo— Thk  Viu- 

TOItlA  C'oAl,,  MiNINO,  AND  LaSD  CoMl'AN  V  -Ni  \V  \Vi;.STMIN8TEU— 
LaN'OL!.Y— LyTTOS-  SaVoNA's     TEPatY  —  KaML0(j1'    -(.'I.INTOV— lUUKEK- 

VILLE— Yaix —Imhas  Missions  am)  MishionauiisMitlakatiila  - 
FouTs — Indiih  i:i;nck  of  tiik  I'udv.si  tal  GovERN''KNr— ('iviuzvimv 
OF  THE  Native  Tiiibes — Ciiri:riir-i  CinniTxni.E  SoriETiEs  -  I'lui  i  • 
Schools— Joui:NALisM—LiniiAi;n:!». 

"Barely  two  c(!uturio.s  ago,'  exclaiiiiod  JJr  Piek- 
oring,  wlio  in  1841  passed  through  the  straits  of 
.ruan  do  Fiva  on  board  the  "xploring  shi[)  Vinccnncs, 
"our  New  Enghind  shores  preseiitovl  only  scenes  likt; 
that  l)eforo  nic;  and  what  is  to  he  tlie  lapse  of  tlio 
third?"  At  this  date  an  huhan  trail  and  a  i'ew  Iniliaii 
wigwams  alono  marked  the  i)resenee  of  man  amid 
the  idmost  nntt'iKuitcd  solitudes  where  now  stand  tlic 
•  •itit's  of  Victoria  and  New  Westminster.  In  1801 
Ihe  ])opulation  of  Victoria  mustered  aoont  .'5,oOO  white 
iniial)itants,  of  many  nationalities,  Jv.iglisli  and  Amer- 
icans predominatii'g.  At  that  date  the  grades  and 
cli(|Ues  into  which  society  resolves  itself  in  oldei"  set- 
tlemeids  did  not  as  yet  exist,  even  the  lordly  i^oiighis 
heiuLT  esteemed  no  better  than  his  fellow -man.  Mori* 
cosmopolitan,  pcM"haj>s,  than  were  even  the  San  I'' ran 
•iscans   in   the  days  when   bonanza   society  and   the 


l>oard  of  brol 


;ers  were  unknown 


tl 


<o  intiml'irs  o 


f  tl 


n- 


lieterogen(M»ns  conununity,  gatluTed  from  all  (juai'teis 
of  {\\o  earth,  plaei'd  themselves  on  a  cuuunon  h  ,  ■  ;. 
and  had  but  a  conunon  interest — to  better  their      - 

(  Ti,7  ) 


701 


SETTLKMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATIOX. 


(lition,  v}ing  with  each  other  only  in  niakiiiiif  their 
id  especially  their  lei.-^ure  hours,  as  at>reeablo 


1 


a 


ives 

)OSSI 


j)Ossihl»?  uiuler  their  altered  contlition.      Free  i'l 


oin 


eoiiveiitioiial  restiaint,  (iwelliiii*'  in  a  spot  woi'ld-lanioiis 
lor  the  Iteaiily  of  its  scenery,  amid  nia^nilicent  vistas 
of  forests  and  mountains  clad  with  richest  verdure, 
and  in  a  <  liinatc  softer  than  tiiat  of  the  south  of  J'jil;'- 
land,  IIhi'i,'  are  few  anion^- the  present  citizens  of  Vic- 
toria who,  after  enjoying  this  brief  resj)ite  from  the 
hirl   and  strife  ol"  j)ro:nress  an<l  civilization,  d(»  n(»t 


w 


recall  with  a  tinue  of  sadness  those  ''ood  old  tint 


I'S. 


At  this  date  the    Hudson's  Day  fort,  witii  its  1 


lOLT 


l)uildin<;s  and  its  picket   palisade,  wa^.  crunihlini;-  into 
ay.     There  wen*  hut  four  sti-eets/  and  the  mo.^t 


<le( 


(iiildinirs,  a 


proniimnt  buildings  in  the;  capital  were  the  Hudsun's 
J]av  stoiij  and  the  bank  of  .l>rilM>h  North  Ameiica. 
Two  years  later  tin;  city  had  made  considerable  [)r»i- 
gress,  c(tnt;iining,  «^arly  in  I  80;!,  about  G,()(.)()  peojiK'. 
apart  from  the  migratory  pojuilatittn  that  tiirongid 
tlu!  town  diuing  the  winter  season,  and  sonn;  l,jU() 
monu'  which  were  substantial  warelaaiscs 
tnd  stt)res,  several  connnodious  hotels,  a  theatr''.  a 
!ios[»ital,  live  churches,  and  live  banking-houses.  Tiir 
value  of  I'eal  estate;  was  also  inciea>ing  r;i[>iilly,  front 
age  on  good  business  streets  cnmmanding  a  montlilv 
rental  of  thi'ee  to  seven  dollars  a  loot.  In  1807  Vic- 
toi'ia  was  incorporated,  being  divided  into  three  wai'tb, 
and  the  nuniici[)al  council,  which  consisted  of  a  mayei' 
and  seven  councillors,  having  power  to  ni;tk(!  by-laws 
for  regulating,  among  other  matters,  the  trailie  of  the 
city,  and  the  maintenance,  lejiaii',  and  construction  of 
highways,  wharves,  and  bridges;  to  purchase,  hold, 
and  erect  buildings  on  leal  estate  needed  ibr  cor[»or;i(i' 
use;  to  establish  markets;  to  frame  mi'asures  I'er  tlie 
preveidion    of  lire,'  ;md  tin    llglitiiiL'  of  streets;   to 

'  Niiiiiiil  Wliaif,  \'ulf.(,  I'lPit,  luui  .loliiiMiii.   (•'(((/((  .<  JSrit.  <  'ol.,  MS.,  I. 

■  Kor  till,'  uuiiporl  nt  iiu  illiiiiut-  liii'  lU  imrtiin  lit,   i  tax  of  |  (/t  oiio  jicr  ci'iit 


voir  Was  to  Ijo  Irvii'l  oil  till!  \iili     of  all  builili 


uiiil  till)  h;iui  ot  i:'Mi  !i 


your  \iaH  to  l)ij  (laitl  liy  larli  Ini  i     iiiaiii  ■■  <  niajiaiiy,  toijDlin  i'  with  ii  rate  not 
i'xcuti(liii{{  Olio  <'i{j;iitli  i>('i-  niit  n  >   (lie  ;iri..uiit    (f    'lieir  i:i 'luaiicc  ..     In  (Im 


CITY  OF  VICTORIA. 


709 


regulato  the  drainaufo,  .s(!Nvciago,  and  sanitary  condi- 
tion of  tlio  city;  and  to  provido  for  tho  taking'  of  a 
census.^ 

In  188G  tho  capital  contained  at  least  12,000  inliah- 
itants/  and  in  manufactures  and  commerce  ranked,  as 
we  sliall  sec  later,  among  tlie  foremost  cities  of  the 
coast.  In  the  excellence  of  its  hi'diways  and  drives, 
Victoria  is  almost  unsurpassed,  \vell-macadami/,ed 
roads,  built  during  the  colonial  period,  extending  for 
miles  through  dens(!  forests  of  pin*.',  across  strc^tches 
(•f  green  mcadow-huid,  over  undulating  downs,  and 
skirting  the  pebbly  beach  along  tiie  n»argin  of  the  bay. 
Contigut)ua  to  tho  city  on  its  south-eastern  side,  and 
bordering  on  the  straits  of  Juan  de  Fuca,  is  the 
l)ublic  park,  enclosing  a  spacious  tract  of  great  natu- 
ral beauty.  In  its  c«;ntre  .stan<ls  a  mound,  Maiiicd 
lioacon  Hill,  from  which  a  view  is  obtained  of  tln' 
eastern  [>ortion  of  the  straits,  the  islands  clusteietl  in 
the  Georgian  Gulf,  and  the  rugged,  snow-eap|)ed  sum- 
mit of  Mount  Baker.  Here  it  was  that,  during  tin; 
early  days  of  the  company's  regime,  signal-fires  wen- 
lighted  each  night  wlu'n  the  anmud  supply  \(;ssel 
became  due,  and  hence,  as  slie  passi.'d  Jlaee  Hocks, 
news  of  her  an  ival  was  cariied  to  I  Ik;  niiiiialnic;  settlt;- 
ment  jjfathered  around  the  walls  of  (he  old  lo''  fort. 


)iM!4iiici<H  ]>:il't  ot  the  town  ::'>  wixidiii  l>uil(lili;{  wiih  ti>  lie  (recti  il  iiiuro  tliaii  IS 
feet,  oriiiH-  stuiy,  lii.^li,  uiid  i- ;i  j>'iij|l(y  of  XoOO  fureiuji  inoiitii  during  wliieli 
Kiieli  Imililiiii;  wua  erei^t.'d  or  in  eciiii^e  ni  WirCiDU, 

^'J'iii!  textof  tlu)  ordiiKincn  will  lie  I'oiiinl  ii:  the  ''.i/.id/.  Slut.  II.  ('.  (eil. 
1^77).  7''>'t-l»!'.  Ill  If^li-i  l>il'iiie  till'  iHiinii  of  tlie  twi.  •  cilmiies,  ail  act  lial 
already  heiMi  |iassed  for  tile  iiic'i  iwiraliuu  uf  tiie  city  <if  \  uii.iri,  forwldch 
fvo  J!.  ('.  mid  r.  /.  Itirrrt.,  |sii;i,  !»l  I  US,  A  list  i>f  the  mavorsaiid  coiineilloiH 
fl'din  ISIi'J  to  ISS'i  will  lie  foimd  in  /.'.  C  ll,,:rl.,  Kss.'  :i,  H,".  H.  At  the  latter 
date  Noah  Shakespeare,  a  native  ot  M.lllordsliire.  l';ii:;I,inil,  tilled  IJK'  liosition 
of  mayor.  .Vi'riviii;^  lit  \ictori.i  in  lMi;t,  lieiiiv;  then  in  hj-i  'JHh  ye.if,  ho  va-i 
(.'lad  to  liiid  emiiloymcnt  at  one  ot  tlu;  Ninaiino  i  ollieiic*,  ami  aitiT  acMuiinii 
latin;.;  a  little  money,  returned  to  tlii!  cajut.d  anden'^a'^ed  in  hii^iiies's.  |''ioin 
tlii.s  hiiiall  liei.'inniiiu'  he  mad  •  his  way  in  lite,  ImIii','  elected  in  \S~H  to  the  city 
eoiincil,  and  in  iSS'ia  meinlicr  ot  the  timnimon  coinnioiix.  and  |irertiilent  of  the 
Mechanics'  Institute.  In  politics  he  was  termed  a  liheral  coiiMcrvatiie;  iilwav  .s 
had  tlio  KU|iport  of  t'le  woiking  classen.  In  IhS.'i  tlii'  mayoralty  w.a.s  liidd  hy 
IJohert  I'ateison  Ititlnt. 

ei'his  was  tho  estiiuato  of  tlircctorv  compiler  .  The  eensiiH  ot  ISbl  ','ives 
till!  population  at  l'_',(H)l),  exeliihive  of  liidliuiH.  In  the  X.  /■'.  Hiillr/in  of  Ni'ircU 
12,  IHS.'i,  it  is  giv(  n  nt  lO.dlKM  >  J-.'.tKK). 


710 


SETTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


Viewed  from  any  of  the  iieighboriiiL,'  omiiieiicos,  as 
from  tlie  liill  near  j^overnment  house,  from  ^fount 
'rolmie,  iVom  Church  liill,  or  from  tlio  hracl  of  l^in- 
(lora  avenue,  the  city,  which  was  hiicl  out,  not  in  rec- 
tauLjular  l)locks,  but  following  the  configuration  of  tin; 
land,  i)res(;nts  a  beautiful  appearance.  Many  of  the 
private  dwellings  arc  embowered  in  ivy,  clematis, 
honeysu(.'kl(',  or  other  creeping  plants,  and  surrounded 
with  orchards,  lawns,  luxuriant  shrubbery,  and  neatly 
I  rimmed  gardens.  The  business  j)ortion  was  (piite 
early  for  the  most  part  built  of  brick  or  stone,  and, 
tliough  none  of  the  structures  were  pretentious,  not  a 
few  displayed  considerable  taste  and  architectural  skill. 
The  govermnent  buildings,  ctjutaining  the  provincial 
ollices,  were  situated  on  a  neck  of  land  connected  by 
a  substantial  brid-n;  with  .Tames  Bay,  and  in  their 
front  was  a  gray  granite  obelisk,  erected  by  the  people 
to  the  meiiKH'v  of  Sir  James Douiflas.  Thedomiiiiou 
Imildings,  ineliiding  the  custom-house,  post-oflice,  and 
matino  hosj)ital,  and  containing  accommodation  for  the 
federal  ollicers,  were  well  and  substantially  constructed. 

Like  San  Francisco,  V^ictoria  had  its  Chinatown, 
oei'U[»ying  a  considcn-able  portion  of  the  city,  and  en- 
(•roaching  rapidly  on  some  of  the  most  valuable  pro|> 
erties,  while  its  denizens  came  into  active  competition 
with  the  mechanics,  operatives,  and  business  men  of 
the  ('a[)ital.  Apart  from  the  onmipresentlaund'ryman 
and  domestiij  servant,  there  were,  in  188G,  Chinese 
contractors,  mei'chants,  importers,  grocers,  dry -goods 
m(3n,  dealers  in  [jrovisions,  vegeta  des,  tobacco,  cloili- 
iiig,  tea,  fancy  goods;  there  were  Chinese  druggists, 
doctors,  tinsmiths,  tailors,  barbers,  bakers,  and  reslaii 
rateurs;  and  there;  were  Chinese  establishments  ['<<{■ 
tlu;  manufacture  of  shirts,  clothing,  and  cigars,  J)ni- 
ing  the  previous  one  or  two  years,  acts  were  passed  In 
forhid  the  immigration  of  Chinamen,'Hi)  prevciit  tli'iii 

'■'  It  was  (lc('liiri.tl  unlawful  foe  ( 'liiiiiuiu'ii  ti)  enter  tln^  jncviiiee,  tin  we  wlm 
bhoiilil  ufterwiii'd  iiiuke  tlieir  uiiy  iiilo  liritiKJi  ( 'uliiniliia  liciii^  jiiiltle  to  ii  line 
of  $.~iO,  or  bix  iiKinllui  iniiirisoiiiiient.  'I'lie  pi  r»iin  wlm  ^1  iilil  lirin:;  tii'Mi)  to 
or  in  any  w;iy  assist  tlicni  to  reauli  I!.  C  wu!*  to  (orieJt  ^L'Ol)  for  cutli  Cliiutt- 


TMK  CIIINKSK  (^UKSTION. 


711 


from  Jicfjuiriiif^fi  row  II  I;iii<l.s,*';in(l  <<>  control  tho  Chinese 
))opul;itioii  tlirii  in  tlu;  province.  Tlu-  first  of  tiiesc 
jicts  I'ailcd,  however,  to  receive  tiie  ■•i|»[)rovul  ol'  the 
<h)niinion  j^ovci  iinicnt,"  and  Ji  committee,  sent,  from 
Ottawa  to  inquire  into  tlic  matter,  rtported  in  lavor 
of  Chinese  immiL;rati<»jj;''  wlu'renjton  another  hill, 
almost  identical  with  thc!  former,  was  passed  hy  the 
|)ro\incial  K">islatiiri',  hut  >vas  anain  thrown  out  hv 
the  cahinet.^  Thus,  <»n  tlie  Chinese  question,  Jiritisli 
Cohnid»ia  was,  in  relation  to  the  dominion,  sonuiwhat 
as  the  Paciiic  United  States  were  to  the  federal  gov- 
ernment, little  hope  heinL;"  entertained  hy  either  that 


lu.'iii  80  coiivuyt'il  or  assistcil,  or  in  ili-fiiult  lie  iiii]>ri.H()ii(;(l  for  a  pt-rioil  not  i?x- 
ct'ccliniL;  Kix  luontlid.  (ATtilioatos  of  txrniption  nii^lit  Ito  ^'lanlcil  to  tlio.su 
wi.shini,'  to  l(':ivc  llic  iiioviiico  tcniiioiarily.  St,if.  J!.  ('.,  Issi,  ,")-(i. 

"  Jn  tliu  iirofiinlili'  of  tlii.s  .'ut,  tlu'  text  of  wliidi  w  ill  ln^  f  uiml  in  />/.,  l.'SS4, 
7-1 -,  It  i-t  .slat  Oil  tiiat  lliu  iulliix  of  Cliini'-.o  lai'/iIyM'Soccdeil  tliiit  of  any  otlicr 
nationality,  tiirc.itcninL!  .soiiu  to  outniinilxr  tliowliito  jiopulation;  that  tlicy 
woiilil  not  (inljniit  to  tlio  laws  of  tin!  provimo,  cvadLMl  the  jiaynii-'nt  of  taxes, 
anil  \\v\M  generally  ;>\il)Vti-.si\c  of  the  coihrortaml  uelM)iiny  of  the  oonnnunity. 
All  (,'hinainen  WLio  niailo  li.ililu  to  a  tax  of  SlOiiyear,  on  the  p.iynient  of 
which  licen.sc.i  were  to  bo  handeil  to  tiieni  liy  olliciai.s,  called  (Jhine.so  eol- 
leet(jr.^,  appointed  for  caeh  eiictoral  district.  All  <  inployei.s  of  Chinamen 
wcro  reqnircd  to  demand  of  them  their  lieen.ses,  and  retain  Ihcni  dnrinj,'  (heir 
term  of  Hcrvioc,  produeim,'  them  for  inspection  liy  the  eidlector  whenever  I'l'- 
•piirod  to  do  so.     'J'ho  fee  for  miners' cc>rtilicate.s,  when  issned  toChinanan 


vas  increased  to  Sl.'i  a  year.     J'lxhnmati 


d  tl 


if  opium 


except  for 


medicinal  or  KUrj^'ical  ))Ui-po.seM,  were  fi.rliidden,  and  it  was  deciiircd  unlawrni, 
nncler  a  pi  n;dty  not  exceeding,'  $'i{),  to  let  or  occupy  any  room  eontainin.i;  less 
than  .'ISl  cubic  feet  of  Hpuco  for  each  occupant,  or  (inlcss  such  room  contained 
a  window  that  would  open,  not  lean  than  two  feet  H(jimre. 

'  For  rejiort  of  tlio  privy  council  disallow  in;^  the  act,  ami  contuinini;  a  copy 
of  the  opinion  of  the  minister  of  justice,  seo  .SV.s.i.  I'<i)i<  ra,  li.  ('.,  ISSI,  -ril'-;!. 
fn  answer  to  this,  the  assembly,  at  its  next  Hcssion,  forwarded  nn  address  to 
tho  ffov.-u'cn  in  louncil,  extremely  re;^i'etting  that  the  act  had  been  disaU 
lowed,  Ktatin^'  that  the  disillowanco  was  not  caused  by  its  being  iinconslitu- 
tional,  but  on  the  ground  of  inexpcdiiMuy,  nn<l  that  they  saw  no  reasons  to 
cli,int;e  tho  carefully  considereil  re|>resentationa,  which  from  time  to  time 
had  i>eeri  urged  \ipon  tho  dominion  government.  Joiir.  IjCijUL  Am.  IS.  ('., 
IHS.">,  .">•_'.  'i'lii.s  is  h.ndly  a  fair  statement  of  the  ca.se.  In  his  report  the  ndn- 
ister  of  justice  expresses  much  doulit  as  to  tiie  authority  of  tin-  le^'islatuie  to 
pa.ss  such  an  act,  stiites  that  it  should  not  be  ])ut  in  I'orce  without  due  con-'iil- 
(latiiin,  anil  that,  nnder  its  ]U'ovi.siiins,  time  was  not  allowed  tor  smdi  consid- 
eration. 'A  law,' ho  remarks,  'which  )>revents  tiie  pcoph^  ol'  any  country 
from  coming  into  a  pro\iiico  eiinnot  be  cud  to  be  of  a  local  or  jirivatc  natui' 


On  th"  contr.'uy,  it  is  one  invoh  in 


linioii  I, nil  po-sibly  imiieri.il  interests. 


A  copy  of  the  report  will  bo  found  in  (he  ,S'.  /■'.  ( 'nil.  I'd 


"In  .'ici  tion  !t.')  of  the  llritish  Norlli  .Vmcrica  Act,  I 


S(((  ,   It   IS   plo 


I  ss.l 
\ided  tli;.t 


the  legihl.itiiie  of  each  |U'ovinee  may  enact  laws  regardie;  inmiigratlon,  but 
th.'it  tho  pai'lianicut  of  ('anaihi  may  al.o  pa.s.s  siuiilar  laws  >or  all  or  any  of  tho 

Sroviiiccs,  and  that  the  former  shall  take  eliccL  only  ho  fura.'j  tlioy  do  nut  oon- 
ict  with  the  dominion  sl.ittites. 


'i  1 


7li! 


Sini'LKMKNTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  Kl)l(  ATION. 


niiy  riulicul  <'liai)^o  in  ilio  l.iw  would  he  iinuU'  until  ilio 
luuttor  ciiiuo  Itoiiu!  luoru  closely  to  the  duois  of  iiuii- 
eastern  brethren.'" 

Thou*;h  still  containin<^  in  I88G  a  laiijc  pentiiitaLje 
of  Ainerieans,  and  as  u  community  hy  no  means  ]a(;k- 
ini^  in  enterprisi;,  the  citizens  oi'  the  capital  were  not 
disposed  to  imitate  the  examjde  of  the  I'acilic  coast 
metro[K)lis,  wIuto  presided  tiie  ^'enius  of  unrest,  and 
where  men  liad  barely  tinu;  to  livi;  their  allotted  span 
of  life.  They  took  lifo  (piiclly  and  somewhat  (visily, 
the  merchant  walking  leisuielv  to  his  store  at  nine  or 
t(m  o'clock,  closin*^  often  at  four,  after  a  IoU'L,'  interval 
for  lun(!h(!on;  and  to  tlie  stian^cr  within  his  jjjatcs,  who 
inii^ht  take  him  to  task  for  his  uid)usini!ss-like  habits, 
ho  would  reply  that  he;  was  sullicitintly  well-to-do,  and 
would  probably  «'njoy  loULjei'  days  and  c<!rtaiidy  bett(!r 
dii^i;sti<ni  than  his  American  <'ousin.  As  in  other 
«'olonies,  the  people  of  Jiritish  (Jolumbia  were  much 
<;iven  to  holiday-makiiiLj,  pii;nickin<j[',  and  junketin*;. 
Lej^al   holidays   wnc  plentiful,"   and  when   they  oc- 


'"  For  (inlcr  in  ('((1111011  ciilliiijL;  tlio  nt.ti^iitioii  of  tlio  (lominioii  govcrniiK'nt 
to  il>(j  iiiiincnso  iiillux  of  CliinuBo  into  tlio  provintM",  wee  •Vrvx.  I'n/irrn,  It.  ('., 
iSiiW,  '.W'l  {').  Altliiildalullicru  wcro.'ilionl  J'J.OlMX^Iiinanimiin  JS.  C,  of  wlioiit 
nioro  than  oiio  half  wcro  cniitloyiMl  on  tlioC.  I*.  It.  l''or  ri'soiiilion  iM'>;in;{ 
tlio  iirovincial  f^ovi'i'iinioiit  to  lulopt  incaii.s  for  rrHti'ictini,(  fiirtlicr  (Jliiiicso 
iiiiiiii;^lulioii,  for  i'oiii|ii.'lliii;.'  tlioso  iilroady  in  llic  |ir(ivillcu  to  coiiiply  willi 
till!  rcvciiiio  mill  otIiiT  laws,  and  for  inaii,!.;iiraliiig  :i  liWcnil  hcIiciiu!  of  UMslstcil 
uliito  iiiiini;L;riitioii,  hi'o  Jmir,  /a'ijIs.  Amm.  II,  O.,  \SS'A,  17.  in  April  iNSOii 
I'cHolntioii  was  iiassoil  in  tlio  aH:^('nilily,  n'ljiii'stin;^  lliu  iloliiiiiioii  ;;ovoi'iiiiioiit 
loaiitliori/o  tlio  [laHHiii;^  of  llio  Cliino.so  tax  aot,  .'i  oo|iy  of  wliioli  will  lio  fuiinil 
ill  til.,  ISSO,  '2\.  l'"or  [lolilion  to  tlio  lo;,'isla(iiiu  of  llio  Aiiti(;iiiiioMo  Amho- 
ciatioii,  Noo  (S'('>i.  l'(i}<ir^,  /I.  ('.,  ISSO,  •10(1;  for  aoL  to  piov  iilo  for  tlio  liolloi 
oollootion  of  la\o^^  from  (liiiicso,  Sltt.  It.  <'.,  ISIS,  }•_",(  .'!_';  for  jiaiioix  .lad 
rosoliitioiis  of  asMi'inlily  loladii:^  to  Cliinosu  iiiiliii,L;ralion  Itotwocn  ISjti  .iiid 
ISSI,  .SVx.s.  /'(tin-",  It.  <'.,  ISSi',  •2-M  i.  For  viow'-i  of  Mr  .lii.Uioo  15o;,d.i(!  on 
lli(!  ( 'liinoso  (|iiostioii,  HOC  Sac.  Uniml-Uiiinii,  March  VI,  IH8.">;  for  aiitiClii- 
iio.so  n^'it.ition  at.  \  ioioria,  lil..  May  o,  'I'A,  iNS.'i;  ,S'.  /'.  t'lu-oniiic.  May  "J.'!, 
ISS.'t.  In  liSSI  tlioii?  v.asa  railroad  nlriko  and  anti-( 'liinoso  riot  at  \'alo,  an 
aooount  of  w  iiicii  i;i^;ivoii  in  tlus.V.  /''.  .\lli',  May  !<•,  ISSI;  Sue.  L'riitrit-f/iiinii, 
May  1(1,  ISSi.  .\s  lalo  at  ha  ;t  jis  IS7.S  tiu!  Ciiiiioso  invasion  wa  i  iidI  ooiisid 
oro;|  to  lio  ii  Horioiin  evil.  (IihuI'h  Itrit.  Cnl.,  .MS.,  |()|.  |'"or  adilitioiial  itotii-; 
and  t'oininont.s  on  tlio  (liiiio.so  (jnostioii,  sou  Jlril.  ('oIudikI,  Ayv.  \'-\,  IS7S; 
Torniilo  l.inilii;  in  \'ir.  Slitiiitari/,  Apr.  17,  1S7S;  S/aiidurd,  A)ir.  17,  IS7S, 
A])r.  .'to,  .May  l.">,  IS7!);  A'<»»  IW.iliuiiistn'  (lirinlinii,  M.'iy  It),  |S7l>;  Ihtntln- 
inn  l',u:  Ihrald,  Maioli  '11,  1,S7!»;  .S'.  /■'.  Ilnl/rliii,  A\v^.  .".I,  lSt).">,  Aug.  fl, 
Oct.  II,  Nov.  I,  1878,  Maivli  II,  I,s7!»;  Cnlf,  M.iy  11,  IS7l!,  Juno  i:i,  Is7'.i; 
/'o.s7,  May;t,  lS7(i;  Alia,  .liiiio  i:i.  .Inly  l,  l.S'.IO;  Vhr.nudi',  .Sept.  i;i,  I.S7S. 

"Tho    principal   oiio   \\a,   tlio  'J  I  III  (;f    .May,   tlio  ipuon'ii  hirthday,    aiul 


AN  KAHY  LIIK. 


71 J 


currc'd  at  too  Iomlt  intti'vuls,  lit  Mr  ixcusr  was  incdcd  for 
procliiiiiiiiij^  otiicis.  Kc'iciitinii  was  r<»iisi(l<n!(l  a.s  a 
portion  oI'IIk!  |>ni<^iainiii<!  oI' life;  aii<l  llnoii'^lioiil  ili(> 
warm  si-asun  and  the  lonLf  Iwilii^lii  of  tlic  Indian 
suninur,  ilicn;  wcir  Irw  rvcniniLjH  on  wliidi  llif  l»ay 
was  not  dotted  with  phiasiire  craft,"  and  tin-  id.ids 
t lironj^-cfl  with  vchirirs,  anion*;  tho  (avoriti-  drives 
hi'in'^  t.hos(!  to  IOs(Miinialt,  to  |{icliniond,  and  to  iM.-iroii 
J I  ill." 


In    IK(;i,and   lor  several  years  tlierealter,  the  in- 


eoniiiiLj  voya;^(M*  was  j(»lted  over  some 


Ihi 


ce 


and 


a  mil 


miles  of  exeerahle  road  on  his  way  IVoni  lvs(|uinialt  to 
Victoria.  Tiie  intervening  space;  was  ap|)ropriated 
hv  Ihoiisands  of  ln<iians  IVom  the  nei<;lihorliood  of 
Nootka  Sound,  the  western  <'oast,  of  Vancouver,  and 
the  horders  of  Alaska,  and  hy  human  waifs  1*10111  the 
.l*acili<r  I'oast  settlements  men  attracted  in  e\er- 
increasiii}^  nunihers  sinc(j  the  «(oId  excitement  of  IHaH. 
There  may  havi;  hoen  some  who  cam<!  with  hoiMJst  in- 
tent,  hut  the  majority  wert;  gathered  lor  no  i^ood 
purpose,  insomu«:li  tliat  tlu;  place  was  turned  into  a 
|iand('monium,  hecamc!  tin;  receptach;  lor  stolen  ji;ood>, 
the  site  of  trattlc  in  illicit  whiskev,  and  illiiat  amours. 
()r<;i(;s  ol'  tile  most  rovoltinj'  characttir  ceased  not  hv 
day  or  nii^lit;  there  wr-re  hundreds  of  .sava;,^,',  dniiikeii, 
and  Iren/it^d  heini^s  in  human  <juis(;  eiicoiinteird  at 
almost  every  tuin  ol'  tlio  path,  beini^rs  aiiioni;  uiiom 


amiiii!^  iitlici-H  may  lie  iiK'iitinnuil  tlio  illi  of  July,  (Ih^  |iiiiic'c  r,!'  W'alri'  l.iitli- 
(lay,  (.'(iroiialioii  ilay,  iiiiil  (Inininioii  ilay, 

"'I'lic  fdvorilo  i(!S()ifc  for  lioaliii;{  itaitics  was  tln^  Ooijii',  Ji  iiarro«  ami  of 
tlic  liarhor,  and  (i|iciiiii;.^  iiilo  it,  liy  a  ])aMsa;;i)  ho  iiairow  tlial  one:  niit^'lil  alnio>l 
leap  across  it.  .S'.  /'.  Itnllrlin,  Manli   i'J,  iMS.'i. 

'^n  ISSl  Vii;loiiii  waH  li-<lit<!(l  l.y  cilcctricly.  .S'.  /■'.  /!iil/,ii,i,  .Nov.  -Jl.  |.ss|. 
I'V)r  tlio  Corporation  of  N'iilori.i,  Water-works  iii;t,  \^l'.i,  ;ihn  iichd  liy  ii  l  of 
\H'ii,  BPO  Consul.  Slat.  11.  (!.  (nl.  IS77),  77.'t-S7;  for  Wahrworki  l>.  Im  ntiir'^ 
<iiiarautuo  act,  lS7t,  A/.,  "ST-'.M).  'i'lii;  water  was  convi  yi.|  fiom  i'ilU  l..ikr, 
a  (Ii:{tanc(!  of  seven  niilis,  tins  cost  of  tlio  works  liciiii,'  .':<20il.0<Ki.  lii-ii.  Cul. 
Diirrt.,  1S8.'{,  II.  For  iiK'ntion  of  (:aitlii|naki -i  Jit  Victoria,  kii' .s'.  /•'  Itnlhiiu, 
Nov.  1«,  1804;  Dec.  17,  iH7-';  (Jail,  Oct.  (I,  iHliJ;  Ahmd  /'<,^f,  .Ian.  s,  |s7<»: 
S(ir,  Urr.ord- Union,  March  II,  ISSl.  l'"or  coii<lilioii.  proi,'ics,-i,  etc.,  atv.irioiis 
dates,  SCO  S.  F.  liullrlin,  Juno  LMi,  July  (i,  S,  "Jd,  •_'(;,  ll.c  '.I,  l>S.".S;  |M).  I..,  !(!, 
Apr.  I,'»,  18,  1850;  May  10,  Nov.  10,  IWiJ;  1.1).  I,  IS7():  .Mhi,  .1  uno 'J.'.,  An>,'. 
'jr.,  1878;  May'JT,  KS.V.I;  M.iy'21,  Isdd;  .May  1:1.  iMiJ,  .Mar.  Ii  •.'.(.  ISO-';  Call, 
Jan.  'J'J,  1SC5;  TimcH,  Nov.  i',  I8(i7;  I'l.rllfi'nd  HV«/  .SAo/v ,  July  1877. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


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m\l^  1112,5 
S  IIIM 


2.2 


lAO 


2.0 


1.8 


1.25      1.4       16 

■• 6"     

► 

V] 


<^ 


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o 


'c*l 


o 


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7 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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t 


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o^ 


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23  WFST  MAIN  STREET 
WEBSTEi<,N  Y.  14S80 

(716)  C7:M5C"H 


A 


.A'  €P. 


s 


U.x 


A 


714 


SETTLEMEXTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


tlio  strong  arm  of  the  law  could  scarcely  preserve 
the  semblance  of  order." 

In  188G  Esquimalt,  wliere  two  or  three  u)on-of-war 
were  still  usually  stationed,  liirnishcd  to  the  leaders  of 
the  city's  fashion  recruits  for  their  balls,  parties,  kettle- 
drums, and  lawn-tennis,  while  among  the  blue  and 
scarlet  attire  of  the  marines  and  naval  officers  figured 
the  gorgeous  uniforms  of  tlie  local  artillery  and  mili- 
tia. Second  only  to  the  capital  in  the  beauty  of  its 
sight,  and  far  surpassing  it  in  harbor  facilities,  the 
town  once  selected  as  the  terminus  of  the  Canadian 
Pacific  railway',  and,  as  many  think,  the  future  termi- 
nus, contained  at  the  latter  date  probabl}''  less  than 
a  thousand  white  inhabitants,^' 

Nanaimo  and  its  neighborhood  contained  a  popula- 
tion of  about  4,500,  the  number  being  constantly 
increased  by  tiie  arrival  of  miners,  mechanics,  and 
laborers.  The  line  of  the  island  railway  passes 
through  its  centre,  and  from  the  point  selected  ibr  the 
company's  depot  has  been  locatetl  toward  Departure 
Bay.  in  the  midst  of  a  rich  mineral  and  agricultural 
region,  with  extensive  collieries  in  full  operation,  the 
bituminous  coal  of  this  district  sellinfT;:  at  higher  rates 
than  xYustralian  coal,  or  than  any  as  yd  produced  on 
the  Pacific  coast,'"  with  an  excellent  harbor,  and  with 
steamers  and  sailing  craft  from  San  Francisco,  Port- 
land,  Sitka,   and  other  foreign  and   domestic  ports 


'*  On  one  occasion  it  required  the  presence  of  two  or  three  vessels  of  \var 
anil  a  ilcnionstratiou  in  force  to  restrain  them.  Good'n  B)  it.  Col.,  MS.,  o. 

'^According  to  the  census  returns  for  1881,  the  white  population  of  tli(> 
Esquimalt  tlistrict  was  014,  and  the  Chinese  population  4,1)50.  In  1880  the 
graviug-ilock,  which,  wlicu  finished,  will  be  one  of  the  largest  on  the  I'acilio 
coast,  had  not  yet  been  completed.  For  papers  relating  to  its  coustructioii, 
see  (S't'N.f.  Pajfru,  B.  C,  1880,  327-'M;  and  lor  reports  of  the  committee 
thereon,  Join:  Lti/iil.  A.'<s.  B.  ('.,  1882,  12,  "27,  G').  For  act  to  incorporate 
the  Esquimalt  AN'atcr- works  Company,  sj^i  S/ut.  B.  ('.,  188.'),  157-00. 

'"At  the  close  of  1885  t!ie  piico  of  Nanaimo  coal  was  !$7  to  ^S.'2')  per  ton, 
according  to  quality,  against  S5. 87  a  ton  for  Australian  cual,  §5.10  fur  (.'oos 
Bay,  and  §0  for  Keattlo  coal.  S.  J'.  Bulktin,  Dec.  22,  I8S5.  'J -lie  several  de- 
.scriptiona  of  Nanaimo  coal  were  known  us  Douglas,  Wellington,  New  Douglas 
(or  Chaso  liiver),  Newcastle,  South  Fields,  Alexandra,  nnil  llarcwood.  B.  C. 
Direct.,  1885,  IIG.  The  output  of  Nanaimo  and  Wellington  coal  was  from 
Jan.  I  to  Nov.  30,  1883,  aljout  192,000  tons,  the  total  deliveries  for  that 
period  being  some  887,190  tons. 


NANAIMO  AND  NEW  WESTMINSTER. 


715 


constantly  at  hor  wharves,  Nanaimo,  incorporated  as 
a  city  in  1874,  contained  one  of  the  most  i^rosporous 
and  contented  communities  in  British  Columbia.^' 
Wellington,  a  short  distance  toward  the  north,  and 
(or  \\hich  the  shipping  point  WtS  Departure  Bay,  a 
picturesque  inlet  of  the  Georgian  Gulf,  contained  in 
I88G  about  1,200  people,  and  Comox,  a  thriving  vil- 
lage in  the  most  northerly  agricultural  district  of 
Vancouver,  some  300  inhabitants. 

Of  coal  discoveries,  collieries,  and  coal-mining  suf- 
ficient mention  has  already  been  made  in  this  volume. 
It  remains  only  to  be  said  that  in  1885  the  Victoria 
Coal  Mining  and  Land  Company,  in  addition  to  their 
Nanaimo  estate,  which  included  the  site  of  the  city 
and  many  square  miles  of  adjacent  land,  were  the 
proprietors  of  the  Wellington  mine,  the  island  of  New- 
castle,^^ and  the  Protection  Islands,  and  the  Frew  and 
liarewood  estates,  the  latter  consisting  of  some  9,000 
acres.  The  company  gave  employment  to  about  GOO 
men,  at  fair  rates  of  wages,^^  and  at  a  depth  of  (500 
foot  the  well-known  Douglas  seam  was  found  to  be 
eight  feet  in  thickness. 

Passing  to  the  mainland.  New  Westminster,^^  with 
its  neat  and  tasteful  residences,  built  on  wide  and  well- 
defined  streets,  rising  in  regular  gradients  from  the 
bank  of  the  Fraser,  with  its  salmon-fisheries,  its 
farming  and  manufacturing  interests,  and  its  general 
air  of  respectability  and  thrift,  contained  in  188G  a 
population  of  more  than  4,000.  Near  its  centre  stood 
the  dominion  government  building,  a  handsome  brick 
structure  with  facings  of  freestone.  On  the  outskirts 
of  the  city  were  tlio  provincial  asylum  for  the  ii)«ano, 


''  For  act  iiicorporating  llio  Nanaimo  Water-works  Company,  sec  S/nt. 
B.  (\,  ISSo,  lGr.-77. 

''*  Whore  ia  n  valuablo  stonc-rjuarry. 

'"Miners  earned  from  ^J.-jO  to  §.">  a  day;  Indians  and  Chinamen,  of  w!iom 
about  100  Were  cmploycil  aa  hiborcra,  received  §1  to  $1.'2j.  JJ.  C.  .Direct., 
1884-.-),  119. 

'■'^  Of  which  a  description  ia  given  in  tho  Portland  West  Shore,  Feb.  1880. 
For  reports  of  superintendent  and  commiasioncrs,  sec  Sess.  Papers,  11.  C, 
1884,  281,  33J-45;  1883,  .'{21-31. 


716 


SETTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


and  one  of  the  provincial  penitentiaries,"^  the  former 
a  brick  edifice,  commanding  a  panoramic  view,  and 
partially  surrounded  with  evergreen  trees. 

Langlcy,  distant  about  seventeen  miles  from  the 
former  capital,  was  a  favorite  rendezvous  for  sports- 
men; and  Lytton,  some  sixty  miles  beyond,  a  town 
which,  like  Lillooet,  contained  during  the  gold  ex- 
citement a  floating  population  numbered  by  the  thou- 
sand, was  again  developing,  after  a  long  period  of 
decadence,  into  a  thriving  town."  In  the  Chilli- 
whack  municipality,  east  of  Langley,  were  several 
thriving  settlements,  the  one  tliat  bears  that  name 
beingf  built  on  one  of  the  most  beautiful  sites  on  the 
mainland. ^^  Savona's  Ferry  was  at  this  date  a  grow- 
ing and  prosperous  settlement,  and  Kamloopbade  fair 
to  become  one  of  the  leadino;  towns  of  the  mainland 
interior.  Clinton,  situated  2,700  feet  above  the  sea- 
level,  at  the  junction  of  the  Cariboo  and  Lillooet 
roads,  and  noted  for  the  beauty  of  its  scenery,  was  in 
a  prosperous  condition;  and  Barkerville,  at  the  termi- 
nus of  the  Cariboo  wagon-road,  with  a  population  of 
nearly  300  persons,  enjoyed  a  good  share  of  tlie  gen- 
eral business  of  British  Columbia.^^ 

Soda  Creek,  some  forty  miles  above  the  mouth  of 
the  Chilkotin,  was  the  point  from  which  the  upper 
Fraser  was  deemed  navigable,  the  river  between  that 
village  and  Yale  being  obstructed  by  rapids.  In  its 
neighborhood  were  several  flourishing  farms,  and  here 
the  wagon-road  to  Cariboo,  which  diverged  at  Lytton 
fi'om  the  line  of  the  stream,  again  struck  the  Fraser. 
Quesnol,  about  sixty  miles  beyond,  and  on  the  left 

"'  Reports  of  the  superintendeut  of  police  on  provincial  prisons  will  bu 
found  in  Id.,  IS84,  441-C3;  1883,  471-90;  1882,  457-500.  Tliere  wcro  also 
jails  at  Victoria,  Nanaimo,  and  Clinton. 

'■'-'At  one  time  it  contained  only  a  dozen  dilapidated  buildinf;s.  Good'x 
lint.  Col.,  MS.,  07.  In  1885  Lillooet  contained  only  one  broad  sti'cot.  New 
gold  discoveries  were  constantly  being  made  in  its  neighborhood,  and  the  sci- 
called  ISridgo  lliver  mines  paid  fair  wages  during  the  seasons  of  low  water  tm 
the  Fraser.  B.  C.  Direct.,  1885,  'Jl.1. 

'■'' Among  others  wcro  Centreville,  the  steamboat  landing  for  Chilliwliack, 
Sumas,  I'opcuin,  and  Cheam. 

^'In  18G0  Barkerville  was  almost  destroyed  by  fire.  8.  F.  Call,  Sept.  23, 
1808. 


TOWN  OF  YALE. 


717 


bank  of  the  river,  was  the  point  of  dehvery  by  the 
steamer  plying  thence  to  Soda  Creek,  and  shared  with 
Barkerville  the  trade  of  the  Cariboo  country.  At 
Alexandria,  i'orty  miles  below  Quesnel,  was  still  one 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  posts,  in  the  vicinity 
of  which  were  also  profitable  farms,  though  the  soil 
in  parts  required  irrigation. 

Next  to  New  Westminster,  Yale  ranked  first  among 
the  settlements  of  the  mainland,  containing  a  resi- 
dent white  population  of  five  or  six  hundred  souls, 
though  during  the  construction  of  the  railroad  the 
number  was  considerably  increased.  Built  entirely  of 
wood,  in  1881  the  town  was  partially  destroyed  by 
fire.-'  A  border  place  between  the  mainland  coast 
and  the  mainland  interior,  and  approached  at  various 
epochs  by  canoe,  bateau,  and  steamboat,  it  contained, 
among  other  buildings,  several  excellent  country-side 
hotels  and  stores,  two  churches,  episcopal  and  catholic, 
and  the  provincial  government  school."^" 

Among  the  residents  of  Yale  in  1878  may  be  men- 
tioned John  B.  Good,-^  who  in  1861  arrived  in  the 
province  as  an  evangelist  under  the  auspices  of  the 
London  Church  Missionary  Society  for  the  propaga- 
tion of  the  gospel.  Landing  at  Esquimalt  in  1801, 
at  a  time  when  the  usually  gentle  savages  had  been 
roused  to  i'renzy  by  the  greed  and  aggression  of  miii- 
Wix  adventurers,  and  the  wholesale  introduction   of 

^■'  The  loss  was  estimated  at  6200,000.  During  tlio  previous  year  a  lire  lia:  1 
occuned,  causing  damage  to  the  amount  of  87i),UOO.  .S'.  /'.  UuUcthi,  Aug.  )!•, 
'JO,  18S1;  Sacramento  Union,  Aug.  UO,  23,  1881;  IStocldon  Independent,  Aug. 
'JO,  KSSl,  July  80,  1880. 

''^ For  further  mention  of  towns  and  settlements  in  1882,  bco  Chitlfndin'n 
Tract  Is  in  Jlril.  Col.,  13-15,  passim. 

^' A  native  of  Wrawby,  Linconsliiro,  Knglnnd.  He  vas  in  eaily  y<iuth 
a  |iui)il  (if  Jolni  West,  the  first  Hudson's  liny  Company's  chaplain  of  I'liiKo 
Rupurt  Land,  and  completed  his  education  at  St  Augustine  colic;;!',  (,'anU  r- 
buiy.  Hi:4  iir.st  calling  as  a  missionary  av:is  to  Nova  Scotia,  'i'o  Mr  «J(k,'i1  I 
am  indchtcd  for  a  valuable  manuscript,  one  often  quoted  in  these  pai^cs  » i 
Uood^s  lirilixh  Coltimhia,  and  in  which  there  are  niiiny  interesting  n.'fords  a  ; 
to  society,  politics,  industries,  and  settlement.  The  most  valuable  jiortiou 
ol  Ilia  narrative,  however,  is  in  connection  with  his  experience  as  a  missionary 
among  tiie  native  tribes. 


ll 


!4h 


I  \\m 


718 


SETTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


fire-arms  and  fire-water,^^  Mr  Good  labored  faithfully, 
and  not  in  vain,  for  the  improvement  of  their  moral  and 
ph}' sical  condition.  Among  others  who  have  devoted 
themsclvos  to  the  same  cause  may  be  mentioned  Wil- 
liam Duncan,  who,  arriving  at  Fort  Simpson  as  a 
missionary  sent  forth  by  the  same  society  in  1858, 
afterward  established  a  mission  of  his  own  on  the 
oastern  shore  of  Metlakathla  Bay.  By  1886  this 
establishment  had  developed  into  a  town  containing 
some  1,500  so-called  civilized  natives,  with  noat  two- 
story  houses  and  regular  streets.  The  settlement  was 
almost  self-supporting,  no  outside  aid  being  received 
except  the  voluntary  offerings  of  visitors.  The  prin- 
cipal industry  was  the  weaving  of  shawls.  There  was 
also  a  salmon  cannery  with  a  capacity  of  10,000  cases 
a  year;  a  sash  and  door  factory;  and  a  saw-mill  and 
a  brick-yard.  The  church,  built  entirely  by  the 
natives,  and  the  materials  for  which,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  windows,  were  of  home  production,  had  a 
seating  capacity  of  nearly  1,000,  and  was  one  of  the 
larorest  in  British  Columbia.'^'' 

Among  the  Kootenai  tribe  a  catholic  mission  was 
for  many  years  in  operation  under  Father  Fouquett, 
of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  and  in  the  Okanagan  Valley, 
Kamloop  district,  near  Williams  and  Fraser  lakes, 
in  the  Chilkotin  country,  at  Lillooet,  and  on  the  lower 
Fraser  were  missions  belonging  to  the  same  order, 


''^  About  tliia  date  Good  states  that  men-of-war  were  constantly  needed  to 
(heck  the  depredations  of  roving  bands  of  Indians,  hundreds  of  armed  and 
drunken  savages  infesting  the  waters  in  the  neighborhood  of  Nanaimo.  In  a 
passage  above  Cowitclian  gap,  just  Ijcfore  entering  the  Nanaimo  narrows,  was 
:i  veritable  cave  of  Adullum,  the  rendezvous  for  the  members  of  several  law- 
less tribes,  wlio,  under  their  cliicf,  Archewon,  waylaid  and  murdered  parties 
of  explorers  .nnd  cmigi'ants.  It  w;i3  resolved  to  break  up  this  pestilential 
crew,  several  men-oC-war  being  sent  for  the  purpose,  among  which  was  tiio 
JJemisldtioii,  commrinded  by  Oapt.  Pike.  Five  of  the  principal  offenders, 
among  whom  was  Archewon,  were  arrested,  and  four  of  them  sentenced  to 
bo  luinged.  Mr  Good,  wiio  attended  them  during  their  last  hours,  relates 
that  tliey  showed  not  tlie  slightest  symptoms  of  compunction,  and  seemed 
only  to  regret  that  more  of  those  whom  they  regarded  as  their  legitimate  prey 
liad  not  fallen  into  their  bands,  which  behavior  was  more  consistent  than  that 
of  tho  average  white  villain  about  to  be  hanged.  Brit,  Col.,  MS.,  'J7-8. 

^"A  descri[)ti(>u  of  this  mission,  among  other  placea,  will  bo  found  in  the 
S.  F.  UiiUcihi,  Aug.  •::,  18S:!. 


INDIAN  POLICY. 


719 


their  central  missionary  ist.ition  hciu^  that  of  St 
Mary's,  some  thirty  miles  above  New  Westminster.*' 

By  the  missionary  society  for  the  gospel  propaga- 
tion missions  were  established  also  among  the  Chim- 
syans  and  Nishtacks,  the  Tahkats,  the  Cowitchins, 
and  the  Fraser  and  Thompson  river  tribes,  $10,000 
being  expended  annually,  and  during  several  years 
previous  to  1871,  for  the  support  of  eight  mission- 
aries and  the  industrial  training  of  these  tribes.^^  At 
the  latter  date  some  5,000  natives  were  under  instruc- 
tion, and  though  considerable  progress  had  been  made, 
more  teachers  were  needed.  In  a  letter  to  the  New 
England  Company,  the  episcopal  archdeacon  of  Van- 
couver remarks:  "  The  government  of  this  colony  has 
hitherto  had  no  definite  or  tangible  policy  with  re- 
gard to  the  native  Indian  tribes.  They  have  preserved 
for  them  crown  lands  under  the  name  of  Indian  re- 
serves; they  have  prevented  their  lands  being  en- 
croached upon;  they  have  in  existence  a  liquor  law, 
with  penal  clauses,  stringent  and  severe,  but  honored 
more  in  the  breach  than  in  observance.  Beyond  thin 
they  have  done  nothing,  so  far  as  I  know.  There  does 
not  exist  an  Indian  hospital  in  the  colony  to  ameliorate 
the  evils  which  contact  with  a  too  advanced  stage  of 
civilization  has  brought  upon  its  unprepared  victims." 
Out  of  an  estimated  government  expenditure  in  18G9 
of  £122,250,  the  amount  put  down  for  expenses  con- 
nected with  the  Indian  tribes  was  £100.^' 

In  Canada  the  interests  of  the  Indian  population 
have  always  been  guarded  with  special  solicitude  by 
the  ofovernment;  but  in  British  Columbia  the  con- 


'■^^ Good's  Br'it.  Col.,  MS.,  97-8.  It  is  related  that  at  tlio  Okanagan  mis- 
sion, many  years  ago,  tlio  venerable  French  padres  invited  tlicir  scholars,  one 
festal  day,  to  partake  of  some  nicely  cooked  frogs;  whereat  tho  savages  scat- 
tered iu  terror  to  their  homes,  the  appearance  of  a  frog  being  regarded  Ly  thn'r. 
as  tho  premonition  of  calamity. 

^'la  1881,  according  to  tho  return  of  tho  Indian  deparhncnt,  tho  natives 
settletl  on  tho  banks  of  tho  Tiiompson,  above  Lytton,  owned  .5,()'J.")  horses. 
557  cows,  a  number  of  work-oxen,  and  raised  LIj  tons  of  cereals,  G.'i^  tons  of 
hay;,  and  12,570  bushels  of  potatoes.  ]i,  (J.  Direct.,  ISSl-l],  M. 

*'//.  C.  Paper.%  Ind.  Land  Question,  ISJO-'iTi,  97-S.  The  urchdeacon'i 
letter  was  published  iu  tho  Columbia  report  for  1870. 


720 


SETTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


dition  of  the  natives  was,  until  recent  years,  less  satis- 
factory than  in  other  portions  of  the  dominion.  In  tliis 
province  no  Indian  title  to  land  was  recognized,  as  was 
the  case  elsewhere  in  British  America.  Under  the 
auspices  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  under 
the  regime  of  Sir  James  Douglas,  the  title  was  in- 
deed conceded,  but  not  so  in  later  years.  Although 
there  may  never  have  been  any  danger  of  serious  or 
permanent  revolt,  there  were,  as  we  have  seen,  several 
formidable  outbreaks,  and  frequent  danger  of  collision. 
There  may  be  seen  to-day  throughout  British  Colum- 
bia nations  and  individuals  in  all  conditions,  from 
untutored  savagism,  attired  simply  in  a  verminous 
blanket,  and  perched  like  a  bird  of  prey  on  a  rock, 
catching  his  dinner  of  fish,  to  the  well-clad  and  in- 
dustrious inmate  of  comfortable  homes.  In  the  former 
condition  the  Indian  is  neither  a  producer  nor  a  con- 
sumer; in  the  latter  he  is  both;  and  in  proportion  as 
his  condition  is  improved  will  he  contribute  to  the 
wealth  of  the  province. 

The  task  of  improving  the  condition  of  the  natives 
has  been  rendered  less  difficult  by  the  fact  that  the 
intrusion  of  the  white  man  has  not  diminished 
their  supplies  of  food.  Fish  and  game,  which,  as  in 
Alaska,  form  the  staple  diet  of  the  aboriginal,  and 
were  as  necessary  to  him  as  bread  and  meat  to  the 
white  man,  or  the  plantain  and  banana  to  the  dweller 
within  tlie  tropics,  are  still  as  plentiful  as  ever.  To 
the  nouiad  tribes  of  Canada  the  buffalo  was  their  solo 
resource,  supplying  them  not  only  with  food,  but  with 
fuel,  clothes,  and  shelter.  The  extinction  of  this  ani- 
mal brought  upon  them  starvation  and  beggary;  while 
in  British  Columbia  the  Indian  has  not  only  been 
furnished  with  better  implements  for  securing  his  food, 
but  has  been  taught  how  to  farm,  and  thus  acquired  a 
new  source  of  food  supply.  Not  only  is  this  the  casC; 
but,  as  I  have  said,  natives  are  largely  employed  as 
herders,  laborers,  porters,  and  in  various  Industrie,?,^ 

"Especially  iu  the  Mainland  interior,  where  their  well-known  honeity 


FOUTS. 


721 


and  this  from  no  motives  of'pliilantliropy, 
said   tl>e  marquis  of  Lome,"*  during  his 


"I  believe," 
visit  to  the 


reconiincuds  tliein  for  employment.  Aiuoiig  tliu  instances  of  tlio  trust  reposed 
in  thcni  may  bo  nientionod  one  that  occurred  in  tlic  aiituinn  of  1S72  or  IS7H, 
when  a  mcrcliant  ou  his  way  to  Lillooct  with  a  cargo  of  Hour,  his  craft  being 
stranded  on  a  sand-bar,  stacked  the  entire  freiglit  on  tlio  river  bnnlc,  simply 
covering  it  with  tarpaulin.  There  it  was  loft  until  tiie  following  spring, 
when  it  was  found  undisturbed.  The  nearest  house  was  but  three  miles  away, 
and  during  the  winter  the  Indians  were  buying  flour  in  tliat  neighborhood  at 
very  high  rates.  In  7'he  Northwest  Tfrrilorkt  ami  liritinh  Cdliunbia,  by 
AjiieciH  McDoundl  JJawsoii,  Ottawa,  1881,  is  a  description  of  the  food,  habits, 
and  condition  of  some  of  tho  natives  at  that  date.  'J'liero  are  hero  also  re- 
marks on  the  climate,  vegetation,  fisheries,  industries,  fauna,  flora,  and  general 
resources  of  IJ.  C.  Tho  work  is  of  little  value,  except  for  tho  index,  whicii 
contains  items  of  information  culled  from  various  resources. 

^^JJomiiiion  of  Canada  Guide-Book,  1885,  75.     The  following  catalogue  of 
forts,  with  reference  to  fuller  descriptions,  points  to  sono  of  tho  early  centres 
of  occupation.     Chanipoeg,  35  miles  from  tlio  moutli  of  tlic  ^Villamcttc,  was 
a  trading  post  established  by  the  Hudson's  l?ay  Company  in  18-10.  6'/vr//',< 
Oreijoii,  42.     In  185(i  it  was  still  in  existence.  //.  J!.  Co.'n  Ji'(j>f,  3ti7.   Fort 
Kandoopon  the  Tlioinpson;  forts  Alexander,  William,  Carey,  and  Abercrom- 
bie,  in  New  Caledonia;  IJupert,  on  north  side  of  V.  I.;  JSimpson,  on  the  main- 
land, near  tho  I'ortland  canal;   W'raiigcl,  a  stockade,  originally  on  Dundas 
Island,  at  tiie  mouth  of  the  Stickeen,  and  afterward  removed  GO  miles  up  the 
river,  and  known  as  I'oi't  Stickeen — all  belonged  to  the  11. 15.  Co.  tinu/s  Orajuu, 
4;?.     Fort  Tliompson  was  established  by  l>avid  'J'lionipson  in  18l()on  the  site  of 
Kamloop.    Fort  Franklin  was  erected  in  lS.;.")onCrcat  IjcarLakc  for  Franklin's 
expedition  to  the  Polar  sea.  J.drdiicr,  iii.  240.     Chinook  i'oint  post  was  in  the 
Colundjia  district.  Jf.  B.  Co.'s  Hfi'f,  liOT.     Tho  Cowlitz  post  in  \V.  T.  was  in 
existence  in  1850.     A  Spanish  fort  at  ^Icali  Bay,  V.  I.,  built  in  1792,  and  sur- 
rounded by  a  stockado,  was  soon  afterward  abandoned,  anil  then  burned  by 
Indians.  Lfaim'  Or.,  MS.,  (17.     Fort  Santa  Cruz,  on  the  north  point  of  Nootka 
entrance,  Mas  also  a  Spanish  stronghold  and  settlement.    Vldjci  <d  Norte,  MS. , 
.'185.     Long  before  the  conquest  of  Canada,  tho  French  liad  a  post  at  I'asfjuia,  on 
the  Saskatchewan.  Mdrlviiz'tc's  Vo;/. ,  Ixix.     On  the  same  river  was  I''ort  Augus- 
tus. /(/.,  Ixix.,  Ixxiii.    Fort  Carlton,  on  the  sontli  side  of  the  Saskatchewan, 
was  protected  by  high  palisades,  an<l  at  each  angle  was  a  small  square  tower. 
In  18;i5  it  Mas  attacked  by  Indians.  Martin's  J hidson^sJUni,  17;  iSiiiil'ti  Jli-'.''., 
124;  MillniKtnddididlc'sN.  W.  Passcitjc,  41).    Fort  Cumberland,  on  Sturgeon 
Lake,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Saskatchewan,  was  built  in  1774.    I''ronHiH'sN(u-r., 
i.  91;  Sm('l\i  J/Z-.^.,  124;  ^facl■clr.ic\^i  Vvy.,  Ixix.     Fort  a  la  Crosse  -was  also  in 
tho  Saskatchewan  district.  If.  B.  Co.'s  Rfjit,  30.').     Fort  Edmonton,  on  tho 
north  branch  of  the  Saskatchewan,  was  built  in  the  form  of  a  hexagon,  M'itii 
liigh  pickets,  bastions,  and  battlcnicntcd  gateways,  and  lay  on  a  commanding 
iieight.  MiniiiCs  Ihidsoit's  Bdij,  18,  124.     ^n  ]84(i  it  contained  about  l.'iO  in- 
habitants. Kline's  ]V(iiid( riuij^,  I'M.     It  was  the  chief  post  in  this  region,  and 
was  also  known  as  Fort  Auguste.  Smr.t's  Mi'<-^.,  122-4.     Fort  Conlidencc  was 
a  mere  log  structure,  -without  defensive  Morka,  forming  three  sides  of  a  square, 
and  sto>  1  at  the  northern  end  of  Croat  ]5car  Lake.   l!ichardi.oiis  Jour.,  ii. 
(!;i-5.     bunvegau  post  lay  in  the  Athaliasca  district.   Hudson's  Bay  Co.'s  Itrjit, 
.'i()5.     In  1787  tlicre  was  a  fort  on  Klk  JJiver.  Mnrlrnd'-'s  I'c//.,  12it.     Fort 
Chipewan,  one  of  tho  most  important  posts  of  tlio  N.  AV.  Co.  was  liuilton 
a  rocky  point  of  the  northern  shore  ot  Athabasca  Lake.   Murhriizic's  Voy., 
Ixxxvii.;  Martin's  Hudson's  Binj,  18;  //.  I'.  Co.'s  l!(]>f,','X)T\;  Fritiil.iin's  Narr., 
i.  2.'{7.     Fort  Assiniboine  was  built  on  the  Athabasca.   J/.  B.  f'o.'s  Brpf, 'Mrt; 
•Smct'-i .!/;«.,  124.     On  the  Assiniboine  and  its  tributaries  w(  i-(i  three  posts  of 
the  N.  \V.  Co.  and  twoof  the  IF.  B.  Co.   Lrir:s  and  Clarb's  Map.     Fast  Main 
Factory  stood  opposite  Albany  Fort  at  tho  foot  of  James  Bay,  in  about  lati- 

HlsT.  Burr.  Cor..     40 


722 


SE1TLEMENT8,  MISSIONS,  AND  KDUCATION. 


capital  in  1882,  "I  have  seen  tlic  Indians  of  almost 
every  tribe  throughout  the  dominion,  and   nowJierc 

tudo  a-r  30'  N.  liouchette,  lirit.  Dom.,  i.  33.  A  log  fort  was  huilt  J)y  Frank- 
lin  in  1820,  nt  Winter  Lake,  about  liJO  miles  north  of  Slave  Luke,  and  named 
Fort  Enterprise.  A  dwellingdiouso  and  storehouse  were  iidilod.  I'rcnil.lin'-i 
Xarr.,  i.  1-14.  Here  Franklin  i)assed  the  winter  of  1821-'J.  U''chunl<oii'.-i 
Polar,  148.  Fort  Franklin,  on  the  west  shore  of  Great  licar  Lake,  wlxne 
Lieut  Hooper  passed  the  winter  of  184!),  was  merely  .'i,  log  hut  20  hy  IS  fuut,. 
J/oopcr'n  Tent.i  of  Ike  TimH,  1505-0.  In  the  AthaLasea  district  was  a  post 
named  Fond  du  Lac.  77.  U.  Co.'a  Rcpt,  305.  Fort  Francis,  in  lied  Itiver  dis- 
trict, consisted  of  a  number  of  buildings  in  the  form  of  a  .s(Hiajc,  surroumleil 
by  a  ten-foot  stockade.  Grant's  Ocean,  40.  In  the  same  disUict  was  a  ]iost 
known  as  Lower  Fort  Garry.  77.  JJ.  C'o.'s  Hcpl,  305.  This  was  one  of  tiio 
■strongest  forts  in  the  11.  B.  territory,  the  walla  being  built  of  stone  and  with 
bastions  at  each  corner.  It  stood  on  the  north  bank  of  Assiniboine  Itivcr, 
about  200  yards  from  its  junction  with  lied  lliver.  Kaia'.-i  Wundcrhif/",  00; 
Coriumllis,(i'2;  M iitoii  and  Chradles' N.  ]V^.  Paxsar/e,  iW.  At  (Jcorgetown,  on 
lied  Rivei',  there  was  in  a  1808  a  warehouse  belonging  to  the  11.  15.  Co. 
Coffni'ii  Seal  of  Empire,  70.  Fort  Good  Hope,  in  the  ^lacken/.ic  district,  was 
moved  in  1830  about  100  miles  above  on  the  Mackenzie,  on  account  of  Hoods. 
7/.  ]i.  (!o.'k  lirpt,  .SGo;  Iiichnydsoii's  Jour.,  i.  213.  At  (trocn  Lake  post,  in 
English  Ilivcr  district,  the  II.  IJ.  Co.  and  N.  W.  Co.  had  establishmcnls  on 
opposite  sides  of  the  river  in  1820.  77.  B.  Co.'h  liept,  305;  Frajiklln'K  Aarr., 
i.  102.  For  mention  of  Fori  George  on  the  Saskatchewan,  see  Marken:.k'< 
Vol/.,  Ixlx.,  l.xxiii.;  of  Fort  George  and  Great  Whale  lliver  post,  in  East  Alain 
district.  7/.  JJ.  C'a.'.s  Ji'rpt,  300;  of  Grand  Lac  post,  in  the  Temiscamingue 
district;  of  Godbout  po^t,  in  King's  Posts  district;  of  Fort  Ilalkett,  in  the  Mac- 
kenzie district.  On  the  northern  branch  of  the  Saskatchewan  there  was,  in 
1820,  a  post  named  Hudson  House.  On  the  east  bank  of  llarricanaw  Ilivcr  was 
a  small  establishment  belonging  to  the  H.  B.  Co.  Uouchcttcx  Brit.  Dom.,  i.  3;>. 
In  the  Moose  and  Temiscamingue  districts  were  posts  named  Hannah  Bay  and 
Hunter's  Lodge.  77.  B.  Co.'n  liept,  300.  On  Ho  d  la  Crosse  Lake,  near  Beaver 
River,  the  H.  B.  Co.  and  N.  W.  Co.  had  forts  in  1820,  situated  close  togotluT 
and  on  the  south  side  of  the  lake.  About  1815  the  II.  B.  fort  was  captured 
by  the  N.  W.  Co.  Id.,  305;  FranUlii'x  Aarr.,  i.  190;  Cox'k  Adcev.t,  227-8.  The 
lake  was  named  after  an  island  therein,  where  the  Indians  used  to  play  the 
game  of  la-crossc.  Frankl'ai'H  Aarr.,  i.  197.  In  the  King's  Posts  district  was 
the  Isle  Jereniie  post.  77.  B,  Co.'s  Uept,  300.  The  Jasper  House  post,  on 
the  Athabasca,  300  miles  above  Fort  Assiniboine,  contained  in  1840  only 
three  log  huts;  but  was  the  centre  of  communication  between  the  Columbia 
district  and  Fort  Edmonton.  In  1872  it  was  almost  abandoned.  Kane's  Wan- 
derimiH,  l,").3-4;  Smefs  Miss.,  124,  127,  130;  Graiit's  Ocean,  2?,2.  In  Fort 
Coulonge  district  was  the  Joachin  post;  in  Eskimo  Bay  district,  Kibokokpost; 
in  St  Maurice  district,  Kikandatch  post;  in  Temiscamingue  district,  Kakabca- 
gino  post;  in  Rupert's  River  district,  Kaniapiscow  post;  in  the  Kinoguinisse 
district,  Kuckatoosh  post;  in  Albany  district,  Lac  Seul  post;  in  Lac  la  Pluio 
district,  Lac  do  Bonnet  and  Lac  dc  Bois  Blanc  posts;  in  Lake  Superior  dis- 
trict. Long  Lake  and  Lake  Nipigon  posts;  and  in  Lake  Huron  district,  Littlo 
Current  post.  Jf.  B.  C'o.'s  Ji'cpf,  305-0.  On  (Jrecn  Bay,  Lake  Jlichigan,  was 
a  stockade  much  dilapidated  when  \isiicd  by  Mr  Carver  in  1700.  AftrT  its 
surrender  to  the  English,  in  170;!,  it  was  garrisoned  by  30  men,  who  were 
made  prisoners  soon  after  the  surprise  of  i\iichillimnckin;ic,  after  which  it  was 
neither  garrisoned  nor  repaired,  (.'(irrcr,  22.  Lac  l:i  Pluie  was  a  Hudson's  Bay 
Co.'s  trading  post  on  the  height  of  land  dividing  the  waters  which  How  into 
the  St  Lawrence  from  those  which  fall  into  Hudson  Bay,  and  distant  sonic 
1,300  miles  from  Montreal.  The  N.  W.  Co.  had  a  post  herein  ISOO.  .l/in- 
tiii's  Iliuhon'.i  Bay,  123;  Cox'^  Adcrnt,  ii.  209-70;  Lcu-U  ami  Clai-Ix'n  Mciji. 
La  Mont(''e  was  a  N.  W.  Co.'.t  post  about  tiirce  miles  from  Carleton.  Frank- 


THE  GENTLE  SAVAGE. 


72S 


can  you  find  any  who  arc  .so  trustworthy  in  regard  to 
conduct,  so  willing  to  assist  the  white  settlers  by  their 

///i'd  Xcirr.,  i.  1C2.     Lesser  Slave  Lake  niul  J^in;  la  Biulie  posts  were  in  the 
Saskatcliewan  district.  Jf.  JJ,  Co.'n  llcpl,  Sii.").     l'"ort  La  Crosse,  on  the  lionUr 
of  Long  Lake,  was  in  exi.st<:'nce  in  1848.  Mnrtin''.'i  Jlii(l<on'n  A'li//,  IS.    Lai)ierre's 
House  and  Fort  aiix  Liards  were  in  tii(!  Macker.ziu  district.    //.  A'.  Co.'n  L'(/'t, 
otl.">.     Lake  Ncjiisinguc  post  was  in  tlic  Tetniscaiiiiiigiic  district;  Lacloelie  ])(i.st 
m  Lake  Huron  district;  Lau  d'Original  in  Lake  Superior  distiict;  I^iittle  Wiiale 
Liver  post  in  East  Main  district;  Lacdes  AlIuinetteH  j.n.stin  Fort  Coulfn)!,' dis- 
trict; and  Lacliine  House  post  inLacliinc  district.    On  tiioSuskatclicwau  tlicie 
was  in  lS4.>a  postnamed  Fortdca  Montaigncs.  Snuf'.iMixK.,  l'J4.     MooseFue- 
tory,  about  700  miles  from  Montreal,  was  t  lie  iiriiuipal  depot  cu  the  south  sliore 
of  Hudson's  Vioy,  and  theie  were  numerous statiui; j  coiuiccicd  w  ith  it.  Mnrtin'.-i 
I[iuhon''s  Bay,  I'-'Ii.     Li  the  Cumberland  districts  a.;  a  small  post  named  Mooso 
J^akc.  II.  B.  Co.'.i  Jt'rpf,  'M').    The  trading;  posts  on  Methjo  Lake  ■<    mo  mere 
liuts,  erected  in  181  it.  J'miihliu''sXarr.,  i.  "JOI.     Jn  lUd  lliver  district  was  the 
Manitobah  post;  in  Albany  district,  Marten'.s  F'a  !s  ]ii).*t;  in  Kinoj^umissc  dis- 
trit,  AIalawaL;amin;.nie  po.>t.  //.  B.  Co.'s  U<'iit,  liUO.    Michipicotoii  post,  on  the 
shore  of  Lake  Sujierior,  was  in  1840  the  chief  factory  in  Lake  Su]icrior  district. 
Ibid. ;  Marlln\  J/iidxoii'.i  Baij,  1'2.'(.     At  the  south  end  of  Lake  Winnijiej;  Ava.s 
Fort  Maurepas;  on  the  north  branch  of  V.w  Saskatchewan  there  was,  in  \Sl{), 
a  post  named  Manchester  House;  on  ll.d  Jxis'crono  named  Marlboro'  JIni;.,i', 
and   on   Peace   lliver,   amid  the   Locky   ^Mountains,  one  named   ?ib  I.cii.i'.i 
Fort.     At  a  council  held  at  Xorway  House,  in  ISK),  it  was  resolved  U>  e.;.al)- 
lisli  missions  at  that  point,  and  also  a  Lac  la  Pluieand  Kdmonton.     A  i  atholie 
mission  was  established  at  Ho  h.  la  Crosse  in  1840.  Murlin'n  llrd-<oii'.i  Bui/, 
127-7;  Bichardfion'it  Jour.,  i.  104.     Norway  Honsc,  at  the  north  end  <  f  Lake 
Winnipeg,  was  in  1843  one  of  the  chief  depots  of  the  H.  L.  Co.,  and  it  wau 
intended  to  make  it  the  residence  of  the  general  superintendent  of  missions. 
Martin's  II udiou\<i  Baij,  124.     It  was  founded  in  1819  by  a  party  of  Norwe- 
gians, who  were  driven  from  Red  lliver  in  1814-15,  and  took  up  their  abode 
at  Norway  Point.   Franklin's  Aarr.,  i.  07;   Bouchcfte's  Brit.  Dom.,  i.  41. 
Mamaiuso  post  was  in  Lake  Superior  district;  Fort  Macpherson  •  n  Peel  lliver 
near  the  Mackenzie;  Mississangco  post  in  Lake  Huron  district;  M;  ^tasinny  and 
Mechiskau  [losts  in  Rupert'.':.  River  district;  Matawa  post  in  Fort  Coulouge  dis- 
trict; Musquarro  post  in  Mingan  district;  Jlingan  post  in  the  dis-trictof  that 
name.  II.  B.  C'o.'s  I.'cpt,  300.     Long  before  the  conquestof  Canada,  the  French 
had  a  settlement  at  Nepawi,  on  the  Saskatchewan.     In  170O  it  was  named  Xe- 
pawillousc.  Mackenzie's  ro//.,L'{ix.,  l.wiii.    Fort  Nascopio  was  in  Eskimo  Lay 
district;  Natosquan  post  in  Mingan  district;  and  F'ort  Norman  in  Mackenzie 
district.  //.  B.  Co.'s  Bcpt,  ?,G(i.     Port  Nelson  River  post  was  captured  by  the 
French  in  IGGo.    The  French  port  on  Port  Nelson  Rivtr  was  named  in  1007  Port 
Bourbon,  and  afterward  York  Fort.  Forstcr'sIIl'-t.  10?/.,  ."77,  37!).     InlSiDit 
stood  on  the  west  bank  of  Hayes  River,  five  miles  above  its  mouth,  on  t  kj 
marshy  peninsula  which  separates  Hayes  and  Nelson  Rivers.     The  buildii, •;;) 
formed  a  square,  with  an  octagonal  court  in  the  centre,  the  servants'  hoiiscs 
being  outside  the  square,  and  the  whole  surrounded  with  a  stockade  20  feet  in 
height.  Franklin's  Narr.,  i.  37-8.     F'ort  New  Severn  was  on  the  south-eastern 
shore  of  Hudson's  Bay.     North  West  River  jiost  was  in  the  Eskimo  Bay  dis- 
trict; Nitchequon  post  in  Rupert  River  district;  and  New  Brunswick  post  iu 
Mooso  district.  JI.  B.  C  >.'s  I'ljil,  SCO.    Old  Establishment  was  built  in  1778-0 
on  Peace  River,  some  forty  miles  from  Athabasca  Lake,  and  was  tlie  only  fort  in 
■  that  region  till  I'iS't.     In  17S8  the  post  was  transfcrrc<l  to  tiic  southern  side 
,of  Athabasca  Lake,  about  eight  miles  from  the  month  of  Athabasca  River,  its 
J  name  being  changed  toForti'hipcwyan.  Mackenzie's  I'oij.,  Ixxxvii.     On  Peace 
"River  there  was,  in  1820,  a  post  named  New  F^stablishnient.     In  1819  Oxford 
House  post,  in  York  district,  w.-.s  falling  into  decay.  //.  B.  Co.'s  Bepf,  3CG; 
Franklin's  Narr.,  i.  57.     In  Albany  district  was  a  post  named  Osnaburg. 


II 


724 


SKTTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


labor,  so  independent  and  anxious  to  learn  tlie  secret 
of  the  white  nian'.s  power.     While  elsewhere  arc  met 

//.  ]>.  Co.'h  /If/'t,  'MO.  Fort  <le  rraiiies  belonged  in  1817  to  tho  N.  W.  Co.,  ns 
jil.so  I'ort  l'nj\  iilpiicc,  north  of  Ut  Sluv  o  Lake.  ('ox''<  Adccnt,  ii.  'JGo;  I'ntiildia'.i 
iVfov.,  i.  3111.  'J  lio  I'ns  post  mim  in  (.'unibuilanil  di-itiict;  i'ortago  la  Loclif 
l)();jt  ill  luiglisli  lliviT  (listiict;  ami  I'eul'.i  iiivci-  pust  in  tho  Mackenzie  tli^itritt. 
JI.  Ii.  ( '().',•<  Ill  I'l,  ;j(l">.  I'oi't  I'itt  lay  on  tho  JSaskatchuwan,  in  kit.  i>V',\i)',  loii^'. 
\Wi'.  Siiirt.\  .l/(«,,  1"_'4.  J'Virt  IV'Uy  wan  a  coiiii)ac:t  post  on  tlic  route  l)c:t\vuLii 
ivria  Oarry  and  (Jarlton,  having  tlio  As.iinilioino  Itivcr  in  front.  J/urlhru 
J/tidsoii'.iJj(ii/,  17.  Forniciition  of  Fort  <  'hnrcliillor  Frinco  of  WuIlm  Foi-t,  kcu 
(.'ox'n  Adn  III,  ii.  ,'i!)7.  I'iko  Lake  jxjsit  was  in  Itupcrt's  Fiver  di.strict;  Figcoii 
llivcr  post  in  Lake  Superior  district;  and  Fie  post,  in  tlio  name  di.strict,  on  the 
jiortii  sliore  of  the  lake,  bclonjrcd  in  1.SI7  to  thu  :"i.  W.  (,'o.  JI.  Jl.  ^'o.'.v  Hij,!, 
.'J(iO;  Vox'x  Adrctit,  ii.  'J!).").  Ficrru  an  Calumet,  alhoii  post  of  tho  Jl.  J 5.  (,'o..  on 
a  higl),  steep  bank  on  tho  Atliabasca,  a  little  aliovu  the  conllucjice  of  the  Clear 
Water,  waa  so  named  from  tlio  jjlaeo  where  the  fitune  for  Indian  ]iipes  was 
obtained.  A  poyt  of  the  11.  IJ.  Co.  on  the  opposite  bank  was  al)aniloned  in 
1819  for  want  of  supplies.  Fiunldui\-<  Xmr.,  i.  1*1.'!.  i'embina  jiost  was  iu 
Ked  Fiver  district;  (,Ju'appcllo  Lakes  ]iostiu.Suan  Fiver  district;  Fort  Fae 
in  Mackenzie  district;  Fapid  Fiver  post  in  English  iUver  district;  Itoeky 
Mountain  House  in  the  Saskatchewan  district;  and  Fort  llesolution  in  tli(! 
Mackenzie  di.strict.  11.  Ii.  Co.'s  lUpt,  ',Vj7>.  Fed  Deer  Five.'  Fort  was  onnr 
near  Lake  AVinnipeg.  MdckeirJt's  Voy.,  Ixv.  Fupert's  Fort  was  in  17(Jlial 
the  moutli  of  the  river  of  thr.t  name.  //.  J>.  Co.'d  IiCjit,  ,'iU(5.  In  1740  tho 
French  had,  on  the  ujiper  waters  of  the  Fupert,  a  factory  which  secured  all 
the  trade  of  that  region.  Jhbb.i'  Jhidsoa's  Uai/,  ot).  Figolet  post  was  in  tlic 
Eskimo  district;  lliviero  Desert  post  in  La-  dea  Sables  district;  ILced  Lalie 
post  in  Eed  liivrr  district;  I'at  I'ortagc  post  in  Lac  do  Fhiio  district;  and 
Shoal  River  pvjst  in  Swan  lliver  district.  Jl.  11.  Co.'s  licpf,  oti.j-tJ.  In  178U- 
J'.'t  there  were  five  principal  factories  on  the  Saskatchewan,  and  one  named 
tho  South  Branch  House.  Madcendc's  Voy.,  l.\ix.,  Ixxiii.  On  the  Swan  Iviver 
w  as  a  post  of  the  same  name,  and  one  named  Somerset  House.  Fort  St  Louis 
was  built  by  the  Canadian  viceroy  de  Traccj',  nt  the  mouth  of  llichclieu  oi' 
Irofiuois  River.  It  was  afterward  named  Sosel,  and  then  William  Henry.  Li 
J 817  it  wag  the  principal  entrepot  of  the  N.  \V.  Co.  JI.  JJ.  Co.'s  JiCpt,  'Mir, 
Co.r'.s  Adroit,  'JGS-93.  Near  Swan  Fiver  Fort,  on  Lake  Winnipeg,  were  .sev- 
eral detached  posts.  Id.,  Ixv.  Shoal  Lake  post  was  in  the  Lac  do  Fluie  dis- 
trict, and  Severn  post  in  York  dis'rict.  Jl.  JJ.  Co.'n  Jlvpt.  .'i'jd-U.  Sault  St 
Claire  post  was  also  in  York  distri  ,  at  tho  jioint  where  Lake  Superior  di ;• 
charges  into  Lake  Huron.  Iu  ISk'  the  K.  AV.  Co.  had  laigo  stores  at  this 
point.  //.  Ji.  Co.'.i  llept,  .*501j;  Cox\h  Advent ,  ii.  '2'.);).  Lake  St  John's,  Tadouaar, 
and  Seven  Islands  posts  were  in  King's  Fosts  district;  Touchwood  Hills  po:  t 
ill  Swan  River  district;  Trout  Lake  post  in  York  district;  Tcmiskamay  po^t 
in  Fupcrt'.s  Fiver  district;  Teniiscaminguo  house  and  ])osL  w  ore  in  the  district 
of  that  name;  Three  Rivers  post  was  in  St  Maurice  district;  and  Vermilion 
wasa  post  in  Athabasca  district.  JI.  Ji.  Co.'s  Jiepf,  305-0.  On  tho  Saskatcia- 
wan  was  a  post  named  Upper  Establishment.  MwJxnr.ie's  Voy.,  Ixix.,  Ixxiii. 
Tliorburne  House  was  a  post  on  Red  River.  Fort  Frontenac,  originally  eallc  I 
Fort  Cataraconi,  founded  iu  1070,  on  tho  present  site  of  Kingston,  was  rebuilt 
in  107S.  In  17()8  it  was  captured  by  tho  English.  Monettc's  Hist.  JJiscov.  awl 
S<llli:iiii:}il,  i.  120,  132-3.  Fort  George  was  iu  1842  alargo  trading  post  twelve 
miles  below  Fort  Lancaster  (Colo.),  ami  was  under  St  Yraiu's  mauagemeut. 
Srau's  llody  Mts,  100.  The  N.  AV\  Co.  had  iu  1800  a  post  on  the  wt.t 
shore  of  Lake  .Supei'ior,  near  Grand  Fortage.  Lewis  and  Clarke's  Map.  Fo't 
Wedderburno  was  built  by  tho  II.  15.  Co.  on  Coal  Island,  at  the  western  cx- 
trenuty  of  Athabasca  Lake,  about  tho  year  1815,  when  tho  company  iirst 
began  to  trade  iu  that  region.  J'mnlliii'.f  Aari:,  i.  230.  AVhito  Horso  Flaia 
post  was  in  Rod  River  district;  White  Dog  post  in  Lac  la  Fluio  district; 


FORTS. 


constant  duniands  for  assistance,  your  Indians  liavo 
never  aj^ketl  for  any;  for  in  the  interviews  givt;n  to 

Wliitefish  Luko  post  in  Luko  Huron  district;  \Vr)8\vonaby  post  in  Itiipert'd 
IJivtr  district;  and  Wcyniontachingiic  post  in  St  ilauricc  district.  //.  Jl.  Co.'-i 
ft'itf,  ."JCJ-G.  I'ort  C'asH,  bnilt  in  IbJO  at  tlio  mouth  of  l>ig  Horn  i;iv('r,  willi 
lilock  houses  and  u  lo^jwall  18  feet  hiyh,  •\vasRoon  afterward  removed  llOiuilca 
lower  down  the  Yellowstone.  IkrkwourllCii  Life  and  Atlrrnt.,  'Jl'J-KI,  U20,  ,'fO;i. 
The  French  colonists  under  Roherval  and  (';irticr  Imilt  Fort  Cliarlesljoui-g 
near  the  jireseut  -site  of  CJiieheo  about  l.")H.  J  t  was  tlio  lirst  Kuropcan  .settle- 
ment in  thii  ]]iirt  of  America.  Tijtlir.f  I'rinjr.  cf  Jlisruv.,  07.  Fort  CaroliiK! 
was  erected  hy  Landonnierc  on  .\I;iy  lliver,  just  above  the  spot  afterward 
known  as  St  .John'.s  lllud'.  It  was  in  the  shape  of  a  triangle,  fronting  on  the 
liver,  with  the  v.oods  in  real'.  In  l.')(j.>  it  Ma  i  destrciyeil  by  tlio  Sp;uiiardi3. 
Unjaiit,  i.  l'J8.  Fort  Campbell  was  in  the  eoiinlryof  the  IJlacUfeet,  700  miles 
from  Fort  Union.  Uollrr'ii  Atiioii;/  the  Jiidiaii",  '11.  Fort  Laneaoter  was  fni 
the  south  bank  of  the  Flatte,  VVM  miles  i'rom  its  mouth,  and  'Ao  miles  from  the 
Kocky  Mountains.  Scenes  ItorlijMtx,  Ilil-."),  I'ort  Laramie,  or,  as  it  was  sonic- 
times  termed.  Fort  John,  .i  jiost  of  the  American  Fur  Couipimy,  was  one  miles 
south  of  Fort  I'latte,  and  on  the  left  bank  of  Lanmiie  IJivei-,  and  was  name  d 
after  Joseph  Laiamic,  a  Freneli  trapper,  killed  near  its  moul'  .  It  stood  on 
ii  rising  ground,  was  picketed  and  bastioned,  had  adobe  walls,  .i,  I  was  sur- 
mounted by  a  wooden  palisade.  Thornton's  Ortfjmi,  ll'.'-lli;  \'i',!  Tnrmji'fi 
Prairie  ami  liocL;/  Mt.  Advnif.,  :«;0-l;  S''n,<-H  Ilu'.-hn  Ml.i,  (i(i,  131.  Six  mile-! 
below  Ft  George  (Colo.)  was  tbe  post  of  Lock  and  liandolph- 

IJelow  the  Simeon  branch  of  I'cace  itiver  was  built  at ;  i  arly  d.. ,  a  little 
fort  named  St  John.  About  1S2;>  it  was  attacked  by  abani.  i^l  l)ca\or  Ind'  ns, 
who  shot  the  commander  ami  four  men,  and  burned  the  fort.  Another  Fort 
St  John  ■'  'milt  at  the  bend  of  the  river  above.  The  X.  W.  ('■•>.  liad  a 
post  on  tlie  west  side  ot  Bullalo  Lake,  near  Beaver  River.  Fr'nkVii'-iA'arr., 
i  19'J.  Fort  Eric  was  on  the  north  side  of  Lake  Erie,  nc.ir  it.-!  nutlet.  Six 
I..UCS  below  the  mouth  of  la  l''ontaine(]ui  JJouit  thereexistc  d  in  I.^IJ,")  tlic  ruins 
of  an  old  fort,  occupied  many  years  before  by  Capt.  Craut  as  a  trading  post. 
In  180(i  the  fort  at  AJinetarecs  was  occupied  by  Indians.  JJolli  r'.i  Aiiiomj  l/ii' 
IndinuK,  410.  In  184S  Michi[>icoten  w.us  the  chief  factory  on  Lake  Superior. 
Martin's  Hudson's  liuij,  \'l',i.  Cercn.s  Kivcr  post  was  in  Norway  Jlouse  dis- 
trict; Big  Island  post  in  the  IMackenzie  district;  Batchcwana  post  in  Lake 
Superior  district;  Cliicoutimic  post  in  King's  Posts  district;  Buckingham  post 
in  Lac  de  Sables  district;  Abitibi  post  in  Moose  district.  Jf.  U.  Co.'s  I'lpt, 
SGo-O.  Brochetllouse  was  on  Lake  Winnipeg.  j\farl:riizir's  Fo(/.,lxix. ;  M:,n- 
ucl's  Fort  on  the  Yellowstone.  Lciris  and  Clarke's  31ap.  Fort  Isle  an  Niox, 
or  Fort  Lennox,  on  an  island  in  llichelieii  Kivcr,  was  fortified  by  the  French 
in  1759,  and  by  Schuyler  in  1775.  Green  Lake  post  was  in  Lake  Huron  dis- 
trict, and  Egg  Lake  post  in  Swan  Biver  district.  J  J.  JJ.  Co.'s  J!ipt,  SO.J-Ci. 
Fort  Uauphin,  probably  near  Lake  Winnipeg,  was  established  by  tho  French 
before  AV'olfe's  victory  at  Quebec.  Mackenzie's  Foy.jlxv.  Deer  Lake  post  was 
in  the  English  River  district,  at  tho  southern  end  of  Deer  Lake;  Cawccman 
post  in  Columbia  district;  Fort  EUicc  in  Swan  district.  If.  B.  Co.'s  I'cpf,  305, 
.S07.  Fort  Charlcsbourg,  built  by  the  French  about  loiO-l,  near  the  site  of 
Quebec,  was  the  first  settlement  in  this  part  of  America.  JJrit.  X.  Aincr.,  10. 
The  first  fort  on  tho  St  Lawrence  was  built  by  Cartier  in  15.35,  Fort  Charles 
was  on  the  south  side  of  tho  Lake  of  the  Woods.  In  ICUS  Capt.  Gillam  built 
for  the  English  their  first  fort  on  Hudson's  Bay,  at  the  mouth  of  Rupert  River, 
naming  it  Fort  Charles,  lorster's  J  list.  Voy.,  378.  Russell,  Hint.  Amcr.,  ii. 
204,  agrees  with  Forster  as  to  date,  but  says  that  Grosselicz,  a  French  rene- 
gade on  Whito  River,  80  miles  north-west  of  Fort  I'latte,  was  a  fur-trading 
post.  Scenes  in  liockij  Mts,  72-3.  Tadoussac  post  stood  in  1050  at  tho  mouth 
ot  Sagucnay  River.  Shea's  Missis.,  xlv.  Fort  Platte,  at  the  junction  of  the 
Laramie  r.nd  Platte,  was  built  of  earth,  and  in  1842  contained  about  a  dozen 


726 


SETTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


the  chieff-i,  their  whole  desire  seemed  to  be  for  schools 
and  .school-masters;  and  in  reply  to  questions  as  to 

buildings  and.:. .no  30  employ Ld.  Scciicd  lioch-//  Ml-<,  CO;  I'kii.  Tramp's  I'rdirie 
(u:d  Uoclcy  Mt.  Advent.,  300-1.  .St  Vr;.iii'.s  Fort  vas  on  tlio  rigiit  Ijunlc  of  tho 
south  fork  of  the  Platte,  17  miles  cast  of  Long'a  I'eaU.  /'rcmoiit,  in  Id.,  357. 
I'ovt  Alexander,  nt  the  outlet  of  Winnipeg  liiver,  contained  in  1817  only  five 
iiunatos.  Fort  Abcrcrombio  w.is  on  Ked  llivcr,  uljovc  tlic  ]ioint  navigable  for 
K^caniers.  Coffin's  Stat  of  Emjiire,  7'.'.  Fort  Alliany  was  at  tlie  foot  of  James 
]lay.  JJouchdtc\iBi-il.  J)om.,  i.o'i.  It  v>as  established  lieforo  1780.  .Seo /or,^- 
li  r's  Hint.  Vol/.,  379.  Fort  Augustus  was  in  Queen's  eo. ,  Can.  Fort  Uintah, 
on  a  tributary  of  the  Colorado,  and  one  day's  journey  south  of  Aslilcy's  Fork, 
v,;-,9  also  known,  in  ISJ."),  as  Ilubidcan's  I'ort.  Scnir.'i  Ji'ncki/  Mis,  178, '2()L'. 
1\  rt  L.awrence  was  .i  seaport  of  Nova.Scoti:i.  On  (honortli-eastsidoof  Atha- 
basca Lake  was  Fort  Fond  du  Lae.  I'igcon  Lako  llouso  was  at  tho  source  of 
Uattlo  River,  like  Lake  llouso  and  Green  Lake  House  wtie  north  of  Stink- 
i!:j  Lake;  llapid  River  lIou<c  was  near  Lac  la  Itouqe;  and  Sturgeon  River 
Ibmsc  between  .St  a-gcon  and  Leaver  lakes.  Fairford  House  and  ]\lission  was 
bilwceii  Lakes  Winnipeg  anil  .Manitoba.  Fort  Tmieliv.ood  Ilillslay  between 
tlio  Assiniboinc  and  (JaWppello  rivers.  Monntain  House  was  in  the  Itiding 
fountains,  west  of  Liko  .Manitoba.  Fort  I'elley  was  ou  tho  Assiniboine. 
Old  Fort,  on  IMieaa  Lake,  v.as  near  tho  head  waters  of  tho  Llaelc  or  West 
Riiad  River.     In  recent  maps  tho  first  Fort  iSinipson,  near  the  mouth  of  Kass 

<  r  Naas  River,  is  also  tcrriied  Old  Foit.  Jasper  House  was  at  tho  head  wa- 
teis  of  the  Alh;djasca;  Rocky  ^louniain  House  and  Victoria  House  at  tlic 
lu  ad  waters  of  tho  Noilh  .Saskatchewan;  ^altRixer  llouso  ou  Slave  liivcr, 
.so'.itli  of  .Slave  Lako.  Robidoux  Fort,  in  tho  Green  l-.iver  country,  was,  like 
ii;.:ny  others  in  its  vicinity,  the  post  of  a  private  trader,  having  in  his  employ 
a  number  of  trappers  who  made  tlieir  lieadquarlers  at  tlio  fort.  Pctcr'.H  Kit 

<  t'r.ioii,  L'i'J.  Oa  tho  cast  side  of  Okanagan  Lake  was  a  catholic  mission. 
I'lU't  Bulkley  House  was  at  tlieuortli-eastsideof  TaelaLake.  Fort  Buclianan 
1,  y  soutli-west  from  Tuscou,  near  the  .Santa  Cruz  brancli  of  tlio  Gila  River. 
T\iar  the  liead  waters  of  tho  tiihi  were  forts  Bayard  and  Mimbrcs.  Fort 
.'•l.:nini.on  was  at  the  source  of  the  Rio  Bonito,  which  discharges  into  the  I'ico, 
a;id  on  the  i'ico,  .ibovo  tlic  former  river,  was  Fort  Summer.  Fort  Bascom 
\'.  ::s  on  t!ie  Canadian  River,  cast  of  Santa  IV;  Fort  Breckenridgc,  ou  tho  San 
Frdro  Iiraueh  of  the  Gila,  near  tho  mouth  of  the  former.  Of  Fort  McPherson 
Alisaraka  says  that  it  consisted  originally  of  shabby  log  cabins,  but  Bubse- 
fjuently  liecamc  a  welbbuilt  fort.  Ihune  oj'lhii  Croirs,  40.  Kearny  or  Kearney 
I'.irt,  built  on  Pincy  fork  of  I'owdcr  River,  at  the  base  of  Big  Horn  Mountains 
ill  18G0,  was  pronounced  one  of  the  bjst  stockades  in  north-western  America. 
I'ort  Reno,  originally  Fort  Connor,  near  Salt  Lake  Citj-,  and  so  called  after 
(icneral  Connoi',  \\.'is  built  in  ISlij,  and  New  Fort  Reno,  40  miles  to  the  west- 
ward, in  ISOO.  Fort  Mitchell,  a  .':ub-post  of  Fort  Laramie,  was  in  coiii[iact 
and  rectangular  .shape,  til''  sides  of  tho  buildings  doing  duty  for  walls,  and 
their  windows  looplioled  for  defence.  /(/. ,  70.  La  Pierre's  House  was  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  near  Pci  1  River.  ,Sinitli'<OHian  I'rpt,  1801, 
TiO.  Fort  Wright  was  in  the  western  part  nt'  Round  Valley,  100  miles  from 
Cliico.  Iiul.Af.  Jicp',  18(]:?,  40J.  Fort  Crocket,  also  called  Fort  Misery,  from 
itr  appearance,  stood,  in  IS.'iO,  <ju  tho  left  bank  <if  Green  Itivcr,  two  days' 
jriurney  from  Henry "h  Fork,  (Jol.  WiJiz'  im'-i  Aii^jlii'/,  '.)l.  For  description  of 
Fort  Astoria,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  in  IS!  i-oO,  see  ('ox\i  Adiriif.,  i. 
8:!,  10:)-10;  OrmfsOr.,  'JO-1;  l'>ir>ihat,i\-i  Trnvtb,  10,"i;  and  of  Fort  Bow-e,  Or., 
in  18;!2.  For  mention  of  forts  Yukon,  .St  Michael,  ami  Wraiigell,  Alaska,  sec 
Hi-it.  Alalia,  passim,  this  series.  I'ort  Goodwin  was  in  'i'ularoso  valley, 
tlireo  miles  from  Gila.  Lti, id  <>[)'.  Hi  pi,  1805,  ll."i-l().  Fort  Cmnmings  wa<(iii 
the  road  between  .SaiiLi  V6  ami  Cubac,  OJ  miles  from  Las  Cruees,  New  Me\. 
/./.,  ISC"),  11.").  For  mention  of  forts  Laramia  and  Leavenworth  in  1840-7, 
Beo  Ilisf.  Utah,  passim,  this  r.ries;  Parhmaii's  Cal,  and  Or.  Trail,  caps,  iii., 


FORTS. 


727 


111., 


whether  they  would  assist  themselves  in  securinof  such 
institutions,  they  invariably  replied  that  they  would 
be  glad  to  pay  for  them." 

ix.  Fort  Whipple  was  on  Granite  Creek,  cue  mile  below  Proscott,  Ar.  Land 
Off.  Ilept,  ISGo,  121.  Fort  Bowie,  in  NcwMcx.,  was  on  tlie  road  between 
.Santa  Fu  and  Tubac,  153  miles  from  the  latter.  Id.,  lSOr>,  115-lG.  Fort  Owen 
was  built  by  a  trader  of  that  name  on  the  site  of  a  mission  at  St  Mary  or  Flat- 
iiead  village,  Jlont.  Pac.  It.  It.  llc])t,  i.  "JGI,  -lYl.  Fort  Lane  was  in  1So.j  a 
eavalry  station  on  Koguc  IJivcr,  near  its  junction  with  Stewart  Creek.  Camp 
Wortli,  also  called  I'oit  Worth,  and  C;inip  (jiahaiii  were  in  Texas.  Willidm'a 
Khlldh  U.  B.  li'f.,  ii.  1:2,  28.  Fort  Llisa  was  at  YX  Paso,  New  iMex.  Id.,  ii. 
l.'J.  Fort  Orford  was  on  the  Or.  coast;  Fort  Harmony  on  Wood  Creek,  Utah. 
Ind.  Af.  licpt,  1S5-1,  270;  IS.'G,  2;};}.  J'V.r  list  of  posts  oucu pied  by  the  eiijlith 
infantry  with  location  about  1840,  sue  ]\"dhclm\-i  E'njhlh  U.  S.  Inf.,  ii.  20.1-82. 
In  Id.,  ii.  .32-dG,  is  inentioii  oi  a  luuiibcr  of  posts  in  New  Mev.  and  'i'exas,  but 
they  are  difficult  ti)  locate.  lu  the  Xfilior.  Uki.,  \^A.]-o\,  >"p8G-!)1,  is  a  list  of 
U.  .S.  military  posts,  inchidiiiL,'  those  on  the  I'acilic  eoatt,  with  geographic 
))Osition  in  KSl9-.5t.  In  the  >iavni()  eonntry,  Xow  Mex.,  there  was  in  iSSJDa 
fort  named  Deliancc,  soon  atteruard  abandoned,  and  in  Utah,  on  the  St.T, 
Clara  lliver,  was  Fort  Clara.  Iiid.  Aff.  Il<]it,  IS.VJ,  'M^;  IsGS,  IGl;  IS.JG,  2:!4. 
Fort  Simeoe,  in  east  \\'asliini;ton,  was  abaniU)ned  as  a  military  post  in  18J9 
or  before,  the  Yakima  Indian  agency  taking  possession  thereof.  Fort  AVest 
was  in  IStio  on  the  headwaters  of  the  Cila.  /;;'/.  Aff.  Jt.  Com.  Pcpt,  1SG7, 
111.  In  Colo,  stood  ill  ISG.")  forts  Riley,  Lamed,  and  Lyon.  Fort  Randall 
was  in  Todd  eo.,  l>ak.;  Fort  Wingatc  in  the  Navajo  country,  NewMex.  Ind. 
Aff.  Pcpt,  1807,  :i;]G,  412.  For  list  of  forts  in  New  Mex.  in  18G3,  sec  Ind. 
Aff.  Jt.  (,'om.  li'i'pf,  1SG7,  passim.  For  list  of  U.  S.  forts  and  military  stations 
in  IS2j  see  Sen.  Doc,  i.  vol.  i.  ISO,  JDth  (!oii<j.,  ;M  Si-ss.;  in  1851,  Home  E.i\ 
Doc,  2,  vol.  ii.  pt.  i.,  ,".?d  Con<j.,  IntSi'if^.  The  names  and  locations  of  70  U.  S. 
forts  in  existence  in  18;17.  with  number  of  guns  and  garrisons,  arc  given  in  Id., 
.1,  vol.  i.  201-S,  i^ath  t'oii'j.,  ,,'d  .SV'.<s.  l"or  description  of  II.  IJ.  Co.'s  forts  in 
\Va5h.,  Or.,  and  Id.  in  1S,')4,  sec  Stn.  1)0''.,  no.  V>7,  vol.  vii.  u,'JdCon;).,L'dS('.sf!. 
Adaes,  14  miles  from  Natchitoches,  w.is  a  military  post  founded  in  ISOG. 
Monvttc,  Hist.  Discov.  and  iScllliincnt,  ii.  .■!41.  Adams  ]'\)rt  was  found(>d 
in  1798  on  the  jNlississippi,  in  Natchez  district,  .a  few  miles  beyond  the 
.Spanish  line.  A  stockade  fort  of  the  same  name  was  built  in  1704,  on  or 
near  St  Alaiy's  River,  47  miles  from  (Jreenville,  O.  Albany  was  so  named 
by  the  Ihiglish,  after  its  capture,  in  1GG4,  from  the  Uutcli,  Ijy  wlioin  it  was 
termed  Fort  Orange.  Jlr>/(inf,  ii.  2GG.  Altonn,  e.qitured  from  the  Dutch  in 
IGJd,  was  originally  called  Fort  Christina.  Id.,  ii,  102.  Amite  River,  Fla— a 
.•^m.all  fort  on  this  river  was  surrendered  to  Spain  in  177!).  Monctlc,  i.  CIS, 
-\msterdam  Fort  was  founded  in  1G2G;  for  mention  see  Uri/nnt,  i.  .'{OG-7;  ii. 
20G,  oil,  31S-'.),  3,")l.  Ailmcklc  Fort  was  on  the  Washita  branch  of  Red 
River,  Tex.  A  little  to  the  cast  of  i:  was  Fort  Washita.  Arkansas  I'ort  was 
established  in  IGSG  by  the  chevalier  de  Tonti,  near  the  mouth  of  the  -Arkansas. 
I'lal'.,  i.  r>,  7;  Moni'ltc,  i.  map.  Another  lujst  of  tlie  same  name  was  built  by 
the  French  in  1721,  al)0ut  GO  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  .Arkansas.  Ou 
the  upper  waters  of  the  Arkansas  there  was,  in  ISOG,  a  block  house  .and  U.  S. 
factory.  Lrwinand  Clctrl.c,  map.  -\ssiimptioii  I'oi'twas  builtby  the  French  us 
a  depot  in  1739,  on  tlie  east  bank  of  the  Mi::sissii)pi,  near  the  mouth  of  .Mar- 
got  or  Wolf  River.  The  following  year  it  was  dismantled.  Mmntlc,  i.  2!IO-l ; 
Pn/ant,  ii.  CAd.  Atkinson  Fort  was  built  at  the  vilhige  of  Mundan  before 
1858.  In  18G0  it  was  named  Fort  Rirthold,  ami  dining  that  year  was 
destroyed  by  the  Sioux.  Poll');  ',]~,  72,  .'}.")8.  On  IIk^  Arkansas  River, 
below  the  Fort  Rcit,  were  forts  Aubrey,  Uodge,  and  Zaran.  Augusta  Fort 
was  on  the  right  branch  of  the  .Suscpiehanua,  opposite;  the  month  of  the  west 
branch.  I'ort  St  .Vngnstine,  for  mention  see  MoiicUc,  i.  GO;  Pnjanl,  i,  2i;i. 
Axacan  Mission  was  founded  in  1570,  on  tho  lUppaliannoek  River,  by  a  party 


ii! 


728 


SETTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


With  cliurches,  charitable  societies,  schools,  libra- 
ries, and  local  journals,  British  Columbia  has  always 

of  priests,  friars,  and  Indian  converts,  among  them  bcin^  P.  Segiira,  licad  of 
the  Jesuit  mission  of  Florida,  and  Don  Lids,  brother  of  the  caci(iiic  of  Axucan 
or  Jacan.  The  latter  relapsed  into  savagism,  a)id  aided  in  the  massaerc  of 
the  party,  of  whom  only  one  Indian  boy  was  saved.  IJaker's  (Station,  a 
stockade  on  the  cast  side  of  the  Ohio,  at  the  head  nf  Crc-iap  Pxittoni,  was 
huilt  for  protection  against  Indiana  in  17S'J.  Monrllc.  ii.  140.  Baraueas,  a 
stockade  huilt  at  Pcnsacola  in  1795,  and  termed  by  the  Spaniards  Fort  San 
Fcrdinam''  de  Barancas,  was  blown  np  by  the  Britisli  in  1815.  Baton  llougc, 
a  post  on  tlie  Mississippi,  about  half-way  between  Red  Iviver  and  New  Orleans, 
was  surrendered  to  Spain  in  1770.  Bedford  Fort  stood  about  100  miles  south- 
east from  Pittsburgh.  Benton  Fort  w;;s  at  the  heail  of  steam  navigation  on 
the  Missouri,  just  above  Xasia  lliver.  Bent  Fort  on  tlic  Arkansas,  above 
Sand  Crock,  was  occupidid  by  Bent  and  St  Vrain  as  a  trading  jiost.  Among 
their  hunters  was  Kit  Carson.  Fort  St  Bernard  was  built  by  La  Salle  in 
1085  at  the  mouth  of  a  river  whieli  ho  termed  the  St  Bernard,  west  of  tlio 
Mississippi.  I'ratz,  i.  5.  Beversidc  Fort  was  Ijuilt  liy  a  Dutchman  about 
1054,  near  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  but  was  not  long  in  existence.  Brijant, 
ii.  151.  Big  Falls,  a  trading  post  abo\o  St  Anthony'.s  Falls,  on  the  Missis- 
sippi, remained  standing  in  1800.  Black's  Station  stood,  in  1770,  on  the  site 
of  Abington,  V'a.  Mow  tic,  ii.  82.  Bledsoe's  Station,  in  Cundjcrland  River  Val- 
ley, was  founded  about  1778.  /</.,  ii.  "JOli-O.  Uooncsborough  Fort  was  founded 
by  Daniel  Boone  in  1775,  on  the  sito  of  the  present  town  of  Boonesborough. 
Ky.  Bowyer  Fort,  built  at  Mobile  Point  in  1813.  was  so  named  after  the  first 
lieutenant  in  eonunand.  Brewerton  Fort  was  at  the  west  end  of  Oneida  Lake. 
Brown's  Station,  six  miles  from  Nashville,  Teun.,  was  iu  existence  in  1792, 
and  Bryant's  Station,  a  stockade  fort  on  tlie  south  bank  of  Elkhorn  Creek, 
between  Lexington  and  Marysville,  in  1782.  Buford  Fort  was  being  erected 
by  the  U.  8.  go\ernment  in  1800,  on  the  sites  of  tho  old  Fort  \Villiam3  trading 
post.  Boiler,  42,  415.  Bute  Fort  was  built  in  1 705  on  tlie  north  bank  of  Bayou 
Manciiac,  near  its  junction  with  the  Mississippi.  Within  a  few  hundred 
yards  of  it  tlie  Spainiards  built  a  .«mall  fort,  in  1770,  for  protection  against 
smuggleis.  MoiK'/Ze,  i.  4011,  400.  Cadot  Fort  stood,  in  1770,  at  the  south- 
east end  of  Lake  Superior,  near  tlie  falls  i)f  St  Marie,  ("ahokia,  throe  miles 
below  St  Louis,  was  in  1770  a  small  post  dependent  on  Fort  Gage.  Cainpuj 
Martius,  the  !irst  fortified  settlement  west  of  the  Ohio,  was  built  in  1788  at 
the  mouth  of  Uie  Muskinguui  River.  Fort  Carolina,  named  after  Cliarles  IX., 
was  founded  l)y  Rib.iult  in  1502,  in  South  Carolina,  a  few  miles  above  St 
Helena  Souud.  In  15(>4  it  was  abandoned,  and  the  same  year  a  new  one, 
with  the  same  name,  was  built  b^' a  Fi'cnch  colony,  on  tlio  south  batdc  of  May 
River,  six  leagues  above  its  mouth.  Tlie  latter  was  destroyed  by  the  Spaniards 
in  1505,  Cassiinir  Fort  was  built  by  tho  Dutch  iu  105;?  on  a  blutF  in  the  Dela- 
ware, four  miles  below  the  mouth  of  tho  Christiua,  to  take  the  place  of  Fort 
Nassau,  which  occupied  tlio  present  site  of  Newcastle,  Del.  In  1054  it  was 
captured  by  the  Swedes  and  named  Trefalldighect  (Trinity  Fort).  It  was  re- 
taken by  the  Dutch  in  1055.  Bryant,  ii.  15.'3,  loO,  158.  Chagwageman  Mission, 
founded  in  1009  ]>y  Father  !Mcsnard  on  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Sujierior, 
but  soon  afterward  abandoned,  was  reestablished  in  1085  by  Father  AUouez. 
/injaiit,  ii.  501.  Cliarles — of  tiic  three  forts  so  named,  one  built  in  1502  by 
Riliault,  at  Port  Roy.al,  Fla,  was  soon  afterw.ard  abandoned;  another  was 
built  by  tho  Spaniards  at  Pcnsacola  in  IGUO,  and  a  third  stood,  in  1795,  above 
Council  Bluifs.  LcwU  and  Clarhe^s  Travels,  X\.  Charlotte  Fort  (originally 
Fort  Conde),  built  on  tho  site  of  Mobile,  controlled  until  1813,  when  it  was 
surrendered  to  tho  U.  S. ,  a  considerable  region  cast  of  tho  Mississippi.  Monette, 
i.  St,  100;  ii.  389.  Charlotto  Camp,  a  stockade  enclosure  with  citadel,  on  the 
cast  side  of  tho  Scioto,  was  built  in  1774.  Chartres  Fort,  founded  in  1720,  on 
tho  lcf^  bank  of  tho  Mississipiii,  and  considered  one  of  tho  strongest  posts  iu 


FORTS. 


TSQi 


been  abundantly  supplied  —  somewhat  over-abun- 
dantly, as  it  would  appear,  in  proportion  to  the  popu- 

North  America,  waa  a  century  later  a  massive  ruin.  Cherokee,  or  Old  Chero- 
kee Fort,  40  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio,  was  ia  oxisteiuu  in  177S. 
Christina  Fort  was  founiled  by  the  Swedish  West  India  Co. ,  in  lOIiS,  at  the 
junction  of  Christina  Creek  with  tlie  Brandywine,  near  Wihnin^'ton.  Bryant, 
i.  4GG-7.  Fort  ISt  Clair,  on  the  Miami,  20  miles  north  of  Fort  liamiltun,  was 
built  in  1791.  Monette,  ii.  4t)0.  Chiirburno  Fort,  built  in  ISKJon  Weather- 
ford  Bluff,  on  the  east  side  of  Alabama  River,  85  miles  above  F(irt  Stod- 
dard, was  a  strong  stockade  with  three  block-houses  and  a  lialfinoon  liat- 
tery.  Clark  Fort,  named  after  the  explorer,  was  in  lSo8  a  dilapidated 
trading  jwst  on  the  Missouri,  near  the  Riccareo  village,  and  belonged  to 
tiio  American  Fur  Co.  Boiler,  33.  Conception  Mission  was  foundi  d  among 
the  Illinois  in  April  1(575.  Shcd'n  MissiKS.,  5(5  Concord  Fort  was  built  by  the 
Spaniards  on  tlic  site  of  the  village  of  V'idalia,  on  tiio  west  bank  of  tlie  Mis- 
sissippi. Monette,  i.  540,  Crawford  Camp,  on  the  Chattahoochy,  ju«t  above 
ti\o  Florida  line,  was  established  in  181(5.  Crove-Coeur  Fort,  built  by  I^i 
Salle  in  1G70,  near  the  head  of  Illinois  River,  and  so  named  on  account  of  the 
tinancial  misfortunes  that  overtook  the  founder  at  this  time,  appears  to  have 
been  abandoned  tlic  same  or  the  following  year.  Bryant,  ii.  .Til;  J'rafz,  i.  5. 
Cumberland  Fort  was  built  by  the  English  about  1754,  on  Will's  Crct-k,  near 
the  present  town  of  Cumberland,  Md.  Defiance  Fort  was  a  strong  stockade, 
built  in  1G94  at  the  junction  of  An  (ilaize  and  Maumeo  Rivers.  Muncltc,  ii. 
304,  308.  Dcnham  Station,  near  Naslivillo,  Teun.,  was  in  existeiue  in  1792. 
Detroit  was  in  1707  a  large  stockaded  village  with  about  eiglity  houses. 
Carver's  Travels,  15'2.  Dover  Fort,  X.  H.,  contained,  in  1089,  five  garrisoii 
houses,  into  wliich  all  the  inhabitants  withdrew  at  night.  In  1754  the  Eng- 
lish began  to  erect  a  fort  and  trading  post  at  tlic  '  forks,'  a  point  of  land  just 
above  tlie  junction  of  the  Alleghany  and  Monongahcla,  where  now  stands  Pitts- 
burgli;  but  they  were  driven  off  l)y  French  under  Contrecoeur,  who  at  once 
built  a  fort  and  named  it  Du  Quesnc,  after  tlio  governor  of  Canada.  In  1758 
it  was  attacked  by  the  English,  when  the  French  set  fire  to  it  and  fled,  the 
former  naming  it  Fort  Pitt.  Easley  Station,  at  the  forks  of  the  Alabama 
an<l  Tombigbec,  was  built  in  1813.  Edward  Fort  was  on  the  left  bank  of  tiie 
Hudson,  near  its  northern  bend.  Ellswortli  Fort  was  on  the  Smoky  Hill 
Fork  of  the  Kansas.  Elfsborg  or  Elsingborg  Fort,  built  by  tho  Swedes  at 
the  mouth  of  Salem  Creek,  Aid,  was  abandoned  about  i().'>'_',  when  the 
Dutch  erected  a  fort  near  its  site.  Bryant,  ii,  152,  Ely  and  Curtis'  trading 
post  was  in  1821  on  tho  Missouri,  near  tho  mouth  of  the  Kansas.  Bcrkiroiirlh, 
31.  Mission  St  Esprit  was  near  to  tho  western  corner  of  Lake  Superior. 
Estill  Station  was  on  the  south  side  of  Kentucky  River.   Monvlle,  ii.  124. 

Fairfield  Fort,  in  Maine,  was  in  existeuco  in  181(i.  Fariiurs'  Castle  Sta- 
tion, a  stoekad'i  with  block  house  on  tho  Ohio,  twelve  miles  lielow  tlie  uioutli 
of  tlio  Muskingum,  was  erected  in  1789.  Monetic,  ii.  247  8.  Fincastle  I'ort, 
afterward  named  Fort  Henry,  on  the  east  bank  of  tho  Oiiio,  near  tlie  nite  of 
Wheeling,  was  built  in  1774.  ii.  90,  95,  Fiuley's  trading  post,  in  the  ]nesent 
Clarko  co,  in  Kentucky,  was  in  existence  in  17(i9.  Florida  Fort  was  founded 
in  1801,  a  few  miles  above  Fort  Stoddard,  on  Mobile  Itiver.  Florida  M  ission 
was  a  Franciscan  establishment  in  central  Florida,  in  existence  in  l.")SI:  or 
earlier.  Floyd  Station,  on  Bear-grass  Creek,  about  six  miles  from  tho  falls 
of  tho  Ohio,  was  established  in  1775.  Fort  St  Francis  was  built  in  17.'!9  by 
tlio  French,  on  tho  west  bank  of  tho  Mississippi,  near  the  mouth  of  the  St 
Francis. 

Gadsden  Fort,  on  tho  AppalacliicoUi,  below  Fort  .Scott,  was  in  existrnce 
in  1818.  Monette,  i.  93.  Gago  Fort,  u  stockade  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Kas- 
kaskia,  opposite  tho  town  of  that  name,  was,  after  1772,  tho  hoadtpiarters  of 
tiie  commandant  of  Illinois.  George  Fort  was  built  on  tho  southern  extremity 
of  Lake  George.     Fort  King  George  was  erected  by  tho  English  on  tho  Alta- 


X        


730 


SETTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


lation,  estimated  in  188G  at  not  more  than  GO, 000. 
At  the  capital  there  was  a  Jewish  synagogue;  the 

malia,  Ga,  about  173'2.  Bryant,  ii.  5G0.  Gloucester  House  was  on  the  Albany 
Kivcr,  near  Osnabur^h  House,  llarmoufi'  Jour.,\\v.\\\.  tJood  Hope  Fort  was 
built  in  lGo3  liy  tlio  Duti'Ii  West  Inilia  Co.,  on  the  jiresent  sito  of  Hartford, 
Conn.  Drijaiit,  i.  547.  Gore  Fort  was  crcetcil  in  177 1  at  the  mouth  of  llock- 
incc  lliver.  Monrtte,  i.  .181.  Gosnohl  Fort,  on  IClizaht-th  lyland,  Mass.,  was 
built  in  1(502  by  Bartholomew  Gosnolil,  who,  under  instructions  fron»  the  earl 
of  Southampton,  examined  the  eo.ast  southward  from  Capo  Cod.  IJnjniit.  i. 
2&2  ct  scq.  Gottenburg,  or  New  Gottcnbur:,',  was  a  fort  built  by  the  Swedes 
in  tlic  17th  century,  on  Tinicnm  Island,  Del.  After  being  captured  by  the 
Dutch  in  lGo5,  it  was  known  as  Kotteuberi,'  Island.  Gratiot  Fort  lay,  in 
ISUr),  at  the  south  end  of  Lake  Huron,  about  73  miles  from  Detroit.  Green 
15ay  Mission,  in  Wisconsin,  was  opened  in  10(iD.  Monill<',  i.  TJl.  Greenville 
Fort  was  built  near  the  present  town  of  Greenville,  0.  Id.,  ii.  '297.  llallelt 
Fort  was  on  Liard  Hivcr,  west  of  the  great  bend,  llarmar  Fort,  built  in  178.") 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Muskingum,  was  the  first  U.  S.  military  post  in  0!iio. 
JloiHlle,  ii.  218,  223.  Harrod  Station  was  a  military  post  founded  about 
1771,  near  the  present  Harrodsburg,  Ky.  /(/.,  i.  304.  Hawn  Fort  was  on 
GulK't  Dlult',  near  the  Tombigbee.  Hayes'  Station,  near  Nashville,  'J'enn., 
was  in  existence  in  1792.  Henry  House  was  near  and  east  from  Moose  Lake; 
Iloy'j  Station,  on  tho  Ohio  frontier,  was  some  20  miles  from  I'ppcr  ])lue 
Jjieks.  Mission  St  Iguaco  was  built  on  Michilimackinao  Strait  in  1070,  and 
near  1;)  it  the  llurons  built  a  palisade.  Moneltv,  i.,  map  1;  Shcn'.-t  }[is4s'i.  Ixi. 
Ignatius.  St,  or  St  Imigoc,  as  tho  common  corruption  is,  was  a  Jesuit  mission 
founded  in  ild  in  104:!.  linjaitt,  i.  497,  512-13.  .laekson  Fort  was  built  in 
ISbt  on  the  site  of  old  Fort  Tallassce,  near  tho  mouth  of  the  C.io-a.  .Uoiirllc, 
ii.  425.  James  lliver  liad  on  its  banks  two  forts  in  1070,  and  tli'!  Potomac, 
Uappahaunoeli,  and  York  one.  each.  Jelierson  Fort,  built  in  1791.  was  20 
miles  nortli  of  Fort  St  Clair,  and  about  0  from  Greenville,  ().  Joseph  Fort  was 
at  the  soutli  end  <if  Lake  Michigan.  Kaskaskia,  about  live  miles  from  tho 
moutli  of  ]\.askaski;i  Kivcr.  and  tlio  oldest  settlement  in  tlie  lllipois  country, 
was  in  1770  a  missionary  .-station,  containing  a  Jesuit  college.  Monrtte.  i.  102, 
lGO-7.  Kenhawa,  at  tho  mouth  of  Great  Kenliaw.i  lliver,  was,  in  1770,  a 
militi.iy  post,  in  command  of  Capt.  Arbucklc,  and  then  known  as  t!ic  '  i'oint.' 
Iveunebeo  Kiver;  tlio  I'opham  colony,  arriving  in  1G07,  in  tho  ship  (lift  afCtod, 
buik  hero  a  fort  mounting  12  guns.  Labargo  Fort  was  a  little  alwvo  Fort 
Uenton,  on  tho  Missouri.  Li  Itayo  Fort  was  at  the  southern  cxtremitv  of 
Green  liay.  L.aurens  Fort,  .a  military  post,  was  built  in  1778,  on  the  right 
bank  of  tho  Tuscarawas,  just  below  tho  mouth  of  Samly  Creek.  M'oiieiti ,  ii. 
107,  21S.  Lo  Hoeuf  Fort  was  built  by  tho  French  in  175.'(  on  Lake  Lo  I'luuef, 
15  miles  from  Prcsciuc  Isle.  Leech  Lake  Post  was  a  block-bouse  beloii'.'iug 
to  tho  N.  W.  Co.  Liard  Fort  was  on  Liard  lliver,  above  tli(>  Nahiumi.  Ligo- 
nier  Fort,  GO  miles  cast  of  Fort  Pitt,  was  in  existence  in  170.!.  Lisa  Fort,  a 
trading  post  belonging  to  Manuel  Lisa,  of  t!ie  Missouri  Fur  Co.,  was  .about 
live  miles  below  Omaha.  Logan  Fort,  in  Lincoln  co.,  Ky,  near  the  Ken- 
tucky River,  waa  founded  in  1775.  London  Fort  was  a  stockado  post  built 
by  tho  iMiglish  in  1757,  on  the  nortli  bank  of  Litllo  Tcnncssco  lliver,  on  tho 
present  site  of  Fort  Winchester,  Va.  Lookout  Fort  was  built  on  the  Mis- 
souri, near  Council  Blull's.  llirhirrturlh,  85.  Fort  St  Louis  lay,  in  1719,  near 
the  mouth  of  Mobile  lliver.  Pruiz,  i.  138.  Another  fort  of  tliat  name  was 
founded,  between  IGSO  and  1G83,  near  tho  junction  of  Illinois  River  and  Lake 
Peoria.  Monvttf,  i.  l.'(5,  140.  A  third  was  built  by  La  Salle,  in  1G85,  on  Mc- 
tagorda  Bay,  Texas.  Bryant,  ii.  517-18.  Madison  Fort,  Iowa,  was  established 
in  1808  as  a  frontier  post.  Monctte,  ii.  501.  Manchester  Fort,  with  its  stock- 
ade, was  founded  in  1790,  12  miles  above  Limestone,  in  tho  \'a  military  dis- 
trict. Id.,  ii.  314.  Mission  St  Marie,  founded  in  IGG9  among  tho  Chippewas, 
was  tho  oldest  settlement  in   Mich.  Shea's  Miinins.,  xlvii.     St  Murk  waa 


FORTS. 


781 


prcsbytcriaris   were    represented   by  seven,   and    the 
nietliodist  church  of  Cana»hi  by  sixteen  ministers,  wliile 

in  ISIS  ii  post  six  miles  above  tlio  mouth  of  Appalachy  lliver.   Jfuinllt'.  i.  'M. 
Marliii  Station,  on  Stonir  fork  of  Licking  Kivcr,    was   ikstroycd   l)y  tlio 
J'n,i;li^!i  in  1070.     Massac  I'ort  was  a,  .stockade  built  by  tlic  I'Vench,  in  \''}\), 
on  tlio  liglit  bank  of  the  Ohio,  about  'tO  in'no  above  its  mouth.     Mateo,  Fort 
San,  was  erected  by  the  S]ianiar(ls  Boon  alter  their  capture  of  Fort  Caroline, 
in  13(!r>,  and  iirobably  close  to  its  ruins.   Jirijitiit,  i.  'Jit.     McAfee's  Station 
was  in  1781   a  frontier  post  near  the  Ohio.    Momiff,  ii.   1-1.     McClellan'a 
.Station  lay,  in  177(5,  on  the  north  fork  of  the  I'.lkhoin,  near  the  jiresent  vil- 
l.igo  of  Clcorgetown,  Ky.     ^[cConneU's  Station  was  in  17S'2  near  the  town 
of  Lexington.     McDowell  Fort  v.as  on  the  l!io  Verde  branch  of  tl'.o  Sal.nlo, 
near  the  month  of  the  former.     M'IntJsli  Foit  was  built  in  177S,  on  tin!  north 
bank  of  the  Ohio,  near  the  mouth  of  Jliglieaver  Creek,  I'a.     FortHt  Michael, 
near  Fe'.isacola,  was  in  existence  in   ISl.").     Of  the  numerous  forts  in   thu 
state  of  Michigan,  and  in  the  neighborhnod  of  the  great  lake-^.  most  of  them 
crcctdi  by  the  IL  Ii.  Co.,  may  be  mentioned  the  following;    Tlio  fort  ef  tho 
Mianiis  was  built  by  La  Salh;  in  Uu'J  as  a  trading  post,  on  St  .Joseph  Liver, 
near  its  entrance  into  Lake  ^Michigan.     Fort  Laurimie,  on  the  head  waters  of 
(Jreat  Miami  llivcr,  w.^s  in  existence  in   171.J.     Li  17.")- tho  l^'niicli  li;id  a 
stockaded  trading  jiost  on  Mad  River,  a  tributary  of  the  (Jreat  Miami.     A 
Lritish  post  nameil  Mian.i,  on  the  north  bank  of  Maumeo  Liver,  about  two 
miles  below  the  rajiids,  was  built  before  17lj;l.     In  17^'iit  was  ubandoiied, 
;uul  in  17911  reoccupiod.     Columbia,  a  seltlement  wi;!i  bl  k!;  h'>use,  was  com- 
menced in  17S8,  on  tho  north  bank  of  the  Ohio,  three  miles  below  the  l^ittlc 
Miami.     Fort  Hamilton,  on  the  Miami,  ill)  miles  from  Foi  t  Washington,  was 
in  1791  an  advanced  post.     Fort  Deposit  was  built  in  I7!H  as  a  miiifaiy  store- 
house, near  the  head  of  Maumec  Lapi<ls,  seven  miles  from  Fort  Miami.   .Vo- 
vrtlr,   JI;m.   iJiscov.   and  Hdtlcmcnt,  i.   L'if;  ii.  'Jll,  L'lS. -Jl'.*,  •J..7, 'J90,  •_'(;  I. 
l'\)rt  Mackinaw  stood  on  tho  south  side  of  i\w.  strait  of  Mieliilimackiuac,  be- 
tween lakes  Ilnron  and  Michigan,  and  was  a  repository  and  place  of  departure 
for  tho  upper  and  lower  country.     The  stockade  enclosed  nearly  two  acres 
and  about  30  houses,  and  was  garrisoned  by  about  9.")  men,  tho  bastions  being 
lirotectcd  by  brass  guns.     Li  17lJ.'J  it  was  eaptiued  by  Indians.  LL,  i.  .'!.'>0. 
In  1700  Fort  ^liehiliniackinac,  at  the  junction  of  likes  Huron  and  Michigan, 
enclosed  by  a  strong  stockade,  an<l  garrisoned  by  about  100  miii,  was  the 
most  remote  of  Iwiglisli  posts.     The  name  sigiiities  a  tortoise,   and  ap[)lie3 
probably  to  an  island  a  few  miles  to  the  northeast,  which  in  a|ipeaianco 
I  CFcmblcs  a  tortoise.     The  place  was  captured  by  Pontiac  in  17ii.'',  but  was  re- 
stored tho  following  year.  Carrcr,  ix.  19.     Miro  Lost,  on  the  Washita  Liver, 
M-as  built  in    1795,  on  the  site  of  the  tnwn  of  Monroe.   Moudic,  \,  ISS-O. 
Mitchell  Fort,  on  the  Chattahoochy.  Ca,  was  in  existence  in  IS!,"),  ami  Mont 
gomery  Fort,  near  Lensacola,  in  ISIS.     X,ish\  illc  was  a  trading  post  ereeteil 
I  y  tho  French  near  tho  ]iresent  city  of  X:islivil!e  about  177S.   Moiirttc,  ii.  "200. 
■Nassau  Fort,  a  large  trading  ]x)st  ereeteil  by  Heiidrick  Christiansen,  a  Dutch 
captain,  in  1011,  on  Cr.stle  Jslan<l,  ne.ir  Albany,  was  tho  lirst  one  built  on  tlii' 
Hudson  Liver,   nrtjmil,  i.  .'i,")9.     S'alcliitoehi-,  i>ii  Lrd  Liver,  was  oci'U|iieil 
i'l  171'2as  a  trading  post,  and  in   1717  as  a  military  post.  Mnui'lte,  ii.  1(11). 
N'eccssity  Fort  was  built  by  Mio  J'higiish  in  17."il,  a  few  miles  west  of  L'uioii- 
t   ■'       bur,  was  surrendered  the  i-aino  year  to  the  French.     Nelson  Fortwai 
i  iii.  ii)  1780  on  the  Ohio,  near  liear-grass  Creek,  and  Newberry,  a  settlement 
with  iiloek  house,  in  I7S9  on  the  same  rivcr.  '11  miles  V.elow  the  Muskiii"i;:ii. 
Niagara  Foi't  was  built  by  the  Freiii'h  in  17-0,  iicar  the  mouth  of  Niagar.-i 
Liver.     Old  Fort,  or  Leilstone  Old   I'ort,  on  the  Monongalida,  was  named 
I'.rownn'ilh^  when  the  latter  town  w.is  laid  out  in  178.">.   Momi^i\   ii.  I!t4. 
Orleans  I'lnt  was  built  by  tho  French  in  17-0,  on  an  island  above  the  mouth 
of  Osage  Liver.     Oswego  Fort,  at  the  mouth  of  Oswego  Liver,  was  captured 
by  tho  French  in  I7.")0.     Ouiatcnon  or  Ouatanon  Fort  stood,  in  1707,  on  the 


732 


.SKTTLK.MKXTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


the  baptist  and  refi)niietl  episcopal  churches  were  cn- 
ofacfctl  ill  orjijaniziiiyf  various  branches  throuu[]iout  the 

left  liaiik  uf  the  Wabash,  near  the  juuctiuii  of  its  sources.  P.iuiiiure  Fort,  at 
Natchfi!,  MuneiKhneil  to  the  Spaniards  iu  1779.  Monetle,  i.  4l{iS.  reiiibiiia 
Fort  \v;is  oil  Iti'tl  Kivev,  near  the  mouth  of  the  I'eiubina.  Tensaeoh*  Fort  \v;is 
cai)ture(l  by  the  Frciicli  in  171'J,  and  soon  Afterward  recaptured  by  tlie  Span 
iarda,  and  again  captured  by  tiic  French,  Pralz,  i.  93  et  seq.  It  was  oocii- 
pied  l)y  the  Americans  in  181S.  Fort  St  I'eter  stood,  in  172"),  near  thn 
mouth  of  the  Y'uzoo  liiver.  Monelle,  i.  '2'1'i.  I'ickering  Fort  was  near  Memphis, 
below  Wolf  River.  I'icrro  Fort,  on  the  Missouri,  1,'JOO  miles  above  St  Louit;, 
was  formerly  one  of  the  larycst  forts  iu  the  Sioux  country,  but  iu  180('>  nu 
vestige  of  it  remaineil.  Jlollcr,  '2'J,  417.  On  hearing  of  tlie  massacre  in  Virginia, 
iu  It)--,  the  pilgrim  fathers  built  a  fort  within  tlie  palisades  that  HUi-re)unded 
tlie  nine  liouscs  then  comprising  the  town  of  I'lynmuth.  Pre.siiu'  Isle  was 
on  the  southern  shore  of  I^ake  Frie,  near  I'resqu'  Isle  Bay.  IVinieau  Fort  wiis 
in  KSoS  a  dilapidated  post  on  the  Missoui'i,  near  the  vilhigc  of  tlie  Iticearee.s. 
Uolkr,  ;i.'!.  I'rince  George  Fort,  about  IIU  miles  east  of  Fort  London,  was  in 
existence  in  I7i")7.  -Moiutlc,  i.  314.  Pueblo  Fort,  a  trading  post  at  tlie  junr- 
tion  of  the  Fontaine  (jui  ISouit  and  Arkansas,  was  built  in  1842  by  a  company 
of  traders.  Sn  iics  Jt'ocky  M(k,  17"-.  I icco very  Fort  was  l)uilt  in  I7!I4,  on  tin; 
scene  of  St  Clair'.-i  defeat,  between  St  ^lary  Kiver  and  Oreeiiville,  O.  J/c- 
iiettr,  ii.  ;{00-.'{.  lio<l  Cellar  Lake  Post,  belonging  to  the  N.  W.  Co.,  is  laid 
down  on  L(  win  ami  Clarlx'n  map.  Rice  Fort  >\as  on  Buffalo  Creek,  about  12 
miles  north  of  Wheeling.  Moiicllc,  ii.  140.  Robertson  Station,  founded  in 
1780,  near  the  site  of  Nashville,  afterward  became  the  centre  of  the  Cinnber- 
land  settlements.  Rosalie  Fort  was  built  by  the  Frencli  in  1711),  on  the  bint! 
where  Natchez  now  stands.  Fort  St  Rose,  Jiear  Pcnsaeola,  was  in  existence 
iu  181"). 

Sackvillc  (the  old  French  Fort  St  Vincent)  lay,  iu  1770,  on  the  left  bank 
of  the  Wabash,  150  miles  above  its  mouth.  Mviatfe,  i.  413.  Sandusky  Fort 
was  built  on  the  site  of  Sandusky  Citj'.  Saybrook  Fort  was  built  about 
1U3.");  fur  mention,  sco  y>'rj/iuit,  i.  o.lO,  ojo.  Schlosser  Fort  was  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  Niagara,  opposite  Grand  Island.  Scott  Fort,  on  the  Georgia  fron- 
tier, was  in  existence  iu  1810.  Momttc,  i.  Ul,  93.  Simon,  Mission  St,  was 
located,  in  1070,  at  Great  Manitounin  Island,  Lake  Huron.  Id.,  i.  map,  p.  J. 
.South  River  Post  was  built  in  1024  by  settlers  belonging  to  the  Dutch  AVcj  t 
India  Co.  They  soon  afterward  abandoned  it  for  Manhattan.  Itri/aiif,  i. 
300-7.  Stanwix  Fort,  also  known  as  Fort  Schuyler,  was  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  Mohawk,  near  its  source.  Station  Prairie,  on  the  Scioto,  was  built  in 
17i-'J,  near  tlie  site  of  the  town  of  Ciiiliicothe.  Mointic,  ii.  315.  Steuben  Fort 
stood  iu  1782  near  the  falls  of  the  Ohio.  Stoddard  Fort  was  founded  in  ISO!, 
on  Mobile  River  near  the  Spanish  line,  and  Strother  Fort  on  the  Coosa,  mar 
Ten  Inlands,  about  1813.  Talassco  Fort,  six  miles  above  the  mouth  of  tlic 
Coosa,  and  built  on  the  site  of  Fort  Toulouse,  the  latter  being  erected  in  1714, 
was  reconstructed  in  1814  as  Fort  Jackson.  J/oHr/^e,  i,  213,  415.  Thompson's 
Creek  I'ost,  a  small  fort  in  west  Fla,  was  surrendered  to  the  Spaniards  in 
1779.  Tombigby  Fort  was  built  by  the  French  in  1730  on  the  river  of  that 
name,  about  250  miles  above  tho  site  of  Mobile.  Union  Fort,  on  the  Mis- 
souri, six  miles  above  tho  Yellowstone,  and  in  1830  tho  headquarters  of  the 
American  Fur  Co.,  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  equipped  of  the  comiiany'.s 
forts.  Jlulkr,  9,  43;  Beckwourth,  300.  Valle's  Post,  on  tho  Missouri,  just 
above  Cheyenne,  was  occupied  in  1804  by  the  French  trader  Valle.  Lcirin  awl 
Clarke,  70,  Venango  Fort  was  built  by  the  French  in  1753,  on  tlie  site  of 
Franklin,  Pa.  Mouttte,  i.  lOS,  171.  Vincent,  Post  St,  on  the  Wabash,  some 
distance  above  White  River,  was  in  existence  in  1745.  Id.,  i.  map.  Washing- 
ton Fort  was  founded  in  1789,  on  the  Ohio,  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  j^ick- 
ing.  Moiictti',  ii.  2."'l-2.  Washita  Post,  built  in  1713,  on  tho  site  of  the  town 
of  Monroe,  was  in  existence  in  1700.     Wayne  Fort,  named  after  Gen.  Wayne, 


CHURCHES. 


788 


3J 


province."'  Two  years  before  there  were  five  catholic 
or  episcopal  dioceses,  with  nearly  sixty  clcrij^ymen.^" 
At  Victoria  tlierc  were  three  liospitals,"'  an  or[)hans' 
home,"^  several  benevolent  societies,''^  and  tlie  inevi- 

was  litiilt  ill  ]~'M  at  tlic  coiiiliionce  of  St  Mary'a  and  St  Jdscph's  rivers. 
Wciithurloril  was  in  ISi;}  a  stroii^iiold  and  town  near  tlio  soiitli  l)aiik  of  tlio 
Alabama,  in  a  swani))  known  as  Kcclianacliaca,  or  Holy  (iroiind.  ^VillianlS 
Fort,  tlirt'o  niilcn  lu'low  tlio  Ycliow.sto'u',  was  moved  in  ISoS  f-0  nii'.i's  alxjve 
on  tlic!  Missouri.  Holier,  42,  Winclifster,  on  the  site  of  a  sloikado  fort  luiilt 
in  I7'~ili  iu  tlic  valley  lietwocn  the  JUuo  Jtidye  and  Alleghany  ranges,  wad 
declared  a  military  fort  ill  I7">7.  William  Henry  I'oi't  wiis  huilt  in  17">">,  on 
tlic  southern  extremity  of  Lake  (Jeorge.  A  fort  of  the  .same  name,  situated 
at  I'eiiiagnid,  Me,  was  demolished  liy  the  Kieiieh  in  ICi'.Mi.  JJri/'iiil,  ii.  44!). 
Mission  St  Francis  Xavier  was  founded  on  (!reeu  liay.  Illinois  Lake,  in  l(i70. 
jS/i(Yt's  J/(.s,s('.ys.,  n,  xi.,  vii.;  Mom  lie,  i.  map,  j).  I. 

^^'itllout  venturing  to  pi'esent  the  ivader  with  liililiogiiiiihieal  notices  of 
the  various  authors  from  whom  this  ih'suiik?  lias  lieen  written,  it  niiy  not  be 
out  of  place  to  notice  a  manuscript  handed  to  mo  at  X'letoiia  in  1S7S,  and 
entitled  Furfu  <iiid  Fort  Life,  in  Xi  lo  (.'aldloiiia,  uin/cr  II  ikUoh'h  Ji<n/  (ompaiii/ 
Jicijiinc,  1)1/  I'.  A'.  Complon,  MS.  In  a  few  pages  Mr  Coiii])toii  lias  eoiidensed 
more  information  as  to  the  subject-matter  of  his  manuscript  than  can  be 
found  elsewhere  in  such  brief  space.  Landing  at  Victoria  in  1S.")',>,  in  the 
service  of  the  If.  B.  Co.,  Mr  Comjiton  was  ordered  to  l''ort  Simpson,  where, 
as  ho  says,  '  the  daily  routine  was  to  get  up  at  six  o'clock,  dig  potatoes,  chop 
wood,  clean  furs,  and  shovel  sikjw.'  After  three  yeais'  .-service  he  travelled 
in  jMiropo,  principally  in  Servia  and  Turkey,  returiyjig  to  N'ictoria  in  1S71). 
In  'J'/ic.  iliiilaou'.'i  I'xi'i  Tcrri/arici  tnitl  \'iiiir(>urtr\i  l.fiind,  v'lth  an  cr/ioniUnii 
if  the  Clidrlcrid  Ithiht.-t,  (Conduct,  iiud  J'olicif  of  the  Jloil.  Ilndsoii's  Jmi;/ Cor- 
jioraliuii,  />!/  1!.  M.  Mnrlhi  (London,  1849),  the  author  gives  a  good  gener.-d 
description  of  the  geography  and  i)hysical  features  of  the  company's  tenitory 
in  the  north-west,  together  with  information  as  to  site  and  condition  of  tlu  ir 
forts  and  stations.  Much  of  the  work  is  devoted  to  the  constitution  and 
working  of  the  corporation  at  home  and  abroad,  their  policy  and  .system  being 
(contrasted  with  those  of  American  fur-traders.  Most  of  tho  leading;  authori- 
ties then  extant  have  been  consulted,  among  them  being  parliamentary  jia- 
pcrs,  the  reports  of  missionary  societies,  tho  ollicial  papers  deposited  at  the 
colonial  ollice,  the  ijoavd  of  trade,  and  the  admiralty,  and  the  several  charters 
granted  to  the  company,  Tho  book  is  fairly  ami  impartially  written,  though 
.■somewhat  tetlioua  and  luuntcresting  in  stylo.  Facing  the  frontisiiieco  is  a 
map  showing  tholocatiou  of  tho  company's  forta  and  stations  throughout  the 
territory. 

^'' Tlierc  were  also  three  branches  of  the  upper  Canada  auxiliary  of  tin.' 
IJritish  and  Foreign  Bible  Society.   B.  C  Inform,  for  EmhjraHtx,  .^G-?. 

^''In  1SS4  Areldjishop  Scghcrs  of  Oregon  was  appointed  to  the  episcopacy 
of  V.  J.  and  Alaska.  Sac.  liccord-Uniov,  March  )8,  18S4. 

^'Tho  Itoyal  hospital,  the  expenditure  of  which  averaged,  brtwccn  1S7<> 
and  ISSO,  about  §j,5U0 a  year,  tho  Maison  do  Santo  Fran^aiso,  and  St  Joseph's, 
the  last  being  in  chai'go  of  the  sisters  of  St  Ann. 

^''Thc  B.  J.  I'rotestant  Orphans'  Home,  established  in  1872,  and  of  which, 
iu  ISS.'),  A.  A.  Green  was  president.  ]>.  O.  Jtirct.,  ISSl-o,  [)[. 

"*A;non,!T  th.oin  may  bo  mentioned  the  15.  C.  Benevolent  Society,  which 
disbursed  about  ij^.'yOO  in  charities,  tlie  iiisignilieance  of  tlie  amount  due  rather 
to  the  small  number  of  deserving  poor  than  to  lack  of  funds.  Li  the  supple- 
mentary estimates  for  1SS.")-C,  the  sum  of  $-'."i()  was  voti^l  in  aid  of  this  soci- 
ety. Stat.  Ji.  C,  KSy-l,  \-\.  The  St  Andrew's  Society,  organized  in  1800, 
and  tho  Caledonian  ]>cnevolcnt  Association,  in  180H,  were  consolidateil  in 
KS70  into  one  association,  named  the  St  Andrew's  and  Caledonian  Society. 
There  were  also  several  seci'ct  t^ocielies,  including  the  Far  \Vcst  Lodge  of  tho 


7PA 


SETTLEMENTS.  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


tabic  Younfj  Men's  Christian  Association  and  Youns: 
Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union.  At  New 
Westminster,  Nanaimo,  Yale,  Cariboo,  and  elsewhere, 
there  were  also  institutions  for  the  care  of  the  sick, 
for  mutual  aid,  and  for  charitable  purposes  similar  to 
those  in  operation  at  the  capital.*^ 

Although  an  act  for  the  establishment  of  public 
schools  wo -4  passed  by  the  legislature  of  Vancouver 
Island  as  early  as  18G5,  and  by  that  of  the  united 
colonies  in  1809,^*  it  was  not  until  several  years  latei' 
that  provision  was  made  for  an  efficient  educational 
system.  In  the  estimates  laid  before  the  former  foi 
18GG,  the  sum  of  $15,000  was  included  for  school  pur- 
poses; but  on  August  31st  of  this  year  the  assembly 
of  Vancouver  practically  ceased  to  exist.  At  that 
date  no  appropriation  had  been  made  by  the  legisla- 
ture, and  thereafter  none  could  be  made.  The  chief 
magistrate  thor :>fore  informed  the  superintendent  of 
education  that,  as  there  were  no  means  at  his  disposal, 
ho  could  not  further  guarantee  the  payment  of  rent, 
salaries,  or  other  Items.  Thus  the  responsibility  of 
maintaining  the  public  schools  was  thrown  on  the 
Ijoard  of  education,  and  for  several  months  they  were 
maintained  by  that  body  under  some  arrangement 
unknown,  as  the  colonial  secretary  remarked,  to  the 
executive.*'^  In  a  supplementary  message,  dated  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1867,  Governor  Seymour  states  that  on  the 
Island  an  attempt  had  been  made  to  lay  the  burden 

Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Victoria  Loilgo  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen,  the  American  Legion  of  Honor,  the  IndopLMident  Order  of  Ciiosen 
Friends,  Dominion  Lodge  No.  4,  luid  Columbia  Lodge  No.  2,  of  tlio  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd-Fellows. 

*"  At  New  Westminster  was  the  lloyal  Columbia  Hospital,  of  which  a  com- 
mittee appointed  to  infjuiro  into  its  condition  in  ISS^  reported  favorably.  See 
.Vcsf.  Pa/ieri^,  B.  C. ,  1S84, 1283-4.  There  were  also  branches  of  tlio  A.  O.  U.  ^V. 
and  Ancient  Order  of  Foresters.  Of  the  Nanaimo  Hospital,  J.  I'awson  was 
president  in  I8So,  and  in  this  town  were  also  lod'^cs  of  the  A.  O.  F.  and  A. 
0.  U.  W.  For  masonic  statistics  of  B.  C,  see  I'rocccdiiKjs  Grand  Lodje  oj 
Xcw  Mex.,  1S79,  55. 

^'Tlio  latter,  which  was  entitled  the  Common  School  ordinance,  1800, 
repealed  the  Common  School  ac\  1805,  of  tlio  former  colony  of  Victoria. 
This  was  again  altered  by  the  C'  nmon  School  Amendment  ordinance,  1870. 
For  text  of  Iwth,  see  the  revised  Lawn  li.  ('.,  187 1,  392-C,  434-7. 

"Jour.  Liijid.  Council,  li.  ('.,  1807,  a  pp.  xi. 


SCHOOLS. 


78S 


of  expense  for  educational  purposes  on  the  community, 
while  he  was  compelled  to  acknowledge  that  on  the 
mainland  the  population  was  yet  too  sparse  and  scat- 
tered to  admit  of  any  regular  and  organized  system. 
The  state,  he  considered,  might  aid  the  parent,  but 
ought  not  to  relieve  him  of  his  natural  responsibility, 
"else  it  might  happen  that  the  promising  mechanic 
might  be  marred,  and  the  country  overburdened  with 
half-educated  professional  ])oliticians,  or  needy  hang- 
ers-on of  government."  But  unto  Governor  Seymour 
was  not  vouchsafed,  as  we  have  seen,  the  wisdom  of 
a  Solomon,  and  his  views  must  be  accepted  for  what 
they  are  worth.  Under  his  administration  the  con- 
dition of  the  public  schools  was  deplorable.  Between 
September  18GG  and  the  close  of  18G8  their  total 
cost  in  the  several  districts  of  Vancouver  was  about 
$15,000,  of  which  sum  more  than  $4,000  remained  un- 
paid at  tlic  latter  date,  mainly  on  account  of  teachers' 
.salaries,  although  there  were  but  five  teachers  in  all 
Vancouver,  none  of  them  receiving  more  than  $75, 
and  the  average  being  $05,  per  month.  During  18G7 
and  18G8  six  out  of  the  eleven  schools  established 
under  the  act  of  18G5  were  discontinued  for  want  of 
funds,"  and  of  the  425  children  receiving  instruction 
early  in  the  former  year,  nearly  one  half  were  turned 
adrift,  while  to  several  of  the  teachers  discharged  or 
suspended  there  were  still  due  sums  varying  from 
$109  to  $253,  and  to  all  of  those  retained  from  $215 
to  $588. 

In  18G9  matters  were  but  little  improved.  During 
that  year  only  twelve  public  schools  were  maintained 
in  the  several  districts  of  British  Columbia,  seven 
boin''"  on  the  island,**  and  live  on  the  mainland.*^  A 
grant  of  $10,37G  in  all  was  made  by  the  government, 

*'Tlio  Esquimalt,  Soutli  Saanicli,  Cowiclian,  Cedar  Hill,  Salt  Spring,  and 
the  eentral  school  for  girla  at  Victoria.  Those  still  in  operation  were  tho 
central  school  for  boys  and  the  district  school,  Victoria,  tlio  Crai;,'llo\vcr,  Lake, 
and  Nanaimo  schools.  6V.s.s'.  I'(ij)ci:'',  in  /./.,  1809,  apji.  vii. 

*' Those  mentioned  in  the  previous  note,  Jind  one  at  Saanicli,  and  one  at 
Cedar  Hill.  Id.,  1870,  app.  i.x. 

*^Ouo  each  at  New  Westminster,  Langley,  Yale,  Lytton,  and  Sapperton. 


736 


SETTLEMENTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  EDUCATION. 


of  which  $5,900  was  devoted  to  the  payment  of 
teachers'  salaries.^^  The  entire  amount  received  from 
local  aid  was  hut  .$330.  In  six  out  of  the  twelve  dis- 
tricts no  local  aid  was  voted,  and  from  three  others 
no  returns  were  received.  The  average  attendance 
at  each  school  was  less  than  30,  and  at  all  the  schools 
about  o[)0"  out  of  a  school  population  probably  little 
short  of  2,000.  No  regular  accounts  were  kept  by 
the  local  boards.  Teachers  were  appointed  without 
cxanu nation  as  to  fitness,  and  sometimes  without 
inquiry  as  to  character.  There  was  no  inspection,  as 
there  were  no  funds  wherewith  to  pay  inspectors'  sal- 
aries, and  there  were  no  regulations  as  to  the  manajje- 
mcnt  other  than  those  framed  by  the  local  boards. 

In  this  condition,  or  very  nearly  so,  the  educational 
affairs  of  the  colony  and  province  remained  until 
1872,  wlien  an  act  was  passed  providing  that  a  Ijoard 
of  education  should  be  appointed  ibr  tlio  province, 
defining  the  duties  of  such  board,  and  also  those  of 
school  trustees,  school-teachers,  and  the  superintend- 
ent of  schools,  and  autliorizin'j^  the  lieutcnant-govcr- 
nor  to  create  additional  school  districts."*^  After  this 
date  there  was  a  marked  improvement,  and  in  1874 
we  find  1,245  names  enrolled  on  the  various  i-egisters, 
or  more  than  double  the  number  contained  in  1872, 
provision  having  now  being  made  for  annual  in- 
spections and  for  the  examination  of  teachers.*'     For 

i6  Pqp  each  school  $500,  except  the  one  at  Sapportoii,  for  which  §100  was 
nppropriutoil. 

*' At  ten  of  them  the  total  attendance  gives  an  average  for  the  year  of  "20(!, 
and  from  others  uo  returns  were  received,  fbkl. 

^sFor  text,  SCO  Stat.  JJ.  C,  187.J,  30-41).  By  thia  act  the  ordinances  of 
18G9  and  1870  were  repealed.  In  the  report  of  a  select  eomniittcc  on  the 
act  of  1S7-,  it  was  recommended  that  compulsory  education  bo  made  general 
throughout  the  province,  taking  aa  a  precedent  the  compulsory  clauses  of  the 
Ontario  school  act,  whcreliyall  children  between  seven  and  twelve  years  of 
ag(!  were  required  to 'attend  some  school  or  bo  otherwise  educated  for  four 
months  in  the  year.' 

"'J'lie  snperintenilent  reports  a  scarcity  of  efficient  teachers,  only  8  out  of 
IV]  cmidoyeil  in  the  department  during  the  school  year  ending  July  .ll,  1871, 
having  undergone  a  regular  training.  ^lany  of  them  failed  to  pass,  or  did 
not  attempt  to  pass,  the  teachers'  examination,  as  will  be  seen  in  Jour.  Legist. 
Ash.  B.  C,  187.'),  G;J-9,  where  is  a  copj'of  the  cxaminatioa  papers.  Tho  ques- 
tions put  were  exceedingly  simple.  A  full  report  of  the  superintendent  for 
this  year  will  bo  found  in  Id.,  187."),  14-73. 


ISSi 


PUBLIC  MKASURES. 


the  j'car  ending  the  31st  of  July,  1876,  there  was  a 
school  population  of  more  than  2,500,"^"  of  which  1,G85 
attended  the  public  schools  during  a  portion  of  1875, 
the  average  attendance  for  all  parts  of  the  province 
being  984,  while  there  were  still  385  children  who  did 
not  receive  instruction  of  any  kind.  During  the  five 
preceding  years  the  number  of  schools  had  increased 
from  14  to  45,  and  of  teachers  from  13  to  50,  the 
average  cost  being  $22.38  per  capita  of  the  pupils." 

On  the  19th  of  May,  1876,  an  act  was  approved 
for  the  maintenance  of  public  schools,  whereby  each 
male  resident  of  the  province  was  required  to  pay  an 
annual  tax  of  three  dollars  for  educational  purposes." 
On  the  same  date  the  Consolidated  Public  School 
act,  1870,  received  the  governor's  signature.  The 
latter  was  repealed  by  the  Public  School  act,  1879," 
and  after  some  further  legislation,"  the  laws  then  in 
force  were  consolidated  in  the  Public  School  act, 
1885,  wherein  there  were  no  salient  features,  except 
that  clergymen,  of  whatever  denomination,  were  in- 
eligible for  appointment  as  superintendent,  teacher, 
or  trustee,  and  that  all  children  from  seven  to  twelve 
years  of  ago  were  required  to  attend  one  of  the  public 
or  private  schools,  or  otherwise  to  receive  an  educa- 
tion, for  not  less  t^^an  six  months  in  the  year.''' 

Turning  to  tlic  thirteenth  annual  report  of  the 
superintendent  of  education  for  the  school  year  ending 
July  31, 1884,  we  find  57  public  schools  in  operation,^'* 

'•"  Tlic  number  actually  reported  to  tho  superintendent  was  2,4S'l.  Fifth 
ann.  ropi  of  the  supt  of  cduc.,  in  Sess.  Papers,  B.  C,  1877,  87. 

'"For  full  text  of  supt's  report,  sec  Id.,  87-1  oD.  At  this  dato  high  schools 
had  been  cstablislied  at  Victoria  and  New  Westminster;  but  wiBx  tho  ex- 
ception of  these  two  cities  and  South  Cowichan,  none  of  the  settlements  con- 
tained more  than  one  public  school  building. 

'"''Slat.  B.  C,  1870,  111-12.  For  petition  signed  by  Bishop  Scghcra  and 
G3  others,  protesting  against  all  taxation  for  tlio  support  of  non-sectarian 
schools,  and  particularly  against  this  special  tax,  sec  Sess.  Papers,  B.  C, 
1870,  725. 

'"'^Stat.  B.  C,  1870,  111-23.  It  was  first  amended  by  acta  of  1877  and 
1878,  for  copies  of  which,  see /</.,  1877,  111;  1878,  71-2. 

^♦Amending  tho  act  of  1879.  Id.,  1882,  77;  18SI,  ipi-."). 

'•''^  Under  penalty  of  line,  not  exceeding  §5  for  tlio  first  wilful  offence,  and 
$10  for  each  subsequent  offence.     For  text  of  act,  sec  Id.,  188J,  125-11. 

^"Of  whicli  49  were  common  schools  (this  being  tlio  phrase  usually  applied 
Hi8X.  Bbit.  Col.    47 


lis 


SCTTLKMKNTS,  MISSIONS,  AND  KKICATIOX. 


with  75  toadiers  and  ;{,4L*0  pupils  unrolled,  tlio  aver- 
age daily  attendance!  being  1,800 — an  increase  of  420 
over  tlio  preceding  year,  and  of  1,'J34  over  the  scho- 
lastic year  1872-3.  The  total  expenditure  i'or  educa- 
tion proper  in  1883-4  was  $58,301,'^'  the  sums  appro- 
priated for  buildings,  repairs,  insurance,  and  similar 
items  being  considered  a  portion  of  the  government 
assets.  The  actual  outlay  for  all  educational  [)urposes 
was.$GG,G55.15,and  the  amount  voted  in  the  estimates 
for  the  year  $08,415,  leaving  an  unexpended  balance 
of  $1,750.85.  At  no  period  in  the  history  of  the  pro- 
vincial schools  had  so  much  interest  been  shown  in 
the  cause  of  education,"''  and  at  no  period  was  the 
standard  of  education  so  high.  Among  the  six  per- 
sons to  whom  were  awarded  teachers'  certificates  ol' 
the  first  grade  in  the  lirst  class,  at  the  examination 
held  in  July  1884,  were  four  university  graduates,'' 
although  the  highest  salary  paid  was  but  ^llO,*^  and 
the  average  salary  $00. 04,  per  month. 

While  the  public  schools  of  British  Columbia  com- 
pared not  unfavorabl}',  considering  her  scant  popula- 
tion, with  those  of  her  sister  provinces  and  of  the 
neighboring  states  and  territories,  it  must  be  admitted 
that  as  yet  her  educational  system  was  but  in  its  in- 
fancy. As  late  as  1880  there  was  no  university  in 
existence,  and  there  was  not  even  a  normal  school 
or  a  teachers'  institute.  Much,  however,  had  been 
accomplished,  and  at  moderate  expense.**^ 

in  the  home  country  to  what  are  termed  public  schools  in  the  United  States), 
7  were  graded  schools,  and  one  a  iiigh  school  (at  Victoria).  Sess.  Papers,  JJ. 
C,  1885,  151,  109. 

'''It  is  worthy  of  note  that  of  this  sum  $50,702.55  was  expended  for 
teachers'  salaries,  while  only  §2,988.07  was  appropriated  for  the  education 
ofiicc,  and  §4,010.02  for  incidental  expenses,  including  rent. 

'■'^  Tho  total  nunbcr  of  visits  to  tlio  various  -oliools  in  the  province  increascil 
from  2,922  in  188  -3  to  9,480  in  18y;!-4. 

^•Of  whomtw  were  grantc<l  renewal^,  tho  hoMer  of  a  first-class  certili- 
cato  having  the  ;  ivilego  of  renewal  without  further  examination.  There 
were  three  chisse:       nd  to  each  class  two  grailcs. 

•"To  the  princ  1  of  tho  high  .school  at  Victoria,  the  principal  of  the  boys' 
school  at  New  AVe;  linster,  where  the  high  school  hiid  now  been  abolished, 
receiving  $100  per  :     >iith.     For  text  of  report,  eeo  M,  1S85,  151-2,10. 

"In  tho  report  f  a  select  committee,  appointed  in  18sl,  it  was  recom- 
mended that  a  tuiti    i  foe  of  $5  per  quarter  shoulil  be  charged  for  scholars  iu 


NEWSPAPKUS. 


78D 


"This,"'  said  Amor  do  Cosmos,  liandiiig  mo  a  grcon- 
papcr- cove  rod  file  of  the  Victorid  Gazette,  printed  ho- 
tvvoeii  Juno  2C)  and  July  2a,  1858,  ''waji  the  first 
newspaper  published  in  Victoria."  In  JJ)eeemher  oi' 
that  year  was  issued  the  iirst  number  of  the  Jirifish 
Colonist/''  continued  until  tlu>  autumn  of  18G;5  by 
the  ex-governor  of  British  Colundjia.*^'  In  i88r)  the 
Dailjl  and  Wcehhj  Colonist,  established  in  1858  by  D. 
W.  lliggins,  who  was  still  the  proprietor  at  the  former 
date,  was  one  of  the  prominent  newspapers  of  tlie 
province,  among  others  published  at  the  ca[)ital  being 
the  Daibj  and  Weeldy  Standard,  Times,  and  Dalli/ 
Ei'eninj  Post.  At  Xew  Westminster  was  issued  the 
British  Columbian  and  the  Mainland  Guardian,  at 
Nanaimo  the  Free  Press,'^*'  at  Kamloop  tin;  Inland 
Scntinvl,^'^  and  at  several  of  the  mainland  interior 
towns  were  weekly  or  semi-weekly  publications.*'''  Tlio 
Mechanics'  Literary  Institute  at  V^ictoria  contained 
in  188G  about  7,000  well-selected  volumes,  and  at 
New  Westminster,  at  Clinton,  and  other  of  the  main- 
land settlements,  were  smaller  libraries,  all  of  them 
well  su))plicd  with  periodical  literature. 

the  high  school.  Joitr.  Ler/itl.  Af^.  Ji.  ('.,  ISSl,  7-.  For  other  x'cparts  of  tlio 
supcriiitcnduut  of  educjitiou  .aiicl  of  coininitteca  on  public  schools,  rcc  Scas'. 
Paper.^,  Ji.  C,  1878,  7-<i8;  1871),  17!)-230;  ISSO,  159-227;  1881,  447-0,  4.V.- 
04;  1882,  24!)-.'J22;  188H,  183-270;  18S4,  Ol-loO;  Jour.  Le'/td.  Am.  H.  C,  1877, 
tipp.  xxvi. ;  18S0,  app.  iii. 

''^Tho  last  issue  of  tho  Victoria  Gdzrtic  was  dated  Juno  23,  18J9.  Duiin.,' 
IHoS  was  published  tho  Vnncoaver  Idund  Gazette,  by  Frederic  Marr.iott  of  tlio 
A't'fM  Letter.  It  passed  througii  eight  or  ten  numbers,  and  enriched  its  owner, 
by  his  well-known  process  of  money-making,  to  tiio  amount  of  some  88,000. 
lie  was  then  advised  to  remove.  A  Frencii  newspaper,  published  by  Paul  do 
Gara,  expired  almost  still-born.  In  this  year  also  was  published  for  a  few 
weeks  the  North  American. 

•■^  Meanwhile  a  newspaper  was  published  named  tho  Press.  Tlieu  fol- 
lowed the  Evening  Express,  Prices  Current,  and  other  minor  publications, 
somo  fifteen  in  all  up  to  1805.  Z)e  Cosmos'  Govt,  MS.,  3. 

"'A  eemi-wcekly,  established  in  1874  by  George  Norris.  JJ.  C.  Direct., 
18S4-5,  119. 

"^  A  weekly  paper,  formerly  published  at  Yale.  Id.,  1884-.'),  202. 

**For  list  of  publications  in  1878,  see  PettinrjilVs  Neicspaper  Direct.,  2jr>. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE, 

1880-1S80. 
AoEictJLTURAL  Areas — Pdblic  Lands— Stock-iuisixg — Frcits — Fisheries 

SALMON-CANXIXO  —  MaNUFACTCRES  — GOLD-MINIXG  —  COAL-MININO  — 

The  Alaska  Boundary— Exports  and  Impouts — Comparison  with 
Other  rRoviscEs — Baxkixg — Insurance — Shipping — Inland  Navi- 
gation— Revenue  and  Expenditure — Public  Debt— Comparison  of 
Customs  Returns— Elements  of  Prosperity — Biographical — Biblio- 
graphical. 


In  1-;3G  British  Columbia  was  not  adapted  to  any 
large  immigration  of  poor  families.  Abundant  as 
were  her  resources,  there  v  .is  lack  of  funds  wherowitli 
to  develop  them;  and  for  persons  without  means, 
excepting  laborers  and  perhaps  a  limited  number  of 
mechanics,  there  were  few  openings.^  But  for  men 
possessing  even  a  small  capital  there  were  few  more 
profitable  investments  than  a  cereal  farm  or  cattle 
ranclio  within  her  borders.  As  an  ao-ricultural  rcijion 
the  mainland  is  divided  into  sections  bv  the  Coast 
Range,  the  interior  having  a  climate  of  extremes,  the 
coast  a  mild  and  equable  temperature,  and  the  soutli- 

» In  18C1  immigrants  were  in  demand  in  P..  C.  S.  F.  Bulletin,  Oct.  28, 18G1. 
In  1SG7  the  Icgisiativo  council  rcconimcndc<l  tliat  ihe  department  of  lands  and 
works,  in  ad  lition  to  its  other  functions,  lio  used  as  nu  immigration  depart- 
ment, and  tliat  in  tlio  absence  of  power  to  make  free  grants  of  land  to  bona 
Jlilc  settlers,  'a  bounty  bo  oflcrcd  to  actual  ecltlers  equivalent  to  the  pre- 
emption price  of  the  land  that  they  may  bo  liable  to  pay  under  the  land  ordi- 
nance.' Jour.  Legid.  Council,  1807,  UO.  For  inunigratiou  statistics  in  18G'.^ 
SCO  U,  S.  llnreim  of  Stati.''tics,  no.  'J,  1S79-SO,  173,  83.  In  1881  there  was  a 
scarcity  of  laborers.  S.  F.  UiilUtiii,  Oct.  2i,  ISSl.  While  the  construction 
of  the  C.  P.  11.  R.  was  in  proj^ress,  laborers  and  mechanics  could  always  lind 
emplcymcnt  at  fair  rates.  In  the  first  annual  report  of  tho  immigration 
agents  for  1883,  it  is  stated  that  about  3,000  Chinese  arrived  in  tho  provinco 
duri'-.g  that  year,  and  some  5, S.IO  Mhito  persons.  Sess.  Papers,  U.  t'.,  1884, 
297. 


ATTRACTIONS  FOR  SKTTLERS. 


741 


ern  portion,  with  its  wide,  trough-liko  valleys,  requir- 
ir^fj  irrigation  durinuf  the  summer  months.'' 

Though  containing  large  tracts  of  good  arable  land, 
the  entire  province  is  better  adapted  for  stock-raising 
than  for  the  production  of  crops.  Even  of  the  delta 
lands  of  the  Fraser,  with  their  rich  clay  loams,  where 
forty  bushels  of  wheat  or  barley  to  the  acre  and  sixty 
of  oats  were  no  uncomaion  yield,  but  a  small  portion 
was  under  cultivation  as  late  as  1884.^  In  the  south- 
ern portion  of  the  mainland  interior,  east  of  clie 
Frazer,  were  500  square  miles  available  for  agricultu- 
ral purposes,  the  most  valuable  portion  being  in  the 
Chilliwhack  municipality,  where  an  average  crop  gives 
about  twenty  bushels  of  wheat  and  forty  of  oats  or  bar- 
ley to  the  acre.  Near  the  estuary  of  the  Fraser,  and 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Hope  and  of  Okanagan  Lake, 
are  areas  in  all  of  about  the  same  extent.  North  of 
the  fifty-first  parallel  and  west  of  the  Fraser,  in  the 
basin  of  the  Nechacco  and  its  tributaries,  is  an  area 
of  about  1,230  square  miles  available  for  tillage, 
thougli  partially  covered  with  forest,  and  without 
means  of  conmmnication.  In  the  Peace  Kiver  coun- 
try are  immense  tracts  of  land  which,  tliough  in 
part  densely  wooded,  are  fertile  of  soil,  one  of  them, 
west  of  Smoky  Iliver,  and  known  as  Grand  Prairie, 
containing  at  least  230,000  acres  capable  of  produc- 
tion."*    In  all  Vancouver  Island  there  are  not  more 


I 


! 


'For  fnrilicr  mcaticn  of  climato,  see  p.  40-3,  this  vol.;  Dom.  Can.  Oulde- 
Bool;  1SS5,  71;  Dawson's  N.  W.  Terr,  and  D.  C,  50,  C2-4.  For  act  relating 
to  inigatiou,  draiuago,  and  diking,  see  Utat.  B.  6'.,  ISS'J,  4;  for  accouufc  of 
Fraser  River  dilics  and  diking  enterprises,  sco  W.  T.  Intelligr ncc.r,  June  fJ, 
1S79;   Western  Oreijonian,  Juno  14,  1870. 

•' ii'.  C  fiifo  .n./or  Emigrants,  ISSl,  .'!.">.  These  were  tho  average  rcturna 
of  several  well-known  farms.  In  a  few  favored  spots  as  much  as  SO  bushels 
per  acre  of  wheat  has  been  harvested,  and  in  ono  locality,  where  the  surface 
was  a  light  sandy  loam,  mixed  with  alluvial  soil,  tho  yield  was  40  bush'ils  of 
oats  or  barley  and  'Jj  of  v/hcat. 

* '  My  observations  tendeil  Id  show,'  remarked  Alacouu,  tho  botanist  of  tho 
r.  R.  survey,  '  that  nearly  all  tho  I'caco  River  district  was  just  as  capable  of 
successful  settlemciit  as  Manitoba.'  Dom.  Can.  In/arm.  fur  licUlcr.-i,  ISSl,  2'i, 
In  his  evidence  before  a  parliamentary  conunittce,  Dawson  states  tliat  tho 
Peace  River  country  cjntaius  an  area  of  agricultural  laud  which,  if  all  of  it 
were  sown  in  wheat,  woniil  produce  over  470,000,000  bushels  a  year,  or  at  tho 
rato  of  '20  busiiels  an  acre. 


742 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


than  300,000  acres  of  fanning  lancl,°of  which  loss  than 
15,000  were  under  cultivation  in  ISSO,*^  though  on  the 
southern  and  eastern  sides  oi"  the  island  there  was  a 
considerable  iarniing  population. 

In  the  Queen  Charlotte  Islands,  believed,  like  most 
of  those  adjacent  to  the  north-west  coast  of  the  conti- 
nent, to  be  merely  the  mountain  tops  of  a  submerged 
tract,  from  which  they  have  been  separated  by  volcanic 
action,  there  arc  some  15,000  acres  of  lltit  and  un- 
Nvooded  land,  but  of  this  only  a  i'cw  hundred  arc  suit- 
able for  agriculture,  the  largest  patches  of  cleared 
arable  land  not  exceeding  twenty  acres.'  Of  level 
pasture  land  the  area  is  also  limited,  a  tract  of  some 
400  acres,  south  of  the  entrance  to  Skidegate  Inlet, 
being  the  largest,  and  this  containing  only  a  scattered 
growth  of  coarse  beach-grass."^ 

^Dom.  Can.  In/urm.  for  Seltl<  r.-s,  JSS4,  '2\.  lu  hid  l^iticouvcr  Idand,'Mii., 
.'ij,  Ml'  Bayloy  roiimrUis:  'Of  all  tho  ijnor  apolo.^iua  for  an  agricultural  coun- 
try, V.  I.  cxuui:il.s  aiiyUiing  tliat  1  liavo  as  yet  JjclicUl.  Its  surfaco  is  divcr- 
siljcil  with  rocks,  auil  for  a  chango,  swamps,  ami  swamps  aud  rocka.'  In  tliu 
Earbj  Life  on  \'anroiivi:r  Island,  by  V.  A.  Bnijliij,  MS.,  to  which  rcfercuco  has 
hucn  made  in  furnicr  chapters,  I  have  liccu  furnished  with  sonic  interesting 
annals  touching  V.  I.  and  the  niaiidaud  during  the  n'ginio  of  tho  II.  1>.  Co. 
]vcaching  Victoria  in  May  1S.')1,  tho  author  says  that  there  were  then  no  signs 
of  cultivation  in  its  iieighljorhood.  l^andiugou  the  beach,  near  to  which  stood 
tho  old  fort,  he  found  iu  its  ucigliborhood  only  a  few  log  Khantica  tenanted  by 
Iroquois,  French  Canadians,  and  kauakas.  J'hnploycd  lirst  as  a  school- 
teacher, and  then  appointed  coroner  by  Douglas,  ho  relates  many  remarkable 
adventures  among  the  native  tribes  during  his  sojourn  in  tho  north-west. 
lie  af lerwai'd  became  a  member  of  tiio  legislativo  assembly  for  V.  I. 

"In  ISSl  there  were  only  about  1(),006  acres  in  tilth. 

'There  are,  however,  several  thousand  acres  of  lightly  timbered  spruce 
and  alder  lands,  bordering  on  the  bays  and  streams,  which,  if  there  should 
ever  be  a  homo  nuuket,  might  be  cultivated  for  root  crojja  aud  dairy  purposes. 
f'lii/t(iid<  )i,'.^  Kxjdor.  Qui  I II  ('Iiarloiti'  I.fland,<,  IU. 

"Almost  the  entire  surface  of  the  Queen  Cliarlotto  Ishinds  is  covered  with 
dense  forests  of  spruce,  hcudock,  and  cedar,  containing  large  (juantitica  of 
valuable  timber,  aud  many  spots  where  spruce  can  be  obtained  in  abundance, 
but  none  where  large  saw-mills  can  bo  jirohLably  worked.  The  Douglas  lir 
.iiul  yellow  cedar  were  iu  lS(i()  the  only  timber  which  could  be  prolitably  ex- 
]iorted  from  tho  province,  anil  tho  forui  n-  was  not  found  on  this  group,  while 
tiie  latter  did  not  grow  soutli  of  Skidegaic  Inlet  in  suilicieut  quantity  to  fur- 
nish a  good  supply  of  logs.  Nearly  all  tho  Dest  varieties  of  lish  taken  in  tho 
waters  of  15,  C.  abounded  iu  those  of  the  Queen  Cliarlotto  Islands.  IJctween 
ISS.'J  and  ISSO  tho  Skidegato  Oil  Company  produced  from  35,000  to  40,000  gal- 
lons (jf  lish-oil  a  year,  giving  employment,  during  sunimer,  to  a  largo  number 
»jf  Indians.  For  many  previous  years  tho  natives  had  extracted  oil  simply  by 
throwing  heated  stones  into  hollow  logs  tilled  with  dog-lish  livers;  but  the  oil 
thus  obtain(!d  was  barely  luarketable.  Dy  tho  uso  of  retorts  the  company 
inanuiacturcd  uu  oil  ko  pure  and  clear  that  it  mot  with  ready  sale  at  fair 
prices,   being  especially  in  demand  for  lubricating  purposes.     Fur-bnaring 


AGRICULTURE. 


743 


Of  Texada  Island,  acquired  under  circumstances 
that  called  for  an  official  investigation/  it  maybe  said 
that  it  contains  no  area  adapted  either  to  agriculture 
or  pasturage,  or  none  that  is  appreciable.^^ 

With  such  areas  of  available  agricultural  land,  suf- 
ficient to  maintain  more  than  ten  times  her  popula- 
tion, it  may  not  be  unworthy  of  note,  that  in  1884 
<j:urrcnt  retail  market  prices  at  Victoria  were,  for  oat- 
meal more  than  six  cents  a  pound,  for  flour  nearly  3^ 
cents,  and  for  wheat  $2.50  the  cental,  other  articles 
of  consumption  selling  in  the  same  proportion,  and 
this  in  a  comuumity  where  wages  were  not  above  those 
paid  in  the  metropolis  of  the  Pacific  coast,  in  which 
most  of  the  necessaries  of  life  could  be  purchased 
at  little  more  than  half  the  rates  demanded  in  the 
metropolis  of  Ijritish  Columbia." 

Public  lands  in  British  Columbia  were,  with  the 
exception  of  the  railroad  belt,  vested  in  the  provincial 


iinimals,  especially  bears,  laud-ottois,  aud  iiiartuis,  were  very  plentiful,  wliilo 
fur-seals  were  killed  iu  considerable  numbers,  ami  a  few  sea-otter  were  taken 
every  season.  With  minerals  the  islands  were  poorly  supplied.  Jiai/lri/'s 
r.  J.,  JNIS.,  9-11 ;  though  it  has  been  stated  that  jiold,  silver,  iron,  au<l  eojiper 
M'ere  discovered  between  IS.j'J  and  IS.V,).  Sec  ib'.  /'.  Alfa,  March  8,  IS.'/J; 
Bulletin,  Dec.  D,  1838;  April  15,  ;U),  \b'>0.  Tiie  only  discovery  of  gold  worth 
namiu;;  was  that  made  at  MitehoU  Harbor  iu  IS.ri,  for  whicli  sec  p.  34.">,  this 
vol.  From  the  Official  Ilcport  of  t/ic E-vjilordtinaoj' the  Qii('r)i ( '/larlolln  Ixlaiuls 
for  the  Oovernmcnt  of  Urilish  Columbia,  hji  Neicton.  11.  Chittenden,  Victoria, 
1811,  and  the  ileoloijicnl  Survey  of  Cmiudd,  Alfred  J'.  (.'.  S'dwj/n,  F.  It.  S., 
1\  a.  S.  Dirertor,  Report  of  Proijre>if  for  ISi'S-'J,  Montreal,  1880,  the  reader 
will  gather  all  the  information  of  which  he  may  bo  in  search  as  to  the  soil, 
climate,  geology,  fauna,  flora,  and  resources  of  the  tiueen  Charlotte  group. 
I'erhaps  the  most  interesting  portions  of  both  works  are  those  relating  to  the 
physical  peculiarities,  social  customs,  and  traditions  of  the  Haidahs;  but  as 
i  have  already  treated  of  these  subjects  in  my  Native  Jtuceii,  it  is  unnecessary 
to  mention  tliem  further, 

"For  papers  in  the  case,  see  Jour.  Leftsl.  Axx.  Ji.  C,  187."),  lSl-ii4(j. 

'"Its  nuiia  value  was  a  deposit  of  rich  magnetic  iron  ore,  varying  fi'om  '2 
to  '2o  feet  in  thickness,  and  assaying  in  spots  as  much  as  08  jier  cent  of  metal. 
Tlio  mine  was  witiiin  Ui)  mile.s  of  Comox  harbor,  whenci',  in  ISS;i,  a  Muall 
ipiantity  was  shipped  to  llie  eastern  states  for  treatment.  Jlrit.  <'oloiii'<t,  Sept. 

19,  issa. 

"In  Brit.  Col.  Inform. fur Einhjrants,  188-i,  17-18,  isalistof  ivtail  pri(  ciat 
the  Victoria  markets  in  Alarch  of  that  year.  For  furtiicr  iti'ins  as  to  agricul- 
ture in  B.  C,  SCO  ])om.  Con.  Inform,  for  Settle rx,  ISSl,  'JO-,");  l)vin.  Can. 
Guide-Book,  1885,  74-5;  Uhitlemlen'ti  TravuU  in  It.  C,  passim;  Jianson'.'i  A'. 
W.  Ter.  andB.  C,  50-'2,  5.>-Gl,  G4,  )iassin);  S.  F.  Bulletin,  Oct.  12,  .Mar.  '2\, 
1881;  Chronicle,  July'22,1878;  Alia,  May 'Jl,  ISGJ;  May  i:J,  1871;  Marcli.'il, 
1872;  Oct.  25,  1875;  Sac.  Becord- Union,  Jan.  1,  1884;  Portland  Wc*l  Shore, 
June  1,  1880. 


I 

: 


744 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


government.  British  subjects,  or  those  who  had  de- 
clared their  intention  of  becoming  such,  could  pre- 
empt, at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  per  acre,  a  half- 
section  north  or  east  of  the  Cascade  Ran^^e,  or  a 
quarter-section  elsewhere  in  the  province,  tl\e  price 
being  payable  in  four  annual  instalments.  Unsurvoyed 
or  unreserved  crown  lands,  and  surve3'ed  lands  not 
being  town  sites  or  Indian  settlements,  could,  after 
being  oflFered  for  sale  at  auction,  be  purchased  for  one 
dollar  an  acre,  payable  in  cash.^^  As  elsewhere  in 
British  colonies,  it  was  the  policy  of  the  government 
to  reserve  its  domain  for  actual  settlers — men  who,  by 
developing  and  in  part  consuming  the  resources  of  the 
province,  added  to  its  wealth,  rather  than  to  dispose 
of  it  for  a  nominal  price  to  speculators  and  capitalists. 
Moreover,  the  public  lands  were  a  source  of  revenue 
which  could  be  utilized  to  better  advantage,  as  from 
year  to  year  the  population  gradually  increased. 


For  stock-raising  purposes  the  mainland  interior, 
and  especially  its  southern  portion,  east  of  the  Fraser, 
was  considered  the  most  favorable  region.^^  The 
higher  plateaux  of  this  district,  though  little  culti- 
vated on  account  of  summer  frosts,  are  for  the  most 
part  covered  with  nutritious  bunch-grass,  which,  un- 


'^The  fee  for  reconliiig  was  §2  au  acre.  The  first  instalment  for  preemp- 
tion elaims  need  not  be  paid  until  two  years  after  date  of  record.  After  sur- 
vey, and  on  proof  tliat,  from  date  of  occupation,  improvements  liad  been  made 
to  tlic  amount  of  not  less  t'.au  §2.50  an  acre,  the  settler  was  entitled  to  ii 
'certificuto  of  improvement,' and  on  full  payment  to  a  grant  in  fee  simple. 
Naval  and  military  ofHcerd  could,  after  seven  years'  service,  obtain  free  grants 
of  land  under  the  Military  and  Naval  Settlers'  act,  1803.  Lands  and  im- 
provements, duly  registered,  could  not  bo  attached  for  debt  up  to  a,  value  of 
82,r)00,  and  goods  and  chattels  up  to  $M0.  Dom,  Can.  Inform,  for  Settlers, 
1884, '20-8;  I)om.  Can.  Guide-ISook,  1885,  77-8.  For  reports  of  commissioners 
of  lands  and  works,  see  JJ.  O.  Lands  and  ]Vorks  Depart.  New  Westminster, 
1800.  Jour.  Lfigisl.  Ass.,  1875,  301-481;  Scss.  Papers,  JJ.  C,  1870,  419-503, 
iii.-xxii.;  1877,240-350,  i.-xxxvi.;  1878,  203-378,455-03;  1870,247-54;  1880, 
205-310;  1881,  380-418.  For  land  acts,  see  Stat.  JJ.  C,  1877,  114;  1882,  0, 
13-18;  IS83,  17,  77-8;  1884,  16. 

'^  Dawson's  evidence,  in  Dom.  Can.  Inform,  for  Settlers,  1884,  23;  JJ.  C. 
Inform  for  Emigrants,  20.  Good  is  of  opinion  that  the  section  forming  tlie 
b.'isin  of  tho  Thompson,  Nicola,  Bonaparte,  and  Spillemeechen  rivers,  and  bor- 
dering on  lakes  La  Ilache,  Kamloop,  Nicola,  Shuswap,  and  Okanagan,  was 
tho  best  field  for  pastoral  enterprise.  IJiit.  Col.,  MS.,  77-8. 


GRAZING  LANDS. 


745 


Jess  eaten  closely,  and  not  allowed  to  seed,  never  ceases 
to  grow,  its  heart  remaining  green  throughout  winter, 
when  the  exterior  is  dry  and  withered.^'  On  this 
pasture  cattle  and  sheep  thrive,  grass-fed  beef  and 
mutton  being  of  excellent  quality;  while,  with  some 
provision  of  winter  food,  in  case  of  severe  weather, 
sheep  and  cattle  require  only  the  protection  of  a  shel- 
tered spot  with  little  depth  of  snow. 

Extending  from  the  railroad  line  to  the  heart  of 
the  northern  interior,  the  Yale  and  Cariboo  wagon- 
road  passes  through  or  near  considerable  areas  of  rich 
grazing  land,  in  which,  beyond  the  52d  parallel,  the 
grasses  are  mainly  what  are  known  as  the  red-top 
and  blue-joint,  interspersed,  on  the  southern  slopes  of 
hills,  with  the  pea-vine.  Although  these  grasses 
could  doubtless  bo  cut  and  preserved  for  future  use, 
thus  saving  the  necessity  of  wintering  stock  elsewhere, 
the  experiment  has  never  yet  been  tried  on  any  con- 
siderable scale.  In  the  Peace  River  district,  and  in 
the  north-east  angle  of  the  territory,  are  vast  areas  of 
land  too  remote  for  agricultural  settlement,  and  which 
as  yet  are  but  little  utilized,  even  for  stock-raising. 
In  the  coast  region  the  richest  lands  for  pasture,  as 
for  agriculture,  are  found  in  the  delta  of  the  Frasor, 
although  for  the  former  purpose  their  greater  value 
and  limited  area  render  competition  with  the  interior 
almost  impossible. 

In  Vancouver  the  area  available  for  pasture  is  some- 
what limited,  the  flat,  untimbered  region  in  the 
southern  and  eastern  portions  of  the  island  being 
turned  to  more  profitable  use  for  agricultural  pur- 
poses. In  many  parts,  however,  there  arc  patches 
of  soil,  covered  with  short,  tliick,  nutritious  grasses, 
where,  as  in  the  more  thinly  wooded  sections  of  the 
hill  country,  small  herds  may  thrive  the  year  round 
without  shelter,  except   protection  for  the  weaklier 

**  Bunch-grass  is  found  at  intervals  between  the  western  elope  of  the 
Black  Hills  and  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  For  description,  sco 
my  JJint.  WaslMigton,  Idaho,  and  Montana,  and  Jlist.  Nevada,  Colorado,  and 
Wyoming. 


\\ 


746 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FIN.YNCE. 


stock  from  excessive  rains.  Among  the  islands  be- 
tween Vancouver  and  the  mainland,  in  all  of  which 
agriculture  and  pasture  lands  arc  of  small  extent,  may 
he  mentioned  that  of  Salt  Spring,  adjacent  to  the 
Cowichin  district,  and  sharing  in  its  geologic  for- 
mation, where  herba2;e  is  abundant  and  of  excellent 
quality,^^ 

Indigenous  to  island  and  mainland  are  many  of 
the  excellent  berries  and  small  fruits,^"  while  in  the 
orchards  of  Victoria,  New  Westminster,  and  other 
towns  and  villages  may  be  seen  most  of  the  fruits  that 
thrive  in  temperate  climates,  the  crops,  especially  in 
the  district  of  New  Westminster,  forming  no  incon- 
siderable source  of  profit.^" 

Among  the  most  valuable  resources  of  the  pi  evince 
aie  its  fisheries,  the  seas,  bays,  lakes,  and  rivers 
swarming  with  excellent  food-fish.  Besides  the  sal- 
mon, the  herring,  bass,  flounder,  halibut,  S'^;,  smelt, 
sardine,  and  eulachon  are  found  in  abundance,  and 
.s.airgcon  weighing  more  than  500  pounds  have  been 
caught  in  the  rivers,  estuaries,  and  larger  lakes.  The 
silver  salmon  bcijins  to  arrive  in  March  or  earlv  in 
A[)ril,  the  run  lasting  till  the  end  of  June,  their  weight 
usually  ranging  from  four  to  twenty-five  pounds, 
though  some  have  been  captured  that  weighed  more 

^^  For  further  items  as  to  stock-raising  and  cattle-ranges,  see  GooiVn  lint. 
Vol.,  MS.;  Bai/l(')/'s  Vanronvfr  Island,  MS.,  passim;  Chittciideii'n  TnivcLi  iii, 
Brit.  Col.,  G-S;  S.  F.  Bul'diii,  Sept.  22,  1881;  Alta,  July  11,  1803;  Victoria 
Standard,  Dec.  10,  187!'.  In  the  licporlx  of  the  Jfinitilfir  of  Ai/ricult/ur 
for  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  one  almost  turns  in  vain  for  information,  their 
subject-matter  relating  principally  to  immigration,  patents,  quarantine  reg 
Illations,  ])lagues,  pleuro-pneunionia,  public  archives,  art  statistics,  copy- 
lights,  statistiques  criniinelles,  statistics  of  insolvency,  and,  in  brief,  to  all 
eonceivablo  statistics  except  those  which  the  reports  should  contain. 

"•On  V.  I.  are  found  the  strawberry,  barberry,  blackberry,  rasp])erry, 
gooseberrj',  mulberry,  cranberry,  blueberry,  bilberry,  whortleberry,  yellow 
plum,  cherry,  and  several  kinds  of  currants.  B.  C.  Inform,  for  Einhjrar.ta 
(18S-1),  :i2;  Jlaylci/'.H  V.  I.,  MS.,  G3-G. 

"y>'.  C.  Dircci.,  1882-;},  200.  For  mention  of  the  flora  and  fauna  of  the 
province,  see  cap.  ii.,  this  vol.;  Good's  B.  C,  MS.,  passim;  Daylefs  V.  I., 
MS.,  (i;j-8;  Chittenden'' s  Travels  in  B.  C,  passim;  Uawson^s  N.  W.  Terr,  and 
Brit.  ( 'oL,  0o-71.    For  Game  Protection  act,  1883,  see  Stat.  B.  C,  1883,  37-8. 


.Ml 


FISHERIES. 


747 


f  the 

and 

17-8. 


tlian  seventy  pounds.  From  June  until  August  are 
taken  the  finest  varieties,  wliilc  in  the  latter  niontli 
every  second  year  coniinenees  the  run  of  the  hump- 
hack  salmon,  followed  hy  the  hookhill,  which  contin- 
ues until  winter.  JierriuGf  and  haddock  arc  cauuht 
during'  the  winter  months;  anchovies  in  tlu;  autunm: 
trout  weii^hini:;  from  three  to  seven  pounds  are  I'ound 
in  the  lakes'"*  and  streams;  and  doo'-fish,  valuable  for 
their  oil,  in  many  of  the  havs  and  iidets.  The  eula- 
clion,  a  delicate  table-fish,  about  seven  or  eioht  inches 
in  length,  and  yielding  an  excellent  oil,  enters  the 
Eraser  in  vast  (quantities  during  spring."  For  shell- 
fish there  are  oysti^rs  on  many  parts  of  the  coast, 
small,  but  of  excellent  fiavor,-"  and  there  are  crawfish, 
crabs,  and  musstJs. 

Of  late  years  the  salmon-canneries  and  otlier  I'liter- 
prises  in  connection  with  the  fisheries  of  Jiritish  C*o- 
lund)ia    have,  notwithstanding    low  })rices,  increased 

'*Oii  Suit  Spring  I.slantl  is  ;i  largo  liiko  almut  l.'O  fi'ct  uliovo  the  seii-levol, 
with  deep  water  up  to  its  edge,  and  iu  the  middle  nt'  wliieh  no  hottoin  has  hieu 
found.  Here  are  siieekled  trout  over  tliree  ft^^t  long,  and  weighing  more 
tiiaii  40  pounds.  'Jiicy  will  not  take  bait,  but  iiru  ttpearcd  by  the  Indians 
during  winter.   Jiaiilcifn  V.  I.,  MS.,  (Jl). 

'*At  eertaiu  seasons  it  is  tiie  ehief  Iiusiiu'ss  of  some  of  the  tribes  to  ealt'Ii 
and  euro  these  tisli  for  winter  use.  Ere<'ting  loilges  near  the  l)ays  and  inlets 
where  they  abound,  their  lishing  is  done  by  moonlight,  tor  it  is  then  only 
that  the  eulaehon  eomes  to  tlie  .surfaee.  For  taking  the  lish  a  largi;  lake  is 
u.sed,  witii  teetii  of  bono  or  iron,  four  inelies  long  and  one  iiieh  apart.  ]n 
the  stern  of  (iaeh  eanoe  sit.s  an  Indian,  who  propels  it  toward  tliv  .shoals  of 
eulaehon,  while  auotlier,  holding  it  iiiiidy  in  liotli  hanils,  sweeps  it  tiiningh 
the  niais  of  lish,  bringing  it  to  the  suifaee  with  one  or  more  on  each  tootii. 
After  being  loaded  the  eanoes  are  paddled  to  land,  drawn  on  tin;  beaeh,  over- 
turned, ami  again  launched  for  iinother  eateli.  Tins  work  tontinius  until 
the  setting  of  tlie  moon,  when  the  fish  disap|H.'ar.  Tiie  take  is  then  liandrd 
over  to  the  women  to  be  cured  and  dried,  and  the  oil  tried  out.  fico  Aa/irc 
//(fees',  this  series.  I>iiir.ion-i  Xorthmst  T' rr.  iiii'f  Brit.  Cn/.,  DS-O.  ]n  bsM 
eulaehon  oil  \\as  beli(^ved  tobeagood  sulistitnle  for  eodliver  oil.  Cdl/j'urniit,,, 
Aug.  KSSl,  177.  Later  c;.x]ierieiice  has  show  n  it  to  be  of  little  value  tor  me- 
dicinal purposes.  For  furilu'r  items  touihing  H.  ( '.  lislieries,  .sec  Jii'i/l' ;/'■■<  I  . 
I.,  MS.;  ilniul'.'^  J{.  ('.,  MS.,  passim;  C/iU/finh  ji's  Tnir, Is  !ii  Jl.  C,  '2'.),  pa.ssiin; 
/),nr.-<,w'x  \.  ir.  Trn:  ami.  U.  C,  78-11:1;  Jn„r.  I.i/r^.  vl.«.  Ji.  I'.,  ]S,S-.',  2,  :>, 
7;  llitusc  K.i:  J)i>i\,  //i://i  ('oin/.,  iUl  Sess.,  /.,  pt.  1,  TiOl;  l!i]il-<.  ('onuii.  I'i^ln  rh -i 
(Ottawa),  with  supplements,' 1 874-80;  S.  F.  Alf^i,  Apr.  ]{),  bSS-J;  Jl„ll,/:,i,  ,)ii,y 
•Jl),  1S8I;  S/nd-foil  Jliiiijirw/iii/.,  Aug.  10,  ISSl;  |r.  '/'.  h/'rlll,!,;,,;  r,  .\:\\\.  Ili, 
1870;    l'iif<>ri'i.St<ui(l<ii'/,  .Inly 'Jo,  Oct.  :il,  IS77;  Jlrl/.  (■.■ImiUl,  Itee.  Jl,  I.s77. 

^•' At  Oyster  liay,  in  the  Cowichan  district,  were  found  the  bot  oyster- 
beds,  but  the  limited  demand,  ami  the  ditliculty  in  landing  tlii!  jiroiliict  at 
Victoria  iu  good  condition  and  at  small  expense,  prevented  their  extensive 
use.  li.  C.  Dim-'.,  bSS'J-H,  l.'JS.  As  early  as  IWIl,  oystcr-beils  vci.'  pointed 
out  by  the  Indians  at  Nitinat  ]?ay.  JJniirurk'/i  T/tiikni  I'lct/vi,  MS.,  'J80. 


748 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINA^CE. 


largely  the  exports  of  the  province.  In  1876,  there 
were  but  three  canneries  in  operation,  the  total  out- 
put being  only  8,247  cases  of  48  one-pound  tins  each. 
In  1881  the  number  had  increased  to  twelve,  with  a 
yield  of  177,270  cases;  and  in  1882  to  twenty,  with  u 
production  of  255,001  cases,  valued  at  $1,402,835. 
The  total  yield  of  the  fisheries  for  the  latter  year  was 
estimated  at  Jii?l,842,075.^^  The  estimate  for  the  catch 
of  fur-seals  was  $187,250.  At  that  date  the  various 
industries  in  this  connection  gave  employment,  during 
the  season,  to  more  than  5,000  men,  and  to  a  fleet  of 
14  steamers,  12  schooners,  and  nearly  1,000  boats  and 
canoes."  Thus,  since  1851,  when  fresh  salmon  sold 
at  San  Juan  Island  at  the  rate  of  sixty  for  a  four-dol- 
lar blankct,'^^  smoked  salmon,  cured  at  Fort  Langley, 
was  worth,  in  the  Sandwich  Islands,  $10  a  barrel, 
and  canned  salmon  was  exported  in  small  quantity 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Eraser,^*  the  fisheries  of  British 
Columbia  have  given  rise  to  one  of  the  leading  indus- 
tries of  the  province. 

Apart  from  lumber  and  canned  salmon,  manufactures 
in  1800  were  inconsiderable,  though  all  that  might 
be  expected  in  a  new  country.  With  concentration  of 
labor  and  capital,  it  follows,  as  a  matter  of  course,  that 
the  home  country,  where  four  dollars  a  week  are  proba- 
bly more  than  the  average  earnings  of  operatives,  out- 
does her  colonies.  There  were,  in  the  province,  at  that 
date,  boiler  and  machine  shops,  iron  and  brass  works, 
Hour-mills,  biscuit-factories,  saw-mills,"^  book-binder- 

^' Including  §50,146  worth  of  barrelled  and  smoked  salmon,  .^14,291  of 
liarrollud  and  smoked  herrings,  $10,4(50  of  fresh  fish,  .*il08,113  of  fish-oil,  and 
§58,000  for  various  items.  Sc.fs,  Papers,  B.  C,  1883,  379. 

^'■^  III.  For  additional  items  concerning  the  canneries,  see  S.  F.  Bulletin,  Aug. 
29,  1881;  H'.  T.  Jiitdlii/oicei;  Sept.  3,  1879;  Virtoria  SUmdnnl,  April  25,  1877; 
Xew  Wcxtmin-fter  JleruU,  in  Portltml  Standard,  Aug.  10,  1877. 

'^^ British  Columbia  Sh'tches,  MS.,  22.  At  this  date  there  was  a  small 
establishment  on  the  island  for  the  curing  of  salmou. 

"  See  p.  132,  this  vol. 

^■'Tlie  first  saw-mill  was  built  in  18G1  at  the  Sooke  copper  mines.  Baj/let/'s 
V.  /.,  MS.,  01.  Among  tlie  Hour-mills  may  be  mentioned  the  one  at  Chilli- 
whack,  of  -which  in  1885  Robert  Stevenson,  a  native  of  Williamstown,  Ont., 
w;i  ^  the  proprietor.  Mr  Stevenson  iirrivcd  in  Victoria  on  boanl  the  Orizaliu 
in  1859,  and  two  years  later  tried  l;i  i  fortune  at  the  Cariboo  mines,  being  one 


MANUFACTURES  AND   MINES. 


749 


ies,  brcworios,  tanneries,^*  and  factories  for  the  mak- 
ing of  boots  and  slioes,  furniture,"'  pianos,  sashes 
and  doors,  soap,  matches,  and  cigars.  Nevertheless, 
most  of  the  wool  and  other  raw  material,  which  in 
California  were  largely  made  up  into  goods  of  homo 
production,  were  in  British  Columbia  almost  entirely 
expoi'ted,"''  to  be  returned,  for  instance,  as  textile  fab- 
rics, with  the  added  charges  of  freight,  conunission, 
and  manufacture. 

In  the  report  of  the  minister  of  mines  for  the 
year  1884  there  arc  statistics  which  may  not  be  with- 
out interest  to  the  reader.  At  that  date  the  yield  of 
gold  had  fallen  to  $730,105,  or  an  average  of  only 
$39G  for  each  of  the  390  men  engaged  in  gold-mining. 
Between  July  1858  and  the  close  of  1884  tlie  total 
output  was  estimated  at  $48,072,1*28,  and  the  average 
at  about  $1,900,000,  that  for  1884  behig  tlic  smallest. 


of  the  first  wliite  men  to  winter  there.  Prominent  among  the  lumber  mer- 
chants of  Victoria  vas  William  Parsons  Sayward,  tins  ]in)[iriotor  of  the  Rock 
Ray  saw-mill,  a  native  of  Thoiiiaston,  Me.,  and  a  t'al.  pioneer  arrived  in  the 
colony  in  1  S'lS. 

^''lu  1884  tlicre  were  six  tanneries  in  operation — one  at  Rock  Ray,  the  Ray 
tannery  in  close  proximity,  one  at  Relmoiit,  seven  miles  from  Victoria,  one 
near  Parson's  bridge,  live  miles  from  tlio  capital,  and  one  each  at  Nanainio  and 
New  Westminster.  In  connection  with  the  Rock  Ray  and  Relinout  tanneries 
wore  boot  and  slioo  factf)ries.  Tlie  hides  and  skins  were  of  local  prnduction, 
the  surplus  ))eing  maiidy  exported  to  S.  F.  Hendock  bark,  frr)m  the  Snoku 
and  Otter  districts,  was  chielly  used — though  oak  bark  Mas  imported  from 
Cal,  Jfi:ii/Jior)i\^  Iii'hi<(rk'.-<  of  B.  I'.,  MS.  The  Rock  Ray  tannery,  built  in 
18G2  by  W.  Harthiy,  was  the  lirst  one  established  in  Vancmiver,  and  in  bss.") 
was  the  largest  in  the  province.  At  tlic  latter  date  it  was  producing  .seme 
400  sides  of  sole,  and  'JOO  of  ii]iper,  leatlier  per  month,  l)esides  calf,  kii>,  sc:al, 
goat,  sheep-skin,  harness,  bridle,  and  aparejo  leather.  ,Most  of  the  product, 
however,  was  nscd  in  tlie  boot  and  shoe  factory.  In  1875  the  business  Avas 
purchased  by  William  Heathoru,  a  native  of  (Juildford,  Kngl  iu<l,  who  arrived 
at  Victoria  in  18(i'J,  and  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  this  information. 

''''  In  Victoria  there  \vere  tlnve  furniture  factories — tlmse  of  .Inlm  Wcilcr, 
Jacob  Sehl,  aud.Toseph  Somner,  the  two  lirst  being  for  liousehoM  and  the  last 
for  ofllce  furniture.  Weiler  and  Sild  arrived  in  the  eohmy  at  an  early  date, 
the  former,  a  native  of  Nassau,  (Germany,  reaching  Victoria  in  ISiil,  and  the 
latter,  a  native  of  Coblentz,  in  ]sr)8.  Roth  came  by  way  of  ( 'al.,  wiirre  Weihr 
engaged  in  mining,  and  Sehl  was  a  manufacturer  and  general  dealer  iu  furni- 
ture. 

"*'In  1884  a  premium  of  $.3,000  was  ofFered  by  the  government  for  the  first 
one-set  mill  erected  in  the  })rovinco  witii  a  capacity  for  manufacturing  not 
less  than  50,000  pounds  of  'wool  into  yarns,  blaidvuts,  llannels,  and  tweeds. 
SUit.  J}.  C,  1884,  3").  For  mention  of  Moodyvillc  Saw-mill  Co.,  see  C'/iUfcmlvn'i 
Travels  in  B.  C,  6(3;  and  for  further  items  couccruing  manufactures,  sec  Brit. 
Colonkt,  June  17,  Oct.  13,  Nov.  G,  1879. 


760 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


Thu  largest  (.'iirniiigs  per  capita  wciu  in  1875,  when 
they  reached  i?l,222,  and  the  average  {'or  the  25,^-  years 
covered  by  tlie  report  did  not  exceed  $G00.  Of  those 
^vorking  for  wages  during  tlic  season  there  wero  492 
white  men  and  1,30(5  Chinamen,  rates  ibr  the  former 
averaging  about  $3.75  a  day,  and  for  the  latter  $2.75. 

Of  coal,  the  total  yield  for  1884  was  304,070  tons, 
the  output  for  that  year  being  the  largest  so  far  re- 
(.'orded,  and  showing  an  increase  of  40  per  cent  over 
that  of  the  preceding  year.  It  is  worthy  of  n(jte  that, 
according  to  an  accepted  commercial  authority  in  San 
Francisco,  then  the  best  available  market  for  the  sur- 
j)lus  coal  of  the  province,  the  in)ports  of  that  city  and 
of  Wilmington  included  291,540  tons  of  British  Col- 
umbia coal  out  of  a  total  of  1,035,070  tons,  and  against 
77,485  tons  of  California  coal,  Vancouver  Island  thus 
furnishing  nearly  30  per  cent  of  the  entire  supply."^ 

In  his  message  ibr  1885,  the  president  of  the 
United  States  mentioned  that  her  ]^Iajesty's  govern- 
ment has  been  requested  to  consider  the  question  of 
settling  more  definitely  the  boundary  line  between 
Alaska  and  British  Columbia,  suof'.festinQf  that  it  "  be 
established  by  meridian  observations,  or  by  known 
geographical  features,  without  the  necessity  of  an 
expensive  survey  of  the  whole.  As  yet,  indeed,  it 
may  be  said  that  no  exact  line  of  demarcation  exists, 
for,  through  lack  of  geographical  knowledge  of  this 
region,  the  one  determined  in  the  convention  between 

-''The  local  consumption  of  B.  C.  for  1884  was  87,388  tons,  and  15,136  tons 
were  sliipped  to  various  countries,  mainly  to  tlio  Sandwicli  Islands.  Tlio 
text  of  the  report,  preceded  by  tables  of  statistics,  will  be  found  in  Sens. 
Pcqjeiv,  B.  C,  1885,  417-30.  For  acts  to  consolidate  and  amend  laws  relat- 
ing to  minerals,  see  Slat.  D.  C,  1S8'2,  8;  188.3,  10;  and  for  act  to  encourage 
prospcctin,^  for  coal,  Stat.  B.  C.,  1783,  5.  In  1855  C.  A.  Bayley  lirst  di.s- 
coverctl  copper  near  Sausomc  narrows,  and  in  18(J0  the  vein  was  opened,  but 
as  the  ore  did  not  assay  more  tlian  '23  per  cent,  it  could  not  be  worked  at  a 
profit,  and  the  mine  was  abandoned.  Bai/ley's  1'.  7.,  !MS.,  Ul.  For  additional 
itfuis  as  to  mining,  mineral  yield,  and  mining  enterprise,  see  the  reports  of  the 
commissioner  of  mines  for  each  year,  in  Sess.  Papers,  B.  (,'.;  Chillcndcii's 
Trov<'i'<  ill  li.  C,  3-5,  20-2;  Scidmore'.'i  Alaska,  6-15;  Brit.  Coloninf,  passim; 
Portland  Tdeqram,  Oct.  31,  1879;  ]Va--ihuiiilon  IiitfUi'/encer,  May  22,  Sept. 
10,  July  23,  1870;  .S'.  /'.  Bulletin,  May  25,  1875;  May  22,  June  24,  Julv  1,  20, 
Aug.  2.),  Oct.  17,  Sept.  20,  Oct.  1,  Nov.  9,  1881,  Jlay  6,  1884;  Alta,  'July  3, 
1884;  Jour,  of  Com.,  May  23,  1877;  Com.  Herald,  July  6,  1877. 


PORTS  OF  ENTRY. 


751 


Russia  and  Great  Britain  in  1825  \vas  so  vague  that 
it  is  impossible  to  follow  the  text  of  the  agrceiucnt.^'^ 
So  long  as,  apart  from  her  fur-seals,  fisheries,  and 
land  peltry,  Alaska  was  considered  practically  worth- 
less, and  the  northern  part  of  British  Columbia 
nearly  so,  the  boundary  question  was  of  little  moment; 
but  the  discovery  of  mineral  wealth  in  both  territo- 
ries, and  in  more  than  one  instance  near  the  limits 
agreed  upon  in  1825,  would  seem  almost  to  render  it 
necessary  that  those  limits  be  defined  more  clearly, 
in  order  to  avoid  future  complications.  Moreover, 
the  trade  of  the  province  is  seriously  disturbed  by  the 
present  condition  of  the  matter.  The  mouth  of  the 
Stikeen  River,  for  instance,  is  in  American  territory, 
Fort  Wrangell  being  the  nearest  port  of  entry. 
There  goods  intended  for  the  mainland  interior  must 
be  transshipped,  or  an  officer  placed  on  board  the  ves- 
sel, a  part  of  whose  duty  it  is  to  see  that  they  are  not 
landed  on  American  soil  in  transitu.  Some  thirty 
miles  toward  the  south  a  port  of  entry  could  bo  estab- 
lished within  the  British  line,  and  one  which  sea- 
going vessels  could  enter  without  breaking  bulk;  but 
until  the  line  of  demarcation  is  territorially  defined, 
it  may  not  be  advisable  to  select  the  site  for  a  port 
of  entry  on  the  verge  of  the  northern  boundary. 
Meanwhile  complaints  have  been  made  of  the  illib- 
eral and  sometimes  inexcusable  conduct  of  the  custom- 
house officers  at  Wrangell.'^^ 

For  1884  the  exports  of  British  Columbia  amounted 
to  $3,099,814,  and  of  the  dominion  to  $80,521,175; 
while  imports  were  for  the  former  $4,142,280,^'  and 

^Tor  description  of  tlio  liouudary  line,  sue  Illd.  Alasla,  543,  this  scries; 
Scss.  P«/)er.s  n.  ('.,  188.J,  4.-):3-4. 

^'  Kept  of  Conim.  Ex.  CouiK'il  IJ.  C.  on  tlic  Alaska  Boundary  Question, 
in  Sens.  Paperii,  1883,  451-GO,  ■\viiero  it  is  stated  that  Capt.  Irving,  manager 
of  tlio  Canadian  Pacitic  Steanilioat  and  Navigation  Company,  was  on  one  occa- 
sion subjected  to  such  treatment,  liis  vessel  being  ille£,'ally  seized,  and  a  loss 
tluis  incurred  of  several  thousand  dollars,  for  which  ho  was  compelled  to  seek 
redress  in  the  U.  S.  courts.  In  ls78  a  conditional  boundary  line  in  the  val- 
ley of  the  Stikeen  River  was  ti'nii)oi':irily  acce[)teil  liy  the  governments  of 
Canada  and  tho  U   S.  House  £x.  Dor.,  .'I'lth  Coiaj.,  jd  6V.ss-.,  ».,  ;5;i9— 48. 

'-Of  dutinblo  goods,  §3, 445, 40!),  and  of  goods  exempt  from  duty,  princi- 
pally railroad  material,  §090,877. 


7MI 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


for  the  lattor  .$108,282,001.  Thus,  apart  from  domes- 
tic trade  tlio  commerco  of  this  province,  with  a  pop- 
ulation then  estimated  at  00,000,  was  nearly  four  per 
cent  of  that  of  the  entire  dominion,  with  a  popula- 
tion of  about  4,500,000,  the  ratio  of  population  being 
as  one  to  seventy-five,  and  of  imports  and  exports  as 
one  to  twenty-five.  Due  allowance  being  made  for 
the  fact  that  competition  in  trade  was  less  severe  on 
the  Pacific  than  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  that 
between  them  there  was  a  vast  and  almost  unpeopled 
interior,  it  must  be  admitted  that  thus  far  the  young- 
est offspring  of  the  mother  country  has  not  been  slow 
of  growth.  Compar'Mg  British  Columbia  with  Que- 
bec, for  instance,  we  find  for  the  latter  province,  with 
a  population  in  1884  of  about  1,500,000,  an  external 
commerce  of  $82,545,184,  the  ratio  of  population 
being  as  twenty-live  to  one,  and  of  imports  and 
exports  as  one  hundred  to  nine. 

Exports  in  1884  consisted  mainly  of  coal  and  gold, 
fish  and  fish-oils,  peltry,  hides,  and  lumber,  of  which 
Great  Britain  purchased  to  the  value  of  $878,883,  in- 
cluding canned  salmon  valued  at  $070,758,  the  United 
States  $1,091,707,  and  Australia  $257,202.  For  the 
fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1872,  the  twelvemonth 
following  the  confederation  of  the  colony,  tlie  total 
exports  amounted  to  $1,912,107.^^  That  with  the 
completion  of  the  railroad  and  her  advantages  for  inter- 
oceanic  communication,  the  commerce  of  the  province 
will  develop  yet  more  rapidly,  is  almost  beyond  a  per- 
adventure.  Supported  by  British  capital,  it  would 
seem  that  British  Columbia  may,  in  the  not  very 
distant  future,  be  no  inconsiderable  factor  in  the  traf- 
fic, not  only  of  the  dominiov,  but  of  the  mother  coun- 
try.3* 

"Of  which  G.  Brit,  took  ^iit-M,  and  the  U,  S.  $1,405,217.  Tables  of 
Trwle  and  Kav.  Dom.  Can.,  1872. 

"  For  statistics  and  items  as  to  trade,  see  Tables  Trade  and  Nav.  Dom. 
Can.  Ann.  Jlepts  B.  C.  Board  of  Trade,  passim.  In  the  Acts  of  Incorporation 
and  By-lawa,  B.  C.  Board  of  Trade,  Victoria,  1879,  34-5,  are  tariflFs  of  fees 
that  compare  somewhat  to  the  disadvantage  of  those  collected  in  San  Fran- 
cisco. San  Diego,  Portland,  Port  Townsend,  Sitka,  and  Wrangell.     For  addi- 


BANKS  AND  nANKINO. 


7o3 


With  banking  and  insuianco  facilities  liritish  Co- 
lumbia was  but  poorly  su|>j)lio(l.  In  1885  tliuro  were 
but  three  banks  in  the  entire  j)r()vince — the  bank  of 
British  Columbia,  with  a  capital  of  $500,000,  with  its 
head  otiicoin  London,  with  branches  at  San  Francisco, 
Portland,  Victoria,  and  Now  Westminster,  and  agen- 
cies in  Mexico,  South  America,  India,  China,  and 
Australia;  the  bank  of  British  North  America,  with 
its  main  office  at  the  capital;  and  the  Dominion  Sav- 
ings Bank,  with  its  headquarters  at  New  Westmin- 
ster,"' and  with  numerous  branches.  There  was  not 
at  this  date  a  single  local  insurance  company,  though 
there  were  several  agencies  of  Canadian,  liritish,  or 
foreign  companies,  the  British  Columbia  Insurance 
Company,  incorporated  in  1877,"°  having  then  ceased 
to  exist.  In  this  respect  British  Columbia  contrasted 
somewhat  unfavorably  with  her  sister  provinces,  and 
with  the  Australian  colonies,  in  which  latter  there 
were  few  settlements  nuistering  say  500  inhabitants 
wherein  there  could  not  be  found  one  or  more  branches 
of  colonial  banks,  and  several  agencies  of  colonial  life, 
fire,  or  marine  insurance  companies. 

iJuring  the  fiscal  year  ending  the  oOth  of  June, 
1880,  there  arrived  at  the  port  of  Victoria  471  sea- 
going vessels,  with  a  total  measurement  of  305,049 
tons,  and  of  which  135  were  British  or  Canadian,  319 
belonged  to  the  United  States,  and  the  remainder 
sailed  under  the  flags  of  various  foreign  nations.  Tiie 
clearances  for  the  same  year  numbered  4G5,  of  which 
118  carried  the  British  and  333  the  United  States 


tioniil  iiifonnatiori  as  to  trrulc  and  cuinmcrcc,  see  House  Er.  Dor.  4ol/i  Co/iff., 
2(1  ScKs.,  xxi.,  no,  DO,  -^-'2,  l.'U-70;  Id.,  xx'tii.,  no.  102,  .507;  hi.,  Jt'Jlh 
Cowj.,  2<l  Scss.,  '.rri.,  no.  7,  yO-7S,  ]  |-J-t'S,  "(il-^tX);  Jour.  L('ji~l.  Council, 
lS(j6,  l.j,  app.  ii -iii.;  U.  S.  Burtau  of  Sin'.,  vo.  Q,  187!)-SO,  ])p.  113,  102,  ICI, 
1st).  n,-U.  Colonht,  May  14,  Ks78;  i\])r.  1 1,  July  li.',  Oct.  'Jl,  1S7!);  Victoria 
SUuidnr./.  Apr.  20,  lS7!t;  Stamlnnf,  Jan.  2S,  March  10,  1S80;  S.  F.  Ihdtrtin, 
Juno  7,  18:)S;  May  14.  lb.".!);  An;,'.  IS,  X^ijW;  Oct.  'J4,  ISO!;  J.siy  22,  1874;  yl//rt, 
Mav'21,  1800;  Feb.  22,  1800;  I'd).  10,  1S07;  Sept.  12,  1871;  Feb.  3,  1877. 

■^'••li.  C.  Direct.,  ISSI-,'),  88,  108;  1882-3,  xxiii.  I'or  further  items  as  to 
banking,  sec  .S'.  /'.  Altd,  July  20,  1804,  May  5,  1873;  Com.  JlerM,  Aug.  20, 
ISOJ. 

"'For  act  of  incorporation,  boo  Stat.  B.  C,  1877,  141-7. 
Hut.  Hun.  Col.    48 


f^ 


754 


IXDU.STRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FIXAXCE. 


flag,  their  aggregate  measurement  being  353,087  tons. 
Of  the  arrivals  only  73,  and  of  the  departures  only 
53,  were  sailing  ships,  and  of  these  a  large  [)roportion 
sailed  or  reached  port  in  ballast.  The  preponderance 
of  American  vessels  is,  of  course,  explained  by  the 
traffic  between  Victoria,  San  Francisco,  Portland, 
and  other  points  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  the  United 
States,  all  of  it,  or  nearly  so,  being  in  the  hands  of" 
American  ship-owners.^^  There  were  about  this  time 
five  steamers  plying  on  the  Eraser,  between  New 
Westminster  and  Yale,  Victoria  and  Yale,  Soda 
Creek  and  Qucsnelle,  Kamloop  and  Savona's  ferry, 
all  of  them  belonging  to  the  Pioneer  Line,  which  sue- 
ceedcd  to  the  British  Columbia  Navigation  Company, 
then  under  the  mana^rement  of  John  lrvin<jf."'^  Before 
the  line  <jf  the  overland  railway  was  located,  the 
Thompson  River,  containing,  with  its  aflluents,  some 
300  miles  of  navigable  water,  held  in  its  mountainous 
basin  a  population  sufficient  to  sup[)ort  several  small 
steamers.^'  On  the  completion  of  the  projected  canal 
between  Okanagan  and  Shuswap  lakes — the  two  be- 
ing almost  on  the  same  level,  separated  only  by  a 
single  valley,  and  with  the  Thompson  as  the  outlet  of 
the  latter — more  than  100  miles  would  bo  added  to 
the  navigable  channel  of  this  stream. 

Thus,  since  the  davs  when  the  little  black  steamer 
Beaver — the  first  to  perform  such  an  exploit — i-ounded 
Cape  Horn  on  her  voyage  from  London  to  Esquimalt, 
beinix  used  first  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  to 

"  Complete  navigation  returns  for  the  province  will  Lc  found  iu  the  Tablc.i 
of  Trade  and  Xav.  ^Dom,  Can.  fur  ISSO,  700-7,  80i2-:3,  S.IO. 

^''Tho  only  son  of  Win  Irvin;.',  who  arrived  iu  S.  F.  in  1843,  in  charge  of 
tlic  bark  John  W.  Calon.  In  18..2  tlio  latter  engaged  in  the  nteaniboat  busi- 
ness on  the  Cohinibia,  whence,  in  IS'if),  lie  removed  to  tlio  Eraser  to  take 
ehargu  of  the  affairs  of  the  IJ.  0.  X;iv.  Co.  Tlic  names  of  the  five  steamers 
were  tho  WH'inni  Irvinrj,  the  UiUaivo,  the  V'ldnrln,  t!io  Pccrlc^.t,  and  the  JJ, 
J.  IrriiHj,  tlio  last,  n  lino  vessel  of  G'_'o  to: >',  lieing  hiuned  at  IIopo  in  Sept, 
1881.  The  entire  capital  invested  in  them  was  .^i7o, COO.  In  1SS2  two  new 
steamers,  ono  of  800  iiml  tho  other  of  -100  tuns,  were  being  built  for  the  Pion- 
eer line.   lli(lfV\i('om.  and  I  lid.  Par.  Cua^t,  193. 

"Built  by  Mara  and  Wilson,  of  which  linn  J.  A.  !Mara  was  one  of  tho 
leading  men  in  tho  Kamloop  district,  and  a  member  of  the  provincial  parlia- 
mont. 


REVENUE. 


75.-) 


collect  peltry  and  convey  supplies,  then  as  a  gov- 
ernment survevinri:  vessel,**^  and  endincj  licr  career 
as  a  tug,  vast  strides  have  been  made  in  the  shipping 
interests  of  the  territory.  From  one  sup[)ly-siiip  a 
year,  with  an  occasional  visit  from  some  storm-bound 
o*'  dismantled  craft,  in  184G,  to  an  average  of  at  leaf>t 
four  vessels  a  day,  cleared  or  entered  in  188G,  is  a 
somewhat  startling  contrast.  Whv  it  is  that  British 
Columbia  never,  as  yet,  ranked  ship-building  among 
her  industries,  does  not  at  present  appear.  If,  within 
this  century,  Sitka  could,  to  a  small  extent,  compete 
with  Okhotsk*^  and  Port  Townsond  with  Batli  and 
Bano'or,  tlierc  would  seem  to  be  no  ijood  reason  why 
Victoria  and  Poit  jNFoody  should  not  enter  into  com- 
petion  with  Halifax  and  St  John." 

For  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1884,  the  total 
revenue  of  British  Columbia  amoimted  to  6887,G8(J, 
of  which  $207, 99G  was  received  from  the  dominion 
government,*^  §91,433  on  account  of  land  sales,  $48, 
G8G  for  provincial  revenue  tax,  and  $384,512  for  the 
transfer  to  the  dominion  of  the  graving-dock,  and  for 
money  expended  on  its  construction  by  the  province. 
For  the  same  period  the  expenditure  under  all  heads 
was  $590, G29,  of  which  $81,953  was  on  account  of  the 

'"Tti  winch  cap.iuity  she  did  excellent  service.  Bai/lcy'fi  V.  /.,  !MS.,  70. 

"See  /Jilt.  Atautt,  this  scries,  p.  G91,  note 45. 

*-  Additional  information  an  to  shipping  matters  will  bo  found  in  Tahl(;i  of 
Tnide  nml  Kav.  J)om.  Vui>.,  passim;  Bcn/li'i/'.i  V.  /.,  MS.,  7o-7;  t'uopir s 
.Uarittmc  Mutters,  MS.,  passim;  .S'.  F.  Call,  Juno  4,  8,  ISOo;  Apr.  HI,  1870; 
BuUctin,  Juno  11,  ISOl;  /'or/laii't  ]re4  Shore,  July  1S77.  Vov  account  of 
wrcclc  of  the  steamer  Georqe  S.  Wri'jhf,  and  niassacro  of  licr  crew,  sto  S.  F. 
Bnllcthi,  M;irch  ;i,  4,  10,  1873;  July  2\  1877;  Call,  Apr.  <:,  July  -J,),  1S77; 
Po^t,  Apr.  7,  Juno4.  1S77;  /t/^x,  jNIarch  3,  1873;  Vir'jininCi/>/Cliroii!r,',i,Aiv\ 
7,  1877;  Stcilnroom(W.  T.j  :.\rprcM,  July20, 1877.  For  lossof  tiio/SVfW((y/ar, 
SCO  iS'.  /•'.  Pout,  Juno  H.;,  'J,"),  '  -,,',3;  (/«//,  Jnno 'J2,  187.'i;  and  fnr  ()tliii'(".i,..jtcr3 
by  sea,  N.  F.  Alln,  .]m,o  '20,  1872;  Cnll,  Dec.  '2(1,  1874;  BuUdin,  Sipt.  ."JO, 
Oct.  1,  1881.  rilota;40  "cenlations  will  ho  found  in  tho  I'irlorid,  (imt  L'squi- 
ma't  rVolarjc  B>/-laih,  Victoria,  1880;  B.  C.  IX'rrr/.,  18S2-.'i,  'MKi-O.  I'or 
information  aa  torulcsand  custouisof  port  and  harbor  in;i;t(r.-.,  port-wiirdens, 
and  quarantine  rcrulation-.,  t^oo  ihiiiil-Booh-i  of  the  Baard  of  Trade.  As  Uito 
03  1875  there  wcro  hut  thid'  light-houses  in  tli"  entire  province,  one  eacli  at 
Raco  Rocks,  at  tlio  cntraucc  of  Kscpiiinalt  Ilarhor,  and  on  South  Sand  Head, 
at  tho  entrance  of  tiio  Frascr.  LUt  of  L!iih(<,  Dom.  Can.,  'M. 

^'Of  the  latter  sum,  li?-J4,<l'JG  was  for  interest,  ?:}j,Of>0  for  subsidy,  §48,000 
for  -^rant  per  capita,  and  §100,000  for  lands  convej'ed.  S( ■<.■<.  J'a/irrs,  B.  C, 
ic    ,41. 


7oG 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


public  debt,  $47,323  for  the  civil  service,  $97,480 
for  the  administration  of  justice,  and  $217,491  for 
public  works.  At  that  date  there  were  debentures 
outstanding  to  the  amount  of  $747,500/*  Compared 
with  other  provinces,  and  considering  the  large  per- 
centage of  expenditure  devoted  to  public  works,  it 
must  be  admitted  that  finances  were  in  a  healthy 
condition,  one  of  the  most  noticeable  features  in  the 
comparison  being  that  the  average  debt  per  capita 
was  for  the  province  little  more  than  $12,  and  for  the 
dominion  about  $4G.*'  In  the  amount  of  customs 
paid  into  the  consolidated  revenue  fund  of  the  domin- 
ion, pro  rata  of  population,  the  contrast  was  still  more 
remarkable.  Taking,  for  instance,  the  fiscal  j'ear 
1878-9,  for  which  there  are  exact  returns  at  hand 
for  all  the  provinces,  we  find  that  British  Columbia, 
with  a  population  amounting  only  to  12^-  per  cent  of 
that  of  Nova  Scotia,  paid  more  than  43  per  cent  of  the 
sum  contributed  by  the  latter;  nearly  11  per  cent  of 
the  sums  contributed  by  Ontario  and  Quebec,  where 
tlie  ratios  of  population  w^cic  respectively  as  40  and 
30  to  one;  88  per  cent  more  than  was  paid  by  Mani- 
toba, with  about  an  equal  population;  and  150  per  cent 
more  than  was  paid  by  Prince  Edward  Island,  with 
double  the  population. 


iii 


In  presenting  to  the  reader  the  annals  thus  far  re- 
corded of  British  Columbia,  I  have  spoken  of  a  people 

^' A  sUiluincnt  of  llio  public  accouuts  fur  each  year  will  bo  found  in  the 
n  ports  of  tlic  minister  of  (iiuiuoo,  in  jSc.m.  Papers,  B,  C.  Soo  also  Joia\ 
Lii/iil.  At!/i.  Jl.  v.;  Stat.  H.  C,  passim.  For  1S7U  the  revenue  waa  $.'('27,514; 
i;;;a,  S.370,ir.O;  1874,  S:{7'2,417;  1S75,  S:ir>1,'241;  1870,8.181,120;  1877,  §108, 
:11S;  1S7S,  §i;<0,7SG;  for  llie  first  six  niontiia  of  1870,  §213,0J7;  for  the  liscul 
vc'.ir  July  I,  1870,  to  June  ISO,  1880,  SitOO.OOS;  1880-1,  $307,0.1."5;  18S2-'2, 
!:'1.):(,'2I1;  lSS2-;t,  S12."),808.  'I'liu  exiienditiiro  was,  for  1872,  §432,082;  1873, 
!?,.;HI,'JI',);  1874,  S.'')81,282;  187."),  inuluuini,'  f213,400of  the  sum  raised  under 
liio  n.  C.  loan  act  of  1874,  Ss2'J,277;  1870,  including  §00,000  for  balance  of 
1  Kin,  8700,710;  1877.  §008,34.5;  1S78,  S:)18,070;  1870-80,  S4o7,02G;  1880-1, 
ii^37!»,700;  1881-2,5174,402;  1882-3,  §.')04, 102. 

*■>  For  furtlier  items  as  to  revenue  and  linancc,  see  Mackenzie's  Mem.  Can. 
l\ic.  liailway,  MS.;  Canada  I'uldic  Accounts,  1870-7;  Canada  Inland  Hev. 
lleptx,  1870-80,  passim. 

*"  Speech  of  l)e  CosmoM  iu  tlio  dominion  liouso  of  commous,  Apr.  10,  If  SO. 
Sco  Hansard's  Vchata:  J)awson'.i  X.  W.  Terr,  and  U.  C,  178-0, 


G ENER AL  DEV ELO I'M KNT. 


757 


wliicli,  if  not  among  the  richest,  is  {iniong  the  most 
contented,  hopeful,  and  thrifty  communities  of  the 
Pacific  coast.  The  youngest  offspring  of  the  mother 
of  nations,  this  province  contains  a  population  wliose 
members  regard  their  adopted  country  as  one  not 
merely  as  a  place  in  M'liich  to  grasp  at  wealth,  but  as 
one  in  which  they  arc  content  to  live,  in  which  they 
arc  proud  to  live.  And  in  their  a(lo[)ted  country  the 
impartial  observer  may  lind  mucli  that  is  worthy  of 
admiration.  The  territory  com[)i'ises  within  its  area, 
entirolv  or  in  part,  the  streams  which  bevond  the 
Ibrty-ninth  parallel  How  westward  into  the  Pacific, 
and  tlio  tributaries  of  the  j\Iacken/,ie  that  ilow  north 
toward  the  Arctic.  With  a  shore  line  of  more  than 
7,000  miles,*^  containinLi"  many  liarbor.s  and  naviL!al)le 
inlets,  with  her  magnificent  fiiuua  and  ilora,  her  wealth 
of  minerals  and  fisheries,  her  £jrowin<j:  commerce,  her 
commercial  position,  and  her  facilities  for  coinmumca- 
tion*^  and  manufacture,  it  is  not  improbable  tliat,  even 
within  the  life-lime  of  the  i)resent  generation,  BiiLlsh 
Columbia  may  rani:  among  the  foremost  provinces  of 


*'  As  computed  by  A.  A.  Anderson,  inspector  of  fiaherica,  in  his  report  for 
\810.   IlittcU'a  Commerri'.nnd  Indunlntx,  41. 

■•'In  1S85  it  \\aa  olliciiiUy  announced  tliat  a  mail  service  was  to  \>c  cstal)- 
iishcd  between  llonij-lvong  and  Victoria.  S.  l\  Iliillrtiii,  Oct.  '24,  188.").  For 
jiostal  convention  witii  the  U.  S.,  kco  Mcs/i.  aud  Doc,  1S70-1;  Xavy  and  !'. 
O.  Dcpt.  ll!;}-;").  In  ISSO  there  were  '11  postal  routes  in  the  province,  of  whicii 
7  were  l)y  Kteamer  or  sailing,'  yessel,  the  number  of  tri[)3  varyin;,'  from  two 
each  day  between  Victoria,  and  Esquimalt,  to  one  every  two  months  between 
Hope  and  Kootenai.  The  subsidies  paid  for  regular  services  varied  from  §7"> 
■i  year,  fur  the  route  between  Maple  I'ay  and  Soineno.^,  to  $l.'{,I5.'i;i.ri4  .a  year, 
i'lr  the  one  between  Uarkcrvillo  and  Vale,  the  tot.-d  being  .?;]», O'-'S.l  I.  i;,pt 
'),•  I'ont.-Grii./or  ISSO,  11'J-1.'5.  Of  course,  after  tiie  completion  of  the  railway, 
ho  cost  of  tfio  more  expensive  routes  was  greatly  reduced.  In  ISS'2  there 
Acre  G'2  post-oHicc3  on  the  island  and  mainland.  For  list,  sec  JJ.  (!.  Direct., 
•  SS2-:?,  ;J70.  In  ISOS  mails  were  first  sent  direct  to  S.  F.  by  steamer.  iS'.  /'. 
: 'u'.',  Apr.  30,  18(i8.  In  1880  steamers  sailed  from  S.  F.  to  Victoria  cvciy 
eig'  • '.'.  day.  \t  this  date,  also,  a  8nl)marino  cable  connected  Victoria  with  the. 
I-  a;iand,  crossing  th.c  gulf  of  (leorgia  at  Nanaimo,  while  anotlier  cable,  laid 
iicross  the  straits  of  San  .Juan  do  Fuca,  connected  tiie  capital  with  Washing- 
ton and  thcncQ  with  all  p.arts  of  the  world.  IS.  (.'.  Dlrcrf,,  1884-."),  {).  Sound- 
ings for  n,  submarini' cable  were  taken  in  1881.  S.  F.  liulktln.  May  I'J,  18S1. 
In  18U8acablo  had  already  been  laid  between  Victoria  and  S.  Ju;in.  .S'.  F. 
C<dl,  Sept.  8,  18G8;  and  in  18G.'>  across  the  Fraacr.  S.  F.  Alln,  April  1,  18(i."). 
For  mention  of  the  propo.scd  Russian-American  tclegruph  line,  see  (S*.  /'.  ('all, 
Apr.  12,  18()4;  N.  Y.  S/ilppaKj  LUf,  in  S.  F.  Mo:  t,'<nctl<;  Nov.  12,  18(J4;  S.  F. 
liulkliii,  Jan.  (5,  ISO.I. 


758 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCK,  AND  FINANCE. 


'o  the  stern  realities  of  their  coridi- 
i'roni  a  (Ircaiii  of  paradise.     To  such 


the  dominion.  Meanwhile  slie  can  claim,  at  least, 
the  distinction  of  being'  one  of  the  most  progressive 
regions  of  British  North  America,  and  though  but  a 
lew  years  ago  considered  almost  i7s  a  cipher  when 
compared  with  other  provinces,  may  prove  to  be  a 
cipher  which  contributes  untold  value  to  all  the  rest. 
As  in  other  parts  of  the  Pacific  coast,  and  as  in 
Australia,  tlie  rcscourccs  of  British  Columbia  would 
not  have  been  even  i)artially  developed  but  for  tlie 
discovery  of  gold;  and  here,  as  elsewhere,  though  of 
the  thousands  lured  by  expectation  of  sudden  riches 
a  few  acquired  a  fortune,  and  a  considerable  number 
realized  modest  gains,  the  majority  not  only  became 
bankrupt  in  pocket,  but,  suffering  hunger  and  priva- 
tion, had  cause  to  rue  their  folly  in  forsaking  more 
substantial  '^ains,  and  awoke  from  their  visions  of 
phantom  v  i ' 
tion,  as  an  ou. 

daring,  open-handed,  and  often  noble-hearted  njen, 
countries  which  have  since  attained  to  prominence  are 
indebted,  not  only  for  their  origin,  bu'j  for  much  of 
flieir  progress;  and  on  the  forgotten  graves  of  these 
reckless  adventurers,  abandoned  in  life  to  the  bitter- 
ness of  despair  and  degradation,  will  rest  the  pillars 
of  mighty  states  and  empires. 

In  closing  the  records  of  British  Columbia,  it  may 
not  be  witliout  interest  to  refer  once  more  to  the 
Canadian  Pacific  railway,  which,  as  'le  reader  will 
I'emember,  was  completed  in  the  sunnner  of  1885,  the 
terminus  being  at  lV)rt  !^^oody,  tliougli  it  would  prob- 
ably have  b  >en  n^moved  to  Aancouver,  at  the  mouth 
of  Burranl  Ink't,  but  for  the  destru^ttion  of  tliat  town 
by  fire  in  June  IH8(;.-"^ 

It  is  claimed  that  the  distance  frtnn  Chinese  or 

'"('iiused  liy  the  Lru.sli  firi's  on  tlu;  i-iilroud  lots.  In  thi.i  cniiHiigi-iitioii 
.sovurul  Uvea  ;ii"i(l  i?80(),()U0  worth  of  jiropurty  wt-u  lost.  At  least  3,(»U0  per- 
Koiis  woro  n'lult'i'oil  lioiuolcss.  <!>'.  I'\  (  /ironiili',  ..•mo  14,  lS8(i.  Fordeseriiitioii, 
Hi'u  Ji/.,  .lune  15,  1880.  A  few  weeks  Liter  a  largo  fire  oecurred  at  Vietoria. 
J(l.,  Sept.  .1,  188(5. 


KAILROAD  FACILITIES. 


759 


Japanese  ports  to  Liverpool  by  way  of  tlio  Canadian 
Pacific  is  from  l^COO  to  1,200  miles  nearer  than  by 
other  Pacific  railroads.  Moreover,  vessels  bound,  let 
us  say,  with  cargoes  of  tea  from  Canton  to  Victoria 
would,  while  in  the  trade-winds,  take  about  the  same 
course  as  if  bound  for  San  Francisco;  but  those  des- 
tined for  the  former  port  would  save  about  700  miles 
of  sea  route,  in  addition  to  a  considerable  savhig  in 
])ort  charges  and  wharfage.  From  Vancouver  to 
Montreal  by  rail  tlie  distance  is  2,905  miles,  and 
from  San  Francisco  to  New  York  by  the  Central 
and  Union  Pacific  it  is  3,3();5;  thus  in  the  transit  of 
the  cargo  there  wt)uld  be  a  furtlier  saving  of  458 
miles.  TJie  dominion  i>overnment  has  determined  to 
establish  a  steamship  line  bctweiMi  J^iverpool  and 
Quebec  in  sununer,  and  between  Liverpool,  Halifax, 
and  Perth  id,  ]\[aine,  in  winter.""^  Arrangements 
have  also  been  matle  for  a  service  between  San  Fran- 
cisco and  the  western  terminus  of  tlie  Canadian  ] Pa- 
cific, the  traffic  to  be  under  the  entire  control  of  the 
company.  It  is  daimed,  also,  notwithstanding  state- 
ments to  the  contrary,  that  i\\v.  line  can  be  operated 
throughout  its  entire  lengtli  ev(uy  day  in  the  year.'' 
Finally,  it  is  probal)le  that  a  line  of  iJritish  mail 
steamers  will  be  established  between  Vancouver  and 
ports  in  China,  Japan,  and  Australia,  and  that  this 
line  will  be  subsidized  by  the  British  govermncnt. 
Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Canadian  I*acific  is  by 
no  means  .'m  insignificant  rival  for  the  transconti- 
nental traffic  of  North  America. 

In  this  relation  other  factors  nuist  .also  l)e  consid- 
ered     The  Canadian  Pacific  is  virtually  national  prop- 

•''"  Circulars  wort!  aililrcssoil  to  stoanishij)  owners  in  Oot.  188(5,  askiiij,'  for 
tenders  for  a  wei^kly  mull  serviw;.  Tlio  contract  was  to  In'  for  ten  _\cars,  tlio 
vessels  to  have  a  speed  of  not  less  than  liftccn  knots,  and  tlie  contractors 
nnist  not  diseriniinatu  against  Canadian  frei^lit.   Ii/.,  Oct.  'J4,  ]SS(i. 

■'''  Letter  of  C  \:in  Horn,  vice-ju'esident  Can.  I'ac.  l\.  i\.,  in  />/.,  I'eli.  IS, 
ISSfi.  Mr  Horn  states  that  a  very  largo  amount  of  money  has  heeu  exjiendid 
with  this  purpose  in  view.  'On  our  main  line,'  he  writes,  '  from  (^hiehcc  to 
Canmorc  in  the  Rocky  j^lountains,  which  is  as  far  as  we  have  heen  operating 
the  lino  this  winter,  a  distance  of  '2,5(M)  miles,  we  have  not  heeu  oljligod  to 
oaucol  a  siuglo  train  on  account  of  huow  or  any  other  reason.' 


700 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


erty — the  property  of  the  doiuinioii  of  Canada — and, 
as  tlie  reader  is  aware,  government  railways  seldom 
earn  more  than  nominal  dividends.  In  Great  Britain, 
whence  the  greater  portion  of  the  capital  for  this  pro- 
ject was  derived,  and  where  railroads  were  built  by 
private  enterprise,  four  and  a  half  per  cent  is  consid- 
ered a  good  return  on  ordinary  stock,  and  on  preferred 
stock  less  than  four  per  cent.  In  Australia,  wlierc  the 
railroads  were  built  by  government,  the  returns  are 
probably  between  two  and  three  per  cent  on  tlie  capi- 
tal invested.  Encumbered  with  the  huge  load  of  debt 
which  tlie  dominion  government  incurred  by  its  sub- 
sidies, at  least  working  expenses  nmst  be  earned,  and 
as  soon  as  possible  some  reasonal)le  interest  on  the 
outlay.  But  as  yet  the  line  runs  for  the  most  part 
throuijch  a  solitutle,  thouixh  a  solitude  fertile  in  agri- 
cultural  and  mineral  resource. 

To  earn  expenses  merely,  and  to  build  up  a  business 
that  gi\es  prospect  of  niodei'ate  dividends,  it  may 
he  necessary  to  enter  into  aggressive  competition 
witJL  ot]  er  transcontinental  lines.  The  road  is  well 
equipped;  the  rolling  stock,  especially  the  passenger- 
cars,  is  of  excellent  quality,  and  in  all  the  provinces 
the  line  has  naturallv  absorbed  the  bulk  of  the  traffi<! 
which  was  formerly  in  tlie  hands  of  American  railway 
companies.  ]3uring  the  summer  of  188(5,  freiglit  by 
way  of  St  Paul  was  taken  for  Chicago  and  points  on 
the  Missouri  ^^iver  at  from  $10  to  .$12  per  ton,  and 
during  the  same  vear  the  Canadian  Pacific  offered  to 
convey  farming  produce  and  ore,  whether  for  assay  or 
working,  fn)m  JSavona's  Ferry  and  intervening  stations 
to  Port  Moodv  at  64  per  ton — a  rate  which  would  en- 
able  nuners  to  forward  ores  to  San  Francisco  at  6<i  per 
ton.''"  At  such  rates  it  would  appear  that  there  should 
be  no  ureat  difficultv  in  obtaininjif  traffic.  First-class 
fares  from  San  Francisco  or  Port  Moody  to  New 
York  were  in  November  1886  $70,  against  $81  from 


'''■'The  rato  on  cauucd  gooila  Wiis  $11  a  ton,  ami  by  other  lines  §18.  /'/., 
Aug.  'J'J,  188G. 


TELEGRAPH  SYSTEM. 


7^ 


San  Francisco  over  the  Central  or  Southern  Pacific. 
Tlie  trip  by  the  northern  Hue  possesses  at  least  the 
charm  of  novelty,  and  many  who  have  already  trav- 
elled over  the  Central  and  Southern  routes  will  take  it 
for  that  reason ;  the  more  so  as  the  province  of  British 
Columbia  presents  scenery  of  surpassing  beauty  and 
i:^randeur.  In  conclusion,  the  Canadian  Pacific  is  out  of 
debt,  or  very  nearly  so/^and  considering^  the  low  rates 
of  wages  prevailing  in  Canada,  and  the  low  prices  of 
material  and  supplies,  the  working  expenses  of  the 
road  will  be  considerably  smaller  in  proportion  than 
those  of  American  railways. 

In  188(5,  the  immense  telegraph  system  of  the 
company,  extending  from  Montreal  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  was  completed,  and  connection  made  with 
American  lines.  United  with  the  Atlantic  cable  at 
Halifax,  as  proi)osed,  British  Columbia  will  be  placed 
in  telegraphic  communication  with  the  J^ritisli  pos- 
sessions in  the  East,  soundings  having  already  been 
taken  between  Vancouver  Island  and  Japan. 

Fears  have  been  expressed  that  tlio  establishment 
of  a  British  steamship  between  China  and  the  Pacific 
coast  may  result  in  a  large  importation  of  coolies. 
This  would  seem  improbable,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
under  the  Chinese  regulation  act  a  tax  of  $50  is  col- 
lected on  each  Chinese  ])assenger  before  he  is  allowed 
to  land.  The  people  of  British  Columlna  are  as  much 
opposed  to  Chuiese  labor  as  are  those  of  (^difornia, 
but  as  yet  there  has  been  little  anti-Cliiuese  agita- 
tion."* When,  however,  it  was  ascertained  that  one 
of  the  Mexican  states  was  in  need  of  coolie  labor, 


'''^  III  1880  tlio  company  owed  the  government  ^20,000,000,  and  it  was  pro- 
posed to  settle  the  claim  hy  cancelling  $10,0(K),0(K)  worth  of  its  land  grant, 
and  the  monopoly  clause  of  its  cliartcr,  giving  the  comiiany  exclusive  lights 
in  the  Northwest  for  a  term  of  twenty  years.  Oltutni  Ttiiut,  in  S.  F.  Vhroii., 
April  12,  188G. 

''*0n  the  7th  of  September,  188,'),  a  hody  of  working  men  visited  tlu;  va- 
rious establishments  where  Chinese  were  emidoyed,  ami  demanded  work. 
The  proprietors  refused,  except  the  owner  of  a  shoe  factory,  who,  knowing 
that  there  were  no  Chinese  in  the  crowd,  ofl'ereil  an  advance  of  25  per  cent 
ou  the  wages  paid  to  Chinamen.  (S.  /'.  Chron.,  Sept.  9,  1885. 


rG2 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMEKCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


offers  were  at  once  made  to  the  authorities  to  supply 
them  with  all  that  tliey  needed,  and  on  their  own 
terms. 

As  to  the  affairs  of  government,  there  is  little  more 
to  be  said.  Of  late,  excej)t  for  a  collision  between 
the  dominion  and  provincial  police"  in  September 
1885,  and  a  slight  Indian  disturbance  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  province  in  September"'*  of  the  same  year, 
the  placid  current  of  events  has  seldom  been  dis- 
turbed by  even  a  ripple  of  excitement.  As  in  most 
British  colonies,  the  people  are  contented  and  prosper- 
ous, receiving  absolute  protection  under  the  law  and 
from  the  law,  living  in  perfect  security  as  to  rights, 
person,  and  property,  and  secure  also  from  all  danger 
of  legal  oppression. 

Some  dissatisfaction  has  been  caused  by  the  want 
of  reciprocal  action  on  the  part  of  the  American  gov- 
ernment as  to  the  extradition  treaty.  In  1886  a  noted 
criminal,"  who  had  escaped  from  British  Columbia, 
was  discharged  by  the  United  States  court,  although 
a  deputy  attorney-general  was  sent  to  watch  the  case 
for  the  crown.  On  the  other  hand,  all  prisoners  de- 
manded by  the  United  States  for  extradition  have 
been  promptly  surrendered.  A  fugitive  convict  cap- 
tured some  years  ago  on  British  soil  was  sent  back  at 
an  expense  of  $2,700  to  the  provincial  government; 
but  in  1886  this  sum  had  not  been  refunded  by  tlie 
United  States. 

Another  question  which  has  given  rise  to  some  dis- 
satisfaction is  tlie  seizure  in  1886  of  British  vessels 
engaged  in  seal-hunting  in  the  Bering  Sea.  The 
crews  of  the  vessels  thus  seized  laid  their  case  before 
the  minister  of  marine  and  fisheries  at  Victoria,  and 
their  statement  was  forwarded  to  the  home  govern- 


''■'  Caused  through  tlie  seizure  by  the  dominion  police  of  liquors  held  by 
parties  having  a  provincial  license.     For  description,  see  Id.,  Sept.  5,  1883. 

''"  Among  the  Metlakatlas,  who  refused  to  permit  the  civil  engineer  to  s)ir- 
vey  tlie  Imlian  reserve  on  behalf  of  the  dominion  government,  claiming  that 
the  entire  country  was  theirs.  S.  F.  Bull.,  Sept.  16,  188(5. 

"'  Known  as  Bull  Dog  Kelly.  S.  F.  Chron.,  Feb.  15,  1886 


BIBLIOORArHY. 


703 


ment  for  consideration.  By  act  of  congress,  dated 
July  27,  18G8,  it  was  made  a  penal  oftbncc  to  kill  fur- 
bearinj^  animals  within  the  limits  of  Alaska  or  Alaskan 
waters.  But  how  shall  the  i)iiraso  Alaskan  waters  he 
interpreted  :'  During  tlie  earlier  period  of  the  Kussian 
American  company's  occupation  it  was  alleijfed  tliatall 
the  v.aters  hetween  Alaska  and  Siberia  helono-ed  to 
Russia;  but  that  country  did  not  succeed  in  making 
good  its  claim.  Moreover,  by  referring  to  the  impe- 
rial oukaz,  granted  to  the  company  in  17U9,  and  <j[Uoted 
in  my  History  of  yilashi,'"^  it  will  be  found  that  no 
mention  is  made  of  anv  special  riijfhts  in  tlie  l^eriui"' 
Sea,  or  even  in  inland  waters,  but  only  to  "use  and 
profit,"  in  certain  territory,  "by  every  tiling  which  has 
been  or  shall  be  discovered  on  the  surface  and  in  the 
bosom  of  the  earth."  In  1  8(57  this  territory  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  United  States,  tlie  consideration  being 
67,200,000.  The  dividing  line,  defined  merely  to  in- 
clude all  of  this  territory,  runs  nortliward  into  the 
Arctic,  and  soutliward  into  the  north  Pacific  Ocean; 
but  it  does  not  appear  that  by  the  payment  of  this 
sum  of  $7,200,000  the  United  States  acquired  an  ex- 
clusive right  to  the  Arctic  Sea  and  the  north  l^acific 
Ocean.^'' 


^8  Pp.  379-80. 

^*  In  the  Maratim :  Matters  on  the  Northwext  Coant,  and  Affairs  of  the  Iltid- 
mn's  Bay  Company  in  Early  Time^,  by  James  Cooper,  MS.,  1  have  been  fur- 
nished with  much  valuable  information.  Coinmencin;^  with  the  year  1844,  at 
which  date  Mr  Cooper,  a  native  of  Wolvurlianipton,  J'jnf,'land,  entered  tlio 
service  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  when  tlic  three  supply-ships 
Vancouver,  Cowlitz,  and  Coliimbin  were  the  only  regular  traders,  his  narrutivo 
is  contiucd  until  the  death  of  (Jov.  Seymour  in  ISO!). 

British  Columbia  Sketflict,  MS.,  is  the  title  of  a  work  also  relating  in  part 
to  maritime  affairs.  One  of  these  skotciies  is  by  l[crl)ert  George  Lewis,  who 
sailed  for  Vancouver  in  lS4S,as  an  otUcoi-  in  tlio  l'ou-tilz,imil  ai'terward  found 
employment  ou  board  various  craft.  J  Ic  has  supplied  me  with  many  items 
coueerning  the  company',s  ships  and  the  mcn-nf-war  stationed  on  the  coast. 
At  this  date  the  vessels  of  the  JI.  B.  Co.  traded  with  several  countries.  The 
Coivlitz,  for  instance,  after  discharging  cai'go  at  Fort  Vancouver,  iu  ISlS, 
loaded  w'ith  wheat  for  Sitka,  and  thence  sailed  for  the  Hawaiian  Islatuls,  with 
lumber  and  lish,  returning  with  a  freight  of  sugar  and  molasses  to  luirt  Van- 
couver, wliencc  she  was  despatched  with  a  cargo  of  furs  to  London.  Of 
Michael  and  Robert  Muir,  of  whom  the  .-(/.r^f/c's  supply  partial  memoirs,  men- 
tion is  made  on  p.  103-4,  '2J5,  this  vol.  William  John  Mncdonald,  a  native  of 
the  Islo  of  Skye,  also  came  out  to  Vancouver  in  the  company's  service,  land- 
ing at  Victoria  in  18ol.     Ordered  to  Sun  Juan  Ibiaud  duruig  this  ycur,  to  take 


764 


INDrSTUlK-v  COMMKUCi;,  AND  FINANCK. 


cbarf,'e  of  a  party  of  I'rcuL-li  Cauailiaihs  cinplityed  in  saltnon-curini.',  and  bciiif^ 
still  ill  the  coiiiiiaiiy's  .si'r\  icu  at  tiic  tiiiio  wlifii  the  foilx'araiii'i!  of  Admiral 
Baynca  alunc  pri'vcntcd  war  butv.Lcii  (iivat  ISritain  aud  Anaiiia,  hi  (  account 
of  the  S.iii  .luMii  dillictdty,  already  recorded  in  these  paqcH,  is  of  si)eeial  value. 
Ill  LS.V.t  Mr  Macdonalil  waa  elected  a  lueiiiljer  of  the  legislative  asseiidily  of 
Vancouver  f(ir  tlie  .Sooke  district. 

lu  l'(ttiiii  r's  Waijoii  'J'rtiiiw,  MS.,  I  have  been  furnished  with  an  inter- 
e.-itiiig  ace(jimt  of  a  journey  iiiade'ljy  Joel  I'alnier,  from  ludependc  nee,  ^SIo.,  t  < 
()rei,'iiii  in  l(SJ.").  A  native  of  Canada,  though  of  American  parentage,  (ien. 
rainier,  when  fjrou  n  to  manhood,  found  eni|iloynii'nt  in  I'enn.  on  piiblie 
Works  and  canals,  lieiny  afterward  placed  in  clufgc  of  u  'J5-niile  .section  ol 
the  I'cnn.  canal.  In  KSM  he  was  elected  a  menilier  of  the  I'enn.  leyi.sliitnre. 
J)uriiig  Ills  i(Jinncy  across  the  plains  and  mountains  lio  took  notes  of  the 
road  aud  tlislances  traver.sed,  w  hich  were  subsequently  cnibodicd  in  a  (I'liiili  ■ 
JJook /or  L'liiiijni Ills,  imltVmhvd  in  Cincinnati,  licsidiny  for  a  brief  spnce  in 
Vii.toria,  at  tlio  time  when  J)uuglas  was  tlie  leading  spirit  on  the  island  and 
nniinhind,  he  has  su]iplied  me  with  items  of  viduc  euncerninL;  this  period. 

'I  o  tlie  i'h(ii(icUi-i-tks  of  Jaiiun  J)oii>i(a-t,  !MS. ,  by  V^.  Cridgc',  1  ;un  also  in- 
ileblcd  for  a  (les;ciiption  of  the  means  whereby  this  tkilfid  luU  r  i)f  men,  ably 
sciiinded  by  A.  F.  J'enilK'iton,  whom  ho  a[)[)()inted  eonnnis.siiiiur  of  ]iolice, 
made  J]n;;lis!l  law  le^pected  iuid  obe)  ed  during  iiie  troublous  tiiir  s  of  the 
gold  e.\citeinent. 

Of  the  few  works  thus  far  pul)lished  concerning  British  (.'oluniliia,  menliiii 
lias  for  the  most  part  been  miide.  Jn  the  I'lU'l.i  ami  J<"njiirn  Hihit'imj  lo  V.  J. 
and  11.  (.'.,  ItijJ.  /'(s/i(iiil  r< inbciloit,  Loudon,  looO,  we  liavea  brief  descriiil ion 
of  the  'jcncral  eondilion  of  the  euuntiy,  its  fauna,  llora,  and  giolo.iry,  of  the 
progress  and  commerce  of  the  two  colonics,  with  their  principal  settlements, 
anil  of  the  society  which  they  contained,  with  some  excellent  advice  to  intend- 
ing emigrants. 

Thr.  j\'alnndi!it  in  V.  I.  aud  B.  C,  by  John  Keast  Lord,  F.  Z.  S.,  in  two 
vol-',  London,  ISDti,  besiiks  the  natural  Instory  of  the  island  and  mainland, 
contains  .some  interesting  ilescriptions  of  travel,  sport,  aud  adventure  in  the 
north-west.  In  the  ap|)endlx  is  a  detailed  Hit  ot  the  zoiilogieal  collcetioiis 
made  Ijy  Mr  Lord,  w  hilc  eui])loye(l  as  naturalist  to  the  boundary  commission. 

In  J'ruKcl.t  ill  Ji.  iJ.  (tiid  AlasLa,  bj  Nciclon  II.  Chilleiidmi,  Victoria,  ISS'J, 
arebiielly  oullineil  the  resuurees  and  cai)abilitics  of  the  province,  and  there 
is  al.-o  Some  nientiim  of  various  si^tllenients  and  industries,  with  an  acconnt 
of  the  railroad,  as  matters  stooil  with  this  enterprise  at  that  time. 

In  the  Ji'i/Hirls  of  J'nujrc^i.i  of  Ihc  (j'c<jto(jkal  Surinj  of  Cmiada  arc  containcc I 
Sclwi/a^-i  Joufind  and  Jicporl  of  PrclimiiKiri/  Uxplonilion-i  in  JJri/ish  Colttmhid: 
Juchard-ion  on  the  Coal  -  Field  .•<  of  Vancouver  and  (Jwen  ClairloUe  Islandit,  with 
map  of  former,  an  app.  by  J.  W.  Dawson  on  fossil  plants,  another  by  Hillings 
on  inesozoic  fossils,  and  a  third  by  ITarriugton  on  the  coals  of  the  west  coast; 
Setn'i/n'ti  Olhtervalions  in  (he  A'orthwcut  Tenilori/,  with  app.  by  ]j.  J.  Harring- 
ton on  western  coals;  lilchardaoii  on  O'eoloijical  E.riilonUionn  in  Urilixh  t'oliini- 
hia;  Whilcavix'  ^otes  on  the  Cretaceous  lo-s^ila  collected  by  Mr  Jas  Ilichardson 
at  Vancouver  and  the  adjacent  Idand.-t,  with  lithographed  jilatc;  Selwijn'.^ 
/'iport  on  Explorations  in  British  Colundtia,  with  appendices  by  Macoun, 
Whiteaves,  and  LeConte;  l>aicson'n  liepiort  on  Explorations  in  British  Colum- 
bia; Scudder  on  the  Insects  of  the  Tertiar;/  Beds  at  Quesnel,  British  Columbia; 
Daicson^s  (t'eniral  Notes  on  the  Mines  and  Minerals  of  Economic  Value  of  British 
Colnmbi'i,  ivilh  a  List  of  Loccdities,  reprinted  with  additions  and  alterations 
from  the  railway  report,  1877;  Whiteaves'  Notes  oil  some  Jurassic  Fossils  col- 
lected by  Mr  G.  M.  Dawson  in  th^  'oast  liaiifie  of  British  Columbia;  Uirhard- 
son's  Ill-port  on  the  Coal-Fields  of  Aannimo,  Comox,  Cowitchan,  Burrard  Met, 
andSooke,  British  Columbia,  with  three  illustrations  and  a  map;  Scuddcr's  Ad- 
ditions to  the  Insect-Fauna  of  the  Tertiarij  Beds  at  Quesnel,  British  Columbia; 
iJaivson's  Preliminarii  lleport  on  the  Phi/sical  and  Geoloffical  Features  of  tlie 
Southern  Portion  of  the  Interior  of  British  Columbia;  Dawson's  Report  on  the 
Queen  Charlotte  Islands,  and  app.  A  to  (I — ap.  A  relating  to  the  Ilaidahs;  li 


RIBLKViRAPHY. 


7G5 


to  their  vocabnlnry;  C,  l)y  J.  F.  Witcavi's,  to  some  iimiiiu'  iiivcrtclir.-ita  from 
tlio  Queen  L'lini'Iolto  Islands;  J),  liy  S.  .1.  Smitli,  to  (.'riistaocii  fr-oin  tlio  (^>uccn 
Charlotte  imd  Vancouver  Isljinds;  K,  liy.l.  Miicoun,  eoiitjiiiiin';  list  (.f  iil.inla 
from  the  (^tiutu  Clmrhitto  Islands;  ]•",  iiiL'teorologii'.'il  oliscnations;  and  (i, 
notes  on  latitude  and  liinf,'itnc|»;  Jhiicxou'.i  /I'fjiort  on  riii  L'.iji.'oriiiinii/niiii  J'oit 
Siiiijisoii,  (III  til.'  J'diijic  ('odsl,  to  Kiliiioiiton,  on  the.  Sn-'Lut'ln  n-aii,  with  a|i|). 
oontaininy  list  of  ]>!ants  collected,  an<l  nicteorological  ohsi  rvatinns  in  tlio 
noitlicin  jiart  <it'  liritish  Coluniliia,  tiie  Peace  Uivtr  <listrii't,  and  iictwccu 
Kdniont(jn  and  Maniloha,  t(iL;ctli<  r  with  notes  on  latitude  ;;nd  lungitudc;  ( 'uvi- 
■}tarnt'ivr  Vordhiiltirii s  of  Ihf  Juiliiiii  TiHhk  of  Jlrilish  t'ohnnliiii,  uilli  a  map 
illuslratingdiistrihutidn,  liy  \V.  Fias^t  r'l'iilniieand(Icor;^c  M.  ])a\\s(>n;  J.'ijiorl 
on  till'  J'ol;j'Ma  oj'lhi'  (Jim  n  Chnrliitfr  Jn'miil.-),  l>y 'J'Ikjs  llincks,  reprinted  Ironi 
the  Anna U  and  Mfii/fizi lie  i>j' ^(ituitil  Jl'islurij,  J.ondoii,  Dec.  IfS.S'J,  Juno  l^Mi, 
March  1884;  Mc-'OZuir  loxnilit,  hyJ.  K.  Wliiteaves.  N'lil.  i.,  parts  i.-iii.,  with 
lithographed  plates,  Mimtreal,  l.S7(i,  1S7!),  KSSl.  V,,v  list  i>f  geologi<'al  and 
other  maps,  sec  Lixf,  <;/'  riilil'iialhinx  of  the  d'cu/iii/inil  mnl  ^Xtilnriil  //ixlori/ 
Surr(>/  o/Ccniadit,  Ottawa,  ISSl,  passim,  lii'.tldi  Moilli  Ann  rU-a  is  tho  title 
of  a  \<)\.  published  hy  the  Jteligious  'J'ract  Socii^ly  of  J.nnildn.  'I'lie  wiiter 
resided  in  several  of  the  jirovinees,  ami  had  advantages  of  making  hiuiself 
acquainted  Viith  their  lomlition.  He  like«  isc  drew  mucli  inforiiiaiion  from 
JJluc  r.uoks  i.ssued  hy  the  Canadian  govt,  and  jiarliamentaiy  papers.  It 
hrielly  toueiics  upon  the  early  history  and  discoveries  of  .'.eveiai  portions  of 
the  tcnitory,  and  aflords  considerahlc  statistical  information.  A  good  deal 
of  tho  hook,  however,  is  about  the  aborigines  and  Canada,  not  seiviceahle  for 
historical  purposes,  and  the  haml  and  stylo  of  tho  missionary  is  traceable 
throughout. 

Of  the  various  guide-books,  directories,  and  ]n-ospectiis'.'3  of  mining  aiul 
other  associations,  published  from  time  to  time  in  the  colonies  or  the  pro\  ince, 
no  further  mention  is  reipiired  in  these  jiages.  On  tho'Jftth  of  October,  Istil, 
the  colonial  government  of  \ .  I.  by  iiuhlic  notice  invited  essiiys  on  tlic  w- 
sources  of  the  island  and  the  ailvautaucs  which  it  ollcred  to  .settlers.  A  jire- 
mium  of  i'.jl)  was ollered  for  tho  bestc.ssay,  and  .i^lOfor  the  secoiul  best.  'J'lio 
competing  essays  were  to  be  sent  to  tho  colonial  secretary  sealed,  no  ii;ime  or 
mark  being  attached  whereliy  tlie  authoi-s  ndght  bo  known  to  the  ailjudira- 
tors.  To  tho  manuscript,  however,  must  bo  allixcd  a  distinctive  nK)tto,  v.  iioio 
duplicate  should  bo  written  on  the  outside  of  a  sealed  envelope,  within  which 
tho  name  of  the  author  should  bo  written.  All  cssay.s  received  were  to  re- 
main tho  ]iroperty  of  the  government,  liut  the  sealed  envelopes  of  unsucceso- 
ful  canilidatcs  were  to  bo  returned  unopened  if  desired.  A  hoard,  coiisisiing 
of  C  'J'.  Woods  \V.  F.  Tohnin,  and  tr.  M.  Spro;it,  was  appointed  to  decide 
upon  the  relative  merits  of  the  compo.sitions.  In  accordance  with  tliis  aii- 
nouncomcut,  several  essay.-}  were  received,  and  after  careful  examination  tlie 
prize  was  awarded  to  Charles  Forbes.  Mr  Forbes'  productioi\  was  jirinted  in 
ISO'2  by  the  colonial  government,  under  the  title  of  I'riza  Exsaij:  \'(i,iroiir<  r 
Inland;  Its  I'tsourccs and  CapalAid'ics  an  a  Colon;;.  K'l  jifcjr^,  Sro.  It  is  divided 
into  five  parts,  embracing  climate,  physical  features,  society,  products,  and 
prospects.  It  is  statistical  ratlier  than  historical,  and  pos.sesscs  tran  iiiit 
rather  than  permanent  interest.  Desultory  in  its  construction,  tho  .se;irclur 
iu  any  one  liranch  of  information  is  obliged  to  glean  from  every  pa"e  ;nid 
closely  to  regard  every  paragrapii.  Vet  tho  pampldet  answereil  very  well  tin) 
])urposc  for  which  it  was  written.  It  seems  that  tlin  mainland  was  expecting 
about  the  same  time  a  similar  resunn'',  setting  forth  its  good  qualilie;s  but 
was  disappointed.  Xonc  of  the  attempts  made  did  justice  to  the  caii.^e.  ]n 
this  cniei'gcncy,  following  the  example  of  the  island,  rewards  wero  olhreil,  on 
tho  11th  of  March,  lS(i'2,  of  like  amounts  for  like  productions,  snbjec'  ;..  .  le 
same  conditions.  As  tho  result  of  this  action,  tiierc  appeared,  ])rintf  1  :>■  '  iio 
Royal  Engineer  Press  at  New  Westminster  in  ISi'i'.l,  Jli-ilish  Colinidiia:  An 
Exnay  hij  the  Iiei\  li.  C.  Lundiii  Brown,  M.  A.,  Mhii.-itir  of  St  Mari/n,  Ldlooit, 
an  unbound  octavo  of  ninety-seven  pages.  The  second  chapter  opens  w  ith  a 
description  of  Fraser  River  and  Now  Westminster,  written  by  Sheepshanks. 


If 


766 


INDUSTRIES,  lOMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


Brown's  proiluction  is  ninch  clcnrcr,  more  cdinprclicnsivc,  nnd  yet  more  con- 
cise tliaii  that  fif  l-'orlics.  In  1^7-  A.  (,'.  Aiiilt'i'aon  pulilislicil  ii  (.'ovcriiiiiciit 
prizo  fSHiiy,  cntitloil  Tin  JJuiniii'ion  at  the  W'ikI,  fiiilpiaiiii'^  all  points  of  inter- 
est touflicil  l)y  any  of  iii.-i  jji'ciliccssors,  ami  ov ciiiii;  liotli  islan<l  and  main- 
land. 1"o  ii  tlioi'ougli  knowledj^o  of  tlio  country  Mr  Amkison  linited  lino 
literary  tastes  and  much  eNpciicmc!  as  ii  wiiter.  llcncc;  wo  iind  liis  voik  in 
every  icspcct  wcllni;,'h  peifecl.  in  it.sway.  In  tho  latter  part  of  ISTS  I  wrote 
.Mr  Anderson  for  inlurniation  further  thiin  that  in  my  jjo^scs.sion  concerning 
hi-  prize  es.say  entitled  Th<'  Dominion  oj' the  WvM;  a  IlitvJ'  hi-tcrijilioii  of  thf 
I'roviiicc  of  Itrilinh  Cdliiinljin,  it-*  ('Umntc  und  Kixoiircdi.  Onvcnimfiil  J'rlzf 
Ij<xu>i  (flSTJ,  anil  pulili>h(d  at  Victoriii  the  same  year.  'J'liis  isonc  of  !i  scries 
of  excellent  essays  on  tin;  features  of  the  country  and  its  attiaetions,  written 
and  printed  under  the  auspices  of  government.  I  also  asUed  Mr  Andoison 
concerning  the  other  i)rize  essays.  He  answered  me  the  ;{()th  ot  J)eceudjer: 
'I  rather  tliink  that  tlic  prizes  for  V.  I.  and  Ii.  C.  were  oliered  siiuiillanconaly 
at  the  time  you  state;  and  that  the  necessary  comi)etition  not  liaviug  been 
elicited  for  the  J5.  C.  essay,  the  jirizo  was  not  adjr.dged,  and  a  new  invitation 
was  issued.  'J'his  elicitrtl  Mr  IJrown's  cssaj',  winch  took  the  first  jirizc.  1 
myself  wrote,  too,  on  this  occasion,  my  essay  being,  with  necessary  altera- 
tions to  suit  the  time,  almost  a  counterpart  in  chief  particulars  of  my  last 
published  essay.  'J'o  my  production  of  ISO'i  the  second  prize  of  £10  was. 
awarded,  but  it  was  not  printed.  I  am  not  aware  of  any  other  pulilieations^ 
of  a  local  nature  save  two  or  three  tours,  chiclly  of  geographical  iinpoit, 
printed  by  ofliccra  of  the  royal  engineers,  entirely  of  an  oflicial  nature.  In 
J808  1  completed  my  l.-n-ge  map  of  B.  C,  scale  ten  miles  to  the  inch,  which 
comprised  all  that  was  tlien  known  of  the  country,  including  my  own  note;, 
and  those  of  the  lato  Mr  Black.  A  descriptive  ti'catise,  cliielly  on  natural 
iiistory,  accompanied  tliis.  'J'ho  whole  was  accepted  by  the  government  of 
(he  period,  but  save  as  allording  a  foundation  for  other  maps  siiiec  published, 
!ny  map  has  never  been  brought  forward.  Indeed,  the  more  accurate  surveys 
I  liected  by  the  railway  parties  render  it  out  of  date  f(jr  utility.'  For  further 
items  concerning  Mr  Ander.son,  see  pp.  liiS-O,  Ki'J-TO,  lS'2-4,  this  vol. ;  and  for 
biography  and  decea.sc,  <S'.  F.  Atta,  May  II,  1884.  Alexander  Allen,  after 
mining  in  Cal.  for  six  years,  removetl  to  Victoria  in  I8C0,  and  in  180(5-7  edited 
Ww  ('(irihoo  Sfiitinel.  Allen's  Cariboo,  MS.,  1.  J)r  Baillio,  an  old  resident  o' 
\'ietori:i,  was  drowned  by  the  capsizing  of  the  brig  Florciitia,  near  Capo  Fl( 
tcry.  liarrttl-LenurtVs  TraveU  in  Ii.  (,'.,  113-14.  London,  1S(}'2.  Tiie  p 
thor  of  this  last-mentioned  work  came  from  England  in  18')!),  and  passed 
nearly  two  years  in  V.  I.  and  tlie  mainlaml,  sailing  round  the  former  in  a 
small  yacht  whicli  he  brought  with  him.  The  book  relates  mainly  to  his  own 
observations  and  adventures,  and  contains  little  of  historic  value.  John  Bis- 
sell,  a  pioneer,  for  decease  of,  in  1883,  see  Rdc.  Ihrord- Union,  Feb.  0,  1883. 
Hubert  Brown,  in  his  Vancouver  Iti/aiul  Exploration,  Victoria,  18G4,  has 
written  the  narrative  of  an  expedition,  undertaken  for  tiie  discovery  of  gold, 
to  Cowichin  Lake,  Barclay  Sound,  San  Juan  Harbor,  iSooke,  ijceeh  Bivor, 
and  various  points  on  the  island,  a  reward  of  $.5,000  having  been  ollcred  for 
such  discovery  by  the  colonial  government.  (J.  C.  Coilin,  in  The  Sent  ofUnijiire, 
Boston,  1870,  gives  an  account  of  a  tour  in  the  nortliom  U.  S.  and  B.  C. 
with  observations  on  the  advantages  of  the  north-west  as  to  settlement,  soil, 
mining,  and  farming.  Nicholas  Cooke,  a  native  of  Germany,  camo  to  B.  C. 
in  18." 8,  being  one  of  the  first  miners  on  the  Eraser.  His  decease  occurred  at 
his  homo  at  Plumper  I'ass,  Oct.  18,  1870.  Seuille  Intelligencer,  Oct.  '27,  1870. 
K.  Comwallis,  author  of  The  Xew  El  Dorado,  London,  ISoS,  amvcd  in  \'ie- 
toiia  in  June  18.18,  and  after  making  a  short  trip  to  the  Eraser  diggings, 
considered  himself  qualified  to  write  a  book  about  the  two  colonies,  wliich  ho 
did,  in  a  rambling  style,  somewhat  after  the  fashion  of  a  cheap  Sunday  news- 
paper. H.  C?.  Courtcrcy,  a  native  of  Dublin,  arrived  at  Victoria  in  18t)l  in 
the  Kaffir  Chief  from  London,  and  tried  his  fortune  at  the  Cariboo  mines. 
Courtcrcy's  Min.  Ii.  C,  MS.,  1.  W.  E.  Crate,  an  employ^  of  tho  11.  B.  Co., 
•first  crossed  the  Rocky  Mountains  in  1828,  and  again  in  1850,  on  this  occa- 


UlBLKWlUAl'llY 


707 


Kion  in  i(jni[)aiiy  witli  l-onglns  mid  otliors  wlio  nftcrwnnl  liccaiiie  iironiinciit 
ill  tile  Ki  rvicr.  Jlo  larly  Imilt  u  saw  and  i^ii^^t  mill  at  Fort  V  anudiivc  r.  Altor 
4',\  years'  cxi  trii-'iiLc  of  linnticr  and  colonial  life,  lie  died  iiL  Cowichiii  dnrin;^' 
tlio  year  of  tlic  confedciation.  Oli/iii/iin  Tniii^riijit,  Ort.  7.  Ili7l;  Jiri/.  ''oA<- 
ninl,  Get.  I!,  InTI.  (.leorjiu  iJixon,  i'or  IS  years  in  tin; service  of  the  If.  JJ.Co., 
died  at  \ic'LOiia.  in  IS.'iO.  Tlioniaa  J'^iiiie,  ii  native  of  Lan^(lo\Mlc,  (Jut., 
reached  Vieto  i.i  in  1S()-,  via  the  J:.thinius,  and  dpeiicd  Iiusinesji  an  a  ^vll',)!(■^all• 
grocer,  hecoinin;.,'  one  of  the  Ijest  and  most  intelligent  of  eitizen.s.  J  iiles  Fi  ly, 
in  his  <i'o!(l  i^ran  In  ",  MS.,  fiiiiiislu  s  u  hricf  aeeoiint  of  the  (.'arilioo  anil  ( 'iis.iar 
mines  diirint;  the  « inter  of  ItiOl-'-',  a  portion  of  which  was  iias.seil  l>y  the 
author  ill  hunting  for  jjold, 

Simon  I  raser  is  the  author  (jf  an  OrirjiiialJoitrval,  April  12  to  July  18,  ISOO, 
MS.;  hi.,  May  ;)()  to  June  1(»,  KS(W,  xMS.,  and  of  Lcl/a.^  j'rniii  the  Hurhij  Mi.iin- 
lain",  Aiij,'.  1,  ISUO,  to  Feb.  10,  1N07,  MS.,  the  former  giving  a  narrative  of  a. 
journey  to  tlie  head  waters  of  I'eaco  liiver,  to  a  pest  on  Trout  ].,ala',  ainl 
tlicueo  of  a  .southerly  exploration  lor  the  ))uriiosc  of  examining  tlie  country 
and  di.seoverin;;  sites  for  new  tiadin;,'  jiostM.  In  the  latter  is  ii  dcserijition  i  f 
tiic  pro^L;ress  of  I'raser,  Stuart,  and  (,>ucsni'l,  down  the  {,'reat  river  of  the 
mainland,  and  through  the  country  of  the  Chilkotins.  The  dauj,'erous  charac- 
ter of  the  rapid?!,  and  the  diiiicultiis  of  each  day's  journey,  are  tiilly  leeonii  d. 
(jeorgc  (Jladman,  whose  father  was  ii  chief  factor  to  (he  If.  ]>.  Co.,  was  em- 
ployed by  the  company  as  a  clerk  l)etwei'n  1614  and  Ib'M,  at  the  latter  date 
receivin;,'  a  commi.ssiou  as  chief  trailer.  Apiiointed  store-keeper  and  account- 
ant at  jMooso  and  York  factories,  he  resitjneil  in  181.'),  was  reeomndssioned 
li\e  years  later,  and  again  resigning  in  iS.Mt,  retired  to  his  J'arm  near  the  set- 
tlcuu-nt  of  Hope.  J.'rjd  If.  Ji.Co.,  July,  Aug.,  1S.",7,  .T.fO.  C.  M.  (Irant,  t';e 
authoi  of  Oil  fill  /  >  Uriaii,  i,ondon,  l'>~',i,  was  Kceretary  to  the  ex])e(liti(in  made 
i.i  tlie  intcrc.  t.s  of  the  overhuid  railv.ay  in  1.S7-,  lii^*  Jiarty  follosung  about  tlie 
.same  route  as  tlie  one  tak'  a  by  Milton  aiul  (dieadlo.  The  book  eonsi,-,;s 
mainly  of  a  diary  of  his  journey,  with  the  adventures  incidental  thereto,  and 
contains  little  inluraii/iun  of  value.  'J'lien  there  was  a  (irant — James,  1  tiiink, 
was  his  U'lme — ii  native  of  Canada,  anil  ftr  .several  years  stationed  at  Fort 
Hall,  in  the  service  of  the  II.  1>.  (_'o.  lie  was  'rather  a  mediocrity,' sa^s 
Roberts,  'fond  of  tipple,  ami  a  very  large,  I  may  say  an  extra  fine-looking, 
man.  It  is  related  that,  when  attired  in  uniform,  he  was  the  observed  of  all 
observers  by  the  sex.'  Itivolltxl'tonK,  ^l.S.,  51.  JCbty  speaks  of  him  as  'a  liiir 
speeimeu  of  the  oM  JCnglish  gentleman,  active  as  a  eat  at  70  yeai's  of  age,  and 
with  hair  and  beard  wldto  as  snow.'  Journal,  MS.,  107.  JIardisty,  in  |N.")I, 
clerk  ill  charge  at  Fort  Yukon,  was  in  1SG7  eominander  of  the  .Mackcn/ie 
llivcr  district,  northern  department.  J).  W.  Harmon,  a  native  of  Vt,  ami  a. 
chief  factor  of  the  H.  \\.  Co.,  was  in  charge  of  Fort  St  JaUK.s,  in  lSll-17. 
His  diary  or  journal  was  published  in  book  form,  and  the  frcpicncy  w  ilh 
which  it  has  been  quoted  is  some  evidence  of  its  merit.  Jerome  and  Thail- 
deus  Harper,  Americana  by  birth,  were  lor  many  years  the  proprietors  of  a 
grist-mill  at  Clinton,  which  supplied  the  Cariboo  miners  with  Hour.  On  vlie 
decease  of  his  elder  brother,  about  187."),  Thaddcns  1  farper  took  change  of  the 
business,  and  bcsiilcs  his  other  interests,  was  in  1878  the  largest  owner  of 
live-stock  in  1).  C.  d'ood's  Brif.  Vol.,  MS.,  b',l.  J.  S.  Helmckcn,  a  native  of 
London,  Fiigland,  and  by  profession  a  medical  practitioiii  r,  arrived  at  Victoria 
in  1S.")(),  and  with  the  exception  of  a  few  months  in  1870,  continued  to  reside 
in  the  capital.  In  l>S.")ii  he  married  a  ilaughter  of  Sir  James  Douglas,  ami  in 
18(18  was  eliicted  a  member  of  the  legi-;lative  council.  Further  mention  may 
be  founil  oil  ]).  'J4."}-(!,  this  vcd.  \V.  J  I.  iloopi.r,  in  his  Ten.  Jfoiilli.-i  Aiiifjicf 
till'  'J'l  ii/.-i  of  the  Tiiski,  London,  18,").'!,  gives  an  account  of  the  expedition  of 
H.  ^1.  S.  Plover  ill  search  Sir  John  Franklin  and  his  party  in  1S48-5I. 
Though  descriptive  mainly  of  the  F>kinio  trib's,  Arctic  exploration,  and  the 
incidents  of  the  voyage,  the  work  al.so  contains  iuforniation  as  to  several  of 
the  H.  15.  Co.'o  posts.  J.  S.  Kennedy,  one  of  tlu'  earliest  pioneers  of  ]J.  C, 
and  for  'JO  years  acting  as  surgeon  to  the  H.  11.  Co.  at  Fort  \'aiieouver,  Nis- 
qually,  and  Kanaimo,  was  also  a  niember  of  the  Vancouver  house  of  assembly. 


768 


rSDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


Ho  died  at.  Victoriii  in  the  l^pI■ing  of  lSol\  W.  Kauc,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
Bervcd  for  12G  years  under  the  II.  IJ.  Co.,  and  being  rccoinniissioncd  in  184G, 
after  a  visit  lioine  was  jipjiointed,  in  I80O,  to  the  charge  of  Fort  Liard.  Kaiic'» 
]Va)i<l>'rhvi-i  </nii  Arll'^t,  GS-9;  Jloopcr'n  Tevis  of  the  Tiiski,  U87-8. 

A.  McDonald,  <  liief  factor  of  tho  H.  B.  Co.,  ^\iX3  married  to  the  daughter 
of  a  lilackfoot  .saclicn),  Ijy  whom  lie  had  a  child,  named  '^Iliristine,  who,  n-heu 
i-ho  grew  to  won'unhood,  was  described  as  'a  very  modest,  well-bred,  and  line- 
looking  young  woman.'  She  was  an  expert  horsewoman,  riding  astride,  and 
with  a  scrape  buckled  round  her  waist.  McDonald  was  a  man  of  remarkably 
line  physiijuc,  six  feet  high,  erect  and  of  stately  carriage.  His  long,  flowing 
hair  hung  down  over  Lid  slionlders  in  Indian  fashion.  JIc  spent  most  of  hia 
time  in  tlic  saddle,  and  wouhl  never  get  into  a  wheeled  vehicle.  Piiijct  Sound, 
M.S.,  10-11.  There  is  a  McDougal.  mentioned  in  W/ii/m/icr's  Alaska,  *JJ1,  as 
in  coniniaud  at  Fort  Yukon  in  June  1807.  For  mention  of  Thomas  McKay, 
son  of  Alexauilrr  McKay  of  Tontiuin  massacre  fame,  ixo  A  iidrr>;on'n  North 
CoaM,  ^IS.,  74-«i.  John  ^IcLcan,  in  his  Notca  of  a  Twvutii-ficc  Years'  Service 
ill  the  IIiulxoii'i,  Bay  Tirriloi;/,  '2  vols,  London,  1840,  treats  mainly  of  trap- 
ping and  trading  experiences  in  Vfiucouver  and  New  Caledonia.  Sir  liichard 
Maitland,  in  1601  iu  command  of  the  llag-ship  ISacfhante,  at  Esfjuimalt,  is 
mentioned  by  Mr  Goo<l  as  an  oflicer  remarkable  for  his  strict  discipline;  in 
consequence  of  which,  twenty  of  his  men.  including  warrnnt-oilicors,  deserted 
tlio  vessel  and  escaped  aciosa  the  Sound,  livit.  Cut.,  MS.,  "J.  W.  Jlitchell 
was  in  1800  chief  trader  in  charge  at  I'orfc  Rniieit.  Jlnnr'l  LuiariVs  Trarv/n 
ill  llril.  (Jul.,  OS.  For  further  items,  .see  I'ri/.  (,'o/oi!l<f,  Jan.  V^,  IS'Ct;  Victo- 
ria Staiidtird,  Jan.  19,  1S70;    Vt'illtninlle  Jlinio  r,  Feb.  18,  1870. 

W.  S.  Mitchell,  furuierly  fine  of  1  he  proprietors  of  tUn  J:rlliih<'u!niii4,\\ai 
killed  ill  1807,  by  falling  down  a  mining  .shaft  at  Cariboo.  N.  A'.  (Mil,  Juno  !l, 
1SU7.  William  iIi)or>'  lir.at  attempted  toruua.steamer  up  the.Stikeen  in  180'-', 
but  Kufl'ered  Bhip'.'rci'-  fleeting  willi  snccesi  ;it  tho  Cassiar  minc.v,  ho  built 
another  t;teand)oat.  Atleu'-iCttrilioo,  ]M"i.,  10.  ]\lr  Reynolds  settlctl  as  a  farmer 
in  the  Frascr  Valley,  we^t  (f  Okauagan,  in  18.")f).  Two  years  later  liis  land 
])roduced  abundant  crop:'.  V-'tiy'/Za--,  I'ri  rate  l'((i)' r.-i,  lir.sc  faeries,  M.S.,  ll'.t. 
Jluchj  Mountain  Jovruul,  Die.  I'O,  l.sO.'i,  to  Feb.  28,  1 800,  JIS.,  pives  merely  a 
rt'cord  of  tlic  daily  labor  and  roulino  at  one  of  tlio  Xort Invest  Company's  out- 
lying forts,  and  is  otherwise  entiivly  uninte-c.uing.  11.  R.  Schoolcraft,  in  his 
I'crsuiial  JIcmolr-<,  i'liii.,  1S.")1,  has  P'.attered  throughout  his  n;irrativc  a  few 
brief  notices  of  the  fur-ti'adir'-:,  ;,ii(l  tlieirinodoof  traliic.  ]Iise';periencc  was, 
fur  the  most  part,  limitc'l  to  the  ( 'aiiadinn  frontier,  near  (he  lower  end  of  Lake 
Superior,  and  at  Michilniaekenaek,  wlaro  he  was  slationeil  as  Indian  agent. 
Thomas  Spcnce,  a  native  of  Dr.ndcp.  reached  Yictori.i  in  ^Iny  ].S,"iS,  ami  kooi\ 
afterward  began  business  as  a  contractor,  biiildin;;  tho  ]iortiou  of  tin  Cariboo 
road  between  ijoston  liar  and  Lytton  v.iihin  f  (ir  months,  and  employi.ig  on 
this  work  nearly  000  men.  in  conucetio-.i  ■.,  itli  Tniteh,  h.^  obtaim  il  tlic  con- 
f  ract  for  liuildingthc  Ale;;an  iria  bridge,  and  supeiiui  ended  many  other  public 
works,  among  tliem  tlio  removal  of  the  Sister  ro -ks  in  the  I'lvuci',  and  tho 
lieav.r  rock  in  Victoria  jinrbor.  ]'oiri/l'.-i  .Miinni/  JJlstriffii,  MS.,  '2:)-'.]i).  (J. 
M.  Sprciat,  in  his  Scriic-i  aiid  H'ii<iii  ^  ff  linraiicLif.,  treats  iiKiinly  of  tlutrilies 
in  the  vicinity  of  IJaroIay  Sound,  and  on  tlie  west  coiK-^t  of  \'.  I.,  their  ens- 
tonis,  characteristics,  Ixngiiage,  etc.,  as  they  ajipeared  to  him  during  a  resi- 
dence of  IK  years,  iicginning  Aug.  1800,  while  in  charge  of  the  Kettlemeiit  of 
Alberni.  liritlshColumhln.,  lufornintlon  fir  Emi'iranti,  issued  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  agent-general  for  the  province,  London,  18711,  liy  the  siimn  author, 
is  a  model  emigration  p.ijnjnilet,  and  gives  ii:'>i'c  exact  anil  eondensed  infor- 
mation than  any  similar  work  at  that  time  extant.  ^Ir  Tait  V..13  in  187- 
iigent  for  tho  II.  ]J.  Co.  at  Kamloop  Francis  Tarbell,  anati  .0  of  >,ev.-  York, 
arrived  in  Victoria  in  July  I80S,  bringing  a  stock  of  goods  from  S.  F.,  on  wliiclx 
ho  realized  a  fair  j.rolit.  About  18(i7  he  bought  an  interest  in  tho  steamer 
ileortie  S.  Y.'rojht,  whicli  ran  between  Portland,  Victoria,  and  Sitka,  in  oppo- 
bition  to  Ren  lloUiday's  line,  to  wliich  ho  sold  out,  some  two  years  later, 
afterward  settling  at  Olympia,  wlicrc,  in  1878,  ho  was  tcriitorial  treasurer., 


]J115LI0(!UAPHY. 


769 


TarhcU's  Vidorin,  MS.,  1-10;  Oh/iiqiiaii  Clnh  ('onvcivalioii.t,  MS,,  17.  John 
Toil,  of  whom  full  incution  i.s  made  on  \>.  1:>8-."J(),  this  vol.,  dioil  in  l'^S-_'.  S. 
F.  Call,  Sept.  '2,  1SS2.  P.  F.  1  ylcv,  in  hi^i  JIh/orical  View  of  the  /'nMin:".^  of 
Dixotrry,  lulinljurgh,  1S.'J3,  merely  gives  a  <'oinpilixtion  from  the  ori;^'in.il 
accounts  of  the  diseovcrcrs  themselves.  A.  W.  Vowell,  for  several  years  L'ohl 
coinmissiont  r  in  various  districts,  and  author  of  Jliiiiii;/  J'inh-i'ia  of  Ih-it.  <  'oL, 
MS.,  i.-3  a  reliable  authority  as  to  the  gold  rcfjions,  to  wliich  the  subject-matter 
of  hi.s  manuscript  .solely  lefers,  Altred  Waddington  visited  the  mines  and 
MToto  a  brochure  of  40  pa;;cs,  entitled  Tlf;  Frasor  Minc^  VhuJii-atril;  or,  Tha 
ni'urii  of  Fuiir  MIontlif;.  i'rice  lilty  cents.  It  is  printed  in  \'ietoria  by  1'. 
Do  ()arro,  Wliarf  street,  and  the  preface  is  dated  Xov.  ],"(,  18.")>i.  'J'lie  'his- 
tory,' a.i  its  title  indicates,  i.s  an  aigumcnt  in  behalf  of  the  mines,  v.hich  a 
Eimplo  Btatemer.t  of  their  jivoduct  ■would  much  more  satisfactorily  explain; 
and  but  for  the  fact  that  business  revived  just  before  the  iniblication  c.f  llie 
book,  one  iiii:;ht  be  led  to  believe  that  its  issue  hnd  Fonielhii;g  t:j  lio  uitli  tlie 
improvement  of  tho  times.  In  his  preface  Waddington  claims  thia  to  be  "tlie 
first  boolc  published  cu  Vancouver  Island,'  but  corrects  the  nistakc  before 
publication  in  favor  of  tho  Hn'a  of  Pr.trlke. . .;'»  /'.?  liiiproiic  Court  ofChil 
Jt'.sl'.rr,  printed  one  or  two  months  previous  at  tlic  C'l-.fUi:  olhce.  Ho  might 
also  Lavo  rightly  fdiled  another,  a  Email  pamphlet  of  y^/'O'Vfny.'O'/o//.^  relative 
to  tlie  governmer.t  of  IJritir'h  Columbia  issued  fintu  tho  (arxlle  press,  shc.rtly 
after  the  I'nhm  (f  Practice,  and  so  have  placed  his  book  third.  A  tiaet  ad- 
dresicd  tu  the  coki!iisl3  of  \'ancouvcr  Island,  published  at  Victo.ia  in  lS-"(), 
and  entitled  The  2^\'Ci':='>'iti/  rf  J.'rft.rni,  wna  merely  a  tirade  against  tlio  re- 
stricted fi'anchise,  and  the  ]'ctty  infelicities  of  the  day.  'Ihe  iir.-t  editinn  </f 
tho  iSl.xlch  of  the  I'ro>Ki!<(l  Line  if  On  rlrnul  J'fiHruri'l  throixjh  JJri/i/'h  A't-rZ/i 
Aimrica,  OllaMa,  ISTl,  by  tho  same  author,  vaspnblishrcl  in  J^ondon  in  bStlt>. 
AUho!!gh  ^Vaddington  had  tra\(llcd  over  but  a  fu  all  porliou  of  the  route  of 
tho  Canadian  Tacilie,  ho  -was  well  aerinaintrd  \vit!i  tho  conliguration  of  tho 
country,  nnil,  ihcluding  data  from  published  and  otl.'or  survey.'",  made  an  vx- 
ccllcnt  pjreliminary  report,  Aviiichvas  ]irol.)ably  not  vithout  inlhic  co  in  tho 
1  nibinlinient  of  tlio  lailway  terms.  lor  further  mention  of  ids  career,  see 
/j'ri'.  CJy.M,  Oct,  '2-.',  ISiij,  March  (i,  '27,  187-'.  Fred,  lick  Wliymper,  Avho 
came  from  Ihiglaud  in  IPiJi',  passed  tiirco  winters  in  Metorin,  and  travel.'eil 
lhro;igh  the  interior  of  Vancouver  and  along  tho  coast  of  the  mMinhind. 
.loining  tho  Western  Union  Telegraph  expedition  under  Capt.  Ihdkley,  an 
;icco;;ut  of  which  is  given  ir.  my  J/lftori/  of  Alai-ki,  ]).  o70-S,  lio  set  forth  lor 
norlliorii  Al.iska,  his  y-wty  jouijicying  iivcrland  in  .sledges  from  Unnlaeiilet!, 
oil  I>orton  Wound,  to  Fort  ]\ulato,  and  thence  in  canoes  to  Fort  Yukon.  Jlis 
vari  us  journey.s,  with  tliiir  iucidcr.ts,  arc  descriheil  in  an  interesting' volume 
entiUcd  Trarcl  cn:'l  Adrriitinr  ill  (hu  Ti  rritorn  of  Ahi/'l'i,  ol  which  tho  lir.st 
live  cliaptera  arc  devoted  to  Vancouver  Island  and  ]]ritisli  Columbia. 

lioolrs  arc  v,:ittcu  mostly  in  prai.iO  of  men  or  thing.;.  Wa  lia\e  r.iany 
biogi'apliies  of  Cinist,  very  few  of  J]clial.  This  ii  a  hopeful  feature  of  i.Mmau 
nature.  'J'ho  l)ad  v."o  heartily  denounce,  but  we  do  not  care  to  dwell  upon  it. 
Colonists  parlictdai-ly  fekhjui  write  except  in  commendation  (.f  tin  ir  coLintry; 
and  few,  v.iio  are  merely  U-av^llers,  tid;e  the  trouble  to  jnint  a  fat  octavo  in 
proof  ot  what  n;;luro  h;\ i  v,ron';fuliy  done,  or  has  failed  to  d",  for  a  eor.ntry. 
Most  of  the  book'!  o:i  IJritish  Columbia  seo  little  but  iho  good;  therefore,  it 
starllci  one  somewhat  to  iind  a  writer  who  ilis.'overs  little  that  is  nnt  bad. 
If  llio  country  presents  it.«df  to  the  mir.d  of  D.  C.  J'.  Macdnn.dd,  beforo 
mentioned,  with  quite  au  alphabi't  of  honors  following,  only  in  ri  pulsivo 
shadow.s,  CO  does  not  the  ■•'uthor  of  this  man's  works  jipj>e;ii'  to  himself,  '  To 
advance  opinions  on  the  rc^ourcel  and  ea[)abilitie3  of  our  colonial  possessiom,' 
ho  i.i  abnndantly  '  (jualilied  by  education,  knowledge,  and  experience.'  Had 
the  country  any  good  thin;.;  ?  '  I  v;  ;iturelo  belii've  1  possess  tlie  (jualiiication» 
whi(;li  alone  can  enable  ;i  man  to  discern  tin  so  imiiorlant  charaetcii^tie..,  and 
to  arrive  at  a  jirl:  estimate  of  them,  since  the  subject  has  buiiiecl  the  educa- 
tion "f  my  youthand  tin;  study  of  my  maturer  years.'  Toan  audience  beloro 
whom  h(!  is  delivering  a  lecture  on  Ihilish  Colundiia,  he  says;  '  You  are  not 
IIht.   I;i;::.  iHi..     I'J 


\ 


J 


7^ 


INDUSTRIES,  C'O.MMKRCE,  AND  FINANCE. 


listciiin<{  to  a  man  who  never  !-ii\v  a  Jdatlc  of  grass  grow,  or  slept  uiMkr  tho 
iniiicrvioua  Bliailes  of  llic  eternal  forest.'  The  wild  ass  nii.','ht  ailv.-iiico  tlio 
winie  ar;4unient,  and  with  as  (Mushiiig  an  ellect.  Then  follows  a  liai^o  of  hi;i 
acc(iiii|ili.slinK'nts,  v.liicli,  howevir  <'ntertaiiiin.Lr,  I  cannot  rceito.  'I'lioi  .luiitry 
he  lulls  |)ietiue.s(iue  l)iit  gloomy.      '  llritish  ( 'oliinihia  is  a  niitierable  country,' 


!  groalisi. 


That  tliroi 


ihll. 


iViilo  tloiiiain  llK  re  are 


th 


1  lialiMiiiLC  1 


irooks. 


no  Kootliin,:^'  sliadt  s,  no  softly  swellinj,'  hills,'  is  news  iiid<'ed  to  those  ^^  ho  have 


sjient  till  ir  lives  there. 


i'.iit  ill  their  shad  slieains  w  hite  w  ilh  foam,  l  iisli 


iloliL 


lie.uei  II  e 


liii: 


s,  down  raviiK  s,  and  over  walci 


-falls 


deaf. 


iiig 
niii'r  tliiiii- 


di:r;  treiiieiidous  ineeipices,  yawiiiiii,'  f:;iiirs,  and  n;diiil  towering  roihs,  s])l 


111- 


tered  w 


1  wilh  t 


hlorillS  Ol     I'olll 


tless  y 


li. 


lie 


f..ii 


fiarful  in  Uiiir 


^loolii,  jiiid  tearful  in  tin  ir  houliiig  idastsof  [ircy.'  Filled  in  v.ith  speetnd 
:i,i;!its  and  lalndoiis  nponsteis,  sinh  as  titraie.i'  countries  are  oi'teii  aei'iedited 
v.iili,   hy  vi  ly  alile  writeis,  we  would  ha\e  a  go(,d  glio^t  .slriy  t )  fri,.,'hten 


ihild 


ren  witlr 


Sol 


iiii^ht  go  ou  throu 


e"otislie«l  Ml  iter.     It'  wi'  heliive  iiiin,  il 


;Iit! 
a  ]i 


lie  shallow  I'll'r.sioii  of  this 


liildf( 


r  man  or  iieast.     jt  is 


bail  tor  the  Inalthful  man,  iiiid  lail  i'c  r  the  luvalid;  IkiI   for  the  settler,  and 


had  i\eii  for  the  .student  il 


'tiiral   historv. 


IV  no  means  a 


lile    [ilaei'  of  lesideliei','  and 


<leed,  it  is  doiihltul  whether  the  island 
lill  evir  he  jilih)  to  in-odiieo  enoiedi  for  its  own  coiuii.  iiiitioii.'  'J'lic  floiait 
forbiildiiig;  the  savages  are  a  disgiaee  to  savagisin,  and  the  .aiinial  kingdom 
to  brutes.  It  seemsajiily  that  .-o  able  a  man  hliould  waste  so  much  time 
over  so  worthless  a  suhjiel  !     Mr  -Maeilniiahl  has  ])iiblisheil  twowoihs  on 

and  till)  other  nn 
I  I 


llritish  Coliinib 


biitli  in  I.iiiidoii,    IS( 


i.i,  one  a 


lof  .VJl  pages,  with  map,  entitled  UrtHshCul 


lUtihia  mil 


(I neon n  /•,< . 


lanil,  already  nolieed  on  p.  •lli.'i-O  i  f  this  \iil.     Of  these  writings  Mr.  A.  0. 
erson,  who  is  freipienlty  cited  in  them  as  an  anthorily,  remarks,  I'rh'. 


And 


l; 


vai  iaiM  e  w  itli  t  !i 


ippendix,  p.  ',>,'>,  that  they  'convey  an  imiirc; 


itlKllS 


.Ih. 


itterly 


that,  were  tin:  eontrarv  not  know  n, 


le  miiilit  have  inliriid  that  to 


nice.      .;\nd  y 
Toward  the  elt 


\nd  vet  .Mr -M.iel. 


if  his  lectin 


ithor  had  never  set  foot  within  the  pr 
oiiald  .■ic'em.i  in-irlieiilarly  desirous  of  being  bclievei 


ti  luhing'ly  a:  serfs:  '  I  have  no  intci-est.i  to 


serve  but  those  of  hiimaiiily;  no  fcelingi  to  graiil'y  but  sucli  as  must  animali 
tho  brca:  t  of  every  one  who  sees  li:.rd-uin  king  men  drawn  to  tiicir  ruin  wiih 


ill  I  )  I'lre  and  none  toserv 


J  t  is  hard  to  attiibuli^  di 


)nest  motives  to  any 


d  some  have  juit  I'orlh  luisstatcmeiils  w  lioou.;ht  to  be  al 


jove  suspicion; 


hut  it  rei|iiircs  the  exjic.ic  nee  of  a  practical  farmer  to  form  a  correct  estimato 
of  the  value  of  s:)ils,  and  it  l'ei|nires  a  Icugtlieiied  residence,  and  oxtcnsivo 


tliivi 


1  th 


irouiih  a  eouiiti  v,  to  enahle  evin  the  larmi'r,  with 


to  give  iiii  opinion 
A\  id 


it  all.     X. 


w,  none  ot   the  gentlemen  who  h.i\e  put 


dl  I 
h 


lis  e.Npcricnee, 


f  .I'tl 


such  glow  ing  stalcviicnts  are  jmsscssi  d  of  eitlnrof  thiso  (pialilicatioiis.  '1  lu  y 
appear  to  lia\e  \isited  the  colonies  at  the  most  favoialjle  .'-eason,  and  to  ha\  e 
relied  for  the  rest  upon  the  repoi'lsof  n  sidcnts — men,  perhaps,  w  ho  had  spent 


their  w  hole  lives  in  the-'^e  n 


IS,  and  lir.d  come  to  think  that  extreme  heat 


sumiiieraiiil  intense'  cnhl  in  winter,  v.iiied  by  i:i  tenia  I  ions  of  snow  and 


and  ilecl  and  fogs  for  ei'dit  moiilh.s  in 


versa  1  eoiir.so  ol  llie  seasons 


the  y. 


ir,  formed  t'.iu  iiat  lira 


1  and 


n  ni)  otlier  way  ca 


n  I  0 


eeoiiii 


t  for  tho  boldnes.s 


with  which  as:jertions  have  bei  n  made  which  h  few  nioatlia'  residence  nnust 


scatter  to  tho  winds,     liiit  the! 


men  w  iio  (lest 


rvo  no  Rueh  niereifnl  con- 


ration — hai'pieswho  nevir  meant  tothvcll  in  the  colony — who  invested 
ir  caniial  in  buviiiLi  ni)  all  the  best  rlloliiients,  in  order  to  nsell  them  .-t 


!v:iiiced  luices  to  tho  icil  setlh  ;   .     'I'licy  now  liiid  they  liav.j  made  a  bad 


Hpeeiilation,  and  are  eager 


to  dispi 


f    till 


la 


but  eustonicrs  aro  not 


tiiere.  and  they  neither  stick  at  anv  fa!s' 'lood  to  iiuluce  them  to  come,  nor 


eare  what  becomes  of  them  after  tliey  ha\o  lleieed  them,     'i'li 


th. 


par<'iitsof  the  iiiL';^liii',' p.'iragraphs  w  liieh  appear  from  time  to  time  in  (he 
new  <|iai)crs,  and  th"  no  less  jug'^in  ,'  h'tleis;  the  e  ."re  tlicy  w  ho  ruin  colonics 


iiud  colonists;  and  it  is  in  the  hrpe  of  kccjiiag  t!;e  emigrant  out  of  their 
clutchca  tli.it  1  have  raised  my  voice,  and  bIuiU  conlinue  to  laiso  it,  as  lon.u 
as  I  think  !  can  be  of  ,iiiy  service  tvi  ilu-  poor  i'lllows  who  have  to  light  this 


imJLIOCillAl'llV. 


m 


world's  hard  battlo  with  scanty  moans.'  Mr  Macddnald  is  not  alone  in  lii:j 
condemnation  of  false  statements  iiiado  conccrnint;  this  county.  Says  Mr 
li.  ]>yron  Julmson,  ia  his  I'tvi/  Fur  ]i'( d  lu'l'id,  ji.  ilTT-!^,  London,  IST'i:  'I 
havo.secn  many  .shameful  accounts  l)ldlli^li'■d  liy  intcicstiil  iicisoiis  from  wliicli 
wc  Would  imagine  the  country  to  have  liciii  tlio  oii.;iuid  .--ilc  of  tlio  (iardcii 
of  Kilcn.  Tlio  real  fact  is,  that  it  dcjicmls  on  C'alil'ornia  and  Oreijon  for  al- 
most cv(.iy  i)onnd  of  Hour  that  is  coll^.u^K•d  in  it;  and  that  ci.i'i|iarcd  to  tlioso 
iicigiiboiiiig  cc)untiics  it  is  what  I  liav)  h' iird  it  Ir  fore  (h'sciil)ed  hy  a  jar- 
Koa  who  knew  it  well,  a  iKJ'.vlinj^  wiliK'iiicss. '  Undoulitcdly  tlieio  has  lici  a 
exaggeration.  1'lic  bueocs'tVd  enthusiast  will  certainly  i)raise,  whik'  tho 
disa)>))oiided  will  rail.  I'roliahly  no  countries  have  lieen  more  heartily 
curs;ed  than  Oregon  and  ('.ilifornia.  Jlore  men  Iiave  leftOre^'oa  fur  Tu'^'t 
.^ound  than  have  ever  left  I'ugct  Sound  for  Oregon.  Ihitish  (,'ohiml)i.'.'.i 
best  days  have  nut  yet  couio.  Her  resourecn  are  inexhaustihle,  and  her 
greatest  gold  tliseoverits,  tints  far,  as  compared  witli  her  yet  undrvelojud 
resources,  will  he  rcnundifred  in  history  only  .'i-;  flu-  little  llusii  of  IS.'iS-O. 
Vo'ii  Far  Wtal  Jii'htit  is  a  sprightly  little  liock  from  tlie  spiightly  littK- 
nnml  (f  11.  liyron  Jolinson.  It  was  printcil  in  London  in  1S7'J.  ("arricil 
away  by  immigration  [.auipldets  and  nit\v<i)a]icr  nu'.iirs,  the  aul  hor  yiehicd 
to  tile  mtieeuM  ntsof  ad'.i  uture  and  started  for  tin'  isw  Id  l>(>i'ado.  lie  .saw 
uiar.y  thint;s  never  seen  before  or  since;  he  heard  dialects  as  they  were  never 
beiijie  fi.olicn;  hence  he  v.as  constrained  fo  \\  rite  a  book.  1 1  is  well  for  thoho 
who  ha\  :  travelled  in  the  I'uited  States  by  rail  t\\euty-rive  or  lil'ty  tlion  .and 
miles  to  know  at  ].•■■'.,  that  'neai'ly  all  .\:iu  ric.in  trains  havi;  g'lt  a  her'  v.  hero 
intoxicating  drinks  .■  rot;olil.  The  clu'ii.!.;  national  animosity  be(  wetn  ISri.'ona 
iuid  i\inciieans  w;:sillustrate(l  by  the  s'.iooting  of  jin  laiglishman  by  .a  '  wi  stvra 
man  '  on  the  I'anam/i  iuid  ;-an  rr.-iiieisco  steamer,  lor  i-elcbraliu';  tlie  (,r.e'jii'.i 
birt'alay  too  broai'ly — an  iucid<iit  to  every  one  else  uuknow  n.  \\y  tlie  lime  .Mr 
Jo'  asoa  has  reached  \  ietoria  he  has  become  bo  aecustomeil  to  the  Yanki't? 
dialect,  whicli  he  invented  while  crossing  the  Isthmus,  that  he  does  not  imw 
hesitati!  to  pat  it  in  the  meuth  iiidi^iaimiiinlely  <jf  lai'jjisliman,  Dnlchman,  and 
-Vfrican.  After  numberless  perils  by  .'  ea  and  l.'.iid,  after  r.ndcrgoing  t,'V(  ry  ex- 
perience written  ill  books,  I'eciied  I'ouimI  cauip-tli'es,  or  told  under  forecastles. 
Indian  and  b',aradventnres,  iubbcry  a  ad  gambling  .scenes,  boiler-bursting,  ship- 
wre(  k,  battle,  and  murder,  after  having  encountered  all  tlm  varied  phenomen  i 
of  KiiecesM  ai.<l  starvation,  IIk?  author  linally  returns  to  Kngland  a  wiser  and 
a  belter  m;in.  Vet,  iiotuilhstaiidiii','  these  ipiite  innocent  iadiilgencts,  of 
which  the  liook  is  full,  and  which  no  intelligent  person  is  cxp  'ted  to  liclieve, 
Mr  Johnson  has  ijroiic.eed  a  very  inlcrestin;  ai.d  valuable  iiii,;.  ]t  li.-ia  llie 
great  nuiit  of  being  natural,  and  I  \\\\\  venture  to  say  that  Jlr  Johnsoa  is  not 
only  a  good  friend  and  a  good  Icllov.',  but  an  intelllTont,  honest  man,  find  a 
good  eilizen. 

Of  many  of  t'.ie  pio'us  is  and  ])roiiiinent  eolonist*,  want  of  space  forbids nio 
to  make  more  than  [la  ■••ing  mention.  Subjoined  i<u  list  of  sonic  whose  nan>c:» 
have  not  yet  apiiearcil  in  these  pages,  together  wi;!i  the  source?  from  v.Iiicli 
information  can  bi^  obtained  as  lo  their  r.rrival,  oaieci-,  or  decease,  and  addi- 
lionrd  items  coneerniiig  others  already  noted. 

W  iliiam  Atkinson,  Jkii//f '/'.i  Vanrourrf  Idtinu,  MS.,  (i;  ,Tos.  .\ustcn,  '''7., 
July  4.  1671;  Taul  Aiignr,  S.'iiii,l"r,l,  July  LJ,  18;tl;  A.  X.  r.irdi,  X.  If. 
Juil.  <J(i/iiii,hhtit,  Jniu!  'Jii,  IsCT;  .\.  S.  I'atcs,  ('.-/.,  Jan.  .s,  IS7!);  Wm  IJouilcn, 
/(/.,  Jiilv  12;»,  no,  Ls7!l;  Jos.  1.  Ihown,  Col.,  Jtdy  10,  ISO;);  Thos  Ihiie,  /,/., 
Ap-.  •_':!,  137:1;  David  lUirus,  A/.,  Jiils' ol,  is.HI;  Jis  hurn  i,  r' ■/.,  X  .v. 'J.;. 
INTO;  A.  T.  I'.ushby,  A'.  IT.  /'•'•.  J/<n'!f,  .\:ay 'J-.»,  ls7o:  .M.  Cameron,  Co'., 
.luno  17,  187(i;  D.  Cameron,  /■'.,  May  l."i,  ls7-;  Sir  (i.  Carticr,  /(/,,  May 'J J, 
lS7;i;  (Jary  0.  Uunlcr,  C'o/.,  Sept.  IS.  ISdO;  Charles,  TarlxICn  I'ir/ >ri'i,'Sl:-., 
o;  T.  Clarke,  Co/.,  .luno  J(i,  I,s7!l;  Clcryou,  I<f.,  March  1,  ISCI;  J.  J.  Coch- 
rane, II.,  ibirch  1-',  I  '.117;  1*.  F.  Coibiniere,  //.,  .May  17,  bs71;  W.  11.  Cor- 
mack.  III.,  Mtiy  Hi,  KSOS;  John  Costello,  A/.,  .Ian.  '_'.'>,  1n7I;  I'.  Coupe.  Col., 
Jan.  L  1870;  J.  Cox,  Vol.,  Oct.  I.".,  IS7:!;  \V.  I'.  Ciate,  r, /.,0,g.  ;i,  |S71;  J, 
€.  Davie,  (,W.,  May  1.".,  IHli'.l;  I'.  1'..  I >.!;;, 'c(!. /,/.,  July  10,  I  ,i:i;  C.  i:.  Dennis, 


INDUSTRIES,  COMMERCE,  ANU  FINANCE. 


Col,  Aug.  24,  is;];  S.  M.  Driiml,  Coi.,  March  1."),  1804;  Geo.  Dunhar,  Id., 
Dec.  11,  1S7-.';  A.  ('.  Elliott,  CoL,  Jan.  !>!»,   lS7(i;  W.  Emery,  Co/.,  May  10, 

Ans;.  as,   IST'I;  J.  FleniinK,  Co/.,  May  24, 


187!:  .7.   E 


.V.   /'.  BivJifi 


1871;  Mitcliell  Toy,  Id.,  Fcl).  '2,  l.'S70;  L.  Fr.nildin,  Co/.,  Aug.  10,  1873;  J. 
(jraluini,  iSrntlle  /n/i Hi'ifinrrr,  Oct.  "j;!.  1871;  E.  (Iraiiciiii,  ''o/.,  Nov.  I'i,  1879; 
Stai:tlt'nl,'i'',ov.  ]•_>,  1879;  Grant,  L'«v/i  '/'••*  '  •  /.,MS.,'J;  C.  J.  Grillin,  Co/.,  Aug. 
19,  1S74;  .1.  i;.  (Jriflith,  LL,  May  l'7,'lS71;  A.  11.  Guild,  Id.,  Nov.  l-J,  1873; 
T.  Hall,  Co/.,  Due.    19.    Is74;  O.  Dare,  Jd.,  Deo.  'Js,  yi,  1870;  S.  Harris, 


Sfa 


ml,  V. 


1877;  S.  \V.  llerrin'j,  /Jc-/ 


Jlrmld,  Auk.  '-*7,  1879; 


E.  Dead,  Co/.,  Apr.  11,  ISGS;  A.  (i.  Hellley,  Cul.,  Juno  1 1,  187-2;  A.  Uibbard, 
Co/.,  June -'(i,  1S09;  .sir  F.  llinck.s,  Co/.,  Srpt,  14,  187'2;  A.  Hoflnieistcr,  Co/. 
SeiU.  :ia,  1874;  S/andord,  Sept.  :](>,  1874;  J.  llowe,  C<,/.,  June  11,  1873;  E. 
H.  Jackson,  Standard,  .lune  '28,  1877;  Kennedy,  Col.,  March  'I'l,  1804;  J. 
James,  ^tc.  Ucrord-Uh'ioii,  ^r\n.  '2.'!,  1884:  A.  Lane,  Co/.,  Sept.  12,  IfSO.");  R. 
Lewis,  CoL,  Jan.  3,  187'"»;  J.  Livcrniore,  Cut.,  Jan.  .'SO,  18(19;  J/.  !McLure,  /(/., 
March  8,  ISfM;  X.  K.  JJri>.  Co/»wW/»,  Juiic2(;,  1807;  T.  (J.  Marshal,  Stand- 
an 


187 


/,  Ajir.  4,  1877;  W.  Milc^,  CoL,  Nov.  i'O,  1872:  M.  M. 


/r/.,  Oct.  i: 


Ml 


itt,  /(/.,  Apr.  '20.  IS71;  \V.   15.  Naylor,  Xn:i(ihiio  G<izMi\  Oct.  1.^, 


1800;  Co/.,  Oct.  3,  LS(iO;  R.  Nt'welL  K 


li;^t.  X.  Coa.-'t,  :M.S.;  R.  O-de 


Seatl'c  IntrUl'ii'ua  r,  Oct.  27,  187<';  John  Flia-e,  Sac.  J,'icord-(7iiinii,'Sov.  2.1, 
IS.V2;  C.  J.  i'ritchard,  C<7.,  July  20,  1870;  AVin  Rohertson,  A/.,  Dec.  18, 
1872;  J.  Roc;eis,  Standard,  Oct.  29,  Ls79;  Co/.,  Oct.  20,  1879;  J.  RuetK,  /(/., 
Sept.  1,  187..);  H.  Schultz,  Standard,  .March  11,  187,S;  Sleigh,  <"o/.,  May  22, 
1S09;  i:.  Sianrp,  /(/.,. Jan.  31,  1872;  C/..  July  23,  1872;  .Y.  W.  Par.  //n-ald, 
Jan.  24,   1872;  ]].  A.  Starr,  C„/.,  July  1."),  lS7(i;  M.  .).  Stone,  LL,  iHc.  19, 


1874;  J.  Sv 


/(/.,  Oct.  22,  1872;  CoL,  Oct. 


1.872:  J.Il.Ti 


Port- 


land H'cst  Shore,  Sept.   1879,  p.  204:  D.  '1'! 


Tim 


merman 


/(/.,  Mi 


C'L,  Sept.  11,  lMj(i;  J.  15 


J.Titcoinh,  y.7.,  July  10,  1.m;9;  J.  \V.  Trahe' 


CoL.  Dec.  2S,  ]Mi8;  .1.  W.  W.-iitt,  CoL,  July  13,  1870:  J.  R.  Wnt-son.  S,afll<; 
Inl'in^enctr,  July  12,  1809;  Oli/wpia  Hojai'hUca.n,  July  19,  1809;  J.  Whcrtv, 
Co/.,  Dec.  U,  1872;  IL  Wilkinson,  Co/.,  Nov.  20,  18G9;  IL  C.  Williston,  CoL, 
.\ug.  l.l,  1808;  IL  Wootton,  CoL,  Dec.  29,  187:>;  A.  Young,  Col,  Scjit.  13, 
1872. 

Final  list  of  reference.;:  Good's  Brll.  CoL,  MS.;  DrU.  Col  Sbtcfi''^,  MS.; 


lltjhj'ii   Vanconvrr  Ldav.d,   il.S. ;  l)e  Cox 


Govcrnmvnt,  MS. ;   ( 'ooprr'i 


Maritime  2[atl':r<,  MS.;  Pidinrr\i  Wai/on,  Tradu,  M.S.;  Crid<jf''s  Chara'-leri-t- 
llcs  of  Jas  Doii.jla-u  MS.;  Mach-nrMs  Mem.  Can.  Par.  P.  P.,  MS.;  ElUotfx 
Brit.  Col.  PcFi'k-^,  MS.;  JAon.  Geol.  S,trveys,  XiS.;  Finlai/.<i,n\f  V,  I.  and  X. 


IV.  Coa.-I,  MS.;   TarUlC-i  Vidorki,  MS.;  Pr 

EcauK,  Prater  JUrcr  P.vci'iinrnt,  MS.;  J/anro'l'n  'jliirlcin  )' 


Ind 


lan.t  (in 


I  S> tiler.-;  -MS. 


,  ^IS.,ri 


is.smi; 


lloufxi  E.V.  Dor.,  4',th  Con;}.,  Jl  Sci-i.,  x.vi.  no.  DO,  28-72,  131-70;  o'xiii. 
.10.  JO.?,  507;  4'jlh  Conn.,  CI  .SV.w.,  i.,  pt  1,  339-47;  .;o'/,'t  Co,;7.,  M  Sc.^^., 
.rvl,  110.  7,  30-78,  142-9S,  201-;U10;  .J07/i  Con;t.,  .7(Z  .SV.>(.-<.,  i.,  pt  J,  TiOl; 
.Mr.f.9.  and  Dor.,  1870-1.  Xan/  and  J'.  O.   Prjit,  i:i3-.'>;  .S'.'.«.  Paprr.-'.   J!.  C 

1870,  79-1. ')2,  4  t'.)-,-,(i.3,.0'^S,  061-2;    ~  

7-<]S,  20,3-113,  4. -..-.-93;  1.S79,  179- 


187 


83-l."i9,  2 I9-3.-1C.,  4111-48;  ls7 


-'0, 


•1-87;  1880,  I.-.9-3I0;   |S81,  3I.1-404; 


18.82,249-322,  30.3-408,  43.-)  7,  4:.7-.'U0;  ISS:!,  107-:;04,  .321-'il,  :!1,-),  :r.l-72, 
.379.  .399,  471-!H):  1.884,  7-Sl.  91-l.J!),  I>,9,  229-8:!,  29.-.-307,  3:r)-4r),  399-423, 
•1:j2,  'i  11-0.3,  .809;  18S.'.,  129-:!0,  1  ."i ! -2.3' ;,  4.".1 -00,  pi.ssim;  Ptrlsrd  Enir<,  Prd. 
'.'ol.  n.'-71):  Con-oL  Slat.  Brit.  CoL,  (1877)  pasMin;  Siaf.  Jlril.  CoL,  1877,91- 


k  111-13,  13.3,  141.  (538-9;  1878.  71-2,  89-9  ),  V.]- 


129-32:   1879,  2.3,  .•i7-4S, 


<;9-7." 
ISS3, 


111-23.   l.-iO-O;  LSSO,   1-8,  49,  .''.9;  1'81,  43-0;  1S.S2.  4-8,   13-.-).1 


31 


7-8,  47-C9. 


-8,  81-2;  ls84,   10,  32,  :(.">,  ISl;  188."), 


(\,  12.")-1l,  p.'issim;  ,/onr.  E':i!.d.  Comird,   /!.  C,   1804,32,  30;  1807,29-30, 
00-7;  lS(i8,  2,  .ipp.  iv.-viii.;  lso',>,  1."),  (iO-7,  -pp.  ii.,  iii.,  v.-vii;  1870,  ii]ip.  iv.- 


i>c.;  1871,  51-00;  Colonial  p.-limatct,  in  Id.,  1871,  2-12;  Joi 


Crd.CoL,  1873-4,  l-C 


■.() 


ip. 


-49,  ii 


.1-00,  V 


1- 


'.7'- 


:/.    A-^ 


I,  Vll. 


-8.  ;(,".;  is: 


2-;«.  47-8,  npp.  3-12,  14-73,  l,Sl-210,  301-481,  5J.V7S,  0:!9;  lS7(i,  2  .3,  03; 
1877,  1-2,  13,  07,  n])p.  .\xvi.;  KS7S.  1-2.  08,  78-9;  1879,  1-2,  (U;  IsSO,  1-2, 
21,  4.-),  app.  iii.  18s|,  j.-j,  .vm;;>,  72;  18.82,  1-2,  .1,  7,  l2-,')4;  ls.S3,  3,   17,  05; 


FIXAI.  AUTHORITIES. 


778 


1SS4,  'J,  ;.|,  SS;  1S;S."),  1-4,  .">"i,  .VJ,  passim;  I'.  S.  JJiiniui  oi'  ,i)/ii(i.-/ic<,  7,0.  ,7, 
1879-80,  p.  l-K),  !(;•_>,  104,  17."),  ISS-'J;  Jlin„l-li,;>l:.<,  JJnl.  Col.  lUmnl  0/ Tr.'dc, 
passim;  Jiri/.  <  <,'.  /I'd.  /.fiid  (Jii<  stioi\i):],  U7;  Zam<'n(,  \\.'-^-  '.'>;  Chilti  mldi'.i 
Travel  1  ill  Jlrll.Cul.,  5-8,  -JO-l),  40--',  4S,  .">(),  (17:  ll7(.'/»)//( /.s  ,l/'r,s/,Y(,  L'.IS, 
passim;  JJcih-sok's  j\'.  W.  I'ci:  and  JJrit.  C\J.,  o\)-'2,  r).">-77,  S-Vli;?;  iS'c hi  11 10 re\i 
Aiai-la,  ri-l."i;  llittilis  Commcne  nnd  Induct rUn,  pas.-im;  Jlariiiln/\i  L>/c  and 
Lnhor,  8S-l.")l>;  T/t<:  Mines,  Miners,  etc.,  ,"(07;  fJdmar'fi  Jliiif.  I'ri'i-ioiiK  Metal". 
lO'J;  The  Miniuij  lndu<lnj,  'JJ;  ,Seirard'sfipeeeI,(U  Vletoria,  18«!),  17-'J0;  Jhit. 
Col.  Ajj'dirs,  fl.i  1,  2,  J,  lS.")S-()0;  Jlrit.  Col.  L.rpforationn,  lirit.  \t.rfh 
Amer.;  lirit.  Col.  Lcouh  und  Work  J)e/d  J!) ]i'/<.  Ilril.  Col.  MiniMer  of  MineK 
llejits.  lirit.  Col.  I'ltiiers  conneelid  vlth  the  ludinn  Land  Question,  18.")0-7r>; 
Urif.  ('<l.  Pidilic  Aeconnt:,  lS7t)-7,  ] 880-1;  Canada  Censii.'^,  1880-1;  Canadii. 
i.'».s/o;)(s  Turijr,  1877;  Canada  J )i>;uI(h  inJ'arlf,  1877,  1878;  Canada  l)i jit  0/ 
(he  Interior,  Ann.  L'epti,  1.S74-80;  Canad'i  ]!< iits  Coniin.  /'-/io-ff--,  187l)-'j; 
Can.  Cenl.  Siirveij  J'epts.  of  I',-oijr(.<f<,  1870-0;  Canada  Inland  liev.  Ilei.t.t. 
Canada  Marine  and Fixherii  a,  Ann.  ll< id.-i,  187  1-^0;  Canada  Mini-^ti r  of  Aijrie. 
Heptu,  l>S77-80;  Canada  I'lis/inaxler-CeM  ral  !.'( J  orl",  hs7--80;  Canada  J'iddie 
Aeconnt'',  187">- 7;  Canada  Tidihaof  Tradi-and  Xari'jalion,  187;!- SO;  Taijlorx 
Sj,ee.  J'res-^,  470.'.;  ::rit.  Colonist,' },\ny  7,  Deo.  'J,  'lS77;  .Tail.  'A,  Ve\>.  It,  •_'8, 
Apr.  1:1,  May  14,'Jiily  10,  l,s78,  March  •JU,  Apr.  II,  1!),  i2J,  '2.),  July  1,  -Mny 
i;i,  .lulv  '2:',  Aii.^'.  10,  2:i,  Sept.  L'5,  Oct.  1:!,  it),  -20,  124,  'JO,  Nov.  0,  l!S7!l;  He- 
loria  WerlJii  Siavdunl,  Oct.  '22,  >>ov.  'Jd,  Dec.  10,  187!I,  .Tan.  L'S,  IVli.  4, 
March  10,  Apr.  -JS,  ilay  5,  18^0;  A''/  Htnndard,  Apr.  '_'.'»,  ^lay '-',  .rtilv"2.'i. 
Oct.  17,  :il,  Nov.  'Jl,  'lS77;  Apr.  17,  1878;  Apr.  lO,  20,  :!0.  May  l.".,  |.S7;): 
Dom.  I'lic.  J[erald,l\Rveh  19, -_',  1879:  Xeic  \Ve:<tm!:i>~ter  Muiuhindnimrdinn, 
I'Yb.  8,  .>hiy  10,  1(579;  Nanaimo  I'nc  /'(•'■«,  May  10.  1880;  ,S'.  /'.  Attn,  March 
8,  18.V_>;  ,lulv7,  18ri:!;  Nov.  7,  18.17;  Aj.r.  '_'«,  :.iav27,  .fiine  •-'(!,  ■_'7,  An-.  '_'.">, 
Oct.  7,  1.-,  •-'•■!,  Kov.  K!,  l,sr)S;  May  21,  .Juno  1.1,  .luly.'!,  1800;  IVh.  11,  .March 
10,  Apr.  1:!,  May  2,  l,i,  .lulyO,  Oct.  l.S,  Nov.  20, 'j'cc.  21,  1801;  .Jan.  14, 
Marcli  11,  22,  2;'f,  Apr.  14,  M,  .May  12,  Ki,  21,  Jiuiu  11,  .July  11,  12,  Au-  2  ., 
Sept.  i),  Oct.  i:t,  Nov.  10,  18(12;  .);.n.  :!0,  .Mar.li  22,  Apr.  21,  May  II,  Sept. 
8,  Oct.  no,  ISiJ.-l  ,Ja;i.  10,  14,  28,  20,  JVh.  20.  March  7,  22,  .31,  Apr.  I,  0,  19. 
May  1,  4,  10,  10,  21,  27,  -Tunc  9.  10,  21,  :!0,  .July  12,  20,  27,  Au','.  10,  12.  14, 
27,  S.pt.  12,  i;f,  r.i,  17,  Oct.  (1,  14,  Hi,  21,  .\ov.  11!,  2:!,  Dec  2S,  1,S(J4;  I-Vh. 
24,  Apr.  1,  :!0,  .-.lay  I'.l,  .Juno  2.  Aug.  f.,  L^(l.";  Feb.  22,  Apr.  2.'.,  .May  10,  ISOO; 
.Ian.  4,  9,  Kl,  19,  lib.  S,  l(j,  March  4,  7,  12,  2.",  Apr.  14,  May  24,  2S.  .\\v:. 
7,  2.'.,  Sept.  12,  Oct.  1,  21,  1807;  Jan.  14.  Oct.  20,  180';;  Ajir.  I.'!,  2.'!,  July  4, 
ISd'i;  Feb.  21,  b>70;  -M..y  i:!,  .Sept.  12,  Dec.  27,  lt.71;  Jan.  2(),  Feb.  14,  .March 
;JI,  Apr.  2S,  June  1(1,  20,  July  15,  Auu'.  18,  28,  !,s72;  .March  ;!,  18,  May  5, 
Oct.  29,  1S7;{;  Oct.  22,  IS74;  ."^ept.  19,'Oet.  2."),  187:';  May  IS,  Xivj:,.  2.".,  .Sept. 
10,  1870;  I'cb.  .*!,  May  12,  1877;  Aur.  :?,  1S7S;  .May  19,  FSO;  M^'V  Hi,  18>->l; 
Apr.  1(1,  l8->2;  .\pr.  .^  .May  J  I,  July  ."t,  1;vS4;  Jinfl.iin.  Jnnu  l-.'>,  7,  11,  12, 
2(i,  July  0,  8,  1"),  20,  2(1,  Kov.  :t,  Dec.  8,  •),  2S,  18.",8;  Jan.  :!,  II,  12,  Feb.  M, 
10,  Apr.  1.-),  18,  .".0,  .May  I  !,  IS,  .'{l,  Juuc'l,  10,  II,  2.-),  ;;o,  July  l.->,  l.S,  29,  nO. 
Aug.  1,  Sept.  1,  14,  19," Oct.  2S.  l.'co.  0,  1S."9;  Feb.  2:!,  .M.ay  4,  July  7,  18G0; 
.March  27,  June  11,  IS,  Oct.  l.">,  17,  2S,  Ni.y.  4,  0.  It,  2:!,  Isul;  .May  10,  July 
:;,  21,  Oct.  2:;,  Xiiv.  10,  Dec.  12,  IS(12;  Jan.  12,  IVb.  10,  ^ilarcii  I,  Apr.  21, 
Aug.  1,  19,  I>cc.  1(1.  lS(i:i;  June  9,  Sept.  20,  Oct.  21,  Nov.  10,  1801;  Jan.  10, 
Feb',  .-t,  Au','.  ;U,  lS(i,-;;  July  ;!,  ISCd;  Jan.  20,  Sept.  4,  Nov.  ;!,  ISOS;  Feb.  10, 
Oct.  2:!,  Nov.  2:!,  ISdO;  .Jan.  0,  I'eb.  1,  Juno  .'>",  Js70;  Ajir.  1,  Juno  20,  Dec. 
17.  1S72;  .March  :!,  4,  10,  S<.pt.  4,  1S7:'-;  .luly2J,  1.^74;  ^iav2.^  IS7,-);  Feb.  7. 
.May  :i,  AuL.'.  .'lO,  |.s70;  .luly  21!,  Au'j^.  1.  I.s77;  Au'.'.  0,  Oct.  II,  Nov.  4,  ls7S; 
Maivh  11,  Ai.r.  2.-),  28,  Juno  11,  Aug.  27,  1S79;  Apr.  29,  May  7,  12,  .luno  S), 

21,  July  I,  12,  20,  21,  20,  Aug.  2,  19,  20,  2:!,  2.'.,  29,  Sept.  22,  20,  :;(»,  Oct.  1, 
12,  1  1,  22,  21,  Nov.  8,  9,  24,  IS8I;  Aug.  27,  Jhn:!;  Apr.  4,  MayO,  ISHl;  Feb. 
27,  .March  12,  Oct.  21.  INS.-);  Call,  .Ian.  8,  .March  ,'11,  Apr.  12,  .May  27,  .luno 
19,  Oct.  8,  Nov.  2,  l.S(i4:  .Ian.  22,  Juno  4,  8,  ;iO,  Sept.  :!0.  1s(m:  Jan.  0,  19, 
1m  b.  1(1,  Marcii  22,  .May  24,  Aug.  7,  S«'pt.  12,  Oct.  24,  lS(i7:  Feb.  27,  March 
10,  Apr.  ;{0,  Aug.  ."),  Sept.  8,  2:t,  Oct.  2.'),   ISlJS;  Apr.  21.    IS70;  .lunc  S,  Oct. 

22,  1.S72;  Dee.  20,  1^74;  June  22,  lS7."i;  .NFay  12,  1870;  Apr.  «,  July  2;!,  1-577; 


774  IXDUSTRIZS,  COMMERCE,  AND  FINANCE. 

March  8,  June  10,  1878;  June  13,  1879;  Juiio21,  1882;  Jan.  12,  Feb.  2,  Apr. 
14,  18S4;  Feb.  2.'),  Morch  11,  Deo.  4,  18So;  Chronicle,  Dec.  l.'),  lS7(i;  JulyJ2, 
Seiit.  13,  1878;  Ai)r.  14,  ISSO;  Apr.  1,  1884;  Jan.  .">,  M.iivli  I,  i:5,  May  23, 
1SS5;  Conwi.  //(»•<//(/,  Aug.  ;ill,  1.^07;  Aug.  2!),  I.S(i8;  July."»,  1S77;  .four,  of 
<'onivifrr<;  May  2;i,  1877;  Jlor.  O'uzcUr,  Nov.  12,  1.SG4;  Nov.  !t,  lS(i");  Posl, 
Oct.  2:i,  1873;  June  22,  2.".,  187");  Apr.  27,  May  3,  Aug.  24,  28,  ;{(»,  31,  Sept. 
13,  2!),  Oct.  14,  19,  30,  Dec.  4,  7,  1870;  Apr.  7.  June  4,  Aug.  4,  1877;  July 
1(1,  1878;  July  24,  188.");  Padjic  Chiin/nndii,  Nov.  19,  1808;  Thms,  Miircli 
:;0,  Nov.  2,  22,  1807;  Jan.  14,  Apr.  1,  July  20,  Oct.  20,  27,  1808;  Feb.  10, 
jMai-cIi  1."),  1S09;  AhiiidPoM,  Jan.  8,  20,  1870;  Slotktoii  ludcju'tidnit,  in\y^y<l, 
]f-Si);  Aug.  19,  20,  18SI;  St<il<icooinExiir(>-.<,i\\\y'M,  1877;  Jii(i'Uh]ciicer,3sxu. 
13,  May  22,  Jun<.'  5,  17,  July  2.3,  .Sept.  3,  is:!);  Alfiinix  (Modoc  co.,Cnl.)Jii- 
i>'/,rii'.li lit,  .Sept.  29,  1.S77;  Asldund  'J"id\ii<js  (Or.),  A\\<^.  3,  1877;  Ohjmpht 
'J'liuiKcrijtt,  July  Ti,  1879;  Port  Tou-iixi iid  Arijii.t,  May  31,  1883;  Portland 
('(ttholic  Sentinel,  .Sept.  II,  1S79;  ]\'e.-<leni  Omjoniitn,  ,Iuuc  7,  14,  1S79;  (Jidi- 
fiivniaii,  AvLg.  1S8I,  j).  177;  I'injinid  (Xer.)  (.'/ironic/c,  Ayiv.  7,  1877;  Orerjon 
Stale  (Enijene  C!li/)  Joitrmil,  Apr.  10,  LSSO;  Ou/il  Hill  A»  "-x,  Juno  12,  180G; 
/;/  Fronte'rizo  (Ti'irson),  Jan.  27,  1S82;  I'orlland  Tvhiirmn,  Oct.  2!»,  31,  1879; 
Pirtland  Standard,  Awj,.  10,  1S77;  Portland  West  <V//o/v',  Jan.,  July,  18/7; 
Feb.,  March,  June,  18s6;  Sac.  hWorfl-l'nlo'i,  Feb.  29,  1S.'>0;  Aug.  22,  1800; 
Oct.  13,  31,  1879;  March  14,  May  10,  June  28,  Aug.  20,  23,  Ks'sl;  July  2o, 
1SS2;  Jan.  30,  Feb.  0,  1883;  Jan.  1,  12,  19,  Feb,  2,  March  18,  Apr.  20.  i884; 
Jan.  14,  Alarcli  12,  May  Ti,  23,  1SS5. 


INDEX. 


"Activa,"  sliip,  1."),  l'S. 

"Ai^tivc,"  U.  S.  sUaiiicr,  200,  40."),  (ilO, 

li-J-'. 
Adiiir,  JdIiii,  iiiiiicr,  ,").")0. 
Ailaiiis,  iiiiiiing  mi  FiT.stT  Kivcr,  ;M!)- 

M. 
Ailiims  Clock,  golil  (li.sciivtitMl,  4(iO. 
Adiiiiis  Ivivfi',  iiiiniiig  on,  4(10. 
Adiiiiis  Liikc,  gold  di-scovficil,  4G1. 
Addurloj-,  Mr,  on  11.  J>.  Co.'.s  cluii'tiT, 

;{7.s. 

".Vdclaido,"  ))aik,  .'((ii. 

.'Vdiiiiiiilty  liili^t,  original  iiaiiu',  1  I. 

Agrioiiltui'o  at  loit.s,  (il   •_',  ,SO,!):t,  1 10, 

"j-27  0,    l:!l,     IS-i  -.'O."),    -JliO;    among 

fur    tiailur.s,    SO,    SI,    .'il'J;    growing 

iiiiporluiice,  80;  areas  and  condition, 

KSSO  (i,  740-4. 

Ague,  i)rcvalcncc  of,  07. 

Ahcrn,  miner,  murdered  liy  Inds,  ~>'.\(), 

Alimisets  Jnd.s  attack  w  Iiites,  4l.'I). 

Aideii,  {.'apt.,  ill  eonid  of  "Active," 
li(iO,  V,-l-2. 

Alder,  Lt,  in  eoiiid  of  the  "  Three 
JJrotlieis,"  '28. 

Alfred  I5ar,  mining  nt,  441. 

Allan,  (i.  1".,  ju.sticc  of  peace,  '204. 

Allan,  Sir  ilngh,  railway  contract, 
(;.V2  4. 

.Vlhird,  ().,  ill  charge  at  Ft  Yale,  ;iS."), 

Allen,  miner,  murdered  liy  Inds,  ");{0. 

"America,"  H.  M.  S.,  1-20-4. 

American  ]?ar,  mining  at,  441. 

.\nder.soii,  A.  C,  on  H.  li.  Co.'s  policy 
to  Inds,  nO;  comd  at  FtColville,  00; 
at  Ft  Ni.s(iually,  0'2  H;  liiog.  and 
hihliog.,  l.")7-!M  expl(jr.  cxpedts  to, 
157-70,  17")-();  map  of  route,  1(!'2; 
oil  gold  discovery,  .'{40;  report  on 
gold  yield,  470;  on  mining  licensi's, 
.")71;  hildiog.,  701. 

Andrews,  ]{.  S.,  Aniei.  M:ttler  on  .S, 
Juan,  017. 

Aiulerson,  David,  Ijcforo  eoinni.  in 
Eng.  oiiH.  H.  Co.,  :WI. 


I  Ander.sou  fliileh,  mining  at,  4S2. 
j  .\iider.son  River,  ex|)edt.  on,  l(i7. 
'Antler   (,'it'ek,    mining   at,   4r»7,   470, 
401   ;!,    ,".12,    51.5;   town   at,   402  3; 
I      .society,  4!I2. 

.\nvil  l.-land  named,  '20. 

Applegate,  .).    K.,   .-ittacked   liy  Inds, 
IS5'.I,  014   15. 

".\iaii/a/u,  "  Spani.sh  ni;in-of-war,  20. 

Arctic    Crt'ck,    prospectors    on,    547; 
mining,  551. 

".\rgonaiit,"    slii[i,    seized    l)y    Span- 
iards,  17>S0,  S. 

Artcsi.-iii  Co.,  lease  and  plans,  400-500. 

Assenilily,  lirstoiiV.  I.,  .'{20 -7;  calle<l, 
.'(20;  (lualiticatioii  of  incmhers,  ,'{20 
1;  incmhers,  ,'{21,  ;i2(i  7;  husiiiess, 
.'122  7;  gov. 's  address  to,  .■{2'2-;{. 

Astori.i  as  a  trading  post,  7S  SI. 

Atnahs  Inds,  character,  I.'IG;  consjiir- 
acy  of,  \4'A. 

Auriferous  region,  extent,  5.'i0. 

Authorities  (pioted,    xxi-xxix,    72  7, 
:W0,  ,570  81,  (i04  5,  700  0. 

"Axeiiture,"  ship,  huilt  hy  N'ancoii- 
ver,  15. 


» 


liabine  River  prcspceted,  5.5G. 

Iiack,   Sir  (!.,  before;  conini.  in  Fug. 

on  II.  15.  Co.,  ;{S1. 
IJaillie,  'I'.,  visited  hy  McKlroy,  '200. 
liaillie,  llainilton's  l>ay  named,  101. 
linker,  I.t,  in  N'ancoiner's  expeilt.,  10. 
Hakerville,  ])rosperity  of,  710. 
Italcli,    ('apt.,    gold-hnntiiig    expeilt., 

.•{44. 
Maiil  Monntiiiiis,   mining  about,  .505; 

geology,  5i;{. 
Hall,  H.  .M.,  justice  of  peace  at  Lyt- 

toii,   410;   on  gold  discovery,   4.S0; 

gold    eomniissioner,     "200;    of    tirst 

legis.  council,  5S;{. 
I'allou,  \\'.,  starts  express,  .•f51   2. 
liaiiking  facilities,  1S8.5,  7.5.'{. 
Barclay,  (.'apt.,  vi.sit  of,  1787,  5. 
I  775  I 


IJ 


INDEX. 


Harclay   Souiiil    named,    5;    Spiiiiisli 

imiiie  for,  1 1. 
IJatf,  .M.,  niiiiiiiger  V.  Coiil  Co.,  oG!); 

mayor  Naiiainui,  .")7-l. 
.BaiuTiiiiiu   (111   ('arib(jo  geology,   r>l.'$; 

on  15.  ('.  coal-tiuM-s,  ")70. 
I'lurliir  ( 'laini,  milling  at,  4S8,  497. 
I!;u  kcrvilio,     iiiiportaiici^    4!)."),    50.'), 

.jl  II;  iiani(Ml,4!t7:  buriuil,  lS(iS,  4!t7; 

'lagis,   i>rovision.-i,    r>l();  Jt.    IJ.   Co. 

at,  ."jKi;  loading-rooiii,  iJlit. 
Harms,  I'lllis,  .stlls  Jl.  \\.  Co. 'a  prop- 
erty oil  S.  .Iiiaii  Isl.,  (iOS. 
Wiur,   11.,  coiidiK'tiiig  colonial  acadi- 

iiiy,  '-'(iO;  ulork  of  ass'Mul.ly,  .'UO. 
IJariiiMi!  KivtT,  mining  on,  4.">'.)  00. 
ikalo  Co.,  work,   lS(j(i-7,  <"ilS. 
Boar  llivir,  mining  at,  17!);  coal  dis- 
covered, .■)7i). 
Beautort  mine  coal  .seani,  ,")liS. 
"JSeaver,"  steamer,   M,  71   2  84,  !)-', 

!).•!,  !),■>,  101,  101),  l.SS,  ±S1),  405,  (illi. 
Beaver  JlarlKd',  coal  discovered,  18U- 

!•(!;  named,  IS8. 
Bedrock    I'lumo   Co.,    yiild,    iSLiS-K, 

.VIO. 
Bcgg  Creek,  mining  on,  50,"). 
I>e^l)ie,  M.  B.,  chief  jntitiee,  .■?.')7,  .'>lil, 

405,   408,   41-',   417,    42(1,  4-_'-J;   lirst 

cirenit,  4-_*'J;  eharaeter,  4-j;{  (i,  4:iO - 

'A;  disliked  iiy  miners,   I'M;  on  Fia- 

ser  Kiver,  4  !5;  on  mining,  4();!,  4li5  - 

ti,  514. 
Bell,  (i.  \V..  hanged,  V.  1.,  4.).-). 
Bell,    .las,  explores   Lightning  Crtek, 

50(i. 
IJell.icoolas  Indsat  \'h  toria,  4-J.S. 
Beliim;hain    Biiy  named,  'Ji';  Spanish 

name.  'Jl;  coal  liiscoverc  d,  l!i)();  fori 

on,  erected,  tji;i. 
15evis,  W.  11.,  revenue  oliirer,  405. 
Big  liar,  loeality,  45."j;  minmg  at,  457. 
Big  Bend  gold  e.\citemei:t,  470,   5l''_', 

5-.24,    .VJO,    5S!!;    ndning,    5;{1,    Xi.'t; 

failure,  5:{t. 
Birch,   .V.  N.,  of   llrst  legis.  council, 

.Vs.'l. 
Bireli  B.iy,  named,  "JO;  ."spanish  name, 

•J  I. 
lilanslinrd,    1!.,    visit    to  coal   mines, 

J:)5;  inliuenii'  on  colonization,  "J-'tl; 

Upptd  gov.  \.  1.,  '.'tM;  ariival,  "JOI!; 

to  serve  without  pay,  '-'07;  relations 

•with    11.     B.    Co.,    iHiS  7-',    '-^O-NO; 

character,   275;  resigns,    280-1;  Ik - 

fore  comm,   in  I'aig.  on  11.  B.  (Jo., 

.-(SI. 
Bl  ikily  Ishiml,  ()0(i. 
Blanehet,    plants   cross   on    A\'liitliey 

Isl.,  1840,  l(X». 


Blenkinson,  (1.,  at  l'"t  Itupert,  102-4; 

has  sailors  killecl,  27.'<. 
Blue  Nose    Bar,  gold  discovered,  411, 

444. 
Blunt   Island,    luil.  attack   on,    is.-.it, 

014-15. 
Bavley,    (,'.    .v.,    I'oroner,     N'aiiaimo, 

42li. 
Baynes,    Admiral,    arrives   at   Esipii- 

malt,    404-5;    in    comd    of    Knglisli 

lleet,  024;  actions  in  S.  .luan  all'.iir. 

024  5. 
Baxalgette,  (.'apt.  (i.,  in  eomil  of  I'.ng. 

troops  at  S.  .luan,  01!.'!, 
r)0<legav  <'uadra,  comm.   for  Spain  in 

Xdolka,  all.iir,   1702,  15. 
Bolduc,  .1.  B.    Z.,  at  Camosun,   07-8; 

ceh'l,r:ites  mass,  !)0;  at  W'hithey  Isl, 

00    100. 
Bond,   <i.    1'.,  r.  S.  commissioner  in 

S.  .luan  tiMul.ie,  010. 
Boston  r.ar,  ndning  at,  117-8. 
"Boxer,"  II.  .M.  S.,  572. 
I'radley,  II.,  di.s<M)vers  coal,  50S. 
liradley  Creek,  coalmining,  208. 
ISrew,  Chartres,  estahlishes  con.stahu- 

lary,  4(»1;  Hill  liar  tremble,  411;  of 

first  I'gis.  council,  585. 
Bridge  liiver,  mining  at,  45;}-l. 
Ihitish    .\mi  riea,  jurisdiction    of  Ca- 
nadian courts  in,  217. 
Hriti.-li  l'>Mr,  ndning  at,  45.5-7. 
I'riti-iJi  ( 'nlonist,  new.spaper,  7'!0. 
Britisli  Ccjliimliia,  summary  of  Parliest 

Voyages,  1   lU  ;  confignration,  li:{- 40; 

l)hysie:il   divisions,    ;14  5;    elim.atc, 

k)-:!;   fauna,    4:1  4;   natives,  44  51; 


fdiis,  ,52-72;  cxpluratioiis,  157-70, 
175  (!;  .gold  diseovered,  341-75; 
travel  to  mines,  .'!51-70,  '^^2;  ell'eets 
of  iliseovery,  .■!74-.5;  colony  ami 
govt  est^il.lishcil,  .'is:!;  II.  B.  (jo. 
stations,  ;{S.");  govt  of  1858  (t',\,  ;{88- 
418;  creuteil  einwii  colony,  400;  law 
estalilislied,  400;  acct  of  gold-lield.', 
420  2;  mounted  pi'lice,  4.'!1;  ])opii- 
lar  triluinals,  4;!0;  gidd  yield,  470-1 ; 
mining  population,  471,  4S2;  coal 
discoveriis,  5()5  80;  legis.  cniineil 
organized,  58;{;  a  province  of  the 
diiminion,  50S  (iOI;  S.  .luan  Isl.ind 
diilirulty,  (i05  !i:i;  Caiiiidian  I'ae. 
Uail\v:iy,  010  it."';  polities  and  govt, 
l87OM"),0;t0-7O0;  settlements,  j.SOl 
80,  707-717;  missions,  717  27;eilii- 
cation,  7'!4-8;  newspapers,  7'{0; 
imlustries,  700-0;  coininerce,  74(i- 
,52;   linanee,  75.'1  0. 

I)i'iti<h  ('ohind)ian,  ncwsp.'iper,  7.'!0. 

Brooks,  I'ort,  corl  discovelcil,  201. 


INDEX. 


ttt 


Brother    Jonatliaii,"    tlio    steamer,  |  C'ani'roii,  D.,  chief  jiiatiii?,  .'(•JT,  335- 


wrecked,  4(i7 


7,   lO.'i;   le.sij,'lis,    l-J-J 


IJroilj^litim  Aichi|)fl;ii,'o  iiaincd,  •_'(!.  ,  C'aiiin^im,  ixaiiiincd  hy  Uuuglaa,  S()-8; 
Hroiightoii,  Lt,  iiiciiiiiil  ol'  tlio  "Chat-  '      f-irl  built,  !tl   101. 

(.'aiiiiilx'll,  Ari'ii.,  L'.  S.  Loiiiiiii-ssiuinr 
ill  S.  .Iiiiui  truiiliK',  (iiO. 

Canadian  l>:ir,  niiniu'' at,  4(1,  CIS. 


nun. 


1.- 


q) 


dt.  ot  I7W-'    IS. 


ISriiUghtoii  iSti'uits,  Spuni»ih  naniu  for, 

2(i. 
IJrowii,  I).,  shiKitin^  of,  4."rJ. 


la.itr    ixcitcmi'nt. 


JU'own,    L.,    on     !• 

:{.vS. 
Itruu'ii,  I'.,  killed  l>y  Indians,  :t:!l. 


C'aiuidi.iii  I'acilic  Itailway,  causo  ol 
roiindiup;,  .">74;  n.isuns  for  aiiil 
iiguinst  i)roj.'i't,  (UO  I;  hill  carried 
in    th(!   conMnon.s,   (ill;    iixulution  < 


Dr    It.,    on   gold     discovery,         passed     hy    Canadian     j'arli.iincnt, 
KKI;    on   goicl-licid    lorniation,  4(i(i,  i      04.">  ti;  prciinnnary  .sni  \  e>s,  (i4!)- ."i'_'; 


iJn 


HI      v.     I. 

Charlotte  l.^l. 
K 


II,   .i(ii  ;   on  (.Mieeii 


iluifli    .Ulan    contract,    (i."i'.'   4;    tin 


t 


H 


(,'anar\ou  iirnis.  Old 


I. 


It    Will 


.\1. 


n 


deck,  .")l!l;  Jiri/e  essny  liy,  ',{',{)   |. 


jcsty,  (ii; 


[u^tilion  to 


I;   i;..rl  of  Di 


111  .s   .s|n>ccli,    tidlj   ((I;   contiact  uitli 


)ro\vii,    I  lios,  1,'old  discoverer,   llHi. 


JJr. 


'o«  ne,  Ivosa,  on 


( 'oluiiil 


jia  ''o 


Id-Ueld 


syiidicali',  h,>\  enginci'iin, 


illiciil- 


'  I 


tie 


i;sl    !;    I'ort    -M 


jiiclMiiaii,    I' 
a  I  lair,  liJii. 


ooily,    reasons 
selection   a.s    teriiiinus,    ()64  (i; 


actions  in   S.   .Iiian  i      eoni|)letioii  of  the   Ii 


lie,  (,•>, 


Ct  ts 


Buckley "s  [Lirty  i>rospecting,  ."ill). 


undertakiii,^,  (i>i7   IM. 
( 'anal  ile  .S,i.-,aiiiat.     .See  11 


islly 


Inlet. 


ikl. 
M 


1".  A. 


lie 


Ihi 


,),. 


II  a  re  wool  I  Coal    (  Miioe  coiintiy  inining,  h'lfi.  I7.'I. 
I  ( 'aii.m  (.'reck,  iniiiiii''  at,."iO;i   Id. 


rns  (  reel 
IS7.-) 


on,  4^J; 


.1." 


CaiK'lia    Jnil.    attac 
lisjier,"  l^ill. 


o.i    liu 


ving- 


liin|)ee,  Mr,  ()ii.;inales  Canadian  I'ac.    (ajie    hi-iMiipoinlnicn',    Caii'..    .\leuii 


JlaiU 


(144. 


at,  l7vSS,  »>;   iradiiiL'  ("i.-it  at,   I.S'J 


Jliinard  Inlet,  S|)ani>h  nanie  foi',  'JI4;  ;  Cape    Jjocikont,    (.'aptaiii    .Mearcs   at, 


coa 


1.1 


iseovi'iei 


i; 


>s-(i. 


I'.irton,    Ijeilt,    destroys    Iii.iiMii    \  il-  Cape  (Mfonl  ii:i 


III 


'4. 


Kutler,  Cai>t.,  at  Ma 


j  "Ciiptiiin  Cook,'  siiip,  17S. 


nsoii  I  reel 


(  :irrv. 


i: 


lilt  uiscoveri  r, 


Carilioo.  iniiiiii''  in,  47<i,  47'-'  "-,  .">l(» 


Hull,  r,  \V: 


-•ttlc 


S.  .h 


111;  I 


(i 


por 


t,  ,"i47  !l. 


ild-liuntiii^'   i'.\peilt.    ic- i      .")l(i. 


it  ri':;ion,  17  t;  ini.ssionai  its 
itlii 


IMp 

>l;i;     intllUlice     of    excitelnellt. 


C'uainano,  coind  of   the   "Ariiiixji/.i 

•J!). 
Cache  Creek  tov.ii,  in'outli  of,  4.'iS. 


•Cadl-i 


•h 


;»,  7-',  ltd,  mm;. 


('aid«el!.  Will,  licfoie  coinin. 


II  II.  15.  C 


:!si. 


C:i.Iiforiiia,    eU'ect   of    I!.  C. 


in   V. 


M 


(,'ariiar\ou  Cliil)  oiL'ani/ed,  (illj 


mauds  of,  li'.l'.l. 


Carnarvon   tci 


(i(il   -1. 


acei:|>tanco  of   Ih 


( 'M-\n 
( 'arm 


(  1 


eel;  inlliing,  ,  (.i'J,  .i.l 


a  UK, 


d    di.i 


ISO 


'  (.'aroliiu 


ii|>,  III  I. 


('aritenter  r>iir,  luiiiiii;.;  at,  .Vi!(. 


(  .in  ler.- 


Inds 


cli.iraci.  ;r, 


Caitier,  Sir  C.    Iv    act'o 


Id  ill  r 


xeilie 


cove; 


U  X,l, 


■J.M,    47.S; 


Uail 


wav,  <!.»!    ■_'. 


c.xodiiH   oi    iioijuiation. 


.TiS  1»,  ;(»;•_•; ,  C 


C 


II. 


licitor  u'cncral  IJ.  ( ' 


reseiiihlance  to   li.,ser   Kiver 
liclds,  4((ll:  coal  formaiioii,  ."lOti. 


K'^ 


hl- 


4(l.>. 


(• 


Col, 


recllloli 


I'ic 


•U    at   .S. 


alitoiiiia   miiuns   a 
ISO  I. 


t    I'oit    \'ict< 


California  Creek,  mining  on,  4;' 


lOO. 


Call  »' 


iiiai  named 


•_'(l 


Calvert  Island  named,  "il!. 


Cameron    liar,    miiiii 
4.'>1,  4(5  J,  Hl."i,  4'.I7, 


it,  411 


4 1: 


liaii,  (iJ'_';  liupiudeiice  ot,  (i'JJ  ;i 


Sec,  action 


Casey  liar,  gold  discovered,  441. 

(  'ass^ 

Cassiar  milliner  district,  location 


s  III   >.   .Itiaii   all. Ill 


■.4;{; 


lid  1  \i  itcnient,  iSCil,  .I."!'.!;  mining, 
"ill  (II. 


m 


v^ 


INDEX. 


Cattle  bronght  into  N.  W.,  (»'2;  at 

iorta,  100-7;  stealing,  XU. 
Cavunaugh,  A.,  miner,  n;uiderc(l  by 

J  nils,  230. 
Cayoosli,  Ind.  village,  4.")2. 
C'ayusoa,  Inda,  cliaractfr,  50. 
L'etlar  Creek  prospucteil,  487-8. 
Centraa,  Ciipt.  Jolni,  treats  witli  In- 

(liaMH,  liiHi. 
Cliiuicellor  sent  from  Knj,'.   t(j  report 

on  mines,  '2'M. 
<'lia])man    party    prospeeting,     1800, 

.-.47. 
Cliiuliomiedern,    A.,    in    Anderaon*!* 

explor.  expdt.,  l.")0. 
CliarleH,  Wm,  manager  Hudson's  IJay 

Co.,  I'acilic  coaxt,  '.iS'2. 
"Cliutham.'JI.  M.  S.,  l.".,  IS,  21,  '-'S. 
('Iicadle,    report  on   gold    formation, 

4S(i;  at  Cariboo  mines,  4!).S. 
Cliumanis   district,    coal    discovered, 

.")7'.>. 
Cherry  Creek,  nuning  on,  a.SS. 
Cliileat.s,  Inds,  .attack  ■whites,  48. 
Chilkotius,  liids,  altuck  on  pack-train, 

428. 
Chilliwack  Kiver,  coul  discoverd  on, 

.■)71». 
Chimsyans,    Ind.s,    at   Victoria,    42S; 

missionaries  among,  71!'. 
Chinese,  Jml.  regard  for,  40;  mining 

in  golddields,  ;(20,  .'WO,  ;!4:{,  MS,  :{II8, 

444,  4.">4-5,  458-0,  471,  487-8,  .■)01, 

.'.00,  511,   520,  540,   541,   551,  5.">:i, 

.")0;{;  at  Victoria,  710-11. 
Cldnese  ipicslioii  in  Jl.  C,  711-12. 
Chinooks,  laiiiiuage  of,  51. 
Cdisliolm  Cruck,  mining  at,  482,  507. 
CldtLciidon,  X.  If.,  l)il)li(ig.,  750. 
Christian,  .).,  opens  mine,  4(iO. 
Christy  opposes  il.  J{.  Co.,  21:5. 
('lallams,  Inds,  country  of,  o;!-4;  at- 
tend mass,  !)!). 
(Ilayoijuet  ilarhor,  N'aueouver  winters 

at,  15. 
(;i;iyton,  traile  controversy,  207. 
Clearwater  Kiver,  nuning  on,  o05. 
Clinton,  j)roMperity  <if,  710. 
"Clio,"  il.  M.  .S.,  417;  attacks  Ind. 

village,  429. 
(Jloak  Hay  named,  5, 
Coal     discoveries,    180-06,     196-200, 

16."»-80;   formations,  .Wo-S;  license 

to  discover,  571-2;  nunc  regulations, 

577-8;  nnnister's  rei»ort,  577;  yield, 

1884,  750. 
Colnett,   Capt. ,    ship    of,    seized    by 

■Spaniards,  8. 
"Cohunbia,"  U.   B.  Co.  ship,  8,  15, 

120,  2.18. 


"Colund.ia.'T.  M.  Co.  steamer,  3.">9. 
Colund>ia  Kiver,  failure  to  enter,  1792, 

29;  settlers' encroachments  on,  81; 

ndncs,  520-42;  geology,  528. 
Cohunbia  and  KiMitenai  Kailway  Co. 

incorporated,  G9i. 
Colvillc  Coty,   gold  discovered,  348; 

mining,  520-1. 
Connnercial    Inlet,    coal    discovered, 

198,  200. 
"Coiinnodore,"  steamer,  .SfiO,  361. 
"Cormorant,"  ship,  KU,  100,200. 
( 'omox  coal  seam,  area,  570. 
Comox  Harbor,  coal  mining  at,  508, 

578. 
"Concepcion,"  ship,  29. 
Confederation  (irst  mooted  1822,  595; 

in  efl'ect  1841,  .'>95;  l>.  C.  a  province 

of  the  donuiuon,  598-002. 
Conklin  (lulch,   mining  at,  482,  500, 

508,  51.-). 
Connolly,    Nellie,    marries    Douglas, 

289. 
"Constance,"  frigate,  124,  ISO. 
Convict  labor  at  N'ietoria,  4.Vi. 
(Jook,  (Japt.  .lames,  at  Nootka  1778, 

3;  map,  .'{;  on  I'acitic  coast,  4. 
Cooper,  .las,  trader  on  Fiaser  Kiver, 

255-0;  settles  at  .Metcliosin,  2.")0-7; 

at   Ksipiimalt,    200;   signs   si'ttleis' 

petition,  314;  befoic  connn.  in  Kng. 

on    II.    15.    Co.,    'Mi\;   on  gold  dis- 

coveiy,   .S50,   354;   of  council,  281, 

310,  .320. 
Cop;ds,  Indian  chief,  393. 
Corbett,  (1.  ().,  before  comm.  in  Eng. 

on  11.  r..  Co.,  :wi. 

Citrdoba  Harbor,  10.     See  N'ictoria. 

Corn\>all,  * '.  1'".,  cliief  magistrate 
1881   0,  704. 

"Coitc's,"  steamei-,  .3(il. 

CJottonwood  Creek,  mining  at,  515. 

Coucey,  ('apt.  .Michaelde,  at  Ks(pn- 
malt,  404. 

Council,  pi-ovisional,  of  V.  I.,  310. 

Courtney.  Capt.,  at  V.  I.,  124. 

Courts,  Canadian,  jurisdiction  in  l>. 
A.,  217. 

Cowiehins,  Inds,  attend  ma.ss,  95  99; 
attiiek  l''t  Camosnn,  107-10;  i)oug- 
las'  policy  toward,  331;  nussionaries 
among,  719. 

Cowitcheli  Jiav,  coal  discovered,  .567, 
578. 

"Cowlitz,"  H.  IJ.  Co.  ship,  120. 

Crease,  11.  I*.  1'.,  of  first  legis.  coun- 
cil, 583;  judge,  706. 

Crest,  W.,  gold  di.scoverer,  .')45. 

Crickener,  B.,  chapluiu,  arrives  V.  I., 
407. 


INDEX. 


7W 


Cri(lj;e,  view  of  Douglas,  299. 
Croitoii,  J.  1"'.,  lifforo  coniiii.  in  Kiig. 

on  11.  B.  Co.,  .-{SI. 
Ciuiil  a,  fxploratioii  of,  1774  9,  ',i. 
Cuniiin^liani  Ci'cck,   iiiininj,'  at,  477,  ! 

479.  4.S9-9I,  497,  .'>(H). 
('iiniiiiii,'liani,  W'.,  exploration  (,f,  .")(MI. 
( 'unislifwas  Harljof,  toal  muini  at,  r)74. 
"  Ciiilt'W  ,"  wloop,  .'{til. 
Ciitlir,   L.   A.,   lioj,'  aH'air  of  S.  .Iiiun 

Ifsl.  lh.-.9.  (ill)   17. 
(.'ypi'oss  i.tlantl  named,  "JO. 


D 


"DaHlaliis,"  II.  M.  S.,  -.'S,  '2'.),  -274.  | 
Uaily  I'M'ninj,'  I'o.st,  ncw.sjiiiper,  7<{9.  ' 
l»aily   anil     Weekly   (Jolonist,    news- 

jjiiper,  7;{9. 
Daily  anil    Witikly  Stanitanl,    news- 

l)apiT,  7.">9. 
Dallas,    A.    (i.,    claims   S.    .Iiian    fm-  j 

liiitisii  »oil,  (!l(i. 
"  Dameraii  C'ovi!,"  sliip,  ."{44. 
"Daplme,"!!.  M.  S..  1274,  -JSI. 
Datson,  nnirdei' of,  4;i."i.  ] 

Davis,     AVm,    in    Anderson's    explor. 

expdt.,  I.")9. 
Davis  (iuleli,  minin;,'  at.  4.S'2. 
Dawson,   (1.    M.,   on   Caril)oo   mines, 

47-',  r)l.'{;  on  15.  C.  coal,  r.ti7,  .")79: 

railway  survey  expedt.,  ().")(). 
Day  Bar,  mining  ;il,  4.->.">-7. 
Deadwood    l>ar,    gold   iliseovered    at, 

441. 
Deans,  (I.,  .settles  at  \' .  I.,  "J.^S, 
Deans,   .la.s,    lilog.,    IKi-l.");  at   V.  I., 

•2.">.S-9. 
Deaso  Ijiike,  mining  at,  .")<iO  "J. 
Deeatur  Island,  (i(Hi. 
l)eeeptioii    Day,   Captiiin    Meares  at, 

I77.S,  (i. 
Deei'ption  Passage  named,  IS. 
De  (  ouiey    Islands,   eoal    diseovered, 

.■)(i7,  ."i79. 
De   Courey,    -Maj.,    niagistiate   at   S. 

.hian,  (ii.S. 
Deep  Sea  lilnlV  namnl,  "JO. 
De  (Jroot,  il.,  on  gold  di.scDverv,  IMS, 

;r»o,  4(i;{. 

Demnan,  Admiial,  destroys  Ind.  \il- 

lag',-,  42!). 
Derliy,  town,  4(Hi  7. 
Desolation  fSoniid  named,  '_*•"). 
Destruetiou  Island,   ('apt.   .Meares  at, 

I7SS,  (i. 
"Devastation,  "  11.  M.  S..  4'_'!t. 
Dewdney,  K.,  surveys  William  Creek, 

50-;  on   vootenai  trail,  r».W. 


Deitz,  W.,  miner,  483-4,  49.">;  claim, 

497. 
Diller,  miner,  480. 
"  Discovery,"  11.  M.  S.,  1.5,  1«,  t-'d. 
Discovery  claim,  mining  at,  4SS.  494, 

r.07,  rios,  r>-_»7,  rm,  h'M,  :m,  5Ui. 

Dixon,  ({ec,  visit  of,  17S7,  5. 

Dixon  Strait  named,  5. 

Dog  Creek,  mining  at,  4.')0. 

Donnellan,  15.  C,  eidef  of  police,  402. 

Douglas    coal    mine,    work    !it,    509; 
compared  with  Newi'astit!,  .')7"-'. 

Douglas,  ('apt.,  visit  (jf,  I7SS,  (i. 

Doit-las,  David,  death  of,  Ki.'). 

DonL;l,'is,  .lames,  hnilds  foi-ts.  (S,  {)'>- 
nil,  "JilO;  .piarrel  with  Me.Veill,  (i!»- 
71;  explores  Tako  river,  ()7-'i2; 
visits  CmI.,  7"-',  291;  surveys  Hoyal 
IJiiy,  S7;  report  on  ( 'amosini,  SS-9; 
on  Msf|iiimaU,  S9-9(l;  character, 
ll.'i,  IIS,  120,  292  ."i,  .SS7;  chi.  1' 
factor,  119,  2!>.'>;  at  Ft  N'iineonver, 
l.'U;  at  Ft  N'ieloria,  IS.'i;  repr)rt  on 
coal  discoNery,  IS9-90;  visits  coal 
nnnes,  I '.19 -2(MJ;  opposes  lllansliaid, 
2()ti,  27S;  on  eouinil,  2S1;  on  hoard 
of  manML'einent,  2s;!;  uov.  of  \'.  1., 
2S:t,  .•{|0  2S;  hio-.,  2s.-)-9(i;  early 
relations  to  .Mid.on_'idiii,  2S(i;  edu- 
cation, 2S.")-90;  marriage,  2SS-!I; 
rescues  Lassertes,  291  2;  personal 
appearance,  292-;{,  2l)!t-:i()();  retires 
from  II.  |{.  Co.,  29(1;  death,  29li; 
compared  to  .McLouirhlin,  29li,  .'{(M) 
9;  calls  lirst  assemlily,  .'{20;  policy 
to  Inds,  299,  ;{:!l-.");  policy  to  set- 
tlers, :;o.")-();  iid<lress  to  ,\ssend)ly, 
.'^22-;!;  rept  on  ;,'old  discovery,  '.Us 
i)\,  .■{.'>;{  4,  .'{70,  47.'>,  .'i2l;  mining 
proclamations,  ;i.""i2  ;i,  402  .'!;  ]'<diry 
to  golil  nailers,  :{(il,  :iM  II,  :{70-l. 
.•{SI-2,  .•(S(!-94,  400,  4(IS;  (lov.  of  15. 
C,  .'{Si,  .'iS7,  401  ;<,  40.');  examines 
mines,  ;)90  t;  witlidraws  from  II. 
H.  Co.,  40.'{;  adilress  presented  to, 
r)S7;  l;ni;,'hted,  .■|S7;  character  as 
gov.  ."iSS  9;  proclamation  jigainst 
inxasiiin  of  .S.  .hian,  020;  comnnm. 
on  S.  .luau  all'air,  021. 

Doii.Lrias,    Wni,    ship    of,    seized    l>y 
S[)aniar(ls,  S. 

Downie,  Maj.,  leport  on  nunes,  .")14, 
."i70,  ."•7S. 

Dr.'igon  Kocks  namecl,  I,"). 
Draper,  W.  H.,  hefore  comni.  in  Kng. 
on  II.  U.  ('..,  .•!s|. 

"  Driver,"  ship.  2(;(;. 

Dnll'erin,  Karl,  visit  and  speech,  0.')4, 

(>(;(>-72. 
DutHn,  Kobt,  explor.  trip  of  17S8,  0. 


m 


INDKX. 


iHiiiluir  tliiiin,  yicM,  ."lOS, 

JJiiiicuii,    Wtii,     iiiisNiDiiary    act.     »n 

ii)iii.'intrate,  4;U,  71'S. 
Dmiii,  J.,  hihlioj,'.,  KS8  !». 
|)iiiisiiiiiir,  Kol)t,  coal  discovery,  'u'2, 
|)uii.simiir  coal  mine,  .")(!'.(  7(*,  ")7-. 
|)iiiit/e,  Capt.  J.  A.,  visit  of,   I'-M  .'), 

lay. 


K 


K.ijrie  Bar,  ;.">iil  (liscoviToil  at,  441. 
KiiliU-  l'a.si,'i;ist   lail  of  ( '.  1".  laid  lit, 

US7. 
KVicy,    1.     \.,    autioiis    la    S.    .Iumm 

tlouldc,     isr)4,    (i()7  !S;     iiiui'der    of. 

iii;t. 

Ivl^'ar,  .lan'cs  I).,  autioiu-i  in  Canadian 
I'ac.  Kail'.vay  aliiiir,  (!.")() -S, 

KiliiL'utiuii,  !lHr(.V,S4,  7;!i   S. 

i'Msvaids,  J.  I'].,  discovcr.s  ;,'()Id,  4S0. 

Kljiin,  i,oril,  i;oiiiijlaint.s  a;^aiiist  il.  I>. 
Co.,  lM'_';  iiivc.sli.;ati'.s,  •JJi'J. 

Kli«,v,  f.\i)dt.  of  I7!)|,  11    14;  niai.,  !•_•. 

Klisa  i!ay.     See  I'eddcr  Uay.  I 

Mlleiil)Oi(n'.^'!i  peiiiii-iiila  named,    I'.ll.j 

J'lllice,  K.,  I\l.  P.,  on  enloniziilion,  'MS; 
on   V.    I.  grant,  '2'.\0;  on  cliaiaeter  I 
II.    li.   Co.,   .'{78;  ln'foie  connn.    in  | 
Kng.  on  II.  li.  Co.,  .TSl.  I 

JOimoie  ( iuleli,  ndniiig  at,  ."..'>4. 

Jhnery,  11  Iv,  at  Naiiaimo,  |n7I,  .'>7-.  | 
/  Knioiy  ll.ir,  ndniiig  at,  4  Hi,  ilil,  |(i.").  j 

lOhvyn,  'i'liomas,  ju.stii  e  of  tlie  peaet' 
at  J.iiioet,  4l!i. 

"  Kngland,'' sliiii,  ll'.").  '2~,'.',. 

l']nglanil  olleis  reward  for  discovery 
of  N.  W.  iia>i.sage,  ;{-4;  .siiid.s  eomm. 
to  Wa.s'i.  to  negotiate  treaty  l!i«l, 


ij;i 


lelield   lialli. 


■Ad 


il7 


discovery  at, 


Fansliawe,  Capt.,  attaek.t  Tndiuns, 
•-'74  .->. 

Karri.s,  Mieliael,  .Amer.  settler  on  S. 
■hiun,  (il7. 

"  Katintltu'oy,"  brig,  (ilO. 

"  Kelice,''  sidp,  ."i,  H. 

"  Fenis,"  shi].,  -Jit. 

I'Y'vy  Creek,  ndning  on,  .'10. 

I"'ery,  .iLdes,  on  Carilioo  mines,  .")I4. 

Ferguson  liar,  locality,  4ij.")-(l;  min- 
ing at,  4."i7. 

Fidalgo,  S.,  (apt.  of  tlic  "  I'rin.tesa." 
•JO. 

I'"it'e  l'ass;ige  namitl,  •_'(!. 

Fittv-loiir  Forty  liai',  golil  discovered, 
111. 

Finance,  rexeniie,  iind  expeniiitMic, 
IS(i;{,   r>,S4;   |SI»4,   .V.H)   I;    I.S70,   (i(W. 

Finiay,   .las,    i'\ploi-es    Finlay  Uiver, 

Finlay  Uiver,  nninng  on,  '>'M),  "(4 ().").*>. 

Finlayson,  li.,  witli  Dongl.is,  71,  10(1; 
conid  at  Ft  Cunio.sun,  lOl  l.'i,  I  IS- 
.•{•_';l.il.liog.,  l();{-4;  ehaiactei',  lOt  ■ 
(i,  I."i7;  defends  Ft  Camosiin,  lO.S- 
10;  at  Ft  Victoria,  Isl;  discovers 
coal,  ISS;  chief  aieount.int,  '-'.S'J-.'l; 
signs  sittleis'  petition,  .•{14;  mem. 
of  eonneil,  .■>'J();  on  gold  diseoviiy, 
:i4S  !»,  .TiO  (;();  trea.s'urer  II.  I?.  Co., 
;i.")'.l-tiO;  eiiief  factor,  'Mi'2;  at  unnes, 
.-)!(),  .-.1:7. 

"Fis-ai(l,"ship,  l-J-l-5. 

Fislierii    ,  valui^  and  e\tent,  740-8. 

Fislieivalc,  rise,  1^04,  ."rj;{-4;  famine, 
!:*(;."),  .VJ4;  tiniled  down  l>S(;(i,  ."i-_Vi. 


•it/Lreral( 


■■2-S>  (I 


Fit 


/huuii  .Sound  iKinii 


it  of  v.  I. 


'20 


luit,  Noel,  Amer.  settle)-  on  .'^.  .hian, 

017. 
"  Fntcr))rise,"  steamer,  .'{04,  is~. 
l-a-ic.sson  .Mining  Co.,  yield,  41(8,  500; 


nieiulieiv 


dO 


Mrniatin''er  at   l*'t  Kamk; 


'1' 


l.i.- 


l'jiji|utmalt  li.irlioi',  original  name,  10; 


(U 


iji'iption. 


Dounl; 


i.s  exannnes, 


Fit/.william,  C.  \\  .  W.,  hel'ore  eomm. 

in  Fug.  on  II.  I!.  Ci).,  :{.SI. 
Fit/.william,  ivirl,  on  .settlement  \'.  1., 

•J(W. 
Flattery  Cape  n.imed,  -f. 
Fleming,  San<lford,  of  the  Pac.  Jlail- 

way  construction  i  'o.,  0.j.'}. 


Forl»i 


l>r. 


on  nnnes,  ,> 


<':i  go 
i:i,  .-)7I. 


Id  di: 


'•y. 


SO  !KI;  society  at,  714. 


'.siiuima 


It 


am 


1     X, 


niaimo     railw 


contiact  for  const  luif  ion,  OICJ 


>y. 


Kthol 


m,  uov.  o 


f  Sitka,  OS,  L>()7 


kdle.l  l.y  Indians,  .'{(iS. 


Kll 


d. 


|{.  C 


on  gold  discovery. 


F 


x)ieiimeiit,'  s 


hip,  •JO 


Forhes,  ('liarles,  ]irizc  essay  by, 
I'ort  Alluit.  See  i*'t  Caniosun. 
h'ort  Alexander,  location,  57. 


40.'^; 


700. 


Fort 
1' 


location,  .")7-8. 


ort  r>ellinL;han 


1  estahlibhed,  (il7. 


F'ort  Caniosun  founded,  !C2 -101 ;  pur- 


1" 


)f.    !K(;    cattle   at,    100- 


at- 


Kxiiorts,  list  and  value,  ISS4,  7">l 
E.xpresd  liar,  gold  diseovereil,  4^  I. 


tacked  liy  liids,  107-10;  description, 


111-10: 


name  change 


IIS. 


Fort  (Jolville,  removal  of,  184. 


INUKX. 


781 


Tort  Connolly  l)iiilt,  '2W. 

I'ort  Uuliunco  I'lectrd  IT!*-.  !•'•. 

Kurt  K(liii()ht(jii,  niiiiiiiL;  at,  ^)'2Ck 

l''ort  Fni.si  r,  location,  .'>'. 

l''ort  <!f(jif,"'')  location,  r»7. 

l-'oit   llop'j  fstiiMi^iiiiMl,    17<>;   iniiMjr- 

tancf,  .■{!»:{. 
!''irt    Kuiiiloops,    location,    1.'14,    l.'{(!; 

(.■oMiiiiaiiiliis  ot,   I'M   ."i; 'l"o(l  .'it,  l;>4- 

r»(>;  ln>ls  liacliiiL?  at,  i;fti;  MiualiWii  / 

conHpiiacy,  l.'Urili. 
I'oi't     Lanjilcy.     nitiiation,     .V.t;     tU-- 

stroyeil,  07;  an  a  trailing  jiost,  S'J. 
I'liit  Md.coil,  loratioii,  ,"i7. 
l'"oit  McLoii^'liliii,  location,  ."(!l;   ubun- 

i\nu>:\,   !i;{,    100. 

I 'oil  Ni-ii|nally,  ngric.  at,  02. 

I'oi  t    Uii|r.Tt  i'stul)lisli»Mt,    li»;{-4;   fco- 

ciily  at,  l'.)4-."i;  coal  mining,  l!K{-(i. 
I"(  It  St  James,  lor;ilion,  ."iT-S. 
l''oi'  SiniiJ.son,  situation,  .'I'.l. 
I'oi't    Tako  esl.'ilili-ilicil,    -IS;   location, 

:>'.);  Iiiiilt,  7-';  alandoncil,  'Xi,  100. 
I'oi't  'riicjmp.soii.  ."^1  c  I't  Kaml<io|i.-i. 
I'(ji't   Vancouver,   ligric.   at,  OJ-.'!;  li- 

lirary  at,  ti;(. 
I'ort  Victoria,  .  -^  a  post,  IIO-L'O,  i;!0; 

lio.spitality  at,  I'Jl   .');  iigric.  iil,  J'_'7- 

!),    131;   as  a  ulialing  station,   I'JS; 

ri.sing   importance,    l'_'  ,   \'M);   town 

lai'l  out,  'S>S.  See  J'ort  Camosiui. 
l''ort  Vale  cstalilislicd,   17l-<i. 

I'oi'tsof  15.  v.,  r<:i-',-2,  i;!i». 

l''ortH,  catalogue  of,  7-1    ">•!. 
l''oits,  nortlurn,  liiapof,  l',):{. 
'•  I'orty-Xinc,"  .slcanur,  r)."!:i-4. 
i'orty-niiiu  Creek,  niiiiini;  at,  in  1807. 

rj.'io, 

Foster  lJ;ir,  mining  at,  4'>\. 
Fou'iiictt,  Fatiicr,  mi -sinnnry,  ~\S. 
l"'oiil\vcatli(;r  lllull'niimcil,  1(1. 
I'oiilweatlier  Ca|ie  n.'inied,  4. 
Fountain,   the,  mining   at,  440,  4.")l- 

5,  4r.l,  4.S-2. 
Koy,  M.,  miner,  r)4G. 
Foy,  r.,  miner,  Ti.'u 


l''r 


isef,    A 

LS70,  o. 


pros pec 


ts   JS'ulLou   Uive 


]''ra.'!er,    1).,   on  Carilioo   miiu 
on  gold  discovery,  4.S('>,  4'.rJ. 
l''ru.ser,  I'aul,  at  Umpi 


4S': 


i-_'ii 


Friiser  liiver,  iliseoveiy  of,  24;  Sir  <i. 
iSimjison  descends,  l.">'.);  eliaractt'r 
of,  llil;  gold  discovered,  'A'<'.\  A; 
excitement  begin^i.  ;}."),'i-(i;  mining 
on,  4:{S,  401,  4(j.s-71;  cliaraeter  of 
mines,42!t  40;asceniledl)yMte,nners, 
444;  overlanil  routes  to,  44.")-7,  410- 
.■)0;  kinds  ot  gold  in,  4I)'J,  40.')-0; 
rusli  to,  400-8,  5-'--';  yield,  408-71; 


coal    discovered,    ."i77,    •"'"!•;    liridgo 

across,  (ISO. 
Fra.ser    Rixcr    i{ail\v:iv    ( 'o.    incorpo- 

lateil,  OKI. 
I'laser,  .Simon,  bililiog.,  702.      li*^ 
l'"rederick  Arm,  .Spaiiisli  name  for,  20. 
I''ree  Press,  iiewspiijier,  7'i!'. 
I'leezv,   Ind.  cliief,  cliaraeter,  .'>l. 
Frem'li  ii.ir,  mining  at.  111,   III.  I.M, 

4.".:t. 

Freneli  (,',in:idia:is  ;is  m  ttlers,   .'ill,  (;2, 

2  IS. 
I''rineli    Creek    mines   dlscoNCled,  ."iJJl , 

\  iiid,    .">!!2;     lioiided,    ."i;!!;    .lecline, 
■  V). 
I'ririiiUy   Co\i',    .Meares   erects   Ilouso 

at,  in  I7>>s,  ,"i. 
I''ry,  .1.,  director  \'.  (,'oal  Co.,  'M). 
I'lica  Sir.iit  n.'inied,  (!. 
I'ur-tia'lers,    language,    ol-.":     in     1'. 

('.,  ."i.'i  72;  dress,  .Vl-.");  .•issimilation 

witli    ii.itives,    ,-i4-.-i,    120  :iO,    210; 

horse    lirigaile   of,    ."■!);    hospitality, 

120;  as  colonizers,  221,  217;  life  of, 

28S. 


& 


Caliano,  C.'jpt.,  expedt.  of    17l>2,  2i)- 

8;  ma]i  of,  2.'{, 
( J.'imliling  in  C.irihoo,  ijis. 
"(iiinges,"  II.  M.  S.,  401,  021. 
(I.'udiier,  (J.  C.,    U.   S.   eommi.s  doner 

ill  .S.  .Iiian  tronlile,  010. 
(leni'ge,   di'y-diggiiigs,    l<ic:ilioii,     101; 

iiiiidie/  at,  40'i. 
"(;,oi'giana,"ship,  341,  .'tOl. 

<  lermanscMi  Creek,  miniie.',  .V)],  .").3. 

<  •erniaiisen,  .las,  gold  discuverir  lS70, 

.-..■)  1. 
•  ienuaiiy,   .S.   .Iiiau  (|iiestion  referri-il 

to  eiiini  Till'  of,  O.'iS-O. 
"(Jcitrii. lis, "slop,  20. 
(JiMis,  I!.,  captured  liv  Iiids,  127. 
(iilchrist,  tiial  fur  murdir,   l.".2-.">. 
(iladstone,   W.  Iv,  ii])l)o.sc.s  11.    n.  Co., 


212,  214,  2:!:{,  :i7o. 


(lo!d 

(ioM  ili 


commissioner,  iio 


scovei'y, 


1' 
15.  C,  IS.-, 


jwers,  421. 


ill 


.'.,  4:!8-02;   on   the   Fi'aser   Hive 


4,    4;!S;    efTect 


A\'i 


d 


Or.,  .•{.■.(;;  elVect  on  Cal,,  :r»7-'i'2,  .'172 
;>;  ellect  on    15.  ('.,  '.i~ \  ,">;   ell'ect  on 
fur  trade,  .T)2;  on  Iiids,  .-{02;  in  Car- 
ilioo   .'(uintry,    472-01;    in     .North, 
."r20  (11. 

tiohl  lields  act,  the,  provisions  420  2 

"(ioi.l-llnntei',"  ship,  .'{Ol. 

( ioldsmitii,  S.,  miner,  .■i4(i,  .")."'(7. 

(Jouuh,  Lieut,  Jlill  IJar  tnjuble,   411. 


'r 


79Z 


IXDEX. 


(JcKxl,  Rev.  J.  B.,  jicct  of  Ft  Hoj)e, 

170;  \iH)H.  and  bibliog.,  717-1^. 
(i(xi(l,  ilejiy  liiiiiisttr  ut'  iiiiues  on  13.  C. 

gold  yield,  4tiS-!». 
(Jood-as  Any  Co.  claim,  vield,  .m;!. 
<ioodyeur,    \V.   A.,  on   Mciiie   Diablo 

I'oal,  .*>(»(}. 
(iDo.ii:  L'lfek,  iiiininir  on,  -!.->:.'. 
iiordoii,  La[it.,  H.  -M.  S.    ••Anicricji," 

exaiiiiiic:4  \.  \V.  coast,  121-4. 
(ior<loii,Cai)t.,  Il.il.  S.  '•Cormorant," 

at  \  iotoria,  1:J4;  examine.i  coal,  I'.IO. 
<ii-aliam,     C.ipt.,      attiicks      Indiuuti, 

di'atii,  :UHi-7. 
Ciaiit.'Capt.,  Imild.s  road,  447. 
(Irant,  C.  .M.,  l.il.liog.,  7<>-'. 
(iraiit,  .Toliii,  on  i-oiwu'il  \'.  1.,  ;(-!J. 
<lrant,  I!.,  justice,  'it>4. 
(inint,    W  .   C.,  .sottli.sat   Soke  lidi  t, 

•J.');i-."i;  Ijiblio;.'.,  '2'>',>. 
Cray,   Cunt.,   visit    of,     17i>S,    li;    ut- 

tiicked  l)y  Inil.s,  vS;  meets    N'ancou- 

VlT,   1.1. 
(iiay,  .1.  ilamiltoii,  jiid;.'e  l!SSO,  70(i. 
(iray  HarlHH- Kurveyid,  -J. 
(■leLfoiy,  Cape,  named,  4. 
(ilev,    Karl,   attituilc   to    11.    15.    Co., 

•j6.(,  -jus,  :!:2>S,  :iii;>  .".;  on  iri-intof  \'. 

]..  "Jl.');  api>oints  gov.,  •Jii.'}-.'). 
(Jiiliin,    C.    J.,    aetion.s    in    S.    Juan 

troillile  1>S.")4,  lil»7-S. 
(  H-illilli  elM-m,  yield,  ."'•Jtj. 
(iroiise  Creek,  mining  on,  480,  4y;J-4, 

l.roiiso    Ci'eek     Flnmo     Co.,    (iroii.se 

Cr.'uk  War,  42;i. 
(aou.su  Creek   war,   the,  conte.st;int.s, 

cause.  4'Jl);  rusnlt,  4:iO. 
(iuieliiyi  Creek,  coal  discovered,  ii'U. 
"(inilietta,"  «ohr,  .•'.lil. 
(inlf  (it°  (ieorgi.'i  named,  IS. 
Ciui  CruL'k,  golil  discovered,  4.">4. 


n 


Tfairgarct,  J.   .M.,    Anier.    settler   on 

•S.  ,hian,  tils. 
Ihiidaiis,  liiils,  luMtility  of,  4'J7. 
llalf-liriM'd  claim,  yielil,  .");{."Mi. 
Halilmrton,  J.,  dir.  V.  Coal  Co.,  .".(it). 
Haller,   Maj.   O.  <i.,   establiuhes   i>ost 

at  I'ort  'I'ownsend,  (il.'{, 
Hanlcy.  W.  O.,  of  lii-st  legis.  council, 

r>S3. 
Han  ley,  W.  T.,  col.  of  customs,  40."), 

417. 
Hang  IMteh  completed,  r>'Irf. 
Hanna,  ('apt.  .1.,  trade   with   natives, 

17SG,  4  ."i;  Imydi'-  ,  named  l>y,  I'ti. 


Hani  Curry  Co.  claim,  yield,  498. 

Harewoijd  coal  mine,  jieKl,  573, 
.177. 

Harney,  (icn.,  actions  in  S.  .Tuan 
affair,  GI7;  connnun.  on,  020-1;  re- 
ealle(l,  0.'{2;  tjuarrcl  with  ( lun.  Scott, 

C3:{-."). 

Ilaro,  fionMiloM  de,  northern  c.xpeilt. 

17SS,  .'i;  at  NootUa,  S. 
Ilaro    Strait    named,     10;     sui'voyecl 

17!ll,  I.!- 1 4. 
"  llariiooner,"  sliip,  'dXi,  2.17. 
Harvey  Creek,  mining  at,  479,  489- 

!H),  ."il.-). 
Haskell  liar,  mining  at,  4.m,  4.">7. 
Ilawes,  aids  Hudson's  Bay  Co.,  214. 
llajnes,    J.     ('.,     judge',     i'Ao;     gohl 

commr,  .')'-4 
1  la/el  I'liiiit  niuned,  l(i. 
Ila/.lilt,  \V.  ('.,  gold  discoverer,  '.U.'. 
Ilecetu,  exploration  of  1774  II,  ',i. 
Hector,  .las,   on  gold-tield  formation, 

lliO;  -Ml  Niui'.inio  co.il,  .")7I. 
llelnK'keti,  (I..S.,at  fort  Uiipcrt,   21;)- 

li;  i)ers()na»  appearance,  "JUi;  magis- 
trate, I'll  5,  271,  27.');  as  a  doctor, 

24."i;    speaker   lii.st    asscmlily,   ;>24, 

.•127. 
"Herald,"  sur>  eying  ship,  124-."). 
Herd,    David,    hefore  eoiiim.   in  Kug. 

on  II.  li.  Co.,  ;!^l. 
Heron  ('iaim,  yield  of,  -!'.).'{-4. 
Iliiks, ,  eonnnr  for  crown  lauds, 

Jl).-.. 
lliggin.s,   .1.    K.,   Anier.   soitlur  on  S. 

Juan,  ()I7. 
High  Low  Jack  claim,  yield,  oOO. 
Hill  ISar,  govt  at,  .■>U2-;);  livalry  with 

Vale,  4US>-I4;  miiiiiii:  iit,  411,  441!, 

4().");  town  laiil  out,  441. 
Hill,   liisliop,   refiorts  gold  discovery, 

•..■.;{. 

Hippa  Island  named,  ."). 

lli\on,  miner  on  ('aiion  Creek,  illO. 

Dlxson  Creik,  mining  on,  i)IO. 

Hog  affair  ot    the  s!   ,luan  Isl.    IS.l!). 

(ill). 
Hollirook,   H.,  of  first  iegi-;.   council, 

.is:!. 

Homer,   .loshuj'    A.  I!.,  of  lirst  h'gis, 

i-ouneil,  .iN.'t. 
Home  Sound,  coal  discovered,  201. 
1  lorn  fray  (Jhannel,  Spanish  name  lor, 

2.1. 
Hoixl  Canni  named,  10, 
'•  Hope,"  brig,  29. 
Hope,   town  surveyed,  400;  laid  out, 

402;  mining  in  dist,  442,  444,  404, 

401),  471. 
"  Horeasitas,'  selir,  II. 


INDEX. 


788 


Honiby,  Capt.,  at  Esquiiiuvlt,  404; 
urges  joint  ouuupatiou  uf  >S.  Juan, 
020;  interview  witli  Col  Casey, 
623-4. 

Horso  ]Seef  ]kir,  mining  tit,  4.'>3. 

llorselly,  the,  mining  on,  4S(»-7;  re- 
resenililaneo  to  Culitoruia  gold- 
lields,  487. 

Ilovey  tliggings,  minin<^'at,  405. 

Howe  iSouiitl  nuiiicii,  20. 

Howell,  R.,  gold  •li.-se<iveier,  d,")3. 

Hul)l)8,  0.  11.,  Amor,  settler  on  S. 
•luiin,  017. 

JLul)l)M,  I'aiil  K.,  Amer.  i>ettler  on  S. 
Juan,  017. 

lliulsiju  J5ar,  gold  (iisoovered,  441, 
4i;i,  444. 

Jluilson's  IJjiy  I'o.,  tieatmentof  Inds, 
44-.")  1,  207,  2S(',  .TU-.-),  :{78,  ;i:)l; 
drive  oppositiiiii  from  cua.-t,  .".!)  Ill); 
policy  to  uettleri,  04,  81,  204  ."», 
2;!."),  246;  rt'lat^jii  to  JUi.^8.  ..Vmi'r. 
Co.,  01,  OS  !l,  I2S,  17S-0;  t'  ara.rUr 
of  otlicers.  81,  i20,  210,  372;  illect 
on,  ot'  Cul.  gold  discovery,  ISO  I; 
policy,  20.i-7,  210-11,  :i8l,  :i7'.>;  :\.s 
eoloiuxerH,  211,  22.{,  'SM,  2."iO-2. 
2(iO-l;  claim  ti>  Iluinit.  Land,  211; 
opiiositioii  to,  212-17,  2;;2  4,  2">l  2, 
201,  313-14,  ',iM>;  i\'\\r\\;\[  ot  cliar- 
ters,  217-1'.',  3li>;  coloiiiAti  V.  J  . 
223-.'{7,  31.'{;  cuiisc.-i  cvf  lailnre,  337 
40,  2ol-2,  3ll-i;(,  :.7'./;  ride  in  V. 
1.,  2.J4-7;  relation  to  (iov.  lila'i- 
duml,  20S-72,  270  80;  ii'oni.i)!!^ 
ou  V,  1.,  312;  ellect  on,  of  gnl.l  di.s- 
eovery,  34l-.")4,  3!).'{,  -ii'ti;  gnld  ex- 
port, 3")1,  .3.")3;  attitude  to  miners, 
300-1,  371-2,  380;  decline  of  power, 
370-87;  discusNion  on  charter,  370- 
81;  union  with  N.  W.  Co.,  377; 
station.s,  liSll,  38.");  I'e.strictiona  on 
ti'ade,  4oV;  Iniis  discover  gold  and 
coal,  .">4.">,  o(i!);  eoal-iiiiniiig,  i'M); 
take  |)o>M!!<.sion  of  .'-'.  .luan,  Oi(7. 

lliinx',  .1.,  opposes  11.  i>.  Co.,  2.'>2-3; 
explores  Li^lilnnig  Creek,  .")00, 

Hunt,  Cajit.,  la  eomd  of  Annr.  troo[)8 
at  S.  .luan,  (i;!(». 

Ifurliy,  killed  liy  Indians,  308. 

"liurou,"  brig,  313-4. 


Idaho  Terr.,  coiiligu'ation,  .31);  climate, 

42. 
"Imperial  Kagle,"  ship,  r». 
Im|>orts,  value  1884,  7")l. 
"Inuouataut,"  ship,  124. 


Indian!),  early  trade  with,  4-.~);  attack 
•Meares'  pai'ty,  1788,  0;  under  H. 
IJ.  Co.  rule,  44-51,  207,  2.35  0,  274  - 
5,  280,  .331-.".,  3!»l;  hanged,  40,  2.30, 
324,  420;  persecutions  of,  40,  274 
5,  425-7;  rcgiird  for  Chinese  and 
negroes,  40;  intlueneo  of  eivili/.;ition 
on,  .")4-5;  writers  on,  75;  settle  X. 
W.  terr.,  70  7;  hostility  of,  108- 
10,  173,  104,  230.  .331,  .305-8,  301-5, 
427-8,  434,  014;  as  farmers,  127; 
blavery  among,  1.32;  small-j)OX 
among,  140;  liipior  trade  witii,  207, 
271,  280;  character,  2S8  0,  420, 
431-2;  as  gold  disco\erers,  315,  348, 
351,  .V)3,' 302-3,  545;  treaty  with 
ndners,  :>ll(!  0;  law  iimong,  420;  at- 
tack on  ships,  427,  420;  lh)ck  to 
Victoria,  42n;  discover  coal  to  II. 
15.  Co.,  .")tiS-0;  missionaries  among, 
71.'-?   10;  govt  tr.atni.'nt,  710-27. 

Inland  Sentinel,  m  wsijapei-,  730. 

■'  Iphi  ;eiiia."  ship,  0;  sii/.ed  hy  Span- 
iard.-   17S0,  8. 

Irwin,        \'.  II.,  ilirectoi'  \'.  Coal  Co., 
500. 

Ishi.-it  M'.  Alex.,  before  coiiini.  in  Eng. 
or.  II.  I!.  Co.,  3SI. 

Isli.'rxNood,  l'>.  J''.,  nil  niei'its  of  castem 
>,nd  webtern  coals,  575. 


.lack  iif  ( 'lubs  Creek,  liP.ngiug  8t,  4.30; 

mhiing  on,  -.*S2,  ."»1.>. 
JauiicHon,    A.    .1.,    lead.s    prospecting 

expedt.,  4;>4. 
.rer\is  Caii.il  named,  20. 
.loiiiisiiii,    I'ctei',    .\mt!r.    settler  on  .S. 

luan,  til  7. 
.loiinsKii,  Kcveidy,  instructions  to,  im 

S.  .luan  iiilestii)U,  ti.3."). 
.Idhnstoni'.    .lami's,     in     \'aneouvcr  .-> 

e\pcilt.,  25. 
.loiinstone  ."^trait,   Spaiii-.li    mime  for. 

20. 
•lones,    ('apt.,    mreting    with    hostih' 

liids  18.50,  014. 
.^ord.^n  and  Abbott  claim,  yield,  500. 
Jndiciarv,  admin,  of  justice,  410-.'t7; 
dan  for,  420. 


plan  I 
"Julia, 


"  steamer,  022. 


Kamloop  Like  iiros|M)cted,  458-0. 
Kamloops,    gold   discovered  at,    348; 
growth  of,  458. 


7M 


INDKX. 


Kaniloopy,  Iiiil»,  cliaractcr,  I'M. 
]viiiiaku8  at  Furt  Cuinuciun,  I'iVi  130, 

1  !)•_'. 
ICaiic,  iiiintT,  54S-0. 
Kane,  I'.,  aitist,  in  nortli-wcst  1846, 

i;)i--2. 

Kaitfrniau,  .!.,  ii.'JT. 
Ktithlt-y,  niiiK  r,  4S3-),  4SG. 
Iviitliltv  Creek,  mining  on,  486,  489- 

!»0,  .".15. 
IveUctt,  Capt.  ]  [.,  surveys  I'uca  Strait, 

1  •_'.-). 
Keinliiek,  Cajpt.,  visit  of,  1788-0,  8. 
Ivoiuiedv-,  C'a[it.,  guv.  at  V.  1.  1804, 

Keiiiiuily,   J     J''.,    mem.    of   firat  as- 

Kinil.ly,  .-{Jl.  :{J7. 
Kerna','iiaii,    Wui,    l.efore    conim.    in 

Kngiaiwlon  J  I.  1'..  Cc,  SSI. 
l-'iiij;,  imii'iltT  liy,  401. 
Kiii'^,  Uii  lianl,  jieforo  comiii.  in  Kiii^. 

on  H.  '<.  Co.,  ."Wl. 
"  Kin^'lislier,"    scln-,    |ihindereil     by 

Inds,  --M!). 
"  Kin;,'  (i'DrLTo,"  sliip,  ."). 
Jvinj^  (iii)i;,'e  Soiui'l  nameil,  4. 
Kin^j  <  !e((r;j;e's  SiMind  Co.,  fornieil  for 

liir-lra<liiig,  IT^^'i,  <"). 
KiiUyville  started,  ri;!;*. 
Kni^lit  (Janal  liaineil,  '2ii, 
Kootenai  niin'~',  i")"-'!-!!,  i't'.V2;  in.icces- 

isihility  «jf,  .'>2'2;  roads  to,  ,~t'2'.\. 
Ivooteiiais,  Inds,  eliaraetiT  of,  00,  l.'ili; 

niissionaiiis  among,  718. 
"Kossuth,"  Bclir,  3l)l. 


"  J^abonchero,"  steamer,  533. 

]ial)oneherc,  dcBoateli  to  Dongl.'ia,  .T17; 

instructiuni   to   eol.   i;ovt,    i!i8-"J0; 

I'll  Jl.  I>.  Co.  cliartcr,  ."{77-8. 
Laeoiirse,   'J'.,    ill  A!i<lel>,un'H  e\|)cdt., 

l.V.t. 
Licy,  Lt,  massacres  Imls,  '2~r>. 
1.1^  i'leiirCo.  elaini,  J  ield,  5ii2, 
"  I  i.Ljnmge,"  !<iiii),  4.S. 

ruling,  ,  eaiituied  liy  Tiidsi,  ■i'2'i. 

I.aird  Jviver,  mining  on,  ."i(iO  _', 

Lai;,-,  Hill  Farm,  *Jlil. 

'jlketoMi:    trado  nt,  .^(i.'l— I. 

Lane  ill  l.ortli-west.  111!. 

l.anunevin,  iniiiiste>'  ot  jmldio  works, 

:>(r2,  ."((H;  (III  g.  Id  yield,  .'i.'.7. 
l^uigford,  K.  K.,  Hettleral  V.  1.,  •J.")0, 

'J(il;  farm  of,  L'.'il;  mem.  of  tiist  un- 

H.!mbiy,  :c.M,  :ir>. 

Langley,  site  surveyed,  400;  as  mining 
locality,  444;  descrij'tion  of,  7  Hi. 


iji  Perouse,  on  N.  W.  coast  1786,  .?. 

Lasscrtes,  accident  to,  2!)l-'2. 

Last  Clianco  Creek,  mining  on,  482, 

507,  r)17. 
Lawrence,  A.,  U.  S.  miniater,  207. 
Lawrence  Island,  Sj)aiiisii  name  for, 

21. 
I-ay,  Koc'tum,  Indian  eiiief,  HO."?. 
Leeeli,  1'.  J.,  discovers  coal,  .")(i8, 
Lefoy,  J.  H.,  before  coiiuu.  in  Eng. 

on  H.  n.  Co.,  .SSI. 
Legislative   c(mncil,   organized    180.*?, 

58:i. 
Legislature,  jirocccdinga  of  1872-80, 

7(r.. 
Lewis,  H.  I!.,  voyage  18ril,  19,5;  bicg. 

and  bib'.iog.,  7."'8. 
Lewis,    1*.   li.,  v.itli  overland  party, 

;iOS,  4S2. 
Liard  Kiver,  mining  on,  oO.'?. 
Library  iiinong  fiir-tra<lers,  0.3. 
Lightning  Co.,  work,  507;  yield,  508. 
J^iiglitniiig    Creek    jirosipected,    4S0  '_'; 

rush  to,  4'.Mi;  history,  500;  mining 

at,    50(i,    .50.S,    5i;{,    515;   coal   i!is- 

eovereil,  570. 
lyilloi't  IMver,  mining  at,  452,  471. 
Lincoln,    i'larl   of,    opiioscs   Hudson's 

I'.ay  Co.,  2i:?,  '2:V2--A. 
"Li\"e  Yankee,"  bark,  .'501. 
Lolo,   .1.    15.,    Ind.    chief,    character, 

1  10  I ;  reveals  conspi racy,  J4I-5. 
Loniloii,  Allan's  attinipt  to  raise  loan 

in,  (io.'i;  syndicate  funned  to  build 

railway,  ti7S. 
FiOiie/  Lsland,  000. 
Lor<l,  .1.  K,,  bii^liog.,  7''>0. 
'•  Lord  Westrni,"  .sjiip,  wroekod,  2.54. 
(jost  Creel';,  iiiiniiii,'  on,  551,  ,551,  55S. 
Lo(vhe(!  Creek,   mining  on,  4S2,  400, 

5(t0,  515. 
Lyon>,  Loll],  Lug.  ininiHiter  nt  Wash., 

025;  j'etioiis  in  .S.  .hum  allair,  025- 

7;  propciscH  abitratidii,  (!,'!5. 
Lyttoii  (listiiet,  milling  at,  447,  110, 

"4.50,  401,  ICO,  471. 
Lyttoii,  Sir  C.  U.,  oii  gohl  discovery 

n.c,  :!70. 


M 


Macdonald,  A.,  map  of  N.  ^\'.,  Tm. 
Maedon.ihl,  Win. I.,  biog.,  758-9. 
.Mailie  on  t'arilioo  mines,  40.-'. 
Maeoim,    I'rolessor,    in   railw  ly   sur- 
vey expedt.,  0.50. 
"  Madonna,"  bark,  .'101. 
Mainland  (iuardian,  newspaper,  739. 
.Mamoosie  mine,  coal  yield,  21)0. 
.Manitoba  created,  3Ho, 


INDEX. 


7sr. 


Mii   on,  D.,  ill  Anderson's  cxpedt., 
1 7  J ;  justice,  '2(54. 

mining  on,  5ol,  553, 


River, 


siir- 


7.TJ. 


Mau!  on 

5i' j. 

Manufactures  of  tuiTitury,  603,  748-9. 

Maps,  Cunio»un  and  vicinity,  80; 
Shushwap  country,  137;  Anderson's 
routes,  162;  Yale  and  Hope,  177; 
northeni  forts,  192;  south  end  of 
Vancouver  Island,  259;  the  lower 
mining  region,  442;  the  upper  gold 
dists,  459;  Cook's  1788,  3;  Meares', 
7;  Quimper's,  9;  Elisa's,  12,  Van- 
couver's No.  1,  17;  Vancouver's  No. 
2,  19;  Galliano's,  23;  Vancouver's 
No.  3,  27;  Cariboo  country,  474; 
An-liipclago  de  Uaro,  GOG;  Canadian 
Pacific,  681. 

Maquinna,  Ind.  chief,  28, 

"  Maria,"  steamer,  ,S64. 

Maria  Bar,  gold  discovered,  440. 

Mariavillo  established,  443;  mining 
at,  444. 

Marriiwstonc  Point  named,  16. 

"  Martin,"  stwuner,  532. 

Martin,  R.  M.,  on  iwlicy  H.  B.  Co., 
210-1 1 ;  on  grant  of  V.  I.,  221,  224; 
bibliog.,  221. 

Martinez,  northern  expedt.  1788,  3. 

Mary's  Peak  nained,  76. 

Mason,  Sec,  visits  Victoria,  352. 

"Massachusetts,"  steamer,  017,  619, 
624,  627. 

Maury,  Lieut,  on  geography  N.  \V. 
coast,  374. 

Maynard,  Joscpii,  l)efore  comni.  in 
Kng.  on  H.  H.  Co.,  381. 

Mayne,  Limit,  Hill  Ikir  trouble,  411- 
13;  on  tlie  Fraser,  445;  on  gold  dis- 
covery, 463;  on  coal  discovery,  569, 
570. 

McArthur  Creek,  mining  on,  505, 515. 

McCalluni  Creek,  mining  on,  482. 

McCauly,  Samuel,  Anier.  settler  on, 
>S.  Juan,  <il7. 
cClelliin,<:.B.,di8COvei-8gold,. 147-8. 

McCroiglit,  .John  F.,  judge  18,S0,  70(). 

McCuUoch  Cri-ek,  mines  discovereil, 
531;  mining  at,  .Wi,  53P. 

McDame  Creek,  mining  on,  5(i2-3. 

McDonald,  mining  ou  Fraser  River, 
kills  partner,  3.'>0-l. 

McDonald,  gol.l-hunter,  479,  483,  492; 
character,  483-4. 

McDonalil,  Alex.,  Amer.  settler  on  S. 
Juan,  617. 

McDonalil,  Angus,  clerk  at  Ft  Col- 
villo,  349,  ,355;  chief  trader,   savt 
Inds.    36S;    at   Ft   Siiepherd,   38:>: 
prosjHjiting  expedt.,  521. 
IliHT.  Dan.  OoL.    no 


McEwen,  gold  discoverer,  344. 

McUofi'ey  dry-diggings,  mining  at, 
451,  4G4-5. 

McGowan,  Ned,  Hill  Bar  trouble,  408, 
410, 412-14;  altercation  with  Phifer, 
414. 

McCiraugh,  gold  <li8coverer,  527. 

McUuili  8  claim,  yield,  527. 

Mcintosh,  at  Fort  McLeod,  58. 

McKay,  Charles,  Amer.  settler  on  S. 
Juan,  617. 

McKay,  J.  H.,  Amer.  settler  ou  H. 
Juan,  617. 

McKay,  J.  W.,  examines  N.  W. 
coast,  126-7;  visits  Cal.,  127;  chief 
factor,  178-80;  outwits  Sliemelin, 
179;  discovers  coal,  196  9;  char- 
acter, 197;  builds  Ft  Nanaimo,  199; 
explores  V.  I.,  255;  mem.  of  first 
assembly,  325,  327;  with  Douglan 
among  Inds,  3.33;  discovers  gold, 
343;  reports  discovery,  460. 

McKcnzie,  F„  in  charge  of  McLeod 
Lake  station,  385. 

McKenzie,  Geo.',  at  V.  1.,  251. 

McKenzie,  Mrs,  at  V.  I.,  2.')0. 

McKey,  treatment  of  by  Inds  in 
1786,  5. 

McKinlay,  A.,  among  Inds,  131;  jus- 
tice, 264, 

McLean,  chief  trader  at  Kaudoops, 
348-9,  3.VJ,  3.-)4. 

Meljcan,  J.,  gold  disco vei*er,  347. 

McLeod,  John,  at  Ft  KaiidiKjp,  \',\ii. 

McLeod,  Malcolm,  view  of  Douglas, 
299. 

Mclaughlin,  David,  leads  overliLiid 
party,  3()7-8. 

McLaughlin,  James,  with  overland 
party,  367. 

McLaughlin  Island,  Spanish  namu 
for,  21. 

McLoughlin,  John,  idea  of  Astoria  an 
a  post,  7S;  retires  from  II.  B.  Co., 
87,  119,  126,  29;»-4;  as  chief  factor, 
282;  mem.  of  board  of  management, 
283;  trains  Douglas,  28.V6;  char- 
acter, 296,  300-9;  personal  appeiu- 
ance,  300;  policy  to  settlers,  297, 
304  5;  before  coinm.  in  Kng.  ou  U. 
B.  Co.,  381. 

McLoughlin,  John,  .Ir,  at  Stikeeii 
River,  lO.S-  asiiassinatiou,  103. 

McMuUin,  Go>..,  visits  Victoria,  .3.V2; 
visits  Douglas  rel.  to  S.  Juan 
trouble,  614. 

McNeill,  Capt.  W..  quarrel  with 
Douglas,  09  71;  explores  V.  L,  84; 
estJillishes  Ft  HiiiH.rt,  I ',12  1;  at 
Beaver  Harlior,  271. 


786 


INDKX. 


McTavish,  Dugald,  cliief  factor,  '2H3, 
'S'lH,  :i8'2,  384;  {Mirsouul  appearaiiue, 
38:(. 
Meares,  C'apl.,  \isit  of,  m  1788,  .VS; 

inai>  uf,  7. 
"Mfxicauo,"  hchr,  20. 

Miles,  Jolin,  licforc  comni.  in  Kiig. 
oil  H.  li.  Co.,  381. 

Milton,  Viscouut,  ou  golil-lield  forma- 
tion, -Kilj,  498. 

Minuhuiiu  vluiiii,  yiukl,  o04. 

Mines,  flciii'city  of  (n-ovixion!)  at,  303; 
govt,  393,  421  2;  elentuiits  govorn- 
llig,  ."ill- 12;  gold  yield,  ril4,  ulii; 
population  at,  ."iM-lo;  li.st  of,  51."); 
iiUHsioiiarica  at,  olO;  M'oinea  at,  5IU; 
on  C'okiinbia,  r>"_'0-4"_';  Kootenai, 622  - 
!);  report  of  ininiHter  1884,  74!l-."0. 

Mining  on  Frasei  Kiver,  438,  442; 
uame  of  loealitic8,  441,  448,  4.") I, 
4."m;  sluice  nietliod,  443;  dry-dig- 
gings, 401,  4(14;  in  Cariboo,  472- 
.)19;  jdll,  512;  underground,  .j17. 

Milling  license,  .Stil,  370,  388,  300-), 
401,  421. 

Mink  (iiileli,  iniuing  on,  .'>04. 

Missionaries  on  tlie  N.  ^V.  coast,  57; 
at  mines,  51!). 

Mission  (.'reek,  mining  on,  540. 

Mitciiell  liarlior,  gold-hunters  in, 
340-7. 

Molieily  Creek,  mining  on,  400,  .">.'{8. 

Moberly,  \V.,  jit  tiie  fouutaiiis,  4.">5; 
iliscovers  mine,  400. 

".Modesk,"  h.  M.  S.,  151. 

Moliut,  gold  discoverer,  Hob. 

Mollat  claim,  yield,  4i)S. 

MoH'it  Kiver,  gold  discovered,  556. 

Moiitigny,  K.,  in  Anderson's  o.xplor. 
expedt.,  I.V,). 

Moody,  K.  C. ,  colonial  ollicer  W.  C, 
407-8;  settles  Hill  iJjir  troul)les, 
411-13,  .velects  site  for  capital,  414- 
15;  lugins  .New  Westminster,  410; 
lieutgov.,  417. 

Moore,  \Vin,  ;u-rest  of,  O.'IO. 

Mooyie  Kivi  r,  mining  at,  .527. 

Moresliy  isl.,  i)liysical  description,  .34; 
coal  si'ani.  574. 

Moriiioii  lijii,  mining  at,  451-2,  455. 

Mo.sipiito  Creek,  mining  ou,  441,  MH, 
515. 

Mountain  system  of  N.W.  coast,  33-40. 

Mount  llaker  nituied,  10. 

Mount  Itainer  iiaiiied,  Ift. 

Mount  St.   Helens  naineil,  29. 

Mount  .Stepiieus  named,  20. 

Miiir,  A.,  at  Victoria  lh.i3,  259-<}0. 

Muir,  .lohn,  eoal-niiniiig,  ht.'^-8;  mem. 
of  tir'it  assembly,  321,  327. 


Muir,  Mrs,  reception  by  Inds,  194. 

Muir,  M.,  at  Fort  Hupert,  273. 

Murcliison,  .Sir  K.,  on  Carilioo  geolo- 
gy, 513;  on  gold  deposits,  539. 

Musgrave,  A.,  gov.  1809-71,  09b; 
otfacial  acts,  507. 

Mustang  Creek,  mining  ou,  6(M-& 


N 


Nanhcs  Pass,  gold  discovered  at,  348. 

Nanainio,  iSpanisli  name  for,  22;  coal 
discovered  at,  100-200,  569,  578; 
fortlniilt,  100;  gold  discovered,  Mli; 
development  of  town,  574;  descrip- 
tion of,  714. 

Nanaimo  Coal  Co.  sell  interest,  569. 

Nauaimo  mines,  work  at,  570-1,  573; 
output,  571,  574;  area,  573. 

Narvacz,  Jos^  M.,  survey  of  Haro 
Strait  1701,  13-14. 

Nass  Uiver,  gold  discovered,  347. 

Nation  Uiver  prospected,  555. 

Neali  Bay,  original  name,  II. 

Nei;liaoo  Kiver,  coal  iliscovered,  579. 

Needham,  chief  justice,  337;  retires, 
423. 

Xehannes,  Inds,  charncter,  50. 

Nelson  Creek,  mining  on,  482,  515. 

Neversweat  claim,  yitdd,  408. 

New  Caledonia,  conliguration,  .36-9; 
climate,  40  3;  fauna,  43-4;  natives, 
44-51 ;  fur-traders'  life  in,  288;  govt, 
370;  intlux  of  gold-minei-s,  381-2. 

Newcastle,  Duke  of,  ou  setaement  V. 
I.,  202. 

Newcastle  Isl.,  coal  discoyered,  198, 
2(H>,  .573. 

Newcastle  mine,  work  at,  569,  571; 
compared  w  it!i  the  Douglas,  572. 

New  Dungeuess  named,  10. 

Newittei^a,  Inds,  ma.-isaere  of,  274-5. 

Newspapers  in  H.  C,  739. 

New  \Vesiminster  laid  out,  41.'>-16; 
port  of  entry,  41(i;  incorporated, 
417-lH;  k'gis.  council  at,  1804,  .58;^- 
5;  banijuetto  JJouglas,  .">8S,  descrip- 
tion of,  715   10;  newspapers,  7.'19. 

New  Westminster  and  I'ort  Moody 
Kailway  Co.  incorpoi'at«<l,  091. 

New  Westminster  Kailway  Co.  incor- 
porated, 091. 

New  Zealand  Co.  claim,  yield  1875, 
5.")4. 

Ve/.  Toro^s,  Infls,  character,  288-9. 

Nicaragua  liar,  milling  at,  448,  464, 
4*i5;  formation,  403. 

Nicol,  C.  J.,  manager  V,  Cool  Co., 
509;  reiH>rt  1600,  570. 


INDEX. 


787 


Nicola,  Iiiil.  chief,  51 ;  conspiracy  of, 
15'2-ti. 

Nicola  Lal{()  iiaincd,  7<). 

Nicoll,   C.    «.,    liigli-sheriu,    410-17, 

422. 
Nicontamuch,  Imls,  cliarocter,  136. 
Nind,   P.   11.,  g)l<l  coniinr.  489,491; 

of  tii'.st  lejis.  cDiiiicil,  ."hSU. 
Nitihtacks.  iniusioiiurics  uinuiig,  71!). 
Nohlea,  Kobt,  |)ro8pect8  Curuc.s  Creek, 

537. 
Nomeuclatiiro,  anthoritica  on,  76-7. 
Nootka,  poHso.ssioii  uf,  taken  for  Spain 

1774-i>,  3;  nIiIiw   at,  in  1778-!l,  S; 

al)an<loneil  and  reoccupied  1789-!K), 

8;  meeting  at  to  nettle  Eug.  clainm 

17!h>,  14,  28  9. 
"Norman  Morrison,"  siiip,  257,  258. 
"  Northerner,"  Hteanier,  ()27. 
Northern    I'aeilic    Railway    founded, 

374. 
North  Mutro(M)litan  Post,  neceiwitieM 

of,  78  0. 
"  Nortliwetit    America,"    sliip,    (i,    8; 

tsei/ed  l)y  Spauiardu  1789,  8. 
Nortliwest  Kur  Co.,   feud  witli  Hud- 
son's Hay  Co.,  7i>. 
Northwest  Terr.,  eastern  parallels,  .'(2; 

limits,     33;    contigaiatiun,     .'{.'i-4(); 

climate,  40-3;  fauna,  43  5;  natives, 

44-51;  iteeupied  \>y  Eng.  and  U.  S., 

63  «,  81,    121  7;  settlements,  248; 

sold  by  H.  B.  Co.,  385. 
Nugent,  John,  U.  S.  couunr  to  B.  V., 

lioH,  mo,  405,  453,  468  9. 


Oak  Cove  named,  16. 

Oakes,  D.  \V'.,  Amer.  settler  ou  >S. 
Juan,  617. 

Ogden,  1'.  8.,  chief  factor,  57;  at  Kt 
Vancouver,  131;  rejwrt  on  coal  dis- 
covery, 1H9-!M),  justice,  2G4;  ou 
l)oard  of  eiiief  factors,  283;  at  Et  St 
James,  385;  at  Stewart  Lake,  548, 
5ij0. 

Okamigan  Luk(!,  mining  ou,  .540. 

Ukanagans,  liids,  character,  136;  Ims- 
tility,  368. 

Olney  (Xscar,  dept.  collector  on  S, 
.luan  Isl.,  609. 

Dmineca  mines,  locatimi,  .544;  gold 
excitement,  .547;  winter  iifis  at,  552; 
yielii,  55'_  3,  'm'-H;  hydraulic  min- 
ing, .mS;  I'ailurii,  .556-^7. 

Omlcrdonk,  t-  .,  contract  for  Imilding 
railway,  680. 

Opi>enheimer,  C.,  miner,  526,  535. 


Orcas  Island,  606. 

Uregon,  soil  of,  40;  settlere'  character, 
64;  early  limits,  55  (i;  settlements, 
56,248;  early  |V)litics,  126;  ellect  of 
Cariboo  goM  di.'icovery,  356,  478; 
coal  formation,  566. 

Oregon  treaty  1846,  termn,  172-3. 

O'Keilly,  I'eter,  justice  ot  piace,  416, 
433;  chamct^'r,  4:14;  gold  conunr, 
441,  524,  551,  5.')4;  ot  lirst  legis. 
council,  583. 

Orr,  James,  of  first  legis.  council, 
583, 

"Osprey,"'  schr,  3iil, 

"Otter,"  steamer,  334,  390,  44-1,  607, 
608. 


"  Pacific,"  steamer,  wrecked,  562. 
Pacific    Railway    Construct,  n    Co., 

members  of,  65,3. 
Palmer  Creek,  gold  yield,  529. 
Pabncr,  Lieut,  II.  S.,  ariiM's  at  Vic- 
toria, 407;  ou  gold  discovery,  163; 

on  mining  dist,  472,  541,  544. 
Palmer,    Joel,   with    ovcrlanil    party, 

368-70;  bi(jg.,  7.")9. 
Palmerston,  Lord,  trade  controversy, 

207. 
"  Pandora,"  steamer,  .361. 
"  Paudoni,"  surveying,  sliip,  124-5. 
Parke,    Cupt.,    examines    Columbia, 

121,  123. 
Parke,    Lt   John  <!.,    U.   S.   commis- 
sioner in  S.  Juan  trouble,  610. 
I'arkiugton,  Sir  J.,  i)rc.seuts  settlers' 

petition,  261. 
Parsnip  River,  mines  on,  555,  579. 
Parsons'  i)ridge  built,  251. 
Possjige  Cani'T  named,  20. 
Passage  Island  iiamcd,  20. 
Pate  Creek,  mining  on,  M\'>. 
Pat  Kelly's  Co.  cluim,  yield,  552. 
Peace   River  named,    77.   544;  mines 

on,  545,  579. 
Pedder  liay,  original  name,  9, 
Peel,  Lieut,  examines  Columbia.  121, 

123. 
Peers,  11.  N.,  tliscovors  coal,  576-7. 
Pelly,  Sir  J.    II.,  g..v.   H.    15.  C.   in 

Eng..  205,  2(»7,  'JOcS,  215;  nominated 

gov.  ol  IJ.  C,  2(»3   1. 
PemlK'rton,  .\.  I'".,  judge.  433. 
I'emberton,   J.    I).,  mem.  ot  first  as- 

send)ly,  321;  coloiiiiil  ^urveyor,  400, 

104;    ou   gold   yield,    469;    bibliog., 

759. 
Pend  d'Oreille  River,  grdd  iliscovyred, 

521 


iw 


INDEX. 


Pend  d'Oreilles,  Inds,  character,  50. 

Penn  Cove  named,  18. 

Pearke.s,    G.,    crown    solicitor,   402; 

plan  for  judiciary,  42U. 
Perez,  exploration  of,  1774-9,  3. 
Perkins,   Geo.,    Anier.    settler  on  S. 

Juan,  017. 
Perputuu  (Jape  named,  4. 
Pcrrier,  Geo.,  justice,  Hill  Bar,  394, 

409-10;  dismissed,  413. 
I'erry,  F.,  miner,  400,  520,  531, 
Perry  Creek,  excitement  at,  526. 
Phifer,  M.  W.,  altercation  with  Mc- 

Gowan,  414. 
Physical  features,  authorities  on,  72-.'?. 
Pickett,  Capt.  G.,  with  troops  to  Bel- 

lingham  liay,  (313;  to  iS.  Juan  Isl- 
and, 017-18. 
Pine  lUver,  t;oal  discovered,  579. 
Pioneer    and    Demociut,    newspaper, 

on  golil  discovery,  355. 
Pleasanton,  Adj. -Gen.,  instruction  in 

8.  Juan  atluir,  020. 
"Pleiades,"  H.  M.  S.,  404,  619. 
"Plumper,"  H.  M.  S.,  390,  408,  416, 

509,  570,  610,  019. 
Plumper  Sound  surveyed  1791,  14. 
Polmllok,  Ind.  chief,  105-6. 
Point  Atkinson  named,  20. 
Point  Cliutham  mimed,  26. 
Point  Dutt' named,  26. 
Point  Francis  named,  20. 
Point  G>  rdou  named,  26. 
Point  (jower  named,  20. 
Point  (Jrenville  named,  15. 
Point  (irey  named,  20. 
Point  Marshall,  25. 
Point  Partridge  named,  18. 
Point  Roberts  named,  20. 
Point  St  (leorgo  named,  15. 
Point   William   named,    20;    Spanish 

ships  at,  21. 
Point  Wilson  named,  18. 
Police,    mounted,    character  of,  331, 

434. 
Popular  tribunals  in  B.  C,  436. 
Port  Cox  namcil,  6. 
Port  Discovery  named,  16. 
Port  Kthngham  named,  6. 
Porter,  F.,  slioots  liarr,  539. 
Port  (iiirdner  named,  18. 
Portloek,  ('apt.,  visit  of,  1787,  -. 
Port  Moody,  reasons  for  selectioi.  as 

ternunus,  684-6. 
Port  Neville  named,  26. 
Port  San  .Fuim  named,  9. 
Port  Susan  named,  18. 
Port  Townsend  named,  10. 
Possession  Sounil  named,  18. 
Poverty  Bar,  naning  at,  441. 


Prevost,  Capt.,  on  gold  discovery,  .155; 
at  Victoria,  388;  commr  in  S.  Juan 
trouble,  010;  urges  joint  occupation 
of  S.  Juan,  020. 

I'rince   Albert   Bar,   mining  at,  464, 

465. 
'  Princesa,"  ship,  15,  20,  29. 

"Princess  Royal,"  ship,  seized  by 
Spaniards  1789,  8. 

Protection  Island  surveyeil,  16. 

I'uget,  Lt  Peter,  in  Vancouver's 
expedt.,  16. 

Puget  Sound  named,  18;  early  im- 
portance, 373-4;  Eng.  men-of-war 
on,  623. 

Puget  Sound  Agricultural  Co.,  in- 
augurated, .Vi;  growth,  82;  attempt 
tocoloni/-e  V.  I.,  226-7;  fanning  by, 
251,  20O-I,  313. 

Puget  Sound  Bar,  gold  discovered, 
441-2,  441. 

Puget  Sound  Mining  Co.  formed,  206; 
colonize  V.  I.,  251-2,  260-1. 


Q 


Quackolls,  Inds,  inform  H.  B.  Co.  of 

coal-tields,  186-8. 
Quadra,  town,  founded,  576. 
Quarts  Creek,  mining  f  i,  551,  562. 
Quatsino  Sound,  c(><>'  mining  at,  201, 

509,  578. 
"Queen  Charlotte,"  ship,  5. 
Queen    Charlotte    Coal    Mining    Co. 

formed,  575-6. 
Queen    Charlotte    Island    named,   5; 

configuration,  34;   coal  discovered, 

201,  567,  578;  gold  discovered,  343- 

5,  558-9. 
Queen  Charlotte  Sound  named,  26. 
Qu'j.snel  River,  miuuig  on,  457,  473, 

485-6,  515. 
Quimper  Bay  named,  10. 
Quimper,    Manuel,    explorations    of, 

1790,  8-11;  map,  9. 


R 


Raby  claim,  yield,  498. 

Hae,  John,  b'^fore  comm.  in  Eng.  on 

H.  B.  Co.,  381. 
Itae,  W.  (!.,  at  Stikeen  River,  10.3. 
Randall  Co.  claim,  yield,  540. 
liattr.ay.  Or,  on  gold  discovery,  463. 
Rjiy,  .1.  R.,  prc(-m])ts  on   Fniser,  ,392. 
"  Recovery,^  shin,  331,  346-7,  405. 
Red    River    settlement,   colonization 

of,  226-7. 


INDEX. 


789 


Reese  River,  mining  on,  542. 

Keid,  Capt.,  visits  Victoria,  'ioU-flO. 

Kenuie  Bros,  death  of,  482. 

"Republic,"  steamer,  361. 

"  Resolution,"  ship,  Iti. 

Revenue,  330,  ;W7-40,  370-1,  390,  400, 

402  3,  417-18,  iM-Q. 
Rice,  killed  by  Indians,  3(38. 
Richards,  Capt.,  report  on  Nanaimo 

coal,  571 ;  comniron  S.  Juau  trouble, 

010;  urges  joint  occupation,  020. 
Kichiirdson,  coal  discoverer,  r)07. 
Richardson,  Mir  John,  before  comm. 

in  Kng.  on  H.  B.  Co.,  ,'i81. 
Richfield  mining  settlement,  504. 
Kiilge  Co.  claim,  yield,  535. 
Rim  Rock  Co.  claim,  yield,  553. 
Roberts,  C.  C,  on  Fraser  excitement, 

358. 
Robertson,   \V.,  on  Big  Bend  excite- 
ment, 531, 
RobiuMou's  Bar,  mining  at,  451,  4.'>3. 
Roche,  A.  R.,  before  eonnn.  in  Eng. 

on  H.  B.  Co.,  381. 
Rock  Creek  mines,  yield  1800-1,  539. 
Rocky  Point  named,  15. 
Roebuck,  on  Hudson  Bay  Cu.  charter, 

378. 
Kosario  Strait,  original  name,  1 1 . 
Rose,    miner,    470,   483,   492;   death, 

483  4. 
Ross,  Alex.,  at  Fort  Kamluop,  l.'{5. 
Ross,    Chas,    connnands    Fort  Camo- 

sun,  101;  dies,  102. 
Ross,  .lohn,  before  comm.  in  Kng.  on 

H.  B.  Co.,  381. 
Rouse,  Capt.,  attack  on  In<l8,  395. 
Rowlanil,  discovers  gohl,  344. 
Royal  liay,  original  name,  10;  situa- 
tion, 87. 
Rupert  Land,  sale  of,  l)y  H.  B.  Co., 

385. 
Russell,  Lord   .lohn,   opposes    H.    B. 

Co. 's  charter,  213,  215. 
Russian   American   Co.'s    relation   to 

H.  B.  Co.,  01,  08-9,  128,  178-9;  to 

Kng.  tradei-8,  178. 
Russian  Creek,  mining  on,  510. 


■Sacramento  Bar,  mining  at,  441,  443. 
Sailor  Bar,  iinning  at,  448. 
St  (Jeorge  Bay  named,  15. 
"St  .loseph,"  ship,  29. 
Salmon  Creek,  mining  at,  529. 
San  Antonio  Point  named,  9. 
San  Blaa,  suppiiua  sent  from  to  Noot- 
ka,  8, 


"San  Carlos,"  ship,  8,  11,  21,  29. 
Sanders,  K.   H.,  judge,  433;   of  first 

legia.  council,  583. 
San  Kusebio  I'oint  named,  9, 
"Santa  Gertrudis,"  ship,  15. 
Sai(gster,    Jas,    signs    address,    282; 

signs  petition,  314. 
San  Juan  Island,  area,  GOO;  H.  B.  Co. 

take  ])OssesHion  of,  007. 
San  Juan  island  ditticulty,  1854-72, 

005-49. 
Sankster,    Mr,    actiims    in    S.   Juan 

trouble  1854,  007-8. 
"  Santa  Cruz,"  steamer.  361, 
Santa  Cruz  Point.     See  New  Uunge- 

ness. 
Saskatchewan,  gold  excitement  1866, 

524- .5. 
"Satellite,"  H.  M.  S.,  355,  388,  389, 

405,  428,  010,  018. 
"Saturnina,"ship,"21. 
Saunders,  K.  11.,  asst  gold  comm.  at 

Ft  Vale,  417. 
Savary  Island  named,  25. 
Savona's   Ferry,    growing   prosperity 

of,  710. 
Scott,  (Jen.,  sent  to  Pacific  coast,  627; 

actions   in   S.  .luan  ati'air,   (i27-3l; 

quarrel  with  (ien.  Harney,  (i33-5. 
Scranton,  J.,  visits  Victoria,  352. 
"Sea  Bird,"  steamer,  304,  444. 
"  Sea  Otter,"  whip,  5. 
Seemann,  B.,  on  Ft  Camosun,  112-13; 

on  H.  B.  Co.  s  tra«le,  129-30. 
Selby,  P.,  din  .:tor  V.  Coal  Co.,  569. 
Selwyn,  Mr,  railway  survey  expedt,, 

050. 
Semiahmoo  Bay,  meeting  of  S.  Juau 

commissioners  at,  010-13. 
Settlers,    encroachment   on    the    Co- 

hunbia    1843,    81;    restrictions  on, 

210-11;  term  deline.l,  247;  of  Ore- 
gon, 248;  of  V.  I.,  252-01;  iHjtition 

to  purliumeut,  201;  [jetitiou  to  gov., 

281-2;  character,  .•«»7. 
Seward,    vSec,    action:^    ui    S.    Juan 

affair,  035-7. 
Sej'mour,  town,  468,  533. 
Seymour,  Fred.,  succeeds  Douglas  as 

gov.  of  B.  C,  588;  otticial  actions 

1804-5,  589-1;  <leath,  59ti. 
Seymour,  (!.  F.,  cnmmander  of  fleet 

in  South  I'acitli',  125. 
Shaw  Island,  000. 
Shemelin,  Russ.  agent,  179. 
SliephenI,  (apt.,  at  V.  I.,  124. 
Shilkumchecn,  liid.  village,  106. 
Ship-building,  V.  I.,  255. 
Shipping,    tiist    vessel    built    on   N. 

W.  coast  1788,  0;  arrivals  1880,  753. 


790 


INDEX. 


Shoalwater    Bay,    Capt.    Mearei  at, 

1788,  6. 

"  Shubrick,"  steamer,  624. 

Shushwap  River,  mining  on,  4(iO. 

Shushwaps,  IiiiIh,  cliaracter,  50;  hos- 
tility, 134-50;  touiitry,  137;  dress, 
139-40. 

Siblt  ',  11.  \V.,  trade  controversy,  207. 

Siddt''    surgeon,  arrivts  V.  I.,  407. 

Silver  (Jreek,  mining  on,  1K70,  551. 

•Simill(unieeii,  Indo,  character,  I'M. 

Siniilkameeii  River,  mining  on,  348, 
541,  570. 

Simpson,  f'iv  (J.,  in  Korenais  country, 
37-8;  at  V.  I.,  84-0;  at  Ft  Kani- 
loops,  135;  descends  Fraser  river, 
159;  gov.  H.  B.  Co.  in  Amer.,  205, 
207;  before  comm.  in  Eug.  on  II. 
B.  CV     381. 

Simpsur  River,  coal  discovered,  576, 
570. 

Skeena  River,  mining  on,  345-7,  555, 
5V«,  578. 

.Skeleton  Creek,  mining  on,  551,  554. 

Skidegate  Isl.,  coal  discovered,  201. 

Skinner,  Thomas,  mem.  of  first  as- 
sembly, 321,  327 

"Skuzzy,"  steamei;  68.3. 

Slavery  among  Indian»,  132. 

Small-pox  among  Indians,  149. 

S)>uth,  A.  G.,  miller,  prospecting, 
525,  535. 

Smitli  Inlet  named,  26. 

Smitli,  R.  T.,gold  conui  i-iioner,  532; 
of  first  legis.  council,  .'■).S3. 

Smith,  S.  R.,  takes  steamer  ip  tiic 
Fraser,  683. 

Smith,  VVm,  Amer.  settler  on  S.  Juan, 
617. 

Smitli,  W.  G.,  secy  H.  B.  Co.,  re- 
IJOrt,  339-40. 

Smuggling  in  B.  (".,  417. 

Snow,  Capt.,  voy.  of  1836,  48. 

.Snowahoe  Creek,  mining  on,  482,  489, 
515,  562. 

Snyder,  H.  M.,  treats  with  Indians, 
396  8. 

Soke  Inlet,  Spanish  name,  9;  settled, 
2.")3-4;  eoal  disco vere<l,  579. 

S(mgides,  natives  V.  I.,  95,  111;  at- 
tend mass,  99;  attack  Ft  Camosun, 
108-10. 

Sovereign  Creek,  mining  on,  482. 

Spaniards  op.  coast  of  B.  C.  1774-9, 
2  3. 

Spaulding,  W.  R.,  justice  of  peace  at 
Qucensborough.  410;  postmaster, 
417. 

Spence,  T.,  gold  discoverer,  441. 

Spinduleii  ¥\-\t,  mining  at,  451, 


Spintlum,  Indian  chief,  401. 
S<|uazown,  lud.  village,  166. 
Staines,  Mrs,  at  V.  I.,  239,  260. 
Stoines,   R.  J.,  at  Victoria,  2.38-41; 

opposes   H.   B.  Co.,  240-2;  death, 
;      243. 
;  Stepiiens,  Gov.,    leads'  exploring  ex- 

pedt.,  374. 
Steptoe,  Col,  fights  Indians,  .395. 
Stevens  (.'reek,  mining  on,  4S2,  505. 
Stevens,    (iov.,    comm.    on    S.    Juan 

trouble,  608. 
Stikeen  country,  description,  .38-9. 
Stikeea  River  prospected  1861,  5."i9. 
Stock-raising,  favorable   regions  for, 

744-(>. 
Strawijerry  Bay  named,  20, 
Stuart,  John,  descends  Fraser  River, 

159. 
Sugar  Creek,  mining  on,  482,  504. 
Sullivan,  gold  commissioner,  drowned, 

562. 
"Surprise,"  steamer,  3(»4,  444. 
"Susan  Sturgis,"  sliip,  346. 


"Sutil,"  Spanish  brig,  20, 
Sutro,  Ad 
C,  373. 


on  gold  discovery  B. 


Suan,  J.  M.,  visits  Victoria,  229,  231. 
"Swiss    Boy,"    brig,     captured    by 
lacU,  427-8. 


T 


Talmboo  Creek,  mining  on,  482. 
Tahkats,  missionaries  among,  719. 
Tako  River,  Douglas  explores,  71. 
'I'aylor,  J.  F.,  U.  S.  commissioner  on 

S.  Juan  trouble,  610. 
Teet,  Iiids,  cliaracter,  136. 
Tellat.Ua  Quatza,  Indian  chief,  .39.3. 
Tcnnant,    .lames,    before    comm.    in 

Kiig.  on  H.  B.  Co.,  381. 
Tennent,    <i,    W.,    secy    Uw-makers, 

393. 
"Tepic,"8hip,  346-7. 
"Ternuigant,"H.  M.  S.,  417 
"Thames  City,"  ship,  404. 
"Thetis,"  II.  M.  S.,  124,  236,  .331. 
Tliilie'rt  Creek,  mining  on,    660-.3. 
Tliistle  <  'reek,  mining  on,  482. 
TliDinpson,   I).,  bi.ilds  Ft  Thompson, 

134 
Thompson  River,  mii)iiig  on,  458-61; 

469,  .•)79. 
Tiiomps(m  Sound,  Sjuin.  name  for,  26. 
Thornton,   ,lohn,    miujr,   on   Salmon 

Creek,  1865,  5,30. 
"Three  Brothers,"  s.ir     W. 
Tillamook    Bay,    nativi      i       attack 

(Jray'smcu  1789,  8. 


1NI>KX. 


791 


41: 
th, 

BX- 


lUIl 


or, 
cr. 


by 


Tocl,  John,  at  Knniloopn,  134  '><]•.  jht- 
BOiial  upp«!!iniii('<',  i;<8^  !(;  itusIk's 
lud.  coiispii'acy,  141 -.VJ;  outwitM 
Nicola,  l.V2-fi;  justice,  'IM;  fainui-, 
278  9;  on  council,  ^81,  316;  at  Ft 
McLeod,  288. 

Tolmie,  W.  F.,  ninnngcr  agric.  co., 
62  3;  cliaractcr,  l."(7;  tliscKVi-rs  coal, 
187;  justice,  2(J4;  (jii  nianagcnicut 
•  H.  B.  Co.,  328. 

"Ton«inin,"  ship,  seized  hy  IntU,  45. 

"Topaze,"  H.  M.  S.,  417. 

"Tory,"  ship,"  l!)-).  2.-)7. 

Toy,  1'.,  iiiiuer,  546;  pruBpects  Finlay 
River,  5tM. 

Trafalgar  IJar,  gold  discovered  at,  441, 
444. 

Travaillot,  O.,  eoiiimr  for  erov  n  lands, 
405;  gold  coiniii;',  4t")l, 

"Tribune,"  H.  M.  .S.,  404,  619. 

"Trinconialee,"  H.  M.  S..  236,  3.34. 

Tsilaltach,  Songhies  chief,  U7-'J;  at- 
tacks Ft  Caniosun,  lOS-IO. 

Tsonghilani,  tViwichiu  cliicf,  attacks 
B'ort  Camosun,  107-10. 

Tucker,  atta.ukcd  by  Lidiaus,  3i)4. 


"Umatilla,"  steamer,  3(>4,  401,  445. 
"Una,"  ship,  345. 
Uidon  Act,  provisions  of,  594-5. 
Union   IJar,  gold  discovered  at,  441, 

444. 
Union  Coal  .Miiung  Co.,  work,  568. 
Uripdiart,  ndncr,  504. 


Vail,  light-keeper  at  Blunt  Isl.,  614. 
Valdi''s,  Capt.,  cxpcdt.   of,    in    1792, 

20-8.      . 
Valdes  Harl)or.     See  E8(|uimalt. 
"  Vancouver,"  ship,  71,  120. 
Vancouver  Coal    Mining    and   Laud 

Co.  organized,  5<I9. 
Vancouver,    <!.,    com.    tor    l^ng.    in 

Nootka    nlVair    1792,    14-15;    voy. 

and  places  nanicd  1)V,  15-29;  maps 

of,  17.  19,  27. 
Vancouver  Island  named.  29;  eontigii- 

ration,  34;  iliniatc,  42;  f:iuna,  43; 

ini^(  rtanie  of  .situation,  S.'t  4;  oceu- 

pat      <   of.  'Xi    Hfl;  eoal  diseovereil, 

lOti;  gianted   to  11.  B.  Co.,  202  22; 

colonized    by    U.    B.    <'o.,    223  37; 

settlements,  247  62,  314;  map,  259; 

population,     1853,    260;    govt    es- 


tablished, 263  84:  seal  ''f,  279  80; 
under  Douglas,  3IO-2S:  legislature, 
317  27;  electoral  (lists,  320;  judi- 
ciary of.  329  40;  revenue,  330,  ."{.37- 
40,  51)2;  supreme  court  created, 
419-20;  first  capital  execution,  4;i5; 
mining  population  18.")9-(il,  471; 
c(xil  nnning,  566-80;  (Kjpulation 
18(i4,  592. 

\'an  N'alz^h,  exi)cdt.  against  Inds 
1S.V».  61.'.. 

Van   Winkle  Creek,  mining  on,  482, 

\'ashou  Island  named,  18. 

Vantrin,  J.  B.,  in  Anderson's  ex|X)dt., 
159. 

N'aviiNOur,  Lieut,  report  on  Nisrjually, 
52;  census  of  Tnd.  trilies,  75;  de- 
scribes Ft  (Jamosun,  112;  examines 
X.  \V.  coast,  12.V-6,  1H!»;  report  ou 
eoal  discoveiy,  180. 

Verdia,  pilot  in  Klisa's  expedt.,  13. 

Victoria  laid  out,  113;  settlers,  258; 
population  18.".3,  2()0;  1861,  707; 
18«i3,  708;  1S66.  709:  g(dd  dis- 
covered, 343;  port  of  entry,  403; 
Inds  (lock  to,  426  7;  business  de- 
pression I860,  470;  revival,  477; 
lmn(|Uet  to  l)ouglas,  587-8;  incor- 
porated, 70S;  city  ileseribed,  709 
11;  newspaiiers  of,  739.  See  Ft 
Victoria. 

Victoria  Bar,  gold  discovered,  441, 
444. 

Victoria  Coal  Mining  and  Land  Co., 
mines  and  huiil  ownetl  by,  715. 

Victoria  and  Ksi(iiitnalt  Railway  Co., 
charter  granted,  (i97. 

Victoria  (Jazctte,  first  newspaper  iu 
Victoria,  739. 

Vitalle  Creek,  ndniug  on,  549,  558. 


VV 

Waddington,    A.,    miner,    .348,    .350; 

attacki(l  by  Inds,  428;  estimate  of 

gold  yield  15.  C.,  469. 
Waldron  l.shiiid,  (i06. 
Walkeiii,  <  i.  A.,  attorney-general,  656- 

8,  676,  701   3. 
\Van(|llille,  I  lid.  chief,  51. 
Wanijuille  Kiver  named,  76;  mining 

on,  4.".8. 
Warre,   Lieut,   report  on   Nisoually, 

52;   census   of   Or.    terr.    Inds,  75; 

examines  \.  W.   ei)ast,  125  6,  189; 

report  on  gold  diseov<uy,  189. 
Warren,  .1.   1).,  Amer.  settlor  on  S. 

Juan,  617. 


792 


INDEX. 


•'  Wnshlngton,"  Bhip,  6,  8. 
Wav,  l\,  atarU  fvrry,  446. 
Wcbsttr,     A.,     iu    railway    survey 

expedt.,  a'lO. 
Welileu,  Capt.,  captured  by  IiiiUiuih, 

427. 
WellcHley,    Capt.,    attauka    Induns, 

274. 
Wellington  mines,  work  at,  S70,  fi73; 

fire  at,  576. 
Wells  I'osaago  named,  '26. 
Whalers,    northern    rendezvous    for, 

88,  100,  120. 
Whanuell,  P.  B.,  justice,  402,  40(»-10. 
Wharton,    H.,    Amor,    settler  on   8. 

Juan,  617. 
Whatcom,  rise  and  fall,  :i')i)-64. 
Whidlxiy,    Joseph,    in    Vancouver's 

cxpedt.,  16,  24. 
WhipsAW  Creek,  mining  on,  50^. 
Wicanunish,  Ind.  village,  6. 
Wild   Horse  Creek,  mining  on,  523, 

C24,  521). 
Wild   Horse  Creek  ditch  completed, 

529. 
"Wild  Pigeon,"  schr,  .155. 
WillameU„  Valley,  settlements  in,  56, 

61,  80. 
William,  Emperor,  H.  Juan  question 

referred  to,  (i.'W. 
"William  llerry,"  ship,  361. 
William  Creek,  mining  on,  482,  484, 

495-509,  512,  513,  515,  517-18. 


Willow  River,  mining  on,  481-2,  4«2, 

no;>. 

Wilson,  with  overlaml  jMirty,  .T67. 
U'ilson,  Mra,  on  Mclx>uglin,  300. 
Witty,    .lohu,    Ainer.   settler  on    S. 

Juan,  617. 
Wolf,    trailer,    with   overland  part*', 

.367. 
Women,  first  arrival  of  whites,  24{  - 

50;  at  CarilMH)  mines,  519. 
Wool,  Oen.,  establishes  |M>st  at  Bel- 

lingham  Bay,  613. 
Work,  .John,   chief  factor,   KW,  ;J28, 

384;    justice,    264;    signs    settlen4' 

petition,  314;  on  councu,  216;  hunts 

for  gold,  346-7. 


Yale,  gamblers  at,  360;  site  surveyed, 
400;  govt  established,  401;  mining 
troubles  at,  408  14;  mining  at,  441  • 
7,  471;  town  descri))ed,  717. 

Yale,  J.  M.,  at  Ft  Langlcy,  67;  char- 
actor,  171-3;  justice,  2VA. 

Yankee  Doodle  Bar,  gold  discovered, 
441. 

Yates,  James,  settler  on  V.  I.,  258; 
signs  petition,  314,  mem.  of  first  as- 
sembly, 321,  327;  fur-truder,  400. 

Young,  W.  A.  U.,  colonial  sec.  B.  C, 
406. 


iih  h.  .imr     ■„  I 


.o 


482. 


167. 
1)0. 
on    N. 

party, 

I,  24f  - 

t  Bel- 

I,  ;<28, 
ittlent' 
hunts 


eyed, 

lining 

441- 

char- 

ered, 

258; 

)t  08- 

00. 
I.C.. 


